"Wow, so cute," a female staff member exclaimed as she passed by and saw the miniature Lu Zhi.
Lu Zhi: ...
At this moment, Bai Zhan also approached curiously. His size was similar to Lu Zhi's current one, but because Bai Zhan was a degu, his fur was all fluffed up, making him look a size bigger than Lu Zhi.
Bai Zhan chirped curiously, "Wow, you've gotten smaller!"
Looking at Bai Zhan growing larger in his field of vision, Lu Zhi felt a sense of danger. He instinctively turned and jumped into Shen Qi's outstretched palm. His small hands clutched Shen Qi's fingers, finally feeling a sense of security.
Lu Zhi didn't notice how dark the luster in Shen Qi's silver-gray eyes became when he climbed into his palm.
Shen Qi said, "Let's go."
Lu Zhi tried to hug Shen Qi's fingers tightly, but he was still startled by the movement as he was lifted. After all, he had shrunk from a giant to a small person, and he was finding it difficult to adapt to this feeling of being fragile and helpless.
Although Shen Qi's palm closed slightly, giving Lu Zhi a sense of being protected from falling, he felt like he was suddenly thrown onto a windswept peak from the tabletop, swaying precariously.
"Shen, Shen Qi, be careful," Lu Zhi's voice had also shrunk with his body, becoming a small, childish tone.
The smile in Shen Qi's eyes hadn't disappeared since Lu Zhi had shrunk. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. Do you think I'd let you get hurt? Hmm?"
Lu Zhi had only reminded him out of fear of the height. Besides, he couldn't fly like Shen Qi, who could tread on air and fall from great heights without being shattered upon impact.
"Hahahahaha..." Luo Fisi, the culprit, couldn't help but burst into laughter at Lu Zhi's lingering fear.
Lu Zhi: ...Damn it, when I get stronger, you'll be the first one I deal with!
Yan Shao cleared his throat behind his hand, deftly changing the subject. "The 'Military Depot' has these shrinking capsules. Were they specifically prepared for entering the Rat God's Temple?"
"That's right," Luo Fisi admitted. "Or rather, to enter the Rat God's Temple, you either shrink after obtaining the Rat Emperor's consent, or you sneak in using shrinking capsules like we did."
Luo Fisi began to explain some things about the Island of Eternal Night. "In the Island of Eternal Night, what attracts tourists the most is entering the Rat District."
Lu Zhi listened intently and finally understood why Luo Fisi had made him shrink.
The Rat District was where the rodents lived. However, the buildings there were all miniature, and it was a city built by the rodents themselves. Normally, entry was not permitted.
But!
The Rat Emperor's concert was held in the Rat District. Those who wanted to enter had to purchase concert tickets, which also included a shrinking capsule for tourists to consume, with a duration of only three hours.
Once the effects wore off and a tourist hadn't left, the protective barrier of the Rat District would expel them.
"The Rat District is only opened during celebrations, so you've come at just the right time," Luo Fisi said, looking thoughtfully at Yan Shao. "Hmm, why do I feel like the academy deliberately guided you to the Island of Eternal Night?"
Lu Zhi subconsciously looked at Yan Shao, and it seemed to be true.
Yan Shao spread his hands, smiling innocently. "You're right. Coming to the Island of Eternal Night for a vacation was suggested by Principal Shen. He said we could visit the local scenery."
Lu Zhi was speechless. He hadn't expected that this so-called vacation would end up being a mission.
"I'm more curious about that stolen painting," Yan Shao said, looking down at Bai Zhan, the white-furred rat, and asking, "What secrets does that painting hold?"
Bai Zhan tilted his head and chirped three times, moving his front paws.
Lu Zhi translated, "He says he really doesn't know. There are many paintings in the gallery, and they were all painted by the Rat Emperor himself."
"Luo Fisi, you and he go ask the person in charge at the gallery. They should have a record of the exhibited paintings," Shen Qi, who had been silent, assigned the task.
Luo Fisi retorted, "What about you? You still have nearly three hours left."
Shen Qi cupped Lu Zhi in his palm and placed him on his shoulder. At some point, a red chair had appeared on the shoulder of his black long coat, perfectly sized for Lu Zhi to sit on. Luo Fisi's eyes widened.
Lu Zhi sat on the chair and clearly felt that the texture was not wood but had a soft resilience, with a subtle pulling sensation. No matter how Shen Qi moved, within the range of the chair, Lu Zhi didn't feel the dizzying effects of severe shaking.
Feeling the armrest more closely, Lu Zhi's eyes lit up. "Shen Qi, is this the flower that appears when you use your abilities? Manjusaka?"
Shen Qi looked down at him, his heart stirred by Lu Zhi's cute, smiling face. He controlled his index finger with steady force and rubbed Lu Zhi's cheek. "Yes."
Lu Zhi's cheek felt as if it had been kneaded by Shen Qi's finger. He quickly pushed his finger away and then, filled with surprise, touched the chair that had transformed from the Manjusaka everywhere.
Luo Fisi suddenly felt envious, staring at Lu Zhi, lost in thought. If Yan Shao hadn't reminded him, Luo Fisi would have practically shoved his face against Shen Qi's shoulder.
With Shen Qi's chilling gaze, if Luo Fisi had advanced further, he would have likely been sent flying.
Yan Shao finally understood why Lu Zhi had suggested finding Qin Huai first. He had heard that when Qin Huai was around, many of Luo Fisi's bad habits were strictly controlled.
Time quickly passed, and night fell.
There was half an hour left until the Rat Emperor's concert.
Under the night sky, the Island of Eternal Night resembled a volcano that would never be extinguished.
The Rat Emperor's concert was the most magnificent celebration on the Island of Eternal Night. Most tourists came from afar just to witness the Rat Emperor's performance.
Upon entering the island's gate, Lu Zhi was awestruck by the crowds. Ten streets were lined with various stalls, and many people were dressed in peculiar attire, making it seem like they had stumbled onto a magical island.
"Ah, I remember now," Luo Fisi, wearing a black cloak, suddenly said. "The main reason the Rat Emperor is holding a concert is to celebrate his upcoming eighteenth wife. I don't know if it's true."
Lu Zhi was shocked. "Eighteenth?"
The title of "Emperor" for the Rat Emperor was not given lightly. Was he planning to have a harem of three thousand beauties? He would still need to marry over two thousand more wives.
Suddenly, Shen Qi stopped at a stall, paid with his phone, took a paper bag of packaged roasted chestnuts from the stall, tore it open, and took out a candied chestnut. He peeled it and offered the flesh to Lu Zhi. "Didn't you want to eat them?"
Lu Zhi was stunned. He thought he had hidden his desire well, but he hadn't expected Shen Qi to notice.
Holding the chestnut, which was half his size, in both hands, Lu Zhi smiled with his eyes curved and subconsciously said, "This is great."
Being valued and cherished by the person you like felt incredibly wonderful.