A moment of silence fell. Liyami wondered if she had misheard.
But after asking again, she got the same answer.
Lola’s favorite thing is money?
Liyami wasn’t sure how to feel about that answer. Was it normal, or was there something wrong with it?
After all, liking money isn’t really a problem. Who doesn’t like money? Even someone like Colin can’t claim to be completely indifferent to it.
So, when Lante said Lola liked money, Liyami wasn’t all that surprised. Although Lola had never shown that side, it didn’t mean she didn’t like money.
So, whether Lola likes money or not isn’t really the issue. The issue is—after thinking so long, this is the answer you give? That she likes money? Do you really like her???
Liyami didn’t even know how to complain. With this kind of answer, how was she supposed to give Lante advice? Was she supposed to tell him to just hand over his salary?
On the other hand, as Liyami racked her brains, Xiaolan was also struggling to recall more. She realized her earlier answer was a bit meaningless, so she was searching for a better one.
After thinking again, Xiaolan’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, right! There’s something else! He likes something else!”
“What is it?”
Xiaolan’s words drew Liyami’s attention again, and she looked over with anticipation.
“He doesn’t just like money—he also likes… counting money!”
Liyami almost laughed in exasperation. Was this any different from just liking money? Forget giving flowers—why not just hand over a bar of gold? She figured the other party would be conquered on the spot!
Exasperated, Liyami also felt a bit puzzled. She hadn’t realized Lola liked money this much—or even enjoyed counting it? There was no sign of that before. Truly, people can’t be judged by appearances.
After sighing, Liyami pressed on, “Any other hobbies? You can’t seriously be thinking of just giving him money, right?”
“Uh, uh… other things, other things… Ah! Got it!”
After some hard thinking, Xiaolan remembered another answer.
“That’s right! Besides money, there’s something else he really likes! And that is… delicious food! He loves eating good food!”
Liyami was speechless. Isn’t that something everyone likes? What would you even give—just a big cake?
But Xiaolan clearly hadn’t noticed Liyami’s reaction, and kept talking to herself.
“That’s right! Since he likes food, I could just cook for him myself! I’m a genius!”
But Xiaolan’s excitement faded quickly, replaced by worry.
“But, I don’t know how to cook. I always bought ready-made food before. Is it too late to start learning now?”
Haha, maybe just give him a big cake after all.
Liyami was at a loss for words. It was obvious at a glance that Lante couldn’t cook.
Yet Liyami still held some hope, however meaningless, until Xiaolan suddenly asked how to make food that wasn’t black. That was when Liyami gave up completely.
Your cooking’s that bad, and you want to learn by yourself? At this rate, by the time you can make a good dish, the other party will be ready to marry someone else. You might as well just buy a cake or some sweets to give. At least it shows you care.
Liyami started to regret sticking around to listen to Lante’s rambling. Instead of wasting time here, wouldn’t it be simpler to just follow the person directly?
As long as she could confirm who Lante actually liked, that would be enough. Liyami began to seriously consider switching to a more straightforward plan.
Just as she was thinking, her ears caught a rather intriguing comment.
“Ah, but I really should make some healthier food. He’s gotten a bit chubby lately, and if he keeps gaining weight, he might not look as good. All right! I’ll make some green food!”
Whether Lante’s food would turn out green or black, Liyami had no interest—it wasn’t her eating it anyway. But what caught her attention was Xiaolan’s remark: “He’s gotten a bit chubby lately.”
Chubby? Lola’s gained weight? Liyami hadn’t noticed. Although Lola used to be very thin from living in the “Fire Hook” prison, and she looked healthier after moving to the mansion, that couldn’t be called fat—just a return to a normal weight.
Of course, since Lola was a beastkin, maybe her real weight was more than it looked. Liyami remembered meeting a crocodile-type beastkin long ago. She looked petite, but weighed much more than Liyami—unimaginable, really.
So if Lola was the same, Liyami wouldn’t be surprised.
But then, Xiaolan’s next words left Liyami even more confused.
“But actually, that’s fine too. Even if he gets fatter, that chubby, round look is kind of cute. Maybe it’s even better that way?”
Xiaolan muttered softly, completely oblivious to those around her. Liyami, on the other hand, was a bit stunned.
Chubby and round? Lola is that fat? That’s impossible!
Liyami thought carefully and was sure Lola was nowhere near that chubby. “Chubby and round” was just not a description that fit her.
So why would Lante say that? Lola clearly wasn’t… Wait. Does Lante really like Lola? Could it be that Xiaolan’s crush isn’t Lola at all, but someone else?
Chubby and round… In the mansion, only one person matched that description—the intern butler, Ryan.
Does Lante like him?! But he’s a guy! And Lante… Well, she’s a woman now, but could she really fall for a companion who used to be male? Is that… okay?
Liyami had her doubts—after all, this was just speculation. What if Lante’s crush wasn’t someone from the mansion? Or maybe Lante just liked plump women?
So, Liyami decided it would be best to test the waters.
“Lante, so you like chubbier women? I never would have guessed.”
“?” Xiaolan looked at Liyami in confusion, but quickly caught on. “Ah! Right, I forgot to say who I like. Actually…”
Xiaolan quietly leaned in close to Liyami’s ear and whispered, “Actually, the person I like is… Ryan!”