Chapter 332: The Pretty Cat Strategy
Two hundred gold coins per day wasn't a big deal for Qi Han.
After all, the personal storage space Ru Yi provided already cost him one hundred gold coins per day. Now she was offering to divide out a region in the mini-world, synchronize its time flow with the real world, and even take care of feeding the horse—and all that for just two hundred a day? That actually sounded like a pretty good deal.
Still, Qi Han couldn't help but ask, "You're not planning on feeding the horse garbage, are you?"
It just felt a little too cheap.
"How could you even think that!" Ru Yi replied in a disgusted tone. "Let me list some of the horse feed I use in the mini-world."
Immediately, a series of descriptions that left Qi Han baffled began pouring out of her mouth—things like "finely ground hybrid corn irrigated with spirit spring water," "specially processed oats with reduced starch content through hybrid cultivation," and more.
Ru Yi even added at the end, "Good thing you're not a horse—otherwise, you'd be drooling by now."
Qi Han: "…"
Alright, fair enough. While Ru Yi was definitely a little money-hungry, she had never cut corners when it came to quality. If she was the one taking care of the horse, it would probably be better off than with him.
Hmm… Decision made. He'd buy a horse.
If it was just a temporary means of travel, there wouldn't be much to worry about—any healthy Red Blood Foal would do, since he could always sell it afterward.
But if the horse was going to be raised in Ru Yi's world, that changed things.
It would essentially be more of a pet than a tool, and not something he'd want to casually replace or sell. So it was worth picking a good one.
If he could find a decent Blood Red Unicorn, that would be even better.
After all, the Red Blood Foal was just a hybrid offspring of a Blood Red Unicorn and an ordinary horse.
The caravan soon arrived at Nanyin City, and Qi Han parted ways with the escort team at the city gates.
Looking up at the gates—which were not as grand as those of Shrek City but still fairly impressive—Qi Han smiled and walked over to a nearby city guard holding a long halberd.
"Excuse me, sir," Qi Han said politely. "If I'm looking to buy a horse, where should I go?"
The guard was clearly well-trained. He didn't move at all, just glanced sideways at Qi Han. Noting Qi Han's fine clothes and the cat in his arms, the guard could tell this was no ordinary civilian.
Without turning his head, a low voice came from the guard's helmet: "Enter through this gate, go five hundred meters, then turn left. There's a horse market there."
"Thanks, brother," Qi Han smiled, then followed the directions into the city.
Nanyin City was considered a mid-sized city in the Heaven Dou Empire. It wasn't very large, but still fairly bustling, even at midday.
Qi Han's stomach was growling. As he followed the crowd toward the horse market, he looked around for something to eat.
He grabbed some local snacks from a street vendor and ate as he walked in the direction the guard had indicated.
Pururu, the cat, sat obediently on his shoulder. Its unique appearance and fluffy long fur quickly drew a lot of attention from passersby.
"Hey!" A young woman in an expensive dress suddenly ran up and blocked Qi Han's path. "The cat on your shoulder—will you sell it?"
"Huh?" Qi Han blinked. That was a first.
He'd never been asked something like that before. Whether in Star Luo City or Shrek City, most people already knew him, and this was the first time he'd brought Pururu to a completely unfamiliar city.
Someone actually wanted to buy Pururu?
Well, it made sense. Pururu was incredibly adorable. Judging by the way the girl was staring at him without blinking, she had clearly fallen for the cat's charm.
Qi Han's lips curled into a slightly amused smile. "Sorry, the cat's not for sale."
"I can pay a high price! What about one hundred gold coins?" the girl said, biting her lip and speaking decisively.
"It's not about the money," Qi Han shook his head. "My Pururu isn't for sale."
"It's called Pururu?" The girl's attention quickly shifted. "Then… if you won't sell it, can I at least pet it?"
That wasn't an issue. With Qi Han's nod, Pururu nimbly leapt from his shoulder into the girl's arms.
The girl lit up with joy.
She had only wanted to pet the cat, but now this adorable little creature had jumped into her arms on its own!
Too bad the cat's owner wasn't willing to sell it…
Running her fingers through Pururu's fur—so much softer than she had imagined—the girl couldn't help but smile.
Seeing how happy she looked holding Pururu, Qi Han had a sudden thought.
When he asked the guard earlier, he hadn't gotten many details—it wouldn't have been appropriate to bother someone on official duty. But this girl was clearly a local. Maybe she could tell him more about the horses?
"Um… could I ask you something? Do you know where the biggest horse market in Nanyin City is?"
"Of course!" the girl nodded, one arm holding the cat, the other pointing in a direction. "It's not far—just a few hundred meters from here. It's the largest horse market in the city."
Her direction matched what the guard had said, so they were clearly talking about the same place.
Qi Han followed up, "Do they sell Blood Red Unicorns there?"
"Nope." The girl gave Qi Han a strange look, clearly surprised by his lack of common sense. "Blood Red Unicorns are pure-blooded spirit beasts. You won't find them in a regular horse market. But spirit beast trading firms often carry them. Are you looking to buy one?"
"If possible, yes—I'd like to."
"Then…" The girl's eyes sparkled mischievously. "If you let me hold Pururu the whole way, I'll take you to my family's firm. We're the biggest in Nanyin City, and we have the most Blood Red Unicorns too!"
"Deal," Qi Han said with a wry smile.
Sure, she was leading him to her own business and would benefit from the sale, but Qi Han wasn't the type to nitpick over such things.
She clearly loved Pururu. Letting her hold the cat for a while didn't cost him anything.
Who knows? Maybe if she got excited enough, he'd even get a discount.
What's this called?
This is the Pretty Cat Strategy!
Was Qi Han really trying to save a bit of money?
No! He was helping a girl fulfill her dream of cuddling a cat!
With his agreement, the girl's face lit up with joy. "Then come with me!"
She turned and began walking in another direction, with Qi Han following leisurely behind her.
Holding Pururu in her arms and feeling the cat's silky soft fur, the girl was in heaven.
This fur was even softer than her fluffiest pillow!
And, she'd just brought a new customer to her father!
Hmph, now her father couldn't say she didn't know how to do business anymore!
Feeling giddy, she instinctively tightened her grip around Pururu.
Mmm~ so soft!
"Meow~"
Pururu squirmed a little.
The girl's arms were warm, but Pururu still wanted to return to Qi Han.
"Pururu, be good~ I'll get you some super yummy dried fish later!"
"Meow?"
Pururu immediately relaxed.
Did this noble feline just hear… dried fish?
In that case—I'm staying right here!
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