Two Heavenly Soldiers, a Magical Combination

At half past nine in the morning.

After completing a simple medical check-up at the designated hospital.

Lin Yu took a taxi to the commercial street.

Coming to the commercial street at this hour naturally wasn’t for a visit to Aunt Qimeng's Shop.

Instead, he planned to drop by Mao Ruirui’s pet store.

Munching on the pancake Aunt Qimeng had prepared for him, Lin Yu pondered.

Seems like it’s time to buy a car.

Although the areas where his fellow sect members hung out weren’t far from the apartment.

Taking taxis back and forth every day was inevitably a bit inconvenient.

Maomao Pet Shop!

It was somewhat famous on this street.

Since there were many residential complexes nearby.

And the shop offered pet boarding services, business had always been decent.

This year, with more and more little animals in the store.

Aside from Mao Ruirui running it herself, she’d also hired a young girl studying veterinary medicine.

Basic deworming, baths, emergency treatments… Maomao Pet Shop could handle it all.

Arriving at the pet shop’s entrance.

He happened to see Mao Ruirui, still dressed in denim overalls, and a girl in a white dress beside her, locking up to leave.

"Good morning, Ruirui-jie!"

"Closing so early?"

Lin Yu approached and greeted them politely.

Startled at hearing her name, Mao Ruirui fumbled.

The chain lock in her hand clattered to the ground.

The girl in the white dress promptly picked it up for her.

"Oh, it’s you, Xiao Yu! What a coincidence!"

"Are you heading to Aunt Qimeng’s place?"

"Wait, what? Flowerpots? Where?"

Lin Yu: "……"

Alright then.

As expected, the master of mishearing strikes again.

Drawing from his experience with the twin sisters.

Lin Yu didn’t hesitate to pull up Mao Ruirui’s information panel first.

To see if there were any tasks today—aside from the urgent one—that he could tag along for.

[Mao Ruirui]

[Age: 25]

[Sect Status: Spirit Beast Garden Elder]

[Host Affinity Level: 27% (Second Realm, Casual Acquaintance)]

[Number of Dao Companions (Soul Cultivation/Body Cultivation): (Host affinity insufficient, currently unavailable)]

[Attribute Skills: (Host status too low, currently unavailable)]

[Other Info: (Host status too low, currently unavailable)]

[Current Tasks:]

[Mundane Beast Search (Urgent Task): One of the Spirit Beast Garden Elder’s spirit beasts…]

[Spirit Beast Notice (Daily Task): A new batch of formidable spirit beasts has matured and requires promotion to attract outer sect disciples seeking spirit beasts.]

So… handing out flyers?

Didn’t sound like too difficult a task.

The girl in the white dress was quite considerate, loudly repeating Lin Yu’s words for Mao Ruirui:

"Boss, he’s asking why you’re closing so early."

Mao Ruirui laughed awkwardly.

"Ohhh, so that’s what he meant!"

"Something urgent came up. Xiaoxiao and I need to head out."

"Oh right, let me introduce you two…"

"Actually, you’re somewhat connected."

"This is Lin Yu, my roommate from the apartment, a top student at Pingchuan University, currently a junior. I think he’s about half a year older than you."

"This is Chang Xiaoxiao—Xiaoxiao with the ‘bamboo’ radical. She’s a star student in veterinary medicine at Pingchuan University Affiliated Higher Vocational College, and my favorite little assistant."

Pingchuan University Affiliated Higher Vocational College.

Located just across the street from Lin Yu’s Pingchuan University main campus.

Majors like veterinary medicine and pet grooming were typically offered at vocational schools.

Chang Xiaoxiao was slightly shorter than Mao Ruirui.

With a ponytail, round face, and a hint of baby fat.

She gave off a playful, cute vibe.

Her bright orange color-blocked chiffon top, paired with a pristine white dress and white sneakers.

Exuded a refreshing, summery brightness.

A stark contrast to Mao Ruirui’s quiet yet wild style.

"Hello, senior! Just call me Xiaoxiao."

Though they weren’t from the same school.

The term "senior" still carried a warm familiarity.

Lin Yu extended his hand for a polite handshake.

Chang Xiaoxiao mirrored the gesture—except…

Her hand veered way off course!

Their hands brushed past each other, both gripping air.

Lin Yu: "……"

Chang Xiaoxiao: "……"

After a few awkward seconds of silence.

They spoke simultaneously.

Chang Xiaoxiao: "Sorry, I left my glasses in the shop. My eyesight’s never been great."

Lin Yu: "Haha, no worries."

Almost at the same time.

Trying to adjust, one leaned inward, the other outward—

And missed again! Round two!

Lin Yu: "……"

Chang Xiaoxiao: "……"

"Not great" eyesight?

More like legally blind!

After two failed attempts.

Lin Yu decided to stay perfectly still this time.

To avoid another round of mutual searching.

And—what do you know?

Chang Xiaoxiao had the same idea!

They froze awkwardly, hands hovering mid-air, engaged in an "imaginary handshake."

Mao Ruirui couldn’t take it anymore.

As the introducer, she grabbed both their hands:

"Look, her hand’s here, his is here, and then you just—"

"Isn’t shaking hands simple?"

"You’re both young, why so awkward?"

Chang Xiaoxiao: "……"

Lin Yu: "……"

Awkward?

More like physically impossible!

Honestly.

This boss-employee duo was quite the pair.

One with "telescopic vision," the other with "selective hearing"!

Customers at their shop must have the patience of saints.

Finally managing a proper handshake.

Mao Ruirui got down to business:

"Xiao Yu, I’ll invite you to the shop another day."

"Really don’t have time today—a customer’s Husky named ‘Dandan’ got loose."

"Someone just messaged me saying they spotted it in an old neighborhood nearby."

"We’ve gotta find Dandan now!"

"Xiaoxiao, lock up!"

Nodding firmly, Chang Xiaoxiao turned to secure the door.

Clatter!

Clatter!

Clatter!

"……"

The chain lock jingled incessantly.

Lin Yu watched her struggle—it was painful to witness.

Such a big keyhole, yet she kept missing it!

"Let me help."

Unable to bear it, Lin Yu stepped in.

Chang Xiaoxiao thanked him profusely:

"Thanks, senior! The keyhole’s tiny, and my eyesight’s terrible."

Lin Yu effortlessly locked up and handed the key back to Mao Ruirui.

His reason for coming was Mao Ruirui’s urgent task anyway.

So he seized the opportunity:

"Ruirui-jie, I’m free right now."

"Old neighborhoods are tricky to search. Mind if I tag along?"

Mao Ruirui blinked, adjusting her overall straps, and replied hesitantly:

"Xiao Yu, I’m really in a hurry right now."

"No time for bars—go with your classmates instead."

Lin Yu: "……"

Chang Xiaoxiao: "……"