Astral Pet Store (WN)
chapter-298

Chapter 298 Top 5

Seeing that the Aurora Fox had been restored to its original state threw Sun Qiu into panic. He knew better than anyone about the cause of those ugly spots over the Aurora Fox. It was because of some poison that could never be cured. How could the Aurora Fox be cured in such a short time without any antidote…

What was that healing skill?! Sun Qiu was in utter shock and at the same time, he knew that once he came clean, his life would only end in a more miserable way. “Sir, Mr. Su, I am sorry. I accidentally let my Aurora Fox get hurt and I couldn’t find a cure anywhere. I was desperate and had no other option but to come here…” Sun Qiu quivered as he begged for mercy. The cruelty on his face suddenly changed into tears.

Su Ping gazed at him. “Is that so?”

Looking into Su Ping’s eyes, Sun Qiu felt chills. But on second thought, he believed Su Ping would not kill him in public after he had openly begged. If Su Ping did so, it would only be damaging to his reputation.

“It is entirely my fault. Mr. Su, you’re a kind man. Thank you so much for helping my pet. From now on, I am willing to toil like a beast of burden for you…” Sun Qiu went on and he certainly looked sincerely sorry for his deeds. The other customers believed they had just found out about the whole story. They still disliked Sun Qiu but did not hate him as much. After all, he had apologized. Su Ping cast a meaningful glance at Sun Qiu.

“You are willing to toil like a beast of burden for me, huh? Okay. So, to make up for this, you will stay in my store and work for me today. Then it’ll be all water under the bridge. From today on, do no such things again. Men must live by ethical standards!” Su Ping sounded calm. Sun Qiu did not expect that Su Ping would let him off the hook so easily. Was Su Ping afraid that punishing him in public would reflect poorly upon him? Inside, Sun Qiu was relieved. He immediately nodded to Su Ping to express his gratitude at once.

The other customers praised Su Ping for being tolerant.

Su Ping called over Tang Ruyan who had been there to watch the whole show. “You will be in charge of him. Teach him how to receive the customers.”

It stunned Tang Ruyan that Su Ping could be so lenient. What a surreal situation.

Still, with so many people present, she did not show her suspicion. She nodded and looked at Sun Qiu who almost got in the way of her leaving the store. As such, she really didn’t like him. “Follow me. You will keep the orders in the store and I will be at the door greeting customers.” Sun Qiu’s eyes glowed as this charming lady talked to him. It was a pleasure to be working with such a beauty. Working at Su Ping’s store still filled him with some uneasiness and anxiety. Otherwise, he would have been more than eager to spend everyday working alongside such a pretty girl. This was just a small episode for the day and it passed soon.

Su Ping received more customers and he even met Ye Hao and Su Yanying who had made it to the Top 100 of the branch venues as well.

Ye Hao was at the Gun Control Zone while Su Lingyue chose the Crescent Zone. Su Ping saw Su Yanying up on the stage when the Zone Chief was distributing awards but he did not go and say hi to her because he was far away. Su Ping had watched Ye Hao and Su Yanying’s videos online. After all, they had bought the Top 10 packages in his store and he had to pay attention, afraid that his competition against Primo would impact them.

But so far, it seemed that the Liu family didn’t even try to target the two of them. Su Ping was not sure if the Liu family would set up some traps for Ye Hao and Su Yanying for the upcoming matches. Of course, the Liu family would have to pay if they wanted to hinder them. The Liu family would have to send out their core members of the family to stop Ye Hao and Su Yanying, and those core members, needless to say, had their own targets. They might not want to take the lead at the cost of their personal goals.

Su Ping congratulated Ye Hao and Su Yanying. Later on, he saw another familiar face: Xu Kuang, the one who Su Ping had once tutored. After those standing in front of him left, Xu Kuang took a big stride over to approach Su Ping and shout, “Mr. Su, long time no see. How I’ve missed you.” Su Ping still remembered Xu Kuang. He couldn’t quite stand the latter’s enthusiasm. “Are you really so worked up?”

“You are my teacher and I am happy to see you. He who teaches me for one day is my father for life!” Xu Kuang was always full of reasons. Su Ping rolled his eyes. He would never get rid of the shameless Xu Kuang, would he? “Stop it. What pet are you training this time?” Su Ping didn’t want to waste another second talking nonsense with Xu Kuang. Anyways, he would never admit that he had such a stupid student.

Xu Kuang wasn’t happy that Su Ping would talk shop directly. Still, he answered obediently, “Sir, I didn’t make it to the reopening of your store because I was at the barren area. I heard that you have the Top 10 package. Do you have any spots left? I want one, Top 5 will be the best!”

Su Ping cast him a glance. “The Top 10 package is still available… but for the Top 5, if you want it, I can sell you it. However, you have to know that the price is not the same.”

Xu Kuang patted his chest in confidence. “Sir, do you think I am in want of money?” Su Ping grinned. “You are not? Great. You want to be one of the Top 5, right? The initial fee will be fifty million and you may need to spend up to eight million.”

Xu Kuang replied in astonishment, “Sir, even the championship would only cost one hundred million. I, I just want to make it to the Top 5.” “What is the difference?” Su Ping answered with a question. Xu Kuang could only reply with a speechless stare. He could not argue with Su Ping. Su Ping really deserved to be a titled battle pet warrior. Looking at him and listening to his words… Those simple words could enlighten the benighted! “Sir, you are dope!” Xu Kuang gave Su Ping a thumbs-up. Su Ping went on. “You are not in want of money. So, can you afford it?” Xu Kuang answered without delay, “Of course I can. I came back late because I got delayed by my trip to the barren area. I was there making money. I went with my sister, we killed many beasts and made a lot of money!”

“Oh, good.” Su Ping nodded happily.

The lamb had learned to feed itself.

“Then pay up. About the pet…”

Su Ping was about to caution Xu Kuang briefly when the latter cut him off. Xu Kuang waved his hand and said, “Sir, you don’t have to say anything about the pet training here. I trust you! Others may doubt you but not me, no, not in a million years. Making a dozen millions is not a big deal for you, right?” Su Ping exclaimed to himself that Xu Kuang sounded quite smart. Su Ping thought for a moment, then gave an honest comment, “You… have the root of wisdom that can lead a person to the truth.”

Xu Kuang’s eyes flickered with happiness.

Finally, his talent had been recognized! He grinned from ear to ear. “Sir, you flatter me. I am not nearly as good as you are!” Su Ping smiled again but said nothing else in case Xu Kuang would butter him up again. Su Ping took the money and the pet and asked Tang Ruyan to see Xu Kuang out. Two hours later, all the nursing pens in the store were fully occupied. Su Ping had to say sorry and close the door.

As the saying goes: “First time strangers, second time friends.” The customers whined after Su Ping’s announcement but then they all left right away. They had gotten used to this strange rule in Su Ping’s store. Su Ping had the Inferno Dragon come back after every customer was gone. “Sir, I will take off now.” Sun Qiu, who had been there helping out, went to see Su Ping with a polite smile. Su Ping watched till the last customer was gone before he finally looked at Sun Qiu. He smiled and patted the latter’s shoulder.

“Wait a moment.” Then, he closed the door. Sun Qiu’s smile vanished the moment the doors were shut, swiftly turning into terror. But when Su Ping turned around to see him, Sun Qiu forced a smile, “Sir, what is the meaning of this?” Su Ping sat down on the couch in the lounge, took a stretch and slowly said, “Since no one is here now, you can tell me, honestly, who sent you here. Do not force me to give you the third degree.”