Qingyi reached out to rub Panta's head, then paused as a thoughtful glint flashed in her eyes.
"Hmm... I still need to buy a few things. Can't prepare properly without them…"
"Come on, Panta, keep me company for a bit."
She stretched up on her toes to loosen up, then lowered her arms and gave a casual wave. Panta trotted after her without hesitation.
Actually, there was more to what he had said earlier.
He trusted Qingyi not just because she was reliable—but also for a very important reason…
Through his daily observations, he'd concluded: Qingyi > Boss.
After all, he often saw Boss getting scolded by Qingyi, getting his ear pulled, or obediently giving shoulder rubs and back pats…
Which made Qingyi the boss's boss.
And as a loyal underling, of course he had to follow the boss's boss first...
...
"Zane, you're back."
In the courtyard, Qingyi looked at the slightly flustered Zane, quietly standing in place with a faint smile.
"Yes! (Boss!)"
Behind her, Panta poked out his head and let out a cheerful call. It had been days since he'd last seen Zane—he'd really missed him.
The moment he saw him, he ran over, and Zane picked him up.
"You little rascal, why'd you run off?"
Zane lightly flicked Panta's forehead. He'd searched all through Hollow Zero and had just gotten in contact with the Falkenhayn. Even though Shin wasn't there, they had mobilized quite a few people.
And before they could even get moving, Fairy hacked into nearby electronics and informed him that Panta had already been found.
"Mm-hmm mm-hmm... (I'm sorry, Boss...)"
Even though Panta knew he hadn't actually gone to Hollow Zero, when it came to Zane—especially for the boss's boss—he'd rather just admit fault immediately.
"What were you doing in Hollow Zero? If something's going on, just tell me. I'll handle it for you. Don't go sneaking around like someone else…"
Zane set Panta down and gave a stern reminder. As soon as the words landed, Qingyi's face darkened.
Yeah, that was definitely aimed at her.
Panta quickly explained that he'd gone to Hollow Zero for something important—he was trying to catch Golden Bangboo. He'd found him, but the target slipped away.
"So that's what it was... Next time, just ask Belle to help keep an eye out. Stuff like this suits them well."
Zane's voice was calm. Panta had high resistance to erosion and decent combat ability. As long as he didn't go deep into Hollow Zero, there wasn't much to worry about.
His voice wasn't loud, but Qingyi still caught every word. She was a little intrigued—Belle and Wise sounded like they had some kind of secret roles...
But she didn't dwell on it. Zane was already turning to look at her.
"So, Senior, you went out early this morning to look for Panta?"
"Why didn't you just tell me? Something like this... there's no need to be so mysterious, is there?"
Zane's tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction. Qingyi quickly stepped in to explain.
"As your master, it's only right that I shoulder some burdens for you. When I went to look for him, I already had solid intel. I didn't want to trouble you…"
She let out a small sigh, then added with a faint drop in her tone,
"If you think I overstepped, Zane... then I won't do this kind of thing again."
Zane sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"Senior, you're seriously trying to spin the topic and redirect blame again…"
Qingyi pouted, wringing her hands together in front of her. She tilted her head slightly and murmured,
"Zane... I'm sorry, okay?"
"Please forgive your Master…"
She had no intention of letting Zane dwell on it, so she quickly softened her stance.
She knew this always worked on him.
Sure enough, Zane sighed, waved his hand in resignation, and turned to walk back with Panta in tow.
Seeing that, Qingyi smiled and followed along.
"Zane, Hare's House is treating everyone to dinner tonight. Everyone else is going. Are you coming?"
"A dinner party?"
"Yeah. I'm going, so why not keep me company?"
"Senior, that's a bit self-important of you. I was going either way, even if it wasn't for you…"
The courtyard went quiet for two seconds.
And Panta silently witnessed his boss getting "bullied" once again.
That only solidified his belief: in all but the most serious matters, the boss's boss took priority.
Otherwise, he might end up like the boss...
...
That night, at a hotpot restaurant near Lumina Square.
"Zane, drink!"
Clack!
Nicole slammed her glass onto the table, her cheeks flushed and her expression a bit dazed—clearly tipsy.
Zane chuckled with a trace of disdain, glancing at Anby, who had passed out from drinking too much, and Billy, who was glitching from the alcohol and twitching on the spot.
"Nicole, you seriously tried to get everyone to team up and get me drunk? You do realize I'm immune to alcohol, right...?"
His body filtered out alcohol unless he actively allowed it. To him, booze was just water.
"Tch… Again! One more round!"
Nicole was clearly still trying, though her current state wasn't backing her up. Off to the side, Zhu Yuan and Belle exchanged a helpless look.
They'd already tried to talk her down. No use.
Nicole was too stubborn—but stubbornness came at a price.
"Hehe, Zane… do you remember when we first met?"
"I said I owed you a favor back then…"
Nicole trailed off into the past. Zane's expression softened with a hint of nostalgia. She continued, slightly slurring.
"And now the debt's just gotten bigger… Mmh… I don't think I'll ever pay it back… Hehe… So many Zanes..."
She let out a small sigh, her eyes hazy as she looked at him—seeing what felt like eight… no, six Zanes staring back.
"How much did you drink…"
A few stress lines popped on Zane's forehead. Then he asked, a bit curious,
"Nicole, you really went all out today. Just the drinks cost a lot. Why are you being so generous?"
"Ahhh… I'm not the one paying. I already brought up that old favor. So my mission's complete!"
Nicole raised her arms in triumph, then flopped back, resting her head on Belle's shoulder and smacking her lips.
Not her money?
Zane raised an eyebrow, then his brow furrowed slightly. A thoughtful look flickered in his eyes before he turned toward Qingyi.
Noticing his gaze, Qingyi's expression stiffened ever so slightly. She kept her tone casual as she spoke.
"What're you looking at me for?"
Zane blinked, said nothing, and quietly pushed the thought aside with a light smile.
...