[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
"Qinghe, do you have any spare clothes?"
After glancing at the catgirl, Zhongli turned to "Xue Qinghe" and asked.
"Sigh..."
"Xue Qinghe" twitched at the corner of her eye. Of course, she understood what Zhongli meant—but she was currently disguised as a man!
If she just pulled out women's clothing on the spot, wouldn't rumors spread that "Xue Qinghe" was some kind of pervert?
The catgirl wasn't very tall, standing only about 155 cm—a sign of malnutrition by the standards of the Douluo Continent.
"Please wait a moment, Elder. I'll have the auction staff bring some clothes."
After a brief consideration, "Xue Qinghe" responded.
"Mm, thank you."
"There's no need for such formalities between us."
"Xue Qinghe" waved her hand dismissively.
Soon enough, the staff arrived with a white dress that matched the color of the catgirl's ears and tail—pure snow-white and fluffy.
With the staff's help, the catgirl changed into the dress, her white tail now hidden beneath the fabric.
Standing a short distance away from Zhongli and "Xue Qinghe," she looked delicate and pitiable, though her expression remained guarded, as if wary of any ill intentions from the two.
"Miss, do you remember the way home?"
Zhongli's face was expressionless, his eyes calm and unreadable.
Yet, his voice carried an inexplicable sense of security, easing some of the catgirl's wariness.
"I... I don't have a home..."
Her body trembled slightly—her limbs, her heart, even her voice shook.
Her tone was cool, almost detached, but Zhongli detected a faint undercurrent of bitterness.
Clearly, "home" was not a fond memory for her.
"Y-You bought me... are you planning to... do that to me?"
She was an auction item, after all. Though unwilling, she knew what fate typically awaited those like her.
If bought by some rotund noble or lecherous old man, her life would be miserable.
This man—addressed as "Your Excellency" by others—might have a status beyond her understanding, but she knew it was high.
If someone like him bought her...
Stealing a glance at Zhongli, the guarded look in her eyes slowly faded.
If I have no choice... at least he's good-looking...
Hearing her question, Zhongli shook his head, unperturbed.
Misunderstandings like this didn't faze him. Of course, if circumstances allowed, he would provide a proper explanation.
As the biggest anti-fan of Morax, Zhongli's self-assessment was nothing if not fair.
Seeing his response, the catgirl blinked in confusion.
If not that, then why buy her?
Even if he hadn't paid the 200,000 gold soul coins himself, that was still an unimaginable sum for commoners!
Her large eyes brimmed with curiosity as she stared at Zhongli, waiting for his answer.
"Hey, kitty! It wasn't Zhongli who wanted to buy you!"
Paimon suddenly crossed her arms and puffed up proudly.
"Paimon saw how pitiful you were, so Paimon asked Qinghe to bid for you! Paimon is your savior!"
The catgirl: "..."
A creature like Paimon was entirely new to her—tiny, floating, and able to talk.
Adorable...
After Paimon's explanation, the catgirl lowered her head, lost in thought.
"Hey, kitty, do you have a name?"
"What do you plan to do now?"
Paimon fluttered around the catgirl, circling her twice as she spoke.
Snapping out of her daze, the catgirl studied Paimon, then Zhongli and "Xue Qinghe."
These three were nothing like what she had imagined.
From them, she sensed no malice—completely different from the people in the auction hall.
"I... I don't have a name. Just a label—Catgirl."
"Plans..."
"I have no home. I don't know what will happen..."
Her voice was quiet, tinged with resignation.
Even if these people let her go, she'd likely be captured again by bounty hunters or nobles before long.
Her future was bleak, devoid of light.
"Sigh..."
"No name, no plans..."
"How sad."
Paimon never hid her thoughts, speaking bluntly.
Hearing this, the catgirl's head drooped even lower.
Suddenly, Paimon's eyes lit up.
"Kitty, Zhongli is super knowledgeable! He knows everything about the heavens above and the earth below!"
"Naming someone is nothing for him!"
"How about... how about letting him give you a name?"
She suggested tentatively—what if the catgirl didn't want a name?
She already had a label, didn't she?
"C-Can I?"
The catgirl's head shot up, her face alight with hope.
She was almost afraid this was a dream.
Most people had names—even other auction items usually did.
But she had none, only a cold, impersonal label.
After her spirit awakened, people had treated her like a "monster," an "outcast." Those who didn't beat her were already showing mercy.
It was why she distrusted everyone.
Yet, after just this brief encounter with Zhongli and Paimon, her impression of them had already shifted.
"Of course!"
Paimon thumped her chest with confidence—blind confidence.
Zhongli: "..."
When others assume you can do something, you'd better actually be able to.
Fortunately, he did have some literary talent. Otherwise, he'd be in a real bind right now.
Well, Paimon's adorable, so she's forgiven.
Zhongli stroked his chin thoughtfully before finally speaking.
"Miss, due to your spirit mutation, you differ slightly from ordinary people."
"Your ears and tail are both white—is your spirit a pure white cat?"
Her ears and tail were unblemished snow-white.
But what if her spirit wasn't pure? What if only her ears and tail were white, while the rest was black or yellow?
Hearing this, the catgirl nodded instinctively.
She was puzzled—what did naming have to do with her spirit's color?
Black cat, white cat, tabby cat—as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat.
Seeing her timid nod, Zhongli's assumption was confirmed.
Since she had no name, he would draw inspiration from her spirit.
For people of the Douluo Continent, spirits were of utmost importance.
Naming her based on her spirit carried a meaningful symbolism.
"Pure Jade, Moonlight Frost."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 100 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.