For the oblivious Andrew, Evelyn's thoughts were a complete mystery.
Coming out of the kitchen, Andrew saw Astra Yao beaming at him with sparkling eyes, and then Evelyn, whose attitude had suddenly reverted to the coldness of their first meeting. He was, for a moment, a little lost.
How did a simple meal end up tanking her affection rating?
What's up with that?
Who am I, where am I, and why is this happening?
Before Andrew could dwell on it any longer, Evelyn's next words instantly banished his confusion.
Looking at Astra Yao's fully recovered state, Evelyn spoke to Andrew with grave formality:
"This breakfast has been a great help to us. When we settle the commission fee, we will add an extra five hundred thousand Dennies as payment for your cooking."
Evelyn paused for a moment before adding:
"Per meal."
Of course! That cold feeling was just my imagination. This was totally Mother-in-law Lyn!
No, scratch that, she's Momma Lyn!
Six meals over two days... that would double the commission fee!
But even so, this time Andrew chose not to accept the offer and acknowledge this 'momma'.
"I'd actually prefer a different kind of payment over money."
Hearing this, Evelyn didn't refuse. Instead, she gestured for Andrew to continue. After all, if money could buy such miraculous effects, people in New Eridu would probably trample down their door to get it.
"Alright. As long as it isn't excessive, we will do our best to accommodate you."
"Where I used to live, there was a lot of music, but I don't know much about musical instruments myself."
Andrew first gave his music a plausible origin before continuing:
"So, I was hoping Miss Astra Yao could help me recreate that music."
It wasn't uncommon for people to bring music to New Eridu from their places of origin, like Andrew, but few were as upfront about it as he was.
Most would pretend they were the original creators to earn patent fees.
Beside them, Astra Yao leaped up in excitement upon hearing this condition, but before she could speak, Evelyn stopped her.
"And then?"
Andrew was a little puzzled by the question.
"What 'and then'? Then we record them on a disc, of course."
"No other demands?"
Hearing Evelyn press the issue, Andrew quickly understood what she meant, but he had no intention of profiting from this.
So, he said:
"Nope, no other demands."
After Evelyn released her, Astra Yao mulled over Andrew's condition for a moment before speaking:
"Andrew, you should still take the extra commission fee. A deal this good... I don't think any musician would refuse if you offered it to them directly."
For a singer and composer like Astra Yao, the effort required for what Andrew was asking was completely disproportionate to the reward.
It was practically a gift.
Songs from a collective creative culture, never before heard in New Eridu—this was an irresistible treasure for any songwriter.
"Don't worry. To me, this is a fair price."
Despite Andrew's insistence, he still didn't agree to Astra Yao's offer of extra money.
He just felt it would be strange to accept the money.
Seeing Astra Yao's conflicted expression, Andrew's lips curled into a smile as he said:
"After all, I'm just making a meal for a friend. It'd be weird to charge for that, wouldn't it?"
At these words, Astra Yao's eyes lit up. She nodded in sudden understanding and said:
"Okay! Then we're good friends now!"
Saying this, Astra Yao grabbed Evelyn's arm and said to Andrew:
"And also! Let me introduce you to my best friend, Eve!"
Although they'd already met, seeing Evelyn with her arm held by Astra Yao, Andrew instantly understood what she was getting at.
He played along, extending a hand to Evelyn.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Evelyn. Care to be friends?"
Looking at Astra Yao clinging to her arm, and hearing that introduction, the turmoil in Evelyn's heart quietly dissipated.
Best friends, huh...
"You... you're still so quick to trust people."
"Hehe, I could tell at a glance! Andrew's definitely a good person!"
She couldn't deny it. Based on their time together so far, Astra Yao was right.
Looking at Andrew's outstretched hand, Evelyn sighed in resignation and took it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Andrew."
Looking at Astra Yao and Andrew before her, Evelyn solidified her resolve to cast off her identity as a spy and break away from that organization completely.
"Yay! The three of us are good friends now!"
As Astra Yao cheered, Evelyn let go of his hand. She subconsciously glanced at Andrew, and their eyes met by accident.
She immediately averted her gaze, glanced at the time, and stood up.
"We're running short on time. We should head downstairs, Miss."
Andrew had no objections. He quickly walked over to the wall to grab his weapons, ready to depart.
But Astra Yao sounded a little surprised.
"Huh? Eve, why are we leaving ten-something minutes earlier than usual? Can't we rest a little longer? Just a little bit~"
Seeing Astra Yao habitually pleading, Evelyn, though a bit flustered, quickly found a suitable excuse.
"Miss, Mr. Andrew's weapons are too heavy for the elevator. We need to take the stairs down before the car arrives."
It felt like Astra Yao had become even more prone to pleading since he arrived.
With that, Evelyn glanced at Astra Yao's full stomach and added:
"I didn't stop you because breakfast was so delicious, but your calorie intake this morning is already a bit over the limit. You should get some exercise to burn off the excess."
Oof... Eve is so strict about calorie control.
"That's what it takes to maintain your figure, Miss."
Hearing Evelyn's words, Astra Yao, with no reason to refuse on any front, had to give up on the idea of lounging in her chair a bit longer.
However, when she remembered the reason for taking the stairs was Andrew's weapons, her curiosity was instantly piqued.
She stood up from her chair and zipped over to Andrew, who had just slung his weapons onto his back, asking with curiosity:
"Andrew, can I try holding your weapons?"
Andrew naturally had no issue with that, but to prevent any accidents, he took the shield in his hands first.
Don't be fooled by the shield's smaller appearance compared to the lance; it was an absolutely massive, solid chunk of iron. Its weight was easily comparable to the lance's.
In fact, the shield was even a little heavier.
_____
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