Life After Being Claimed by the Disabled Dragon Lady - Chapter 93

After spending a comfortable period in the Iridari Estate, Long Ling returned to Liwo Continent alone.

She found the craftsmen introduced by the mermaids who specialized in making rings, paid a deposit, and added extra money to ask the craftsmen to expedite the production. Then, she returned to her own tavern to wait.

Compared to the icy and snowy Oude Continent, Liwo Continent only had a few days of light snow before the snowfall stopped.

If she hadn’t flipped through the calendar on the table, Long Ling would have even though the current weather was still autumn.

Her tavern’s business was booming. Since the combination of braised dishes and beer became a massive hit, Long Ling introduced steamed rice balls made with the luminous green algae purchased from the mermaids into the tavern’s menu, making the tavern even more popular.

Many customers came and went every day, and the staff couldn’t handle the workload anymore. Long Ling hired more personnel to work in rotating morning and evening shifts.

She had discussed with Violet moving to live on the Oude Continent, so the tavern also needed to hire a new manager to help her oversee the business in the future.

Long Ling shared her thoughts with Mo Dai.

Mo Dai sighed, “Have you decided to be with Violet? You are still so young; you can wait a few years before considering marriage.”

Violet lacked a sense of security, and Long Ling wanted Violet to be happy every day.

Long Ling’s eyes were firm: “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Violet treats me very well, and she is the person I truly love.”

Mo Dai looked at Long Ling’s bright and dazzling eyes and respected her daughter’s decision: “If you live in Oude Continent often and entrust the tavern to someone else, remember to come and see your mother often. Your mother will miss you very much.”

Seeing Mo Dai’s eyes redden as she spoke, Long Ling hugged her mother and comforted her, “I will definitely come often. If Violet has free time, I will bring her along.”

When Mo Dai heard that Long Ling also wanted to bring Violet along, she immediately waved her hand, “No, I don’t really have anything to talk about with her. It will be awkward when we meet again.”

Perhaps this was a case of two tigers not being able to share one mountain.

Long Ling had to change the subject: “It’s almost Christmas. Violet said she would also bring Grandma over then. Are you and Mommy free? Our family can spend Christmas together.”

When Long Ling’s grandmother was mentioned, Mo Dai opened up: “Your grandmother will definitely be happy. Staying in the Duke’s estate, the old lady can boast about it for half a year. I’ll ask Shirley when I get back. If we’re free on Christmas Day, we’ll come over and spend time with you.”

Long Ling’s eyes were full of anticipation. Mo Dai had other business to attend to, so she left the tavern first.

Long Ling posted a recruitment notice, one on the door of her tavern and another on the nearby street’s bulletin board.

In less than half a day, several people came to apply for the job at the tavern.

Long Ling chatted with them but found that none were quite suitable.

She could only observe for a while longer. If she absolutely couldn’t hire someone, she would choose the most suitable person from the current tavern staff to be the manager.

Long Ling sent the applicants out, drank a couple of sips of water to moisten her throat, and then an employee came to find her again.

“Boss, the light in the back kitchen suddenly went out. Holt accidentally broke a stack of plates just now. We only have one pack of soap left, and the rags are not enough.”

With no manager in the tavern for the time being, Long Ling had to arrange these small matters herself.

Long Ling walked to the back kitchen, took inventory of all the current supplies in the tavern, and asked a repairman to check all the lighting fixtures in the tavern for unified maintenance.

She also selected Gnaeus, an employee with the best work attitude, and assigned some tasks to him for a temporary assessment period.

Before long, Gnaeus returned with the purchased items. The price was similar to what Long Ling usually paid, and he was very thoughtful in his work.

Long Ling nodded slightly and had Gnaeus learn directly by her side.

Managing a tavern was not difficult; as long as one could mobilize and manage others and keep the tavern running normally, it would be fine.

The tavern staff were already familiar with the tavern, so getting started shouldn’t be a problem.

“You can write a daily operation log for me to review. If you do a good job over the next period, you can take the manager position, and your salary will be tripled.”

Gnaeus was a half-beastman. Hearing this, his round ears trembled excitedly. If he could earn a lot of money, he could buy many jars of sweet honey to eat with small round bread, and he could eat until he was full every day.

Gnaeus straightened his yellow baseball cap and immediately said, “Boss Long, I will definitely work hard!”

Long Ling looked at the sturdy bear beastman in front of her. For some reason, being called ‘Boss Long’ made her feel like she had aged quite a bit.

She patted Gnaeus’s shoulder and encouraged him, “Keep up the good work!”

Gnaeus nodded vigorously and jotted down the tasks assigned by his boss in his notebook.

Seeing Gnaeus working earnestly, Long Ling turned and went to the front hall.

Finally having some free time, Long Ling walked into the tavern’s main hall and looked around to see if anything needed tidying up. Suddenly, a knock came from outside the door.

This was not the tavern’s normal operating time; it was six in the morning, and customers usually came in the afternoon or evening.

Long Ling walked over and opened the door, finding Anne standing there sweetly, holding a small box inlaid with gold trim in her hand.

The moment she saw Long Ling, her eyes lit up, and she happily called out, “Sister Long Ling!”

After Long Ling left midway through the engagement banquet last time, and after sending compensation, she still felt guilty and thought she could no longer be friends with Anne.

Long Ling was slightly surprised, “Anne, why are you here?”

Anne shook the box in her hand and explained to Long Ling, “I came to return the compensation you gave me. You gave too much, and I can’t accept it. It was I who asked for your help in the first place, and the matter wasn’t your fault. I know that if Duke Violet hadn’t come and demanded your departure, you would have honored your promise and completed the engagement ceremony with me.”

Long Ling was not a person who liked to shirk responsibility. Although it was Violet who came for her, the choice was always hers, and she didn’t want Violet to take the blame.

Long Ling knew that Anne had always held a beautiful, idealized view of her, but in reality, she was not a very gentle sister. For the person she loved, she was also a selfish dragon.

Long Ling said softly, “That’s not it, Anne, I chose to leave myself. I’m truly sorry about what happened last time. I should have visited to apologize, but I didn’t know how to face you, so I could only write you a letter of apology.”

Anne looked at Long Ling, a flash of hurt crossed her eyes, but she quickly returned to her usual cheerfulness: “It’s okay, Sister Long Ling. The problem is solved anyway. No matter what, I still have to thank the Duke. My mother won’t force me to find an Alpha and get married immediately anymore.”

She put her hands on her hips, full of energy: “I’m rich now! I can support many young and beautiful Alphas. I can choose whatever type I want. My eldest and second sisters used to be so bossy at home, ordering me around like a little maid. Now they all have to butter me up!”

Long Ling’s eyes were tinged with a smile: “That’s great.”

When Long Ling smiled, she was brighter than the spring sunshine, and Anne’s heart couldn’t help but thump again.

Now that she was suddenly wealthy, she could choose many types of Alphas, but Sister Long Ling, the Alpha type, was truly rare. She felt most comfortable when she was with Sister Long Ling and didn’t have to pretend to be a lady.

Anne had received the territory given by Violet, which had excellent resources, so she could no longer harbor thoughts about Sister Long Ling. On the way here, her mother had warned her a hundred times that her ears were practically calloused, and she only needed to return the compensation.

If she could have refused the conditions Violet offered, perhaps…

Anne stopped thinking about it, returned the box to Long Ling, and said gently, “I’m returning this compensation to you, Sister Long Ling. We can still play beach volleyball together in the future.”

Long Ling looked at the box Anne handed over, then at her eyes, and took the box into her own hands.

The box was heavy, filled with the gold coins she had given Anne before.

Long Ling smiled, “I’ve recently introduced a few new dishes in the tavern: braised goose, beef in soy sauce, and rice balls made from luminous seaweed. Come in and have a taste.”

Anne followed Long Ling with light steps, happily saying, “I happen to be hungry.”

They went into the store together. Long Ling seated Anne in the best spot and poured her a glass of the tavern’s best-selling rum, which Anne requested to have some ice cubes added to.

Long Ling brought out the heated braised meat from the back kitchen, serving one portion of everything, filling an entire table.

The dishes were steaming when brought out. As soon as Anne smelled the aroma, she couldn’t help but gasp, “Wow, Sister Long Ling, so you’re the one who sells this braised goose!”

Long Ling sat opposite her, raising an eyebrow: “It sounds like you’ve eaten it before?”

Anne exclaimed excitedly, “Yes, someone sent me a portion. I tasted it and it was delicious. I’ve been wondering where I could buy it! I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I finally get to eat it!”

Long Ling said softly, “If you like to eat it, I can pack some for you to take on the road when you leave.”

Anne said happily, “Sister Long Ling, you are too kind to me! Hehe, I’ll bring people to visit your tavern often from now on.”

Long Ling rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she pushed the food towards Anne, “Alright, you’re welcome anytime. Eat more if you think it’s delicious.”

Anne picked up her knife and fork and eagerly started eating large mouthfuls.

Watching Anne eat with relish, Long Ling couldn’t help but think of Violet. She wondered if Violet was eating properly at home.

When she was by Violet’s side, Violet had a good appetite and could eat a little more. The engagement ring wasn’t ready yet, so she couldn’t go back immediately. Long Ling couldn’t help but worry about Violet’s health.

Long Ling and Anne were having breakfast together in the tavern, and the Dragon Guard, hidden in a discreet location outside, recorded the scene using a magic communication crystal.

At the end of her workday, Violet wanted to see what her little strawberry dragon was up to.

She picked up the magic communication crystal on the table and unexpectedly saw footage of Long Ling happily chatting with another Omega.

Her little strawberry dragon told her she was going back to look after the tavern business. Things had only been quiet for a few days. Why was she encountering Anne again?