Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Give how much money to the other person?”

After hearing what Fu Qian said, the two young women looked as though they were doubting reality itself.

Aren’t you the one selling the book? You don’t even want the money?

And was he an idiot? They could easily just agree to hand the money back the moment they walked out the door and score a free book.

”Are you serious?”

The two young women exchanged another look. Both saw the confusion in the other’s eyes, prompting them to ask one more time just to be sure.

”Of course. You can even have her act as a notary.”

Fu Qian nodded without hesitation, gesturing toward Yuan Shan.

Regardless of her somewhat unfocused gaze, Chief Yuan’s outward appearance was absolutely impeccable.

Even without knowing her true identity, no one would doubt her qualifications to act as a guarantor for a book.As for the Red Moon standing nearby, She clearly exceeded the requirement even more. Why not choose Her?

If his guess was right, these two young women couldn’t even see Her.

Even though they wore the exact same face, the Red Moon’s long dress and bare feet were undeniably far more eye-catching than Yuan Shan.

Yet from the moment they walked in until now, neither woman had spared a single glance at the spot where the Red Moon stood.

This also explained why they remained so calm. If they could see Her at all, they would never have been this indifferent to two completely identical faces.

”I can.”

Yuan Shan was quite cooperative at this moment. She met their scrutinizing gazes and nodded.

Her voice carried no emotion, yet it left absolutely no room for doubt.

...

It was obvious this was the first time the two young women had ever encountered such a bizarre situation.

Even after receiving repeated confirmations, the confusion in their eyes had not faded in the slightest.

Perhaps out of a sense of kinship regarding gender, they subconsciously hoped Yuan Shan would say a bit more.

Unfortunately, between her radiant presence and her expression, Yuan Shan was simply too overwhelming for them to look at for long. Forcing themselves to hold their gaze for just another second proved too difficult, and they were forced to look away, exchanging a silent glance with each other instead.

For a moment, the only sound left in The Bookstore was Professor Fu sipping his tea.

”You can step aside to discuss it. It’s fine.”

Seeing how conflicted the two young women looked, Fu Qian enjoyed the sight for a moment before even suggesting they step aside to collude.

Although their conversation couldn’t possibly be kept secret no matter where they stood, the girls themselves didn’t know that.

When running a business, the customer’s experience came first.

Hmm...

Sure enough, they took the advice. Exchanging subtle winks and nudges, they picked a corner and scurried over to whisper to each other.

”Sorry... we can’t take advantage of you like this.”

However, the result of their discussion was rather unexpected.

When they returned, the shorter girl was the one to speak, unexpectedly declining this second option as well.

Her friend kept a firm hold on her arm the entire time, making it clear their minds were completely made up.

”Oh? You seem to really cherish your friendship. Do you feel like I’m trying to ruin it?”

Yuan Shan didn’t react, but Fu Qian looked genuinely impressed. He sized the two of them up, deliberately choosing words that would resonate with their age group.

”...Isn’t that what you’re doing? No matter who gets the money, it’s just meant to spark a fight between us. We refuse to be toyed with.”

The approach worked perfectly. They immediately rose to the occasion, righteously declaring that their friendship would not be desecrated.

”Mm, very good.”

Faced with such a reaction, Fu Qian actually sat up a little straighter, his face filled with praise.

”...So it really was a prank?”

All the courage they had managed to muster was entirely spent on that one defiant statement. They were clearly already debating whether to just walk out, but their eyes widened in shock at Fu Qian’s blatant honesty.

”You can also view it as a test of your friendship. And congratulations, you passed.”

He gestured with his eyes toward their linked arms, confirming that this wasn’t just some chuuni delusion on their part.

His final tone sounded exactly like a reality TV show host.

Ah—

The two young women looked completely at a loss for how to react. Even though they had been toyed with, the sudden praise made it hard for them to actually get angry.

Not to mention the book he was casually waving around in his hand...

Normally, in a ”congratulations on passing the test” scenario, the very next sentence would be offering the item as a gift, right?

”Alright, you can go now.”

Unfortunately, that beautiful expectation was ruthlessly shattered a moment later. Passing the test came with absolutely zero rewards; he simply gestured for them to leave.

Uh...

It was undeniably obnoxious, but they really had no standing to demand anything.

The two young women immediately made up their minds, spinning on their heels in unison to leave.

”Oh, almost forgot. I can see you really like this book.”

Right at that moment, the Bookstore Owner acted as if he had just remembered something. Slapping his forehead, he held out the book in his hand.

”Ah! You’re... you’re giving it to us?”

Things had taken a sudden turn. Realizing the Bookstore Owner was simply stuffed with tea and forgetful, the two young women stopped in their tracks, their annoyance vanishing into thin air.

”More or less.”

Fu Qian actually handed the book over, placing it into the shorter girl’s hands.

”Please hold onto it and help put it back on the shelf.”

...

It was obvious the two girls had experienced a very fulfilling afternoon.

Not only had their friendship withstood a rigorous test, but they had also come to the profound realization that people working in the cultural sector weren’t necessarily civilized.

Of course, even so, their good upbringing still shone through. When they finally left, they didn’t slam the door.

They hadn’t left entirely without revenge, though. Fu Qian saw it clearly: while they had put the book back in the correct spot, they had deliberately placed it upside down, forcing the awful shop owner to expend a little extra effort to fix it.

”Very energetic...”

Yuan Shan had noticed this as well. She watched the two of them leave, glancing back every ten steps, before finally offering her critique.

Though, theoretically, it was a little hard to tell exactly who her comment was referring to.

”Well done.”

The Red Moon beside her, by comparison, didn’t have that ambiguity. Having observed the entire exchange in silence, She immediately followed up.

”As long as there is a choice, it will inevitably mean a loss.”

And one truly had to pity the loving hearts of parents everywhere. When it came to Her ”child’s” atrocious behavior just now, She effortlessly found a reason to justify it.

She was implying that if Fu Qian had actually given the book to the two customers, no matter how harmonious they were right now, resentment would inevitably brew over its distribution.

”There isn’t much time left...”

But before Fu Qian could say anything, the Red Moon let out another sigh.

Stepping around to the back of the counter, She wrapped Her arms around him from behind in a distinct embrace, even resting Her head against his back.

Seemingly familiar.

Although it was a bit bizarre, when paired with Her previous words, it could easily be understood as some sort of farewell gesture.

To Fu Qian, however, it easily brought to mind the time the Red Moon had gifted him the Armor.

And sure enough, even though it wasn’t as obvious this time around, She was still gifting him something—

The lingering injuries he had sustained at the Ash Sea were rapidly healing beneath the Red Moon’s embrace.

”Thank you, I feel much better.”

Although this wasn’t the first time She had helped top off his health, Fu Qian still sincerely expressed his thanks.

Unfortunately, the Red Moon didn’t reply. In the next instant, She had already vanished from behind him.

His condition was finally improving, even if he still had to put things off until tomorrow once again today...