Yesterday, I finally gained a new understanding of my own role. If I didn't see this world as a comic but as a game, I should be an NPC! Thinking about it this way, I can't help but feel that I have too many lines. "Welcome." "Thank you for your patronage." Actually, these lines would be enough. So, starting from yesterday, I have been repeatedly practicing my mechanical voice. "Cough, cough, Wel—come—please—" I said with a dragging tone to the imaginary guest. "We—have—top—quali—ty—goods—here—" Although it's just a poor imitation of the games I've played, I personally feel quite accomplished.

However, since this morning, Ilan has been hiding behind the door, peering at me in fear with only half of her head showing. Her tiny hand is grabbing the door frame, and her body is trembling. Damn it! Young kids like you can't understand my great ideas. But after all, it's the real world, and you can't just use a few sentences to entertain guests. It seems necessary to practice more mechanical voices. "You—penni—less—man, if—you—don't—buy—anything—leave—" No, no, this would change my personality.

Just when I was troubled, the door was pushed open. "Good morning, Uncle Zhai!" A seventeen-year-old girl in a white short skirt, blue pleated blouse, and canvas shoes. Her face may not be as cute as Ilan's, but her smile is very warm and sunny. Her linen-colored hair is tied up in a high ponytail, draped across her shoulders and chest. By the way, her chest is also very well-developed, considered quite large among her peers.

This girl's name is Lisanne, an apprentice at a flower shop not far from my store. "Wel—come—" I tried to greet her with the mechanical voice I'd been practicing all day, but Lisanne's reaction was astonishing. "Zhai... Uncle Zhai? What's wrong with you?" She gasped in surprise. Ilan suddenly rushed out of the back door, crying and pouncing into Lisanne's arms, burying her face in those mountains. "Hego, Hego has been possessed by something evil!" "Huh? We should call an exorcist sooner then..."

In the end, I knelt down and apologized. Although I, as an uncle, don't like to bow my head easily, I had no choice when Ilan cried. After all, this was my responsibility. Knowing the truth, Ilan cried and sobbed while holding my head, her tears constantly dripping onto my hair. Indeed, I had gone a bit too far, and it was better to apologize sincerely. I'm sorry, Little Ilan! Forgive my obsessive-compulsive disorder!

"I don't even know what to say about you. You're a grown man, and yet you think about these pointless things," Lisanne said, folding her arms and glaring at me. "So, what brings you here today?" I asked, stroking Ilan's head. "Ah, well," Lisanne laughed, and that was more like it — her smile was indeed more beautiful, "Actually, my sister went out to restock, and I'm alone at the shop... so..." Wait, hold on. What kind of development is this? Oh, is it that one? That thrilling play about "no one at the store"? In other words, although I'm not aware of it, am I actually a very charming person? It makes sense. An uncle like

me, with such refined taste, could be a deadly attraction for these young girls who have just begun to experience love, right?

But wait, should I accept this kind of storyline? After all, she is underage... "So, can you help me look after the flowers?" "…What?" "There's a rather precious flower in the store that seems to be sick…" "Is this a problem to be solved by a weapon shop?" I collapsed onto the counter. Lisanne showed a sweet smile. "Because Uncle Zhai, your knowledge is remarkable."

In the end, I left Ilan to look after the shop and went to the flower store with Lisanne. Ilan seemed unhappy, but there was no other way. I couldn't take her with me. If Ilan's identity as a ghost is exposed, she might be executed, or at best, driven out of the village. And exposing her as a ghost would only require her hat to be knocked off.Therefore, I must do my best to prevent her from going outside.

Walking to the shady area, Lisa suddenly raised her head and stared at me.

"Uncle Zhai, don't you think Ilan's skin is too pale?"

"Ah, yes. That's true."

I could not guess what Lisa wanted to say from her expression, so I could only temporarily agree.

If I get exposed, I will have to escape from the village immediately.

I also became serious in my expression.

"Uncle Zhai, you know the reason why, don't you?"

It's over, I must have been exposed. This is judgment, Lisa's judgment on me!

What a terrifying woman. Beneath this sunny smile, is there such scheming?

I became careless, even though I didn't think I made any mistakes. Could it be women's intuition? Or Lisa's special ability?

What should I do next? Should I run?

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"Right? You are to blame, Uncle Zhai, for always locking Ilan in the house. You should let her out once in a while like a normal girl. Flowers need sunlight to grow better!"

Lisa stopped walking with a serious face and poked my chest.

But Ilan is a hellflower, she doesn't need sunlight...

"Ah, haha, you're right, Lisa. I will take Ilan out."

That was close—

Anyway, it's great that I don't have to leave here.

I couldn't help but feel smug after relaxing. My disguise is still in place!

"Let me see... it's a rolled leaf disease. It's caused by the 'Kunbrula' female insect of the demon race pollinating. Expose it to two more hours of sunlight daily, add crushed hemp leaves and horsetail root into the soil, reduce watering volume by 50%, and it will be fine in two or three days. It's best to spray some insect repellent or catch a frog with a long tongue from the pond nearby. They're quite gentle and won't jump around too much."

Lisa looked embarrassed, so I caught a long-tongued frog myself. The silly frog stood still near the flowerpot.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhai!"

"Tell Yazi when she comes back, the potted plant of Aristocrat Purple Jade she asked for last time is almost flowering. Come and get it next Saturday."

"Wait, Uncle Zhai... this is for you."

A small blue flower with three or four flowers on a stem.

I said goodbye and was ready to leave, as I am not at ease with Ilan alone in the shop.

"I'm back."

"Hmm. Wel—come—to—our—shop."

She spoke in a stretched, strange tone, with her cheeks puffed up.

Is she angry?

I smiled bitterly and pinned the flower to Ilan's hair.

Her face immediately showed a happy and contented expression. She's still a child…

Wait a minute! Why do I have this feeling of a scumbag husband who just went on an affair, came home to see a raging wife, and managed to get by with care and relief after finally appeasing her?!