"You goofball, have you looked at your build versus Egg’s? And you’re copying his moves? If I hadn’t taken that fall for you, you’d probably be in the hospital right now." Forgetting his own pain, Shen Yibin slapped Hah’Er on the head. ’With a round, roly-poly body like yours, you shouldn’t be comparing your agility to Egg’s, you know?’

"Ooh~" Hah’Er looked at Shen Yibin pitifully and reached out a paw, trying to pull him up. Ah, it looked like Shen Yibin was really hurt, and Hah’Er felt a little guilty.

"Don’t! Let me lie here a little longer." His whole body was aching. The plaza’s paving tiles were unforgivingly hard, and he had landed right on his tailbone. The feeling was exquisitely painful, and Shen Yibin’s eyes instantly welled with tears.

Hah’Er anxiously circled Shen Yibin, even trying to use his paws to rub the sore spot. Seeing this, Shen Yibin was so moved he could have cried. ’I haven’t spoiled you all this time for nothing. If something like this happens again, I’d still be your human cushion.’ He had teased Sakai Kaori about becoming Egg’s maid, but his own attitude toward Hah’Er was pretty much the same.

"It’s nothing, I’ll be fine in a moment, really." Not wanting Hah’Er to worry, he had to grit his teeth and bear the pain. Shen Yibin pushed himself up from the ground and slowly got to his feet. He forced himself to take a few steps, and his stiff body gradually loosened up a bit.

By this time, the square dancing was coming to an end, and the crowd of onlookers began to disperse. Mrs. Wang, the fruit and vegetable shop owner, and the others gathered around Egg, showering him with praise. The last song aside, the previous dances were more than enough to earn them a high ranking in the square dancing competition.

"Boss, let’s head back," Sylvie said, walking over breathlessly. The last dance had taken a lot out of her, and now she was sticky with sweat all over. All she wanted was to go back and take a shower.

"Egg, come here. It’s time to go back." Shen Yibin waved Egg and Sakai Kaori over. The group ambled back toward the store, though because of his injury, Shen Yibin walked even more slowly than usual today.

Hah’Er knew it was all his fault, so this time he didn’t mess around with Egg on the way back. Instead, he held Shen Yibin’s hand with his paw and walked slowly. He even ignored Egg’s several attempts to provoke him.

"Sakai, why don’t you hold Egg’s hand on the way back too? Don’t let him run off." ’Hey, this is a perfect opportunity,’ Shen Yibin thought, seizing the moment to create a chance for Sakai Kaori to get closer to Egg.

"Eh? Can I?" Sakai Kaori was still a little hesitant. For the past two days, Egg had given her nothing but the cold shoulder. ’Will he actually cooperate this time?’

"Just give it a try." In truth, Shen Yibin wasn’t very confident either, but seeing how happy Egg seemed today, he figured it was worth a shot.

And so, Sakai Kaori mustered her courage and held her hand out to Egg. Egg glanced at Hah’Er holding Shen Yibin’s hand with his paw, then tilted his head up to look at Sakai Kaori. Seemingly recalling her performance in the plaza earlier, he hesitated for a moment before extending his own right paw.

’It actually worked!’ Even though it was just holding hands, Sakai Kaori was thrilled beyond words. She had tried so hard to serve him for so long without ever getting a friendly look from Egg. To think she could win his approval just by dancing once! ’I have to keep up the effort tomorrow!’ Sakai Kaori quickly grasped Egg’s paw.

"Ooh~" Hah’Er seemed to notice that Shen Yibin was walking much slower than usual. It slowed its pace and reached out a paw, attempting to touch the spot Shen Yibin kept rubbing.

’Hey, you can’t just touch my butt whenever you feel like it!’ Shen Yibin quickly put out a hand to stop him, patting his head at the same time. "It’s fine, it’s fine. I’ll just need to lie down for a bit when we get back." Shen Yibin had already checked; it was just a bad bruise. He just had to bear with it for a while. It wasn’t a big deal.

"Gah?" Seeing the blissful expression on Hah’Er’s face as his head was being rubbed, Egg couldn’t help but feel a little envious. It tilted its head up at Sakai Kaori, then offered its own head to her.

"Lord Raccoon Cat, you are...?" Sakai Kaori didn’t quite understand Egg’s intention. ’What does this gesture mean?’

"He wants you to rub his head, too." ’This goofball probably saw Hah’Er and is demanding the same treatment now,’ Shen Yibin thought. ’You’re not some cute anime girl, yet you still love a good head-pat.’

"Eh? Is that really allowed?" Sakai Kaori hesitated.

"Huh? Isn’t it said that rubbing a Raccoon Cat’s head helps with your studies? What’s there to worry about? Just copy me." Shen Yibin had recently done a little research on the status of raccoon cats in Japanese mythology.

In Japanese mythology, the Raccoon Cat is believed to possess eight virtues, and touching different parts of one is said to grant eight corresponding blessings: rubbing its head improves academic performance; rubbing its eyes and nose ensures you pass exams and find a good job; rubbing from its shoulders to its chest brings good fortune in love and a happy marriage; rubbing its belly helps women with smooth childbirth; rubbing the promissory note held by a stone tanuki statue brings you credibility and fame; rubbing the statue’s staff wards off disaster; rubbing its money pouch makes your business prosper; and holding its tail has a rejuvenating effect. They were practically omnipotent.

’I’ve been petting Egg a lot lately, so why the heck haven’t I gotten rich or had any luck in love? Could it be that Japanese deities don’t have any jurisdiction in China? Then again, that’s probably for the best. If it really worked, Egg probably wouldn’t get to do anything all day but lie there and get mobbed by people wanting to pet him.’

"That is precisely why Lord Raccoon Cat’s head cannot be touched so casually," Sakai Kaori said earnestly. "It concerns the rules of the Shrine, so one must be cautious."

"But he’s already offered his head to you. Just give it a little pat." After speaking, Shen Yibin rubbed Hah’Er’s head again. "Here, like this. You go ahead and pet Egg."

’Huh, why did that sound so wrong again? Sakai Kaori is a sweet, innocent girl, not a futanari...’ Shen Yibin couldn’t help but shiver.

’Listening to the shopkeeper’s advice and dancing today got Lord Raccoon Cat to hold my hand... I suppose I can listen to him one more time,’ Sakai Kaori thought. With that, she mustered her courage, reached out, and gently placed her palm on Egg’s head, beginning to stroke it.

"Gah." Egg comfortably closed his eyes, seeming to greatly enjoy the treatment. He then let out a little grunt at Hah’Er, as if to say, ’See? I get this kind of treatment too.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Yes, just like that! Egg loves being petted." Seeing this, Shen Yibin continued to encourage her. ’Looks like I’ll have to get Sakai Kaori to pet Egg more often in the future. That’s the only way to quickly raise her affinity level with him above the passing mark.’

"I want to pet Egg, too!" Egg’s blissful expression made Sylvie extremely curious, and she hurried over, holding out her hand as well.