Chapter 58
Chapter 58: Dog-Petting Guide
“Stop being mad.”
Qian Qi tugged A Tu’s pointed ear and tried to bribe it with sincerity she didn’t entirely feel. “If you’re willing to contract with me, I’ll take care of your Fire Qilin Fruit—uh, one a week!”
A Tu gave her a cold, flat stare.
It was a dog. It didn’t understand a single word. It only knew two things:
One: its balls had been assaulted.
Two: it was now dog society’s shame.
A Tu had taken first place in the race—something it should’ve been able to brag about for weeks. Except it had won while being ridden like a mount by a tiny human screaming nonsense.
The other blazing hounds had looked at it like it had sold its dignity for treats.
Once they got back to the Magic Beast Storage Room, the story would spread.
It was already ugly from shedding.
Now it was also a disgrace.
How could it not be furious?
A Tu turned its head away, folded its legs under itself, and lay down with its eyes closed. It let out a cold snort that screamed: Not happening.
Qian Qi scratched the back of her head. “So… what now?”
This dog was harder to soothe than she’d expected.
She couldn’t exactly give it an over-the-shoulder throw, could she?
Would that be… too aggressively straight-girl?
The System chose that moment to materialize inches from her face, like a desperate salesman with no concept of personal space.
“Oh, my dear Boss Qian,” it purred. “Are you troubled and unsure what to do?”
“Got a problem? Find System. System solves anything!”
Qian Qi blinked. “…What are you doing now?”
“Boss, do you want to win the blazing hound’s heart?”
“Do you want it to take the initiative and accept your contract?”
“Do you want your blazing hound to obsess over you, go crazy for you, and headbutt walls for you?”
A glowing panel popped up, arrows flashing wildly toward a huge QR code.
“Scan below. Pay 2.5 million to receive ‘Dog-Petting Guide’ and capture your blazing hound’s whole body and soul.”
Qian Qi stared at it for half a second.
Then she grabbed the panel, stepped back, and hurled it like a bowling ball.
“Go to hell.”
Two point five million?
Was it implying she was a “250”?
Did it think she was some idiot who’d pay 2.5 million for a stupid guide?
No.
Dream on.
The panel vanished in a bright arc off into nowhere.
The System reappeared, offended and vibrating with rage.
“Do you even know how powerful I am?”
“This System knows everything! I know every secret in the universe!”
Qian Qi lifted an eyebrow. “Then what’s the origin of the universe?”
The System froze.
“…”
“That information requires a payment of… thirty, thirty, thirty trillion.”
Qian Qi made a disgusted noise. “Tsk.”
The System clicked its tongue like she was the unreasonable one.
“Fine. Give me a hundred bucks and I’ll let you read a trial chapter.”
Qian Qi smoothed her messy hair and clicked her tongue right back. “How about this: shave off ten thousand. Two hundred fifty, and I’ll buy the whole ‘Dog-Petting Guide.’ I’ll even admit I’m a ‘250.’”
For money, dignity was negotiable.
The System went silent, as if its brain had short-circuited.
Then it snapped back. “Two million!”
It sounded like it was grinding its teeth.
“Not a cent less. And I’ll throw in a small gift.”
Qian Qi actually thought about it.
Two million… sounded fair. The System usually didn’t quote random prices, which meant this thing might genuinely be useful.
And she was curious about the “gift.”
“Deal.”
She tapped her lightbrain and transferred the money.
A cheerful chime sounded. Ding—“Dog-Petting Guide” delivered. Please check your purchase.
A white booklet appeared on the panel, the title stamped in big letters.
Qian Qi tapped it.
A strange, cool pressure—almost like mental energy—slipped into her mind. In an instant, the contents poured into her brain like someone had dumped an entire book straight into her skull.