"Alright, what about the Return Order?" Yan Qing said, "If it weren’t for me using the Return Order, you and White Fox might have become prisoners of the True Man of Locking Dragon!"

"How would you complete the mission without the Return Order? Didn’t you say you would only use the Return Order for your own sake?" Pharmacist’s Wish retorted, "Did you save me? Or were you securing your place in the Thief’s House, and White Fox and I were just rescued by chance? Moreover, this accomplishment is already credited by the Thief’s House, otherwise, how did you get two rewards at the auction? White Fox and I ambushed Shang Xuanwen in Jiangnan City and saved you all, did we ever ask you for any return? No, because we did it for ourselves. Besides, the Thief’s House already rewarded us on behalf, how could you think we owe you gratitude? Shameless."

Yan Qing’s fists were clenched, "What about the Magma Pool? Rescuing the Rabbit Heroine? The Thief’s House didn’t reward me for that, let’s see how you explain that."

Pharmacist’s Wish showed an incredulous expression, "Did you forget one of my purposes for going to the Magma Pool was to take the Exotic Iron? You were supposed to help me cross the Magma Pool, otherwise, you wouldn’t have completed the mission. As for the Rabbit Heroine, how dare you bring that up? Did you forget how much the Rabbit Heroine has done for you? Seems like besides your appearance and character, even your memory is quite flawed."

"What good did saving the Rabbit Heroine do for me? None! Instead, the Rabbit Heroine, after being freed, returned to your service and will continue to work for you in the future; you’re the biggest beneficiary here, yet you think I owe you thanks? Shouldn’t you be thanking me? I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you!"

As she spoke, she poked Yan Qing’s chest, pushing him back to the edge of the stone table, her graceful figure seemingly about to press down on him. Clearly, in this mission, she had achieved all her goals with Yan Qing’s help, yet she reversed the Celestial Spirits’ suppression on Yan Qing to the extent that he couldn’t even retort!

Shang Xinlei listened on the side, almost wanting to applaud, but the unease in her heart grew stronger, feeling that something was off.

Yan Qing, naturally not good at debating, would need an entire night to think of a strategy to argue back. Faced with Pharmacist’s Wish’s fierce attack, his mind couldn’t organize effective logic. But now that he had no retreat, not saying a word would seem too weak, so he gritted his teeth and asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"We’re even now." Pharmacist’s Wish stared into the eyes of the dog-head mask, poking Yan Qing’s chest as she said, "You don’t owe me anything, and I don’t owe you anything, everything starts from zero."

Yan Qing was silent for a moment, but he felt a sense of relief inside.

This was exactly what he wanted most.

To be honest, Yan Qing had actually thought about whether Pharmacist’s Wish might try to get closer to him because of this mission, so he had been cautious with his words, fearing that a single word would inadvertently make advances on Pharmacist’s Wish—fortunately, no one knew this thought, otherwise it would have become a try-not-to-laugh challenge.

As long as Pharmacist’s Wish maintained a teammate’s distance, Yan Qing would have one less person to worry about, whether in abandoning the Rabbit Heroine or other small roles in the future, or competing with Pharmacist’s Wish for rewards, he wouldn’t need to consider Pharmacist’s Wish’s feelings.

Pharmacist’s Wish acting this way was expected, as their relationship was originally formed because of the Rabbit Heroine, and now that the Rabbit Heroine is in a safe place, there’s no reason for them to have contact outside of thieving activities.

She probably was worried I’d pester her, so she took this opportunity to draw a line with me?

It’s just... there’s still a hint of melancholy.

Yan Qing composed himself and nodded, "Alright, as you said, we’re free from any obligations, starting from zero—"

A waft of fragrant wind blew into Yan Qing’s embrace, with a faint scent of sweat, but it wasn’t unpleasant, just like after working out and lying on the grass, the wind mixed with the scent of fresh grass blew by.