Gu Gu Gu—A thrush's chirping came from the birdcage.
Nicole, Anby, and Billy looked down, only now realizing that the birdcage wasn't empty today. At some point, a tiny thrush had appeared inside.
Nicole was in a good mood.
She couldn't resist reaching out to touch the feathers on the thrush's head—smooth and soft, fun to the touch.
Nicole smiled. "So cute!"
Anby said seriously, "So small!"
Billy fumbled for words. After a long pause, he finally said, "...Delicious?"
The moment the words left his mouth—
Smack! A slap landed on his head.
"Eat, eat, eat—that's all you think about! When did you start learning from Anby?"
"Nicole, I was joking... I'm a robot; I can't even eat human food!"
"Robots don't get a pass either—"
"..."
They fooled around late into the night.
Nicole stretched and yawned. "You guys keep watching TV! Night, everyone!"
With that, she was the first to leave.
...
Billy suddenly remembered he hadn't cleaned his gun yet. He hurriedly called out to Nicole, grabbed his newly bought gun oil, and ran back to his room, playing the Starfire Knight theme song while polishing his weapon.
"Billy, what's with the music in the middle of the night? Keep it down."
"Got it, Nicole, turning it off..."
At the same time, Anby finished packing up her weapons and went to rest in her room.
Sam LI had just lifted the birdcage when he suddenly remembered something—he had been so focused on buying the bird that he forgot to get birdseed.
He'd pick some up tomorrow on his way to Sixth Street.
...
That night passed without incident.
Before long, morning arrived.
The sun rose slowly from the other side of Hollow Zero, gradually illuminating all of New Eridu—including the street where the Hare's House was located.
Sam LI woke up early, just like the day before.
He then walked to Sixth Street for breakfast, took his bird for a stroll, had some coffee, and picked up birdseed for the thrush.
Just as he reached the café entrance, he heard a radio broadcast playing inside:
"Previously, we discussed the turbulent times in New Eridu. The major Hollows were expanding unchecked, while within the city, the Cult of Praise spread its corrupt doctrine. The third-generation head of the Xingjian family defied public opposition and vowed to eradicate the Cult, restoring order to New Eridu..."
"That battle shook all of New Eridu..."
"The third-generation head of the Xingjian family fought the Prelate of the Cult of Praise for an entire day and night. With his own strength, he struck down the Prelate, and from that moment, the Cult vanished without a trace..."
...
Sam LI listened to the broadcast as he pushed open the café door and stepped inside.
He ordered a New Eridu Special Blend.
Soon enough, Master Tingman brought the coffee to him. "Sir, your New Eridu Special Blend!"
Sam LI nodded. "Thanks."
Outside the café in the early morning, Sam LI leisurely sipped on Master Tingman's coffee while listening to the radio. The moment felt peaceful and satisfying.
This is life.
Meanwhile, a familiar system prompt echoed in his mind:
[Ding! System Notification: Congratulations, Host! You have completed Daily Task 3—Drink Tea (or Coffee) Every Day. Reward: 1,000 System Points.]
[Ding! System Notification: Host is currently listening to an audiobook (or watching a movie). Listening for a total of one hour will grant 1x Treasure Chest. Please continue listening.]
...
While Sam LI was sitting in Tingman Coffee Shop, sipping coffee and listening to an audiobook, enjoying a peaceful moment...
At that very moment, inside Hare's House—
Nicole, exhausted from yesterday's safe deposit box job, had slept in. By the time she finally crawled out of bed, the sun was already high in the sky.
After freshening up, getting dressed, and eating the burger Anby had bought for breakfast, she did a quick count.
"One burger for me, one for Sam LI, zero for Billy, and the rest are all Anby's... Wait, where's Sam LI?"
She looked around but saw no sign of him.
Where did he run off to this time?
Just then—
Billy explained, "He was up even earlier than me. I had just rolled out of bed to clean my gun when I saw him leaving with a birdcage. I asked him where he was going, and he said Sixth Street... No idea why he's heading there so early!"
Hearing this, Nicole couldn't help but chuckle. "Sixth Street, huh? Now that's a good place to be!"
That area might seem ordinary, but it was actually full of hidden talents and powerful figures. If Sam LI was heading there so early in the morning, there was only one reason—
Recruiting clients.
The more she thought about it, the more pleased she became. She had Nekomataged to hire such a diligent and capable employee!
If only Anby and Billy could be as hardworking as Sam LI...
Hare's House would surely grow bigger and stronger, reaching new heights of success.
"Anby, Billy, you two should learn from Sam LI. Look at him—while we're lounging on the sofa, eating burgers, and watching TV, he's out there braving the elements to bring in clients. And when we're out on missions, he's secretly taking on extra jobs to earn Denny for Hare's House. The guy never takes a break!"
Nicole grew more and more enthusiastic, showering Sam LI with praise. "Honestly, I'm so relieved he's working for Hare's House instead of one of our competitors!"
Getting commissions was already tough for them.
If Sam LI had joined a rival firm, they'd have even fewer jobs—maybe none at all.
Billy felt a little guilty after hearing Nicole's words. "Nicole, it's not like we don't want to bring in clients. But you know our reputation—most people around here recognize me and Anby and just refuse to trust us with their jobs."
Anby nodded. "Yeah, and some of them have even given you a pretty nasty nickname..."
At the mention of that nickname, Nicole's mood soured instantly. "Of course, I know that..."
...
After breakfast, Nicole turned on the TV, planning to catch up on the latest news.
Suddenly!
A delivery worker appeared at the door, dropped off a small package, and left without a word.
Billy's eyes lit up. "Boss Nicole, did you order something online?"
Nicole frowned. "No... Anby, open it and check."
Soon enough, the package was unwrapped.
Anby examined the contents carefully. "It's not something from an online order. Looks like a letter."
Nicole leaned back on the sofa lazily. "Read it out loud."
Anby unfolded the letter.
A bill slipped out.
"It's from the Flower, Bird, Fish, and Insect Market. It says: Your firm's employee, Sam LI, purchased a thrush from our store on May 8, 3025, at 6:00 p.m. using a credit account. Please settle the payment promptly. There's also an invoice attached."
Hearing that, Nicole's stomach dropped. A bad feeling crept over her as she frowned.
"So that's why he suddenly has a bird... Alright, tell me—how much?"
Anby replied, "Fifty thousand."