Cao Zhong hadn't expected to run into the Lumine and Paimon at the Good Hunter.
Still… Paimon's sharp mouth really deserved a beating.
Back in the game, letting her casually assign him quests was one thing—after all, it was all for the sake of his waifus.
But now that he was actually in Teyvat, did she really think she could still push him around?
Cao Zhong moved in a flash. Before anyone could react, he grabbed Paimon straight out of the air.
"Ah—Traveler! Save meee—!"
Caught completely off guard, Paimon was captured alive.
"Don't bother shouting. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one's coming to save you."
A mischievous, almost villainous grin spread across Cao Zhong's face.
"W-What are you doing?! Don't come any closer!"
Paimon struggled desperately, twisting her body to escape his grasp.
"N-No! Not there!"
Seeing his hand inching toward her tiny feet, Paimon's face filled with terror.
Cao Zhong ignored her protests. Past or present—debts must be repaid!
"Ahahaha—!"
"Stop! It tickles—don't tickle my feet!"
"Ahhh—help! Traveler, help meee—!"
Lumine facepalmed, utterly speechless.
How could these two be so childish?
She really couldn't understand how this man—who could fool around with Paimon like this—had so many girls completely devoted to him.
And many of them were outstanding women.
Jean… Barbara… Amber… Eula…
Other than being handsome, he had no redeeming qualities at all!
"Enough! That's enough! You two are way too childish!"
Only then did Cao Zhong release Paimon's feet.
"Apologize, and I'll let you go."
He didn't release her immediately, instead demanding an apology.
"Why should I apologize?! You're the one bullying me! You should apologize to me!"
Paimon puffed up angrily.
What kind of logic was that?!
"You called me a scumbag. Shouldn't you apologize?"
Cao Zhong glared, trying to intimidate her.
"I won't apologize! You are a scumbag—I didn't say anything wrong!"
As expected, Paimon's mouth was as stubborn as ever.
"Oh? No apology? Then I'll keep tickling."
"…I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
A wise Paimon knows when to yield—especially when she's in someone else's hands.
"Louder. I can't hear you."
Cao Zhong suddenly took on the tone of Faruzan.
"I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
"Wrong about what?"
"I shouldn't have called you a scumbag!"
"And will you say it again?"
"No! Never again!"
Satisfied, Cao Zhong finally let her go.
Whoosh—
Paimon immediately flew behind Lumine, glaring at him angrily.
"Scumbag! Scumbag! Scumbag!"
"Not just a scumbag—you're a total pervert too!"
Now that she had the Traveler's protection, her confidence instantly returned.
Cao Zhong sighed calmly.
"How many times do I have to say this? I'm not old."
Lumine's lips twitched.
Was that really the point here?
Shouldn't the key word be pervert?
"Ah my, you two little ones are quite entertaining."
A soft, lazy voice interrupted—belonging to Lisa, who had clearly been watching the whole show.
A wide purple witch's hat, brown hair, emerald eyes, and a refined, intellectual beauty—it was hard not to be captivated.
Her elegant figure, wrapped in alluring purple attire, exuded charm at every glance.
"Ah, Lisa! I didn't expect to see you here. It's only been a few days, but you seem even more radiant!"
Cao Zhong's eyes lit up.
Lumine shot him a look full of disdain.
And he still claimed he wasn't a scumbag?
No—he was worse than a scumbag.
"My, what a sweet-talker. You've gone straight to my heart, little cutie."
Lisa sat across from him, smiling warmly.
"Would you honor me with lunch, Miss Lisa?" Cao Zhong asked politely.
"Of course. Dining with such a handsome little cutie is a rare opportunity."
Lumine and Paimon both stared in disbelief.
What was happening?
"Lisa, don't fall for this scumbag's tricks! Did you forget we're here for work?"
Lumine reminded her, unwilling to see her get deceived.
"Oh my, work can wait. But chances like this don't come often."
Lisa waved it off casually.
Cao Zhong's eyes flickered—he already had a good idea what their task was.
Most likely returning a borrowed library book to Sara at Good Hunter.
"Miss Lisa is right. You can't work well on an empty stomach."
He picked up the menu.
"Exactly!" Paimon chimed in. "Even though this guy is annoying, I agree with him this time."
Lumine gave Paimon a deadpan look.
You just want to eat.
With everyone in agreement, they stayed for lunch.
Paimon eagerly floated over the menu.
"I want this, this, this… and this! Oh, and this too!"
Only after finishing did she awkwardly scratch her head.
"Hehe… what do you guys want?"
Lumine was speechless.
Cao Zhong turned to Lisa. "Anything you'd like?"
"My, Paimon has already ordered quite a feast. But as a witch, I can't eat too much."
Lisa replied lazily.
"Then I'll add a vegetable radish soup—it should suit your taste."
Cao Zhong smiled.
Lisa gave him a thoughtful glance.
"My, you do understand women quite well. No wonder so many are fond of you."
Cao Zhong simply smiled in response.
But then—
His gaze wandered.
Lisa leaned slightly against the table, and the view before him was… difficult to ignore.
He glanced once.
Then again.
And one last time…
"Cutie… what exactly are you looking at?"
Lisa suddenly asked.
She was still smiling—
But somehow, it felt dangerous.
Even Paimon sensed something was off.
"Huh? Why does the Electro energy suddenly feel stronger?"
Lumine quickly covered Paimon's mouth.
She knew exactly what was going on.
She cast Cao Zhong a sympathetic look.
Boss… good luck.