The next morning, golden sunlight streamed in from outside the window, and a cool breeze rustled the hotel curtains.
Before his transmigration, Makoto would still be sound asleep in bed at this hour.
However, today, he broke his usual routine and woke up early.
This was because Makoto and Ningguang had made a contract last night; they had agreed to explore Liyue together today.
So, Makoto had to arrive at the meeting point before the agreed time.
The place they agreed to meet was by the river where they had eaten roasted fish last night.
Although Makoto was not very familiar with Liyue, his memory was quite good.
Therefore, he easily arrived at the agreed location without much effort.
As soon as Makoto reached the riverbank, he saw Ningguang.
The little girl was sitting quietly by the wooden bridge, her beautiful eyes, like rubies, gazing towards the mouth of the sea, lost in thought.
Her feet gently stirred the river water, breaking the calm surface and creating ripples that slowly spread outwards.
The river water in the early summer morning was not cold; instead, it felt comfortable.
It was easy to see that the little girl had been waiting for a long time.
To be honest, Makoto was a little surprised.
Because there was still half an hour until the agreed time, he thought he had arrived early enough.
He did not expect Ningguang to be even earlier than him.
From this, it could also be seen that the little girl also regarded the contract as extremely important.
"Makoto Gege, you're here~"
Ningguang heard footsteps and instinctively turned her head to look.
When she saw that it was Makoto, a joyful smile appeared on her face.
It was like a child in kindergarten waiting for school to end and finally seeing the parent who came to pick her up.
Makoto hummed in acknowledgment, then asked with a smile, "Ningguang, have you been waiting long? You really didn't have to come so early."
"Because there's still half an hour until our agreed time, you just need to arrive before then."
Looking at how sensible Ningguang was, Makoto felt both happy and a pang of pity.
Feeling Makoto's concern, a warmth rose in Ningguang's heart.
To prevent Makoto from worrying, Ningguang immediately replied, "Makoto Gege, actually, I just arrived, so I haven't been waiting long."
"I still have to come a bit early, because I'm the guide, and Makoto Gege is the guest."
"What kind of sense does it make for the guest to wait for the guide?"
"Besides, Makoto Gege is very, very good to Ningguang."
"Ningguang doesn't want to make Makoto Gege wait, Ningguang would rather wait a bit longer herself, it's fine."
The little girl blinked her clean, clear big eyes, answering with a serious expression.
Children from impoverished families are like this; they are delicate and sensitive.
Ningguang would be very considerate of other people's feelings.
How could Ningguang bear to disappoint or upset someone like Makoto, who was so good to her?
Listening to the little girl's reply, Makoto felt a bit touched.
This little girl was truly too sensible.
There was also a kind of foolish persistence in her bones.
This silly girl was very cute, so he had to take care of her.
Makoto gently stroked Ningguang's little head and then said, "Ningguang, have you planned today's itinerary?"
Ningguang nodded, then happily said, "Makoto Gege, I've already planned everything, and I even made a special plan list!"
As she spoke, Ningguang took out a letter from her clothes.
On it was the itinerary she had carefully written down.
Although Ningguang came from a poor background, she could write very beautiful characters.
The handwriting looked pleasing to the eye and elegant.
It was no exaggeration to say it was from the hand of a young lady from a prestigious family.
And what surprised Makoto the most was that the itinerary Ningguang had created was not at all messy; instead, it was orderly and clear-minded.
Could this really be an itinerary made by a six or seven-year-old child?
Makoto had to admit that Ningguang had already displayed excellent management and thinking abilities even before she made her fortune.
Who wouldn't like such a little rich lady?
If he could marry her, it would be the pinnacle of his life.
Seeing Makoto remain silent, Ningguang thought he didn't like the arrangement.
The little girl became a bit flustered and immediately said, "Makoto Gege, what's wrong? Is there a problem with my itinerary?"
"If there's anything you don't like, I'll change it."
"Please don't be angry, okay?"
Seeing Ningguang so nervous and sad that she was almost in tears, Makoto couldn't help but laugh and gently pinched the little girl's pretty face.
Hmm, it was smooth, delicate, and flawless.
Pinching the little darling's face was quite comfortable.
"Ningguang, you misunderstood. I don't think there's a problem with this itinerary."
"On the contrary, I think your arrangements are very reasonable, truly excellent!"
Makoto knew that it must have been very difficult for Ningguang to create such a tight itinerary.
Therefore, he also needed to give appropriate praise.
Hearing Makoto say this, Ningguang finally relaxed: "As long as Makoto Gege is satisfied, I was just afraid you wouldn't like it."
Makoto looked at the itinerary and then said, "Ningguang, it's clear you put a lot of effort into this itinerary. Thank you."
On that itinerary, Makoto could see that Ningguang was truly dedicated.
This little girl genuinely wanted to take Makoto to explore all of Liyue, without missing anything.
Hearing Makoto's thanks, Ningguang felt a little overwhelmed.
"Makoto Gege, please don't thank me. These are all things I should do."
"Besides, if anyone should be saying thank you, it should be me thanking you, thank you for helping me so many times."
"Yesterday, my mother was diagnosed with a serious illness, and the Mora you lent me became life-saving money. Thank you so much!"
Ningguang paused, then continued, "Makoto Gege, please rest assured, I will find a way to earn more Mora and return the fifty thousand Mora to you as soon as possible!"
Although the little girl's voice was still a bit childish, her expression and tone of voice conveyed a sense of unyielding determination.
Makoto had not expected Ningguang to bring up the matter of repayment directly.
Since Ningguang had already said so, he went along with it and said, "Ningguang, how do you plan to earn fifty thousand Mora? Are you going to continue selling Starconch?"
"If you only rely on selling Starconch to earn money, it definitely won't work. I think you need to change jobs."
Ningguang evidently hadn't thought about how to earn money and couldn't answer immediately.
"I also think just selling Starconch won't work, but I haven't thought of a new way to earn money yet."
Makoto stared at Ningguang, then said, "Do you want to be my secretary?"
"If you work as my secretary for one month, the fifty thousand Mora I lent you before will count as your salary, and you won't have to pay me back."
"After one month, if you choose to continue being my secretary, I will still give you fifty thousand Mora, or even more."
Makoto had long wanted to bring Ningguang into his camp.
Having the little rich lady manage his assets would be like making money with his eyes closed.
Makoto paused and continued, "Furthermore, I will give you a certain amount of overtime pay during this period."
"You just said that your mother has a serious illness."
"Even if the fifty thousand Mora is used for medical treatment, will your mother not need to recuperate afterward? Won't that also cost money?"
"If you become my secretary, I can give you ten thousand Mora as overtime pay in advance. You can use that money to help your mother recuperate, how about that?"
Listening to the conditions Makoto offered, Ningguang was first stunned, then subconsciously thought Makoto was joking.
After all, it was fifty thousand Mora a month.
One must know that if Ningguang could earn twenty thousand Mora a month, that was already very good, and that was only when business was good.
Compared to that, a job offering fifty thousand Mora was naturally much more appealing!
And most importantly, Makoto was even willing to give Ningguang ten thousand Mora in advance as overtime pay.
And just as Makoto said, even if Ningguang's mother recovered, her body would still be very weak and would need recuperation.
Those were all places where money was needed.
If Makoto could give extra salary, then the money for recuperation would also be covered!
Facing such a secretary job, Ningguang was naturally tempted.
However, she did not rush to agree, because high income meant that one's ability also had to be sufficiently high.
Ningguang was worried that she would not be able to handle the secretary's work.
"Makoto Gege, what you said is very tempting,"
"But, but I'm afraid I don't have the ability to be a secretary."
Seeing Ningguang wanting to try but also being afraid, Makoto couldn't help but laugh.
"Just based on this itinerary you made, you have this ability, I say so."
"Don't worry, I won't give you very heavy tasks, rest assured."
"Because after you, I will recruit other secretaries, so your pressure won't be very great, right?"
Listening to Makoto's guidance, Ningguang also relaxed.
"Alright then, Makoto Gege, I'm willing to be your secretary!"