How About I Become Your Assistant

"Suppose the General isn't immune to all poisons, and I hadn't secretly gone to see him—what do you think would have happened?"

Hope thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid... things would have gotten completely out of hand by now."

"With the eldest miss's temper, breaking off the engagement with the General would totally be possible!" Claire chimed in.

Grace gave a little laugh: "So maybe Ginger really was just confused for a moment and used as a pawn. The real mastermind wanted to sabotage my relationship with the General—that's their true motive."

"So who could it be?"

Grace narrowed her eyes. "There are plenty of people hoping to see me and him split up... We'll just have to wait and see!"

...

A few days later, it was Minister Zhuo's birthday.

This was his first birthday since arriving in Yan City.

It wasn't a big milestone, but he still invited plenty of friends and family to celebrate together.

Grace also invited her closest girlfriends.

Of course, her best friend was Shannon.

She also invited Joanna Zuo and her newly befriended spirit pet owner: Rina Chu.

Sure enough, Rina Chu arrived with her spirit pet.

But Grace couldn’t find Cutie Pie.

That little rascal always comes home at night to burrow into her covers, but by day, who knows where it’s off to!

"So your antler serpent is totally tamed now?" Grace noticed Rina Chu wasn’t keeping it in a cage anymore.

"Yep, it’s super obedient these days." Rina Chu stroked its head fondly.

Li Zan tried to dodge, but couldn’t escape Rina Chu’s enthusiastic petting.

Shannon looked at him with a sympathetic gaze.

"My antler serpent is hardly ever home—I have no idea what it’s up to," Grace said. "Sorry, I originally wanted you to bring yours so they could play together, but mine’s missing in action."

"No worries," Rina Chu laughed. "We can always let them meet up some other time."

Grace nodded. "By the way, is your serpent male or female? If it’s a girl, maybe it could pair up with my Cutie Pie and have a whole nest of little snakes! Haha!"

Li Zan looked at Grace: Are you serious?

Rina Chu glanced down at Li Zan and said, "Honestly, I’m not sure how to tell. But she’s so brightly colored, so she’s probably a female."

"In that case, I’ll bring Cutie Pie over to visit you next time!"

"Sounds great! Haha!"

...

"What are you two talking about that’s got you so happy?" Joanna Zuo came over and asked.

"We’re talking about spirit pets," Grace said, pointing to Rina Chu’s antler serpent. "It’s rare to meet someone who’s raising the same kind as me."

"This antler serpent really is unusual," Joanna Zuo remarked. "I’ve never seen one with tufts of hair on its head before."

"Right? They’re super rare," Grace said. "And way smarter than your average antler serpent—like, a hundred times smarter."

"Haha, it’s really cute," Joanna Zuo said, then turned to Grace. "Grace, the Alliance Leader hasn’t officially announced it, but you’re definitely going to be our new leader for the Vermilion Spirit Alliance. Are you ready?"

Grace nodded.

"The Alliance Leader can appoint their own Assistant Attendant," Joanna Zuo said. "You should start looking for one now."

Assistant Attendants are the most inconspicuous folks in the Spirit Alliance.

But they still need to know some pharmacology and be at least a second-tier Spirit Practitioner. Most importantly... you have to really trust them.

Not easy to find!

"That’s true..." Grace nodded. "I’ll go find Bobby later and have him help me scout out a few candidates."

Joanna Zuo nodded. "He’s been idle at home ever since he came to Yan City. Why not make him your Assistant Attendant?"