He lied as naturally as he breathed

Watching Xingqiu reading the manga intently without a care for anything while muttering some things, Igarashi, who was sipping on some newly-made coffee, smirked. 'Got ya.'

He didn't plan to disturb Xingqiu as he wants the bookworm to like his work so his connection building will slightly go smooth. 'I used to main Xingqiu when I was new to the game, I think I started playing around version 2.1...'

Igarashi thought that since Xingqiu is an avid book lover, as long as he liked his manga, then everything would certainly be smooth sailing.

Xingqiu continued to read the manga for a solid 15 minutes before stopping and making a surprised expression. He cleared his throat and put the manga down. "*Ahem*... It seems that I have mistaken you for a vile person that manipulates people by scamming them."

"It's fine, really. No one really knows about the thing you witnessed, that much." Igarashi calmly said.

Xingqiu smiled and apologized again. "Thank you for your understanding. If you really were a vile person that manipulated MY DEAREST friend, I would have done everything in my power to bring you behind bars and see you suffer."

When Igarashi saw that radiant smile while the person that had it talked about putting him behind bars, he shivered slightly. Having known of Xingqiu's self-righteousness and chivalrous personality, he knows too well that he was serious. 'He could he say that with a straight face...? Scary.'

Igarashi just calmly nodded as he slightly raised his defenses up and alertness. Though, with his trash stats, he wouldn't be able to do anything to a person that has trained martial arts and has a vision.

He coughed twice and immediately diverted the subject. "A-Anyway... It seems like this 'misunderstanding' has been solved...'

"Yes," Xingqiu replied. He then picked up the manga and placed it in between his armpit to hold it. He then continued, "Say, Yunru, it seems like you have a talent for writing quite a unique story. From the looks of it, you are selling your work, yes?"

"You are correct." Igarashi slightly nodded, still keeping his composed and calm look. But deep inside, he knows that they're about to enter business talk, and he has no experience in that area, so naturally, he's nervous.

"I won't ask further about the mystic art you did earlier to show me the contents of this book, so I will instead propose a deal." Xingqiu said, still smiling.

"Go on..." Igarashi replied, not really wanting to explain how it works too.

"Sir Yunru, I would like to employ you to the Feiyun Commerce Guild as an exclusive writer to us." Xingqiu enthusiastically said.

"???"

Igarashi was dumbstruck. He had thought of some possibilities about Xingqiu's 'proposal' but he didn't think that the former would actually try to hire him!

'Wait, should I accept this it not? Accepting certainly has a lot of benefits for me working at the Feiyun Commerce Guild, maybe I really should—"

However, before Igarashi continue his thought, the system's notification appeared in front of him. However, this time, the system's notification looked different. It was currently blinking red lights instead of the usual black.

And on the center, a single message was present.

[It is greatly advised to the host to decline.]

Igarashi was dumbfounded as he didn't think that the system would appear right now. 'Hold on, why? Won't it benefit the shop?'

And, as always, the system did not reply further. 'Seriously... The system always acts like that chad meme that does not elaborate further...'

Igarashi internally sighed. On one hand, he knows that this offer would greatly help him, however, on the other hand, his system is telling him to not accept it.

"Hold on, can you let me think for a minute?" Igarashi said to Xingqiu.

The latter nodded as if he fully understand the situation and just took out and opened the manga in his armpit again, immersing himself in the 'fictional' land of Japan once more.

Igarashi silently thought of the many possible benefits he could get as well as some potential downsides with Xingqiu's offer. He continued to think for a solid 5 minutes with only the sound of pages being flipped could be heard around the room. It came to the point that Sasori finally woke up and went downstairs and exit the shop. It was one of the things Igarashi taught him: touching grass and socializing.

After a few more moments, Igarashi let out a loud sigh, making Xingqiu's attention drawn to him. "Have you made a decision, Sir Yunru?"

Igarashi breathed some air deeply and gave Xingqiu a serious look. "Alright. First of all, you can drop that 'Sir' part when talking to me, I'm not comfortable with formalities. Second, I'm sorry, but I have to decline the offer. And third, I hope you enjoyed reading."

Yes, he was taking the system's side. To be fair, the system is also the one he could get stuff and other benefits in this world cannot get. So what if the system disappears if he doesn't take its advice? That would be devastating on his part.

[...]

[Do not worry. I will not leave.]

'Eh?' Igarashi was shocked. 'Hold on, hold on, did you just reply to me with a full sentence this time?!'

However, it did not speak again. 'What the...'

Igarashi was confused but decided to investigate this later.

When Xingqiu heard his reply, he just smiled and gave a small nod. "I understand."

He then stood up and continued. "However, I simply cannot see a unique author... And an artist becomes unnoticed. So, I would like to give you another offer. As the second son of the leader of the Feiyun Commerce Guild and a mere bookworm, I would like to give you another offer."

"And that is...?" Igarashi asked, still confused.

Xingqiu breathed deeply and showed a radiant smile before saying: "The Feiyun Commerce Guild would like to support your business."

"... Nani— I mean, Excuse me?" Igarashi stuttered. Various thoughts were going through his head and after a second, the realization hit him like that truck. 'T-This is my chance...! Okay, act natural, Igarashi. You have to act smoothly.'

He then turned serious and also stood up, and then, he started his acting. "H-Hold on, isn't that too hasty? I'm just a small business! Why would something big like the Feiyun Commerce Guild want to help me? I'm just a novice at business!"

Igarashi lied as naturally as he breathed.

But hey, it's acting, so lying is needed.

Xingqiu curved up a smile and patted Igarashi's back. "Haha, it's fine! Consider it as investing in a promising business!"

Igarashi looked at him with his worried act and said, "B-But are you sure? Shouldn't the leader of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, your father, be the one making this kind of business?"

Xingqiu gave another reassuring laugh and replied, "Don't worry, I can also pass this through my older brother. I'm 100% sure that he will help me!"

"W-Well... If you say so..." Igarashi said. Although his acting was a bit bad, it was enough to convince Xingqiu.

Soon, a person suddenly entered the room that startled Igarashi. "Hold... Who are you?!"

However, the person beside him greeted the unknown man. "Ah, Xu! You're here, I guess you heard us?"

"Yes, young master." The person named Xu said. He then reached out to his handbag and took out a paper and pen and gave it to Xingqiu.

"Thanks, Xu~!" Xingqiu said and Xu just nodded.

"How long has he been there?" Igarashi asked, still startled about the fact that someone was secretly listening to them.

Xingqiu turned around and answered him. "Ah, this is my servant, Xu. I originally brought him to call the Millelith if you were to do something... Bad. But hey the situation has been resolved now so you can relax."

"O-Okay..." Igarashi said, somehow feeling more disturbed that he could get arrested any time earlier. He then turned to Xu and asked: "Then how about Liang? He went out earlier, why didn't he tell me about you?"

"I gave that little child a candy." Xu said.

"..." Igarashi was speechless. 'Sasori... YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO EAT!'

He couldn't believe that Sasori would be easily bribed like that...

Igarashi sighed in disappointment, Xingqiu laughed, and Xu stayed silent.

'At least I got myself some backing from Feiyun Commerce Guild...'

Soon, Xingqiu wrote the contents of their proper 'contract' on a formal paper that both of them signed.