Chapter 267 - 240: Am I That Old?
Chapter 267: Chapter 240: Am I That Old?
Atavistic Mixed Breeds were all shrewd when it came to business. They were the last group he ever wanted to deal with.
This guy was even using that virtual female as a gimmick. A small grilled sausage stand in a remote city like this definitely didn’t have the proper permits. If this area weren’t outside his jurisdiction, he would have called the relevant authorities to have the stall towed away.
The atavistic little fox, Minoz, glanced at him, then swept his gaze over the two Beast Coins he was holding out. He could immediately tell from this beast’s aura that he wasn’t part of his target clientele. He curled his lip and was about to take the two hundred Beast Coins.
Gu Ning was a step faster, snatching the two hundred Beast Coins herself.
Minoz’s smiling eyes instantly turned hostile. "What’s this? Trying to dine and dash?"
Gu Ning shoved the grilled sausage into Vine’s hand, then pointed firmly at the advertisement on the stall.
The little fox was smart and immediately understood what Gu Ning meant.
"You want the autographed photo, huh?" The smiling expression returned to his face.
Gu Ning pursed her lips and nodded.
’I have to see what this autographed photo looks like.’
Minoz’s gaze swept over her and Vine. ’That wolf looks so prim and proper, all solemn and noble,’ he thought. ’Turns out he’s just a phony. He’s putting on airs, making this little Dwarf hybrid ask for the autographed photo for him.’
"Fine." Minoz held his paw out toward Gu Ning.
Gu Ning lowered her gaze, staring at the paw waving in front of her. ’What does he mean by that?’
"Twenty thousand Beast Coins." Seeing that the Mixed Breed didn’t get it, Minoz addressed the wolf behind him directly. "Want it or not? It’s the last one left."
Gu Ning: "...?"
She could still hear the loudspeaker blaring out the sales pitch, and she was so agitated that she almost spoke up.
’Isn’t it limited to the first two hundred customers? This fox just set up his stall! How can there only be one left?’
Vine gripped the steering wheel tightly, a vein pulsing on his forehead. ’Does this fox take us for idiots?’
He turned to Gu Ning, his face stern. "That autographed photo is fake. If you want one, I’ll find a way to get you a real one later."
Gu Ning didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’How is he supposed to get a real one?’
’An autograph from Gu Demiao Ning might be possible—after all, her paw-print registration identifies her as a member of the Wolf Clan—but Yuanbao is virtual! Vine, you can’t believe this is real too, can you?!’
’No, I can’t let this little fox use my photo to scam other beasts!’
’It’s bad enough this atavistic fox is openly using my name to sell such expensive grilled sausages, but the autographed photo is where I draw the line. And he’s asking for twenty thousand Beast Coins right off the bat!’
’Is this not just blatant robbery?’
"What do you mean, fake? Don’t spout nonsense." Minoz could see it really was the Mixed Breed who wanted the autographed photo. Noticing a wolfish scent on him similar to the other wolf’s, he figured they must be close relatives and switched to trying to dupe the little Mixed Breed. "It’s absolutely real, little cutie. Let me tell you, I know Gu Demiao Ning. This autographed photo couldn’t be more authentic."
Gu Ning: "..." ’Look me in the face and say that again!’
Minoz continued his grift. "Yuanbao is a real female, too, and the autographed photo even has her scent on it! The scented ones are a bit more expensive, though. Get your wolf dad to buy it for you; your wolf dad is rich."
That "wolf dad" comment made Gu Ning completely forget about his previous claim of a "real female." She froze for a second, then turned her head to look at Vine.
The veins on Vine’s muscular arm, which was gripping the steering wheel, bulged. He stared expressionlessly at the atavistic hybrid and spat out a single word: "Scram."
"Hey, boss, your sausages are burning! We’re just gonna start eating, okay?"
Hearing the voice from behind, the little fox turned to look. A pack of dogs was surrounding his stall, flipping over the grilled sausages and chowing down.
Seeing that a big sale had arrived, the little fox stopped wrangling with Gu Ning and her companion and turned to deal with the dogs.
As he went, he fired a parting shot at Gu Ning. "Your wolf dad is really cheap, you know. He’s not even willing to buy this for you."
Gu Ning felt the heavy atmosphere in the vehicle and silently turned to glance at Vine.
Vine handed her the grilled sausage, his face taut. "Do I look that old?"
Gu Ning shook her head like it was on a swivel.
"Atavistic Mixed Breeds are all two-faced liars who say whatever suits the situation. Don’t believe him," Vine said, clearly holding back his anger.
Gu Ning nodded emphatically.
Vine said, "I’m twenty-four years old."
Gu Ning’s mouth fell slightly agape. ’Oh, so he’s a year younger than Barto,’ she thought. ’He’s so young.’
Vine watched her expression intently. "Are you surprised?"
Gu Ning looked up, searching her mind for the words. "You look... very big."
The moment the words were out, Gu Ning regretted them.
She had wanted to say Vine looked mature, but her current command of the common tongue only allowed her to express the most direct, simple meanings. She could barely get the words right, let alone express herself tactfully.
In Vine’s ears, that "very big" sounded exactly like "looks very old."