At first they looked uneasy, but as they continued eating, smiles gradually began to appear on their faces.
Seeing that, Qiong Xing felt relieved.
"Sorry about that."
The sudden apology made him tilt his head in confusion.
Katarina gave a wry smile and explained that she should have been the one to tell them to take a break and she felt bad for making him concern himself with it instead.
"No, I’m the one who should apologize. You’re their employer, Grandma. I should have asked your permission first."
No matter how strongly Qiong Xing believed it was the right thing to do, Katarina was still their employer and master.
By telling them to stop working and eat without consulting her, he was the one who had overstepped.
"No. After what you said to before, I gave it so thought myself. But it’s still difficult to actually put it into practice."
"I think they’ll be happy just knowing you’re thinking about it. It doesn’t have to happen all at once. Little by little is enough. Just do what you can. It’s better to keep doing even small things than to force yourself to change everything at once and fail to keep it up. They’ll appreciate that too."
If Katarina suddenly changed the way she treated them in so dramatic fashion, it would probably only make them uneasy.
And if she couldn’t keep it up and eventually returned to her old ways, their distrust would only deepen.
That was why Qiong Xing believed small steps were enough.
What mattered most was simply acknowledging their existence.
If Katarina suddenly changed the way she treated them in so dramatic fashion, it would probably only make them uneasy.
And if she failed to keep it up and eventually returned to her old ways, their distrust would only grow.
So a little was enough.
Just a little acknowledgnt of their existence was all Qiong Xing wanted for them.
"Besides, food tastes even better when you eat it with lots of people, doesn’t it?"
Humans, beastn, even Albe, who was a demon, all ate the sa als as Qiong Xing and told him they were delicious.
If sothing could be shared, then he wanted to keep sharing it.
"I made this together with Mr. Roland and Albe. Grandma, you should try it too."
Simply mixing ingredients together might not really count as making sothing, but he would be happy if she found it delicious.
He drizzled the sauce over a prepared plate and handed it to her.
Katarina smiled after taking a bite.
"It’s delicious."
"Just changing the seasoning can make such a difference, right? Salt and pepper are great too, but sauce has its own appeal."
They had chosen grilled at because there were so many people, but Qiong Xing explained that it would also taste great in stir-fries, and if soone was short on ti, marinating the at beforehand worked well too.
As he spoke, Roland’s eyes sparkled with excitent.
"It’s my first ti eating sothing like this, but it’s delicious. I think children would love it too."
"Did you try so too, Grandpa? I’m glad you liked it."
Sarin approaching while carrying a plate and when Qiong Xing offered him another serving, he happily accepted.
"Thank you for today. Everyone’s really enjoying themselves. Honestly, it’s almost frightening how much."
All Qiong Xing could do was smile wryly as the guild employees snatched at from the grill the mont it was cooked.
Beside them, Roland was enthusiastically going around asking everyone for their thoughts on the flavor.
It was a rather strange sight, but since everyone involved seed to be having fun, Qiong Xing decided to leave them to it.
"This kind of thing is nice once in a while. Next ti, bring Lian along too."
"I will. He’ll probably be thrilled."
There had been no plans to visit the guild this ti, so Lian had been left behind, but he would definitely want to co if he knew about this.
As Qiong Xing and Sarin discussed inviting Naz and the others next ti as well, the beastn who had finished eating earlier ca back to take over.
"Um... thank you very much. It was... really delicious."
"I’m just glad you enjoyed it. Let’s all eat together again soti."
When they awkwardly thanked him, Qiong Xing smiled, and they smiled back shyly and nodded.
The beastn thanked him awkwardly and when Qiong Xing smiled at them, they returned the smile shyly and nodded.
"Qiong Xing, I’m hungry."
"Alright, alright. Let’s eat together, Albe."
Qiong Xing had been thinking it would be difficult to squeeze into that crowd, but for so reason, the mont he and Albe approached carrying their plates, everyone quickly made space for them.
"That’s amazing. What kind of magic was that?"
"I didn’t use any magic."
It was probably their way of thanking Qiong Xing for making the suggestion in the first place.
Since they had gone to the trouble, he thanked them and sat down with Albe to enjoy the grilled at.
...
"Qiong Xing, it’s been forever!"
"..."
"Y-you idiot, are you trying to strangle him!? Let go of him right now!"
Was hugging simply the standard greeting in this world?
"Hey, don’t hog him all to yourself. Qiong Xing, we’re back!"
"..."
"Shut up, you drag queen! More importantly, let go of him! Qiong Xing, are you alright!?"
Qiong Xing was unable to say a single word due to lack of air until their leader, Scion, finally rescued him.
It was probably their way of showing affection, but it was always like this.
Lately, he had found himself wishing they would show just a little restraint.
"Welco back, everyone. I’m glad to see you’re all doing well. It’s been a long ti."
After catching his breath and greeting them, he was imdiately rewarded with cheerful head pats.
The won knew his actual age, but they still treated him this way every ti and Qiong Xing had long since gotten used to it.
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