Chapter 18 : Drunk Xiao Qianya

“Mommy… hehe mommy ”

Qianya’s soft little face was pressed against Iris’s chest, mumbling incoherently.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think this kid was playing some four-letter game ( )

“This idiot… one sip and she’s this drunk.” Iris muttered under her breath, fingertips brushing Qianya’s flushed ear tip.

Oh no… why did this little thing suddenly seem even cuter than usual?

“Just this once, no taking advantage… huh?”

After only a couple of strokes, Iris realized something was wrong.

Qianya’s breathing had become slow and even. She stopped nuzzling and just burrowed deeper into Iris’s arms before going completely still.

“Hey? Idiot? Wake up?”

Iris gently shook her, but Qianya only let out two little whines, eyes still shut. Clearly out cold.

Qianya: Peaceful.jpg

Iris: “…”

Actually, this all traced back to half an hour ago, when Qianya chugged Vivian’s sleep-aid black tea in one go.

That’s why a single sip of fruit wine knocked her flat. Double combo of tea + alcohol ( )

And now the tea’s effect had put her into deep sleep.

“I’m done ”

Iris sighed helplessly. Looks like drinking was off the table tonight.

She bent down and scooped Qianya up princess-style.

Qianya wasn’t heavy at all; she felt like holding a little cat.

Arthur came over from the bar. “Little Iris, leaving already?”

“Yeah… this one passed out.” Iris replied.

“She did drink, didn’t she…” Seeing Qianya’s red face, Arthur instantly knew what happened.

“Please don’t tell Yaxi… I really didn’t serve his sister alcohol.” Arthur clasped his hands together in apology.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Yaxi.” Iris said while reaching into her skirt pocket.

“Want me to call a carriage?”

“No need, it’s just a short walk. Thanks.” Iris shook her head.

She pulled out a few copper coins and set them on the bar.

“Take care.” Arthur waved.

“Mm.” Iris carried Qianya, said goodbye, and headed for the door.

Just before leaving…

The elf girl suddenly stopped.

Iris: Huh (°ー°〃)?

Something felt off.

Iris: …Wait a second, weren’t you supposed to treat me tonight

In the end Iris still paid the bill!

“You little… sigh ”

Looking at the silly, sleeping Qianya grinning in her arms, Iris’s anger rose and fell just as fast.

With another sigh, she carried her out of the tavern.

But after they left, Arthur kept wiping glasses while thinking hard.

“Wait… when did Yaxi get a little sister…?”

“And didn’t little Iris always call Yaxi ‘Master’? Why did she use his name today?”

“I didn’t drink tonight either, did I???”

Too many suspicious points. Arthur was completely baffled.

♡♡♡

The night streets were quiet.

Iris looked down at the sleeping Qianya in her arms. The little one’s brows were slightly furrowed, mumbling things like “no zapping” and “the mark itches.”

She hadn’t zapped her lately… Iris didn’t get it.

Was it really that scary?

“Little flutterbug, terrible tolerance and still worrying about random stuff.”

Iris grumbled, but her footsteps became even lighter.

Fine, she barely drank anything and still paid the bill.

But it wasn’t a total loss.

Iris recalled their conversation earlier. Qianya was right; blindly chasing noble clientele would lose the trust of regular customers. Her original renovation plan really had been too aggressive.

But Qianya’s old slow-growth method wasn’t stable either…

With so many merchants from different races doing business in the capital, one new café opening could steal all their customers.

She still needed to expand, but the previous plan definitely needed revisions.

As for how to revise…

“We’ll talk when this little flutterbug wakes up tomorrow ”

Iris muttered to herself.

♡♡♡

When they got back to the café, the first-floor living room lights were still on.

“I’m exhausted X﹏X”

Iris carried Qianya inside, gently laid her on the sofa, and rubbed her sore arms.

Qianya was light, but carrying her the whole way still made her arms tired.

She was about to get some water from the kitchen when she heard soft footsteps behind her.

“Hm?”

Iris turned to see Zero standing at the staircase.

The black-haired, blue-eyed catgirl was wearing the light-gray tank top she slept in, clearly having just come out of her room.

Her gaze landed on the sleeping Qianya on the sofa, then shifted to Iris, brows faintly furrowing.

Zero asked quietly, “What happened?”

“What else? One sip of fruit wine and she passed out.” Iris poured herself a glass of water and took a drink.

Zero, expressionless: “Are you planning to drug and pan-fry her?”

Iris: “Pfft— What are you thinking X﹏X”

She spat out the water she’d just drunk (sad)

“Just kidding ( ᗜ ˰ ᗜ )” Zero added.

“You have to say it so bluntly…” Iris complained, then poured another glass.

“Do me a favor, Zero.” Iris spoke again.

Zero: “Go ahead.”

Iris: “I still need to revise the café renovation plans. Take this girl back to her own room so she doesn’t catch a cold sleeping on the sofa.”

“…Okay.”

Zero nodded, walked over, and carefully picked Qianya up.

“Nn… new mommy (ฅ´ω`ฅ)”

Qianya caught Zero’s scent and hugged her on instinct.

“…?”

Zero paused. The corners of her mouth curved almost imperceptibly. She turned and carried Qianya upstairs.

“To hear something like that and not even react… as expected of Zero.”

In Iris’s mind, Zero might talk big, but she’d never actually act on it ( )

She trusted Zero to take care of Qianya~

After watching them go upstairs, Iris headed to the kitchen without another thought.

…

However, once upstairs, Zero did not head toward Qianya’s room ( )

She carried Qianya down the hallway to her own door.

She gently opened it, walked in, and tossed Qianya onto her bed.

“Pan-fry? Not bad ”

With that, Zero reached back and click, locked the door.

Now no one could disturb them ( )