Early the next morning, as soon as Li Yuan stepped out of the Duke’s estate, he saw someone crouching by the stone steps outside.
Angela Balzac sat by the door with her knees pulled to her chest. Her short black hair was a bit messy, and she wore a grey robe that looked like it had been thrown on in a hurry. One hand supported her chin while the other idly toyed with a ring of keys, swinging them back and forth.
Hearing the door open, she immediately looked up, her eyes brightening.
“You’re finally out!”
Li Yuan paused, looking down at her and then up at the sky.
“Miss Angela?”
“Yep, it’s me.” Angela stood up and handed the keys to him. “The teacher sent me to deliver these and take you to inspect the teahouse.”
Li Yuan took the keys, feeling a bit surprised. He rubbed his chin and said curiously, “I recall the Royal Preceptor saying it would be in the afternoon.”
“It was supposed to be the afternoon.” Angela yawned, her voice thick with the resentment of someone who hadn't slept enough. “But the teacher suddenly changed his mind this morning. He said it was better to handle it early and then hauled me out of bed.”
As she spoke, she seemed to recall an unpleasant experience, her face twisting into an expression of someone being forced to work.
“I only got back from the Outer City last night. I’d barely fallen asleep when the knocking started—it was as loud as a persistent auntie. Then the teacher just dumped the task on me with a simple ‘You go.’”
Looking at her, Li Yuan already had a general idea of Hogg’s intentions.
He likely wanted her away from the palace and the Legal Department... or perhaps he simply felt she was more trouble than she was worth if she stayed there.
“Then I appreciate the hard work.”
“The work isn't so bad.” Angela rubbed her eyes and quickly regained her energy. “Anyway, running errands is better than sitting in the Magic Tower listening to Marz read through documents. By the way, did you sleep well last night?”
“Quite well.”
“Is the Duke’s estate comfortable?”
“Very.”
“Does Setis go to your room every day?”
Li Yuan glanced at her.
Angela immediately put on an innocent face. “Just asking.”
Li Yuan didn’t respond and began walking down the street toward the Outer City.
Angela followed immediately, her pace light and airy, showing no trace of the person who had just been complaining about lack of sleep.
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“Who’s stronger, you or my teacher?”
Li Yuan didn’t stop, his tone steady. “The Royal Preceptor is the Guardian of the Kingdom; his strength is naturally great.”
“You didn’t give a straight answer.” Angela narrowed her eyes. “Usually, avoiding a direct answer means there’s a problem.”
Li Yuan smiled but didn’t pursue the topic. Angela didn’t mind and quickly switched to the next question.
“Then are you a Heroic Spirit rank Archmage?”
“I don’t know magic.”
“I don’t believe that!” Angela circled around him, walking backward. “That day at the teahouse, you nearly sent me to the afterlife with a wave of your hand. Don’t tell me you don’t know magic. If it wasn't magic, what was it? A combat technique? Or some ancient secret art?”
“Just some self-defense methods.”
“Self-defense methods can blow a hole in a roof?” Angela clicked her tongue. “Is your understanding of ‘self-defense’ a bit different from that of normal people?”
Li Yuan found this difficult to answer, so he chose silence. Seeing his lack of response, Angela became even more enthusiastic.
“Then do you know any of those legendary forbidden arts? Like reviving the dead, peeling off someone’s shadow to make a puppet, or instantly teleporting behind someone?”
“The term ‘forbidden art’ sounds like something one shouldn’t mess with lightly.”
“You definitely know them!”
“I never said that.”
“People who know them always say that.”
Li Yuan rubbed his brow. He suddenly felt that the walk from the Duke’s estate to the Outer City was much longer than usual.
Angela, oblivious to his exhaustion, continued on her own. “And another thing—did you use some method to hide your mana? I can’t feel it at all. But if you were a normal person, I would have run away that night.”
“Perhaps I really am just a normal person?”
“If you’re a normal person, then I’m the God of Harvest.”
“It’s probably best not to let the people at the Temple of Harvest hear that.”
Angela blinked, then burst into laughter.
“You’re pretty good at banter.”
Li Yuan gave a polite smile. He was already starting to miss the days when Setis would stand at the door and ask a few simple questions. At least she would leave afterward; Angela showed no sign of stopping.
She jumped from magic systems to combat techniques, then from why the teahouse only operated at night to whether Li Yuan liked rainy days. Eventually, the topic shifted back to Hogg.
“Seriously, I don’t get it. Why won’t the teacher and Napa let me help at the palace?”
Angela became increasingly disgruntled, clasping her hands behind her head with a look of pure grievance.
“I’m a professional who can dive into shadows. Those guys at the Legal Department are slow as death, and Intelligence is swamped. I could clearly be useful at the palace, but the teacher insists on sending me to deliver keys.”
She spread her hands in exasperation.
“Who couldn't deliver keys? Any random servant could do it. And he had the nerve to say, ‘Follow Mr. Li today and come back once the teahouse matters are settled.’ Isn't that a waste of talent?”
Li Yuan remained silent, but Angela grew more animated.
“I was called up at the crack of dawn and didn't even get a good breakfast. Napa was standing right there, nodding and saying ‘This is for the best.’ Best for what? I think he just finds it quieter when I’m not around.”
She suddenly turned to Li Yuan, as if she had finally found someone who could support her.
“Right? You think so too, don't you?”
Li Yuan’s lip twitched. He was starting to realize why Hogg had sent Angela over. This wasn't about delivering keys; it was essentially about temporarily depositing her with him...
“The Royal Preceptor likely has his own arrangements.”
Angela looked unconvinced. “That’s the exact same answer the teacher gives.”
“That only proves the Royal Preceptor is quite sensible.”
“You steady types all sound the same.”
Li Yuan smiled but said nothing. The two walked all the way to the Twenty-First District of the Outer City. Just as they turned the corner, the familiar yet strange teahouse appeared before them.
He had only glanced at it the previous night, but looking closer now, the small building appeared even more pleasing. The grey-green outer walls were clean and tidy, the stone steps had been repaved, and a new bronze bell hung on the door frame. Its design was nearly identical to the original, though the color was brighter.
The houses on both sides of the street had also been repaired, and the road was smoother than before, with the magic lamp posts replaced by a uniform new style. The sections of ground torn up by the explosion were gone, with only a few traces remaining where the new and old stone met.
Angela stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the street with a hint of pride.
“How’s that? Fast, right? The teacher personally approved the reconstruction funds, Napa oversaw the progress, and Marz was in charge of rushing the paperwork. The City Guard Station was practically in tears from the pressure.”
Li Yuan nodded as he took in the refreshed surroundings. “It is indeed well done.”
Then he felt something was off—she didn't actually have anything to do with all that, did she? So what was she so proud of?
A craftsman waiting at the door for the handover immediately approached upon seeing Angela.
“Miss Balzac, Mr. Li, the interior has been completely organized. Following the previous restoration blueprints, the main structure, bar counter, shelving units, and the second-floor rest area are finished. There are just a few details that require Mr. Li’s confirmation.”
Angela waved him forward. “Lead the way.”
The wooden door was pushed open, and the bronze bell let out a crisp ring. The sound made Li Yuan pause for a moment—though it was new, the chime was remarkably similar.
The interior layout was basically identical to the old teahouse. The bar counter was still on the left, with a full wall behind it for tea shelves. On the right, near the window, there were a few more small tables than before, making it feel much more spacious. The flooring was still wood, though the color was slightly darker.
Behind the bar counter, a small door led to a storage room and a simple kitchen. The second floor now had an extra small room that could serve as a study or a place to store tea sets.
Li Yuan inspected it area by area.
The table height was appropriate, the shelf spacing was perfect, and the sink placement was more convenient than before. The space for the magic stove was reserved to the right of the bar, making it easy to boil water. The windows had been replaced and opened smoothly, allowing more natural light into the room.
While the craftsman cautiously introduced every modification, Angela kept chiming in.
“Why isn't there a hidden compartment here?”
“Why would a teahouse need a hidden compartment?” the craftsman asked, startled.
“What if the owner has secrets to hide?”
Li Yuan didn’t respond. Angela moved to the bookshelves and knocked on the wood.
“Are these shelves sturdy? Can they hold an adult hiding inside?”
The craftsman looked even more bewildered. “They’re fine for books, but hiding a person would be a bit...”
“Then that won’t do,” Angela said solemnly. “If there’s an attack, it’ll be a problem if you can’t hide in the bookshelves.”
Li Yuan finally turned to look at her.
“Miss Angela, this is a teahouse.”
“Teahouses get attacked too,” Angela replied righteously. “Wasn't your last one blown up?”
Her logic was sound, and for a moment, Li Yuan couldn't argue. He simply went back to checking the bar counter. Angela soon scurried up to the second floor, and before long, her voice drifted down.
“This window is great for escaping!”
“Can we install a rope ladder here?”
“Could the second floor be turned into a secret observation room?”
The craftsman stood on the first floor, his expression becoming increasingly troubled. Li Yuan gave him a reassuring smile.
“Don’t mind her. Everything is fine as it is.”
The craftsman breathed a visible sigh of relief.
The inspection lasted over an hour. Aside from a few small spots that needed a bit more polishing, everything was practically perfect. Li Yuan signed the handover form, and the craftsman tucked away the documents, promising to finish the final details by tomorrow before leading his men out.
Only Li Yuan and Angela remained in the teahouse. She sat by the window, chin in her hands, looking around.
“Do you really plan to only open at night?”
“Yes.”
“Not during the day?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Habit.”
“What kind of customers would you have at night?”
“I had them before.”
“Like Setis?”
Li Yuan was checking the counter drawers and paused for a split second. Angela’s eyes lit up as if she’d found a clue.
“I knew it.”
“What do you know?”
“I know a little bit of everything.”
Angela’s smile was incredibly irritating, so Li Yuan decided to continue ignoring her.
With the inspection finished, he locked the door and prepared to head to the general store in the Inner City. He needed to buy some decorations, vases, tea towels, and a few shelves suitable for displaying books. Everything in the old teahouse had been destroyed. Although he had tea sets and books in his storage space, the shop needed proper decor.
Just as he stepped out, Angela naturally followed. Li Yuan looked back at her.
“Miss Angela, aren’t you going back?”
“I can’t.”
Angela pulled a folded piece of paper from her sleeve and waved it in front of him.
“The teacher’s task list. ‘Assist Mr. Li with matters related to the teahouse reconstruction for the entire day. Do not return to the Magic Tower without Mr. Li’s confirmation.’”
She emphasized the last sentence heavily before stuffing the paper back into her sleeve, looking like her life was over.
“In other words, as long as you’re busy with the teahouse, I have to follow you. Otherwise, the teacher will make me copy the Kingdom Magic Administrative Regulations three times, with Napa supervising me.”
Li Yuan was silent for a moment, pressing his hand to his forehead. He was now absolutely certain... Hogg hadn't sent her to help. He had sent Angela to him for “refuge,” or rather, to keep her from causing trouble in the palace.
Angela continued to grumble. “Does this seem reasonable to you? I’m an elite of Intelligence, yet I’m sent to accompany someone to buy shelves. Shelves aren’t going to run away; why do they need me?”
Li Yuan gave a long sigh.
“Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To buy shelves.”
Angela blinked, then followed him, her voice lively again.
“So, what kind are you planning to buy? Ordinary wooden ones? Magic dust-proof ones? Or the kind that can automatically organize books? Let me tell you, the magic mechanists have a type of shelf that walks on its own. They hit walls a lot, but they’re very interesting.”
Li Yuan looked up at the sky.
He suddenly felt that today was going to be a very long day.
A very clear thought surfaced in his mind—he really had been turned into a nursery by Hogg.
Rate on N.U.
