Chapter 174: Part-time Work

"What are you drawing?" Jiang Xia walked over to her slowly and said softly.

Rixia Bu Xi froze, then quickly closed the notebook in her hand and turned her head to look back.

She furtively sized up the strange man before her with cautious eyes, her body slightly shrinking back as if she wanted to hide herself, like a frightened fawn.

"I mean no harm." Jiang Xia gently approached her and then sat on the grass not far from her.

"My name is Jiang Xia. I have also seen a person with wings before; they were a pair of very beautiful wings that emitted a green glow."

Looking at Rixia Bu Xu's wary gaze, Jiang Xia slowly began to speak.

"Have you really seen one?" Upon hearing Jiang Xia's words, Rixia Bu Xu seemed to let down her guard all at once and asked eagerly.

"Well, I have indeed seen one, so could you let me see your drawing?" Jiang Xia asked tentatively.

Feeling like he was kidnapping a clueless little girl, Jiang Xia thought as he looked at Rixia Bu Xu's appearance.

"Okay."

"Could you lend me the pen for a moment?"

Jiang Xia flipped through the notebook, looking at Rixia Bu Xi's drawing and asked.

Rixia Bu Xi's drawing was simple; only a few strokes on the white paper depicted a man and a woman embracing, but in her drawing both of them had wings.

Jiang Xia knew that Rixia Bu Xi was drawing her Original Insect parents; here one could see the Shibuya destroyed by a meteorite, and the Mimicry parents of the Heavenly Dao Chief had died exactly beneath that meteorite in Shibuya.

Rixia Bu Xu also became an orphan on that day; she was merely here reminiscing about her parents.

Seeing this drawing, Jiang Xia felt as if he had returned to seven years ago, seeing her trapped under the rubble.

That sorrow and despair felt like they were about to overflow; perhaps Jiang Xia had also experienced that time inside the Earth Library.

So he wanted to comfort Rixia Bu Xu.

Upon hearing Jiang Xia's words, Rixia Bu Xi silently handed over the pencil she was holding.

Jiang Xia took the pencil and lightly added a few strokes to the two figures originally embracing each other.

He possessed many skills; even if he went to busk, he wouldn't starve, and of course he truly wouldn't starve.

"Look, this makes a perfect family."

Jiang Xia gently placed the finished drawing in front of Rixia Bu Xi.

On the blank notebook, around the edges was a small garden; in the distance, a little house could be faintly seen under the sunlight.

Up close, three people walked hand in hand—a man and a woman together holding a little girl's hand, out for a stroll.

And in the sky, the little girl with wings was being held in her parents' arms as they flew freely.

Rixia Bu Xi reached out and gently stroked the shared smiling faces of the three people in the picture.

This was the scene she had long dreamed of, but now she could no longer see it, far away in the yin and yang worlds.

"I didn't lie to you; I really have seen them." Jiang Xia said, "Don't worry, they will always be by your side."

Rixia Bu Xi silently gazed at the simple sketch for a long time without speaking.

"I hope you have a good day from now on; I need to go eat now—going too long without food is really unpleasant."

Jiang Xia stood up, looking at Rixia Bu Xi whose mood had largely returned to normal, and said.

Of course, he was referring to going to hunt the Alien Insects in Shibuya.

"Um, let me treat you to a meal, as thanks for this drawing."

Rixia Bu Xu watched Jiang Xia as he was about to leave, quickly stood up, and said to him.

Her eyes were red, and crystal-clear tears swirled in her sockets.

Obviously she hadn't held back her emotions just now; this drawing accurately depicted her true thoughts and feelings.

It let the feelings she had long hidden in her heart for her parents completely break loose, yet she still wanted to thank the person who brought her this drawing.

Jiang Xia glanced at the Shibuya area suffused with purple aura, then looked at Rixia Bu Xu valiantly holding back her tears.

Jiang Xia felt that she could burst into tears at any moment.

"Alright, I agree." Jiang Xia nodded.

Perhaps drawing on the street later would be a good choice; Jiang Xia thought as he watched Rixia Bu Xi pack up her things.

Exchanging a drawing for a delicious dinner was indeed profitable.

Jiang Xia looked at Rixia Bu Xi in surprise.

Before him now stood a small bicycle, and it seemed to be a ladies' model.

"This is all there is; I'll just sit in the back." Rixia Bu Xi pointed to the bike lane.

Jiang Xia felt something was off, but he couldn't figure out where that wary girl who had been looking at him just now—Rixia Bu Xi—had gone.

Perhaps this is her personality in front of acquaintances, but that doesn't seem right either?

"Turn right, we'll be there soon." Xiao Xi directed Jiang Xia to turn the handlebars.

Now Jiang Xia, for the sake of a meal, was riding a ladies' bicycle while Rixia Bu Xi sat on the back seat, responsible for directing the traffic conditions.

However, Jiang Xia didn't need any direction at all, because he knew where Rixia Bu Xi was taking him to eat.

Because with the Earth Library he could analyze in real time, but for now let's just follow her directions.

"We've arrived." Rixia Bu Xi got off the rear seat of the bicycle, skillfully locked it to the post outside the door, and then placed her bag together with the notebook properly.

"Sal Restaurant, what a strange name." Jiang Xia murmured while looking at the sign above.

"Eh? Xiao Xi, did anything else delay you today?"

The owner's wife stood up inside the shop, looking at the dust-covered Xiao Xi and asked.

"Who is this?" She looked at Jiang Xia, who had followed Xiao Xi inside, her eyes suddenly brightening, and then she asked excitedly.

"He's a friend of mine; I'm treating him to a meal today."

Rixia Bu Xi put away her small bag, put on her apron.

"Xiao Xi, what are you planning to do?" The owner's wife said to Rixia Bu Xi, who was getting ready to roll up her sleeves.

"Miso Bluefin Fish." Rixia Bu Xi, having put on an apron, said,

"Give him my portion; he seems to have been hungry for a long time."

"But however I look at him, he doesn't look like a person without money for food." Jiang Xia, who was being examined by the owner's wife, said.

His clothes were very clean, there was no strange odor on him, his appearance was handsome—how could he have been hungry for so long?

"I don't know; that's what he said." Rixia Bu Xi skillfully sprinkled the seasoning onto the Bluefin Fish.

"This is your first time making Miso Bluefin Fish for someone else." The owner's wife said, looking at Rixia Bu Xi.

"I don't know whether I'll make it for others in the future either."

"Give it a try."

Rixia Bu Xi brought the Miso Bluefin Fish out.

"Extremely delicious." Jiang Xia picked up the knife and fork, speared the thin fish slices and praised.

Seeing Jiang Xia's pleased expression, Rixia Bu Xi gave a slight smile.

As a chef, seeing a customer enjoy the dish one prepared is the happiest thing, but she couldn't be sure whether Jiang Xia truly counted as a customer.

"Xiao Xi, I want to stay." Jiang Xia said.

"Huh?"

"This is the staff meal here, right? I want to keep working here." Jiang Xia said, tasting the blue fish slices.

I have to admit, this is tastier than anything Jiang Xia has made himself; he's the one who's always in charge of Hong Du's meals, yet Jiang Xia felt that, based solely on this dish, Rixia Bu Xi did a great job.

"But the shop is already full." Rixia Bu Xi said, at a loss for words.

"I don't need a salary; just provide food and lodging."

(End of chapter)