Unexpectedly harvesting two cultists, Gu Xin was in a very good mood right now.
He walked toward his little shop, while the blue-haired girl followed closely behind him.
Until they returned to the shop.
“Have a seat.
Would you like something to drink?”
Gu Xin motioned for the girl to sit down, asking her a question.
But after waiting a moment, he noticed the girl was still standing awkwardly in place.
“My clothes are very dirty…” the girl bit her lip, saying in a low, embarrassed voice.
She was wearing a pleated skirt, which was indeed very dirty at the moment.
Who knew how long she had been locked in that basement.
“It’s fine, we can just wipe the chair down later.” Gu Xin paused for a moment, then replied with a smile.
“Take a seat first.
Is plain water okay?”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
The girl bowed solemnly, making Gu Xin feel quite embarrassed.
Gu Xin poured a cup of hot water and placed it in front of the girl, then took a moment to observe her.
She had rare long blue hair tied into twin tails.
Although there was some dirt on her, it was clear that her face was beautiful and fair, and her golden pupils were different from ordinary people.
If she were cleaned up and dressed nicely, Gu Xin even felt that this girl might be more stunning than the duo of Yin Xue and Tang Yueyue.
The girl’s legs were pressed together and slightly slanted, her back straight.
Her sitting posture was very standard.
Even in this situation, it was obvious that she had received a good upbringing.
She held the teacup with both hands, lowering her head to take small sips.
She must have been very thirsty, drinking for quite a while before placing the cup back on the table.
“You’re not from Yin City, are you?”
Gu Xin looked at her with interest, deciding to ask about her background.
Although she also spoke the Great Xia language, accents varied slightly across the country, and this girl’s accent was a bit different from the locals of Yin City.
“Benefactor has a keen eye.
I am from Sakura Province, and my name is Togawa Sakiko.” Togawa Sakiko pursed her lips and nodded in reply.
“You don’t need to call me benefactor.
My name is Gu Xin.”
Gu Xin felt a bit awkward.
Although it was satisfying to watch TV shows where girls constantly called the protagonist ‘benefactor,’ in reality, Gu Xin just felt like ants were crawling all over him—the kind of second-hand embarrassment that made him want to curl his toes into the floor.
“Yes, then please allow me to call you Sir.
If it weren’t for you, perhaps I…”
As she spoke, Togawa Sakiko once again fell into a gloomy, depressed state, clearly recalling her tragic circumstances.
However, Togawa Sakiko’s emotional management skills were very strong.
She quickly adjusted herself, raising a hand to wipe the tear stains from the corners of her eyes.
“So what do you plan to do next?
If you don’t mind, you can stay here tonight, and tomorrow I can buy you a ticket and send you back to Sakura Province?
Or I can take you to the Enforcers?”
“The Enforcers will definitely provide aid to a girl who has been through what you have.”
Gu Xin offered his suggestions.
Sakura Province was one of the regions under the rule of the Great Xia Empire, and it was indeed quite a distance from Yin City where Gu Xin was located.
“Thank you very much for your kindness, Sir.
You saved me, and to trouble you further on my behalf makes me truly ashamed.”
“You’re welcome.”
“But…”
Togawa Sakiko bit her lip, her two small hands gripping the hem of her skirt.
She seemed to have thought of something, her knuckles turning white.
Gu Xin raised an eyebrow at this sight.
It seemed this Togawa Sakiko had some unspeakable difficulties.
“Because of some unspeakable family matters, my father and I relocated to Yin City.
I do not want to return to Sakura Province.”
After a long while, Togawa Sakiko said in a low voice.
*I see.
A family tragedy?*
Gu Xin looked thoughtful.
This wasn’t hard to understand.
After all, although the Empire maintained order in this world, those with martial prowess often flouted the law.
When an individual’s power reached a certain level, it was no easy task for the law to restrict them.
Not to mention, if it was a large family, the words ‘family tragedy’ could mean far too many things.
“Then what will you do next?
Is your mother here?”
In that case, it wouldn’t be good to send her to the Enforcers either, since the Enforcers weren’t a shelter.
Seeing the girl’s stubborn expression, it was obvious she didn’t want to return to Sakura Province.
“My mother passed away when I was very young.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t apologize, Sir.
When we came in just now, I saw that your shop is currently hiring staff.
Is that correct?”
“Well…
that’s true, but Miss Togawa, you should be…
under eighteen, right?”
Gu Xin looked at Togawa Sakiko with some difficulty.
Although he sympathized with the girl’s plight, the key issue was that Togawa Sakiko didn’t look eighteen yet.
Wouldn’t that make her child labor?
“Yes…
I know this will cause you trouble, but please rest assured, if we are discovered, I will leave immediately and won’t cause you any problems.
So please, I beg you to take me in.”
Togawa Sakiko suddenly stood up and gave Gu Xin another deep bow.
*Come on, sis, you don’t have to do this at the drop of a hat.*
“But even if you say that, what if…” Gu Xin felt extremely helpless.
“I implore you to agree.
I am very capable.
I will do absolutely anything.”
*Hiss, that statement is way too dangerous, sis.*
Gu Xin clicked his tongue.
He had often heard that the customs in Sakura Province were different from most parts of Great Xia.
Dropping lines like ‘I will do absolutely anything’ at the drop of a hat—who could withstand that?
Gu Xin felt it was a bit hard to handle.
“Can you cook?”
“Yes!”
“Alright then, that works.”
Gu Xin stood up and helped up the still-bowing Togawa Sakiko, replying helplessly.
“Thank you, thank you so much, Sir.
I will work hard.” Togawa Sakiko was grateful beyond words.
“Then I’ll look forward to your performance.” Gu Xin chuckled lightly.
“Now then, let’s discuss your compensation.”
Gu Xin sat back down.
“The fact that you are willing to take me in is something Sakiko is already endlessly grateful for.
As long as you…”
“No, no, no.
Business is business.”
Gu Xin interrupted Togawa Sakiko and shook his head.
“Do you have a place to stay?”
“…No.” Togawa Sakiko lowered her head.
“Alright, there’s another room upstairs.
You can stay there.”
Actually, Gu Xin had another house in the city center left to him by his mother, but he hadn’t been there in a long time.
The Blue Star Card Shop wasn’t far from Yin City University, and his laboratory was also here, making it naturally much more convenient.
It just so happened that there were two rooms upstairs.
The other room was originally a study, but it could be lived in after tidying it up.
“Yes.”
Next, Gu Xin and Togawa Sakiko discussed the details of her work and compensation.
A monthly salary of 5,000, with room and board included.
Togawa Sakiko would normally be responsible for cleaning the entire shop, acting as a receptionist for customers, and also handling the cooking.
Hmm, Gu Xin was personally quite satisfied.
It would be even better if Togawa Sakiko were an adult.
As for her specific identity and background, Gu Xin didn’t actually care too much.
As long as she did her job well, that was all that mattered.
Just like that, Gu Xin happily acquired the first employee for his shop.
Next, it was time to deal with those two cultists.