I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

"Oh, Lady Wenyue is leaving so soon?"

Upon hearing this, Pado put away her excited smile and looked up at the smiling Wen Yue with surprise.

Because she had just arrived, Maomao thought that Wenyue would continue to chat with her and probe her further. Who knew she was going to leave so soon…

“After all, this trip was a break from my busy schedule.” As she spoke, Wen Yue looked at Gretchen and said, “Then Auntie will take her leave first. Little Gretchen, please be careful out there.”

"Okay, I got it... Goodbye, fluffy."

Gretchen, whose name was suddenly called, was taken aback for a moment before obediently nodding. It wasn't just Paddo who was surprised by the person's departure; she felt the same way.

"Well, goodbye, little Gretchen."

"Oh, right, don't forget what I said before, Miss Padofelis." After giving Padofelis a mysterious smile one last time, Wen Yue turned and left with Bai Xue, gradually disappearing into the crowd on the street.

Although, just as Pado had suspected, Wenyue hadn't figured out many things and details, she wasn't in a hurry. Rather than inefficiently chasing after questions, she'd better go back and read the letter she'd just received before making any plans.

After all, according to the information she had received, Gretchen would be staying here for a while longer, and there was plenty of time.

As for Chen Huijie's subsequent contact with her, Wen Yue didn't plan to stop it until she discovered any problems. Anyway, with her keeping an eye on things, she could intervene if anything went wrong…

---------

"Ah, such a big shot just left like that... Not only did he not intend to arrest us, he even prepared a gift for you, Miss Phyllis! So what was in that box just now? And what kind of shady deal did you two make!?"

After losing sight of Wen Yue, An Suo, who had been silent all along, leaned close to Pa Duo's ear and whispered something.

"?"

"What do you mean by a shady deal? Our deal is perfectly aboveboard and perfectly legitimate!" Pado said in a low voice, annoyed by An Suo's words.

"As for what's inside the little box, it's shiny gold coins."

"Alright, whatever Miss Phyllis says goes. But, it's gold coins? Looks like those big shots know your preferences quite well..." Hearing this, An Suo awkwardly touched his nose and muttered to himself.

“Oh dear, I’m just telling the truth. But some things are still too early for you. Let’s tell you the whole story after this is done.” Looking at An Suo’s expression, Pa Duo helplessly spread her hands and said.

"I deliberately revealed my preferences, because it's easier to control people with weaknesses when dealing with these 'big shots'."

"I see. But... what if Miss Phyllis's plan doesn't work out?" After hearing Pado's words, An Suo nodded in understanding, then asked with some curiosity.

"It didn't work?"

Meeting her younger brother's curious gaze, Pado seemed to have thought of something, and slowly curled the corners of her lips into a smile.

In a low, menacing voice, he said, "Then we'll have to consider abandoning you and running away alone."

"Hey! How could Miss Phyllis do this!? Does that mean all the feelings we've had these past few days have been fake?!" Seeing Paddo's expression, knowing she was joking, she secretly feigned surprise and pitifully accused her.

"Pfft, don't worry! We won't give up on Dark Stalker. Even if we have to run away, we'll take you with us."

"Heh~ Then I really have to thank Miss Phyllis~ She didn't forget to bring along her poor, weak but gluttonous little brother at such a crucial moment."

"Hmph~ Alright, let's not stand here anymore, let's find a place to rest." With a light hum, Pado handed a drink to Gretchen beside her and said with a smile.

"???)Um……"

"it is good."

……

On the way to find a place to rest, Pado suddenly thought of something, a sly glint in her eyes, and then she began to communicate with Gretchen beside her in her mind.

"By the way, is Gretchen interested in my plans for tonight?"

'If you're interested, we can do it together! Of course, with a different look!'

'Well……'

Faced with Paddo's sudden question, Gretchen paused for a moment before replying in her mind, "Does Paddo mean what I'll look like when I'm grown up?"

'Yeah, I haven't seen what you look like when you're all grown up, Gresh! So, how about we go on a shopping trip together in that form!?' While thinking to herself, Paddo looked excitedly at Gresh, who was holding a drink beside her, waiting for her answer.

What a joke! Since Wen Yue intends to make things more difficult for her, she'll naturally seek outside help. After all, she doesn't insist on doing everything herself when it comes to sourcing goods.

"Hmm... okay. I'd also like to act in that state once..." Gretchen thought about her plans for the evening for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

'Great! '

Just as Pado was overjoyed by Gretsch's agreement, a huffy voice suddenly broke into their conversation.

'What the hell! Pado, you didn't even call your boss again when something fun happened?!'

Upon hearing this, Pado choked for a moment, then realized who it was and chuckled as she explained, "Uh... haha, I just didn't want to bother you, Boss, with something so trivial."

"Since you're interested in the boss too, let's come together. With you there, tonight's operation will be absolutely perfect!"

"Of course! Don't you know who I am?"

Xiao Shi, who was initially sulking because the two of them went out to play without her, instantly cheered up after Pa Duo said a few words. She was like a cat whose fur had been stroked.

'Hmm, what are your plans for tonight, Sister Pado?'

"Well, we haven't thought of a multi-person version yet. Let's discuss it now!"

……

While the three of them were secretly discussing their plans for the evening, Wen Yue had already successfully boarded a car to go home.

In the car, she did not suppress her complex and turbulent emotions. She calmly and gracefully took out the letter from her niece.

Chapter 94 Cat Stickers

"Ding-dong-"

A crisp cell phone notification sound broke the silence in the quiet office, causing the person who was writing a report to pause, put down their pen, and pick up their phone.

Chen opened the message and, as expected, it was a location message from Pado. After quickly replying with "I'll be right there," she got up and headed to her office.

Her actions also caught the attention of two colleagues who were also in the office.

"Did that notorious thief send you a message, Old Chen? Be careful on the road." Knowing what his friend was going to do, Hoshiguma looked up at her and reminded her.

Compared to Hoshiguma's gentle admonition, Swire's tone was far less pleasant; she spoke harshly:

"That wretched guy is pretty slow this time. I wonder if he's preparing something. Old Chen, remember to be careful and don't let him hurt little Greta."

"I understand, I'll try to come back as soon as possible." Hearing this, Chen, who had already reached the office door, nodded gently and then left without looking back.

To be honest, not only did Swire think that Padrephilis's search was slow this time, but Chen also thought it was incredibly slow. It was already past 3 p.m., and she had lost count of how many reports she had written, yet she had only just received this message from "Dragon Gate Thieves."

However, Chen, who had been anxiously waiting, was unaware that before sending her the message, Pado had been happily shopping and sightseeing with her "target." She was even secretly planning a thrilling shopping spree with her that evening…

----------

On the other side, a coffee shop near the Royal Guard Bureau—

"Alright, we've already sent the message to Chen Huijie! She'll be here soon, and Gretchen just needs to wait patiently." Seeing Chen's quick reply, Pado smiled, put away her phone, and said to Gretchen.

"As for me and Ansuo, we'll leave first. After all, if we bump into each other..."

That would be troublesome!

“???) Um... Goodbye, Sister Pado and Sister Ansuo…”

Hearing Pado's words, Gretchen nodded obediently and waved to the two of them.

"Okay, goodbye." Hearing this, a faint trace of reluctance flashed in An Suo's eyes, and he waved to the little girl.

Although Miss Purple Rabbit felt a little awkward when facing Gretsch alone, she had a good impression of her when they played together.

After all, who doesn't like cute, innocent, and well-behaved children?

"Meow~"

Sensing that Pado and the other two were about to leave, the canned food, which had been sitting obediently on the table, gently flicked its tail, intending to follow as usual.

However, before it could even stand on the edge of the table and jump as usual, Pado quickly pressed down on its fluffy head and said, "Canned food, don't come along yet. You stay here and keep Gretchen company."

"You can leave here later after Chen Huijie arrives."

"Meow!"

After hearing Pado's words, the canned food, whose head had suddenly been pressed down, stomped its little paws in displeasure.

But because it still liked Gretchen quite a bit, it didn't resist too much, and even unusually, it didn't try to bargain with anyone for dried fish or anything like that.

"We're off then. Have fun, Gretchen and the canned food! Goodbye." With that, Pado smiled at the person and the cat before leaving with Anso beside her.

"Meow~"

After watching Pado and the others leave, Canned Food let out a soft cry, walked up to Gretsch, and rubbed its fluffy little head against her cheek.

"Woo..."

Greta gently wrapped her arms around the can, squinted her eyes, and buried her face in the fluffy fur. The interaction between the human and the cat was exceptionally cute and heartwarming.

……

However, sometimes a heartwarming and lovely scene doesn't seem so heartwarming to some people, such as Chen Huijie, who is rushing to the coffee shop as fast as she can right now.

"Why is this cat still with you, Gretchen? Has no one come to claim it? And why are you alone again?" Looking at the two of them huddled together, Chen's eyes flashed with surprise, and then she asked in a gentle tone.

“Sister Paddo left the canned food here especially to keep me company, she was afraid I'd be bored…” Gretchen said, reaching out to gently rub the canned food’s little head, then continued:

"Why is she alone???... Because Sister Pado just left."

Afraid that Xiao Shi would continue to be scolded because of her, the little girl chose to evade the main point and give evasive answers when answering Chen's questions.

"Gresh, you know Padofelis? Wait... Sister? That guy isn't one of your sisters, is he?!" Upon hearing this, Chen was taken aback, then frowned deeply at his own guess, his expression becoming indescribable.

If his guess is true, then Chen needs to seriously consider taking over Gretsch's temporary guardianship in Lungmen.

After all, she really didn't feel comfortable handing over such a well-behaved child (the new little sister) to such a group of guardians with complicated backgrounds and a chaotic mess... In fact, she even considered putting one of them in jail!

"Yes, we met this afternoon. I came out this afternoon to help Guantou find Sister Pado..." Looking at the person in front of her who seemed to have "misunderstanding" something, Gretchen nodded her little head and quickly explained (excused herself).

"Hmm... Sister Pado is a very nice person. She took me out to play before and bought me a lot of things." As she spoke, the little girl pointed to the large and small bags piled on the table.

"Tsk..."

After hearing Gretchen's explanation, Chen's expression softened considerably, but he couldn't help but click his tongue in disapproval.

It's absolutely outrageous! Knowing the news, they kept quiet and didn't contact her, but instead took their own younger sister out to play right under her nose and tried to bribe her...

"Phew... Gretchen, don't go out with strangers like this. If you want to go out and have fun, I can take you with me." After exhaling a breath and calming his emotions, Chen bent down and gently rubbed Gretchen's head, speaking softly.

"???) Hmm... I understand."