Rui Mengmeng adapted quickly; after all, she had superpowers and had crossed worlds, so encountering a cat that could do everything seemed reasonable.
After Tom demonstrated his skills, Rui Mengmeng obediently called out, "Teacher Tom!"
Tom was thrilled, patting her shoulder with joy. This student was far more adorable than the one he had taught previously.
"Boss, when do I start work?" Rui Mengmeng was a diligent employee, or perhaps she simply felt insecure without a job. She asked just after meeting everyone.
"Today is a day off. Tomorrow is your first shift," Zhang Da Ye replied, handing her 150,000 Beli. "The tavern opens at 11 AM for lunch, serving until around 2 PM. Dinner starts at 5 PM, until 8 PM. Closed on the 1st of every month."
"So long?" Rui Mengmeng fumbled to catch the money, unfamiliar with local prices. "And boss, with such high pay, is the working time too short?"
"Considering prices in both worlds, it's not precise," Zhang Da Ye estimated generously. "Time outside work is for learning or training. You can go out, but the area isn't very safe. I'll explain later."
Looking at the clock, he added: "It's not ideal to go shopping this afternoon. Let's settle your room upstairs first; there's an empty one."
"Okay!"
The tavern's second floor had three bedrooms, a storage room, a bathroom, and a toilet. Zhang Da Ye and Tom shared one, Artoria another, and Rui Mengmeng could have her own. Future arrivals would need to share or find other solutions.
The beds, blankets, and pillows were ready. Artoria had purchased extras when she first arrived. Towels and toiletries were available, though without custom designs.
"Clothes aren't convenient to buy today. Artoria, do you have—" Zhang Da Ye glanced at their height difference, then at the ceiling, realizing borrowing would be awkward.
Rui Mengmeng was 1.75 m, Artoria 1.54 m; sizes wouldn't match.
"Cough, we'll go shopping tonight. I know a clothing store owner; they can open late for you."
Rui Mengmeng eagerly agreed. Coming from a long-term working background, she hadn't stayed in such a large room and couldn't afford it otherwise.
Her secondary bedroom wasn't much smaller than Zhang Da Ye's master bedroom—double bed, wardrobe, bedside table, desk, and two potted plants on the windowsill. With three people and a cat, it didn't feel cramped.
Artoria gave Zhang Da Ye a glance, sensing his previous look and tone had mischievous undertones.
Tom fetched a mop and cloth, intending to help his student clean.
"I can do it myself," Rui Mengmeng said promptly, taking the cloth to clean. She had always been self-reliant.
Tom, like magic, produced another cloth, and at Artoria's request handed over the mop. They all helped tidy up.
Even Artoria, accustomed to housekeeping, had no trouble assisting.
Zhang Da Ye scratched his head: everyone's done everything they could—what should I do?
After tidying, Tom, the household prodigy, earned praise for his sparkling-clean windows. He happily went downstairs to prepare dinner.
Zhang Da Ye and Artoria sat at the table as usual, waiting for food, while Rui Mengmeng followed Tom into the kitchen to help.
Five minutes later, she emerged, looking defeated, and sat down.
Artoria poured her tea and asked: "What happened?"
Rui Mengmeng flattened one hand, forming the other into a knife shape: "Do you know? Teacher Tom… dang dang dang dang dang—"
Zhang Da Ye asked: "Dang dang dang dang dang?"
"He was cutting meat! The knife moved so fast I couldn't even see, and the slices were perfectly even!"
"That's normal, isn't it?" Zhang Da Ye poured himself more tea, enjoying her amazement.
"Wait, there's more!" Rui Mengmeng exaggeratedly waved her hands. "He tossed eight eggs in the air like juggling, cracked them into a bowl midair, and the shells fell straight into the trash!"
"Still normal…?" Zhang Da Ye had never observed such high-level cooking tricks.
"And then he stir-fried with one hand, flipped with the other, juggled another pan with his foot, and even used his tail to flip a spoon!" Rui Mengmeng stood up, mimicking Tom's actions.
Without a tail and less flexible, she could only approximate it, but Zhang Da Ye imagined the scene vividly: "Hmm… if it were Tom, that would make sense."
Artoria nodded: "Tom is amazing; you'll get used to it gradually."
"Really?" Rui Mengmeng looked unconvinced.
Zhang Da Ye reassured her: "Yes, if you want to learn cooking, just ask him."
Rui Mengmeng shook her head: "I don't think I can learn that level of cooking."
Zhang Da Ye comforted her: "Those extreme tricks are just play. Even without them, Tom cooks well, and with effort, you can learn."
During this time, Zhang Da Ye and Artoria explained the island and this world to Rui Mengmeng.
At first, she took notes diligently, but after a while: "Wait, wait, too much! I can't remember it all…"
"Don't worry; you'll learn gradually. In this world, you should still aim to become stronger. Your superpower is really a super-gene awakening, not instant ultimate power—you need proper training."
"Okay! I'll work hard! I'll become the Super God King!" Rui Mengmeng, a slightly older "chuunibyou," raised her fist with determination.
You… have moved me!