38 Chapter 38

Chapter 38: How Kindly Someone Smiles to Your Face and How Ruthless They Are Behind Your Back

"Sorry, Uncle Bizzness, but Tom is not a commodity. He won't be sold no matter what." Adrian handed him a tissue to wipe his face and continued, "I'll compensate you for your clothes, but let's not bring up buying Tom again."

Uncle Bizzness wasn't upset. After all, no matter how smart Tom was, he was just a cat in the eyes of others. A piano-playing cat meant a business opportunity, whether it was sold to nobles or turned into an animal star, it could bring in massive profits.

It was normal for someone to inquire about the price, and it was good to make things clear.

As for whether the Celestial Dragons would cause trouble, it was unlikely. The seas were teeming with intelligent creatures, and Old Sabaody had a sketching otter working under him.

"No problem, it's just clothes." Uncle Bizzness maintained his courteous demeanor, cleaned his face with his handkerchief, and hesitated before asking, "Are you really not considering it? I promise I won't mistreat it, and I can offer this amount."

Adrian wasn't interested in guessing the exact amount he gestured with his hand. He spoke less politely than before, "You can think of Tom as my family, not a matter of money."

"I see. Seems like I overstepped. I apologize." Uncle Bizzness didn't continue to press, and instead apologized for his behavior.

With a polite farewell, Uncle Bizzness left. Despite his dirty collar, he maintained his composure.

Watching him leave, Adrian said, "Artoria, I think I'm developing persecution delusions."

"What's wrong?" Artoria decided to sacrifice a bit of eating time to show concern.

"I thought that old man would resort to threats if persuasion didn't work. After all, he's a big merchant, and he probably has dozens of sailors and guards under him."

In theory, being rejected in a deal and then splattered with a tomato in the face wasn't something that would leave you laughing like Shanks did after getting his sake jug broken.

It would have been reasonable for him to get angry on the spot. Adrian didn't expect his self-restraint to be this good.

Artoria set down her teacup and said, "I've got your back."

Adrian nodded, "Yeah, that's why I wasn't panicking. But I'm wondering if others might target Tom and try to snatch him away."

Artoria looked into his eyes and repeated, "I've got your back."

"..." Adrian silently refilled her cup of tea. Man, your charisma is off the charts. If I were a girl, I'd be smitten by you.

Hmm... Is there something not right here?

...

After leaving the tavern, Uncle Bizzness returned to his merchant ship.

His assistant came over to report, "Boss, we've got news about those three persons."

Uncle Bizzness asked, "How did it go?"

The assistant explained, "They were subdued with just one encounter. The blonde girl is a guard at the tavern. She used a broom handle to subdue them. Also, the tavern owner has a gun. Even the cat had a pistol on him. The rumors on the island are mostly true."

Uncle Bizzness was puzzled, "Such capable people are working as guards in a small tavern? Do we know their backgrounds? Is there someone backing the tavern?"

The assistant shook his head, "We couldn't find out much. We only know the girl appeared suddenly before the tavern opened. The young owner and his cat arrived on the island more than a month ago. They were apparently shipwrecked and lived with the shipwright Goodman family for a month. Then, they somehow managed to capture the 8 million Berries bounty, Swort Sword, and used the reward to buy the tavern.

He has a good relationship with the Goodmans, is familiar with some of the shipwrights who frequent the tavern, and has some business transactions with Old Bob and wine merchant Guraagas. Additionally, he frequently jogs around the island, so many residents know him. There's no evidence of any formidable connections."

Most of the information he gathered wasn't secret. After all, a few minutes of chatting with some old folks could piece together a rough picture. Goodman picking up Adrian wasn't exactly a well-kept secret either, considering it was recent news on the island.

Among the various rumors, apart from the differences in how spectacular the capture of Sward was, the rest was quite accurate.

Uncle Bizzness stroked his small mustache, "I didn't expect that just to acquire a cat, it would be so complicated."

The assistant asked, "Boss, why not just take action? It's just a small tavern. Even if they're skilled, there are only two of them."

Uncle Bizzness negated, "Anyone who can deal with an 8 million Berries bounty criminal isn't that simple. The sea is vast, and there's no shortage of lone wolves who can take on a hundred opponents.

That girl seems extraordinary just from her demeanor. Obvious risks like that, of course, we'll avoid them. Besides, we're merchants. If we want something, we pay for it."

"But they're not selling," the assistant pointed out. If the sellers didn't have the goods, the buyers would find them on their own, he thought.

Uncle Bizzness smiled, "If they're not selling, someone else will be willing."

The assistant was puzzled, "But is there another cat like this?"

"The seller not having stock doesn't mean there's no supply available. How they acquire it is none of our concern." Uncle Bizzness glanced at him, "If there's anything else you don't understand, ask it all at once, then get back to work."

"Yes, boss. I just don't understand. There are many intelligent creatures. I heard there are even furry races with human-level intelligence. Is it worth going to this extent for a slightly smarter cat?"

"That's because you only know he can play the piano, you don't know how well he plays. Even the world's top musical maestros are only at this level. Once we get him, he'll definitely bring me massive profits!" Uncle Bizzness showed an expectant look.

...

Adrian, of course, had no idea how accurate his instincts were. That courteous and handsome uncle was actually scheming to steal his cat.

To be honest, that uncle did leave a good impression.

How kindly someone smiles to your face and how ruthless they are behind your back, that saying fit Uncle Bizzness perfectly.

Adrian, who hadn't experienced much of the world, was currently busy consoling Tom.

You guys can't imagine how pitiful Tom looks when he clings to you, begging not to be abandoned.

He even piled up his stash of snacks into a small mountain and pushed it in front of Adrian, as if to say, "I can give up these things, but you must keep me."

Adrian felt sorry for Tom and comforted him for a long while, swearing oaths, before Tom finally eased up.

Thankfully, Tom had a big heart. He soon left to have a doughnut-eating contest with Artoria.

The ultimate winner of this contest was... the owner of the dessert shop. When he saw Adrian step into the shop for the third time that day, his old face practically blossomed like a chrysanthemum.

"In consideration of Tom's bad mood today, I'll indulge him a bit." Adrian tried to console himself this way, but his heart still hurt. He had wasted the whole day.

"Compared to Tom's happiness, a mere bit of wealth means nothing!" Adrian tried to numb himself with this thought, but his heart still ached!

"Actually, if you think about it carefully, letting the dessert shop owner earn money will boost his spending power, which can stimulate the consumption in the area. Once people around here make money, more of them will come to drink at the tavern. So, I'm not losing out... I guess..."

To deceive himself, Adrian even recalled some basics of economics he had heard about.

"Save one for me!"

If you can't beat them, join them. It's not like I'll be doing this every day. There will always be a way to make money.

Tom had been wandering half his life, regretting that he hadn't met a kind master. If you don't abandon me, I'm willing to serve you. Please give me your votes. Only with votes can Tom not pull them out from behind...