The Land of Eternal Night, Little Stone City under the rule of the Bearman tribe.

The Snow Bear Hotel was majestic in appearance, with two giant white bear statues in front of the door, as if guarding this palace-like building.

Entering the hotel lobby, one was greeted by warm lights and comfortable heating. Tapestries and Bearman tribe totems hung on the walls, and in the center of the lobby was a decorative magic-powered fireplace, with orange light and shadows dancing within.

Sigrid and Lan Qi completed their check-in after registering at the reception desk.

For safety and convenience, they both agreed to an apartment-style suite, namely a two-bedroom, one-living room setup.

"As long as a distinguished and employer-like big client like you doesn't mind, a grunt like me is naturally willing to live a little better."

Sigrid picked up a suitcase in each hand and said to Lan Qi.

She felt that this employer was quite generous.

Even in the relatively safe Little Stone City, he was willing to let her live in a relatively close location, which would make her work a lot easier, without having to run back and forth.

You should know that the cost of living in the Snow Bear Palace is not low, and the contract states that these accommodation expenses are borne by the employer.

"It's okay."

Lan Qi replied with an easygoing smile.

He felt that Sigrid treated him as an untouchable noble, drawing a clear line between them.

To describe it, it was probably that even if he showed obvious dislike for her, she would accept it calmly, because she herself felt that they were not from the same class.

The contract was the iron rule that maintained their relationship; she was only responsible for getting paid and doing things.

So Sigrid nodded and walked towards the stairs.

Lan Qi sat on the sofa in the hotel's ground floor lobby, writing notes, guarding the luggage next to the sofa, waiting for Sigrid to move everything in two trips.

Although Sigrid was only eleven or twelve years old, she was very strong. If she weren't so small, she could probably carry all four suitcases in one trip.

She quickly finished one trip and returned.

In the magnificent ground floor lobby, Sigrid's figure appeared particularly nimble. Her small hands tightly gripped the suitcases, and although the size and weight of the luggage seemed strenuous for her age, there was no trace of fatigue or displeasure on her face.

Her strength was unexpectedly great, and each step was steady and powerful. The weight of the suitcases was nothing to her.

The guests nearby couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh at the state of the world when they saw Lan Qi letting such a small child do hard labor.

Lan Qi didn't pay much attention, because he was also working.

"..."

He watched Sigrid leave again.

Sigrid's figure seemed even smaller in the hotel's magnificent hall and bright lights.

This couldn't help but remind him that Sigrid also liked to help him carry luggage.

On the way back to Helrom from the northern snowfields, he would always come to his senses and find that she had already moved the luggage, looking at him with a proud expression.

But little Sigrid was just doing things according to the contract. It was not okay to let her do more work, nor was it okay to let her do less; everything was about the written word.

Lan Qi sat on the sofa in the lobby, his gaze returning to the notebook in his hand.

Finally, when Sigrid completed the last trip and returned to the lobby.

Her expression was blank, but her brow was slightly furrowed.

It was as if she didn't understand why the employer didn't go up with her on the second trip, but was still waiting for her in the lobby.

"Good evening."

Sigrid said to Lan Qi, who was still writing and drawing on the notepad.

She was not being polite, but simply maintaining a professional attitude in a formulaic way.

Lan Qi looked up, his gaze turned to this young but extremely competent bodyguard, and his eyes showed approval.

"Thank you, Sigrid."

Lan Qi said, slightly accelerating the pen in his hand, and stopped writing and tore off the note after a few seconds.

He handed the shopping list to Sigrid, then took out his wallet from his coat pocket and counted out a few local currency notes that his secretary had exchanged for him, and handed them to Sigrid.

"This money is for miscellaneous expenses on the road, including buying daily necessities, food, etc. If you think you need to buy anything else, don't ask me, just come to me when you're about to run out."

He added.

"Oh, thanks."

Sigrid took the money from Lan Qi and put it in her pocket.

She understood that the last job tonight was to go to the market in Little Stone City; they hadn't had dinner yet.

Sigrid started walking out of the hotel lobby, noticing that Lan Qi was following her.

But his pace was very relaxed, like a stroll, as if he didn't plan to go out with her, just leisurely accompany her for a short distance, and by the way, there were things he still had to tell her.

"Tomorrow morning, before and after the restoration ceremony, we may have to contact the Great Chieftain and priests of the Orc city-state and other dignitaries. At that time, please pay attention to your wording so that they don't think you have offended their ancestors and gods."

Lan Qi said gently about tomorrow's work.

"Hmm, for example?"

Sigrid looked sideways at Lan Qi beside her.

Although she often came to the Orc city-state, she rarely had the opportunity to contact the Great Chieftain and the upper echelons of the city-state, and she didn't know what to say that would cause problems.

"Mainly your wording, or more of your way of thinking. You need to maintain respect for things you don't understand. If you maintain a casual attitude, there may be risks in tomorrow's occasion."

Lan Qi reminded.

"...This is really too troublesome."

She wanted to curse but stopped, swallowing the swear word that came to her lips.

"I haven't gone to school, and I don't understand what you're talking about at all."

Sigrid felt that she could understand every word Lan Qi said, but when they were connected, she felt a special headache.

"If you want to learn, I can teach you."

Lan Qi put his hands behind his back and walked elegantly beside her.

"Forget it, you're not my teacher, let alone my parents. There's no need to teach me this and that."

Sigrid waved her hands impatiently and shook her head.

"Then I'll just not say anything and be done with it."

With that, she quickened her pace slightly.

"This compromise is not bad."

Lan Qi finally showed a slight smile and agreed.

"..."

"Have you been waiting for me to say this for a long time?"

Sigrid frowned as she walked to the entrance of the Snow Bear Hotel with Lan Qi.

She always felt that this guy was trying to trick her.

"No."

Lan Qi pursed his lips and shook his head.

"Are you treating me like an idiot?"

Sigrid stared intently at Lan Qi's expression.

"No."

Lan Qi opened his lips slightly and replied with surprise and half confusion.

Seeing Lan Qi's innocent expression, Sigrid immediately felt angry.

"Heh, my mood has gotten worse."

Sigrid sneered, turned her head and walked away alone, leaving these words behind as she passed through the hotel's revolving door.

(End of this chapter)