Gensokyo Detective, but surrounded by Shura Field

So, she could only refuse him directly. She'd consider it later, maybe after Alice successfully confessed and she could no longer entertain thoughts about him.

Thinking this, Marisa suppressed her reluctance and prepared to decline:

“Shiro, I…”

“Hold on? That expression… you wouldn't be thinking of refusing, would you?”

Unlike Marisa, Chu Bai didn't have such complicated thoughts.

He just felt incredibly weary. Why was it so difficult to hire a new employee?

Seeing Marisa's conflicted expression, he directly tempted her:

“Sasha, why don't you think about it again carefully?”

“Joining now comes with super generous benefits, and you get to be alone with a top-tier handsome guy, you know?”

Of course, he was just teasing himself, trying to lighten the mood.

But Marisa was genuinely tempted.

Because she really found Chu Bai handsome. Both his looks and personality were right up her alley, or she wouldn't have fantasized about him secretly comforting her so many times.

But precisely because he was too handsome, she was afraid she couldn't control herself, afraid of making a terrible mistake due to a momentary impulse.

“Of course, since there's no salary here, I don't object to employees engaging in some side hustles.”

Chu Bai continued to tempt her:

“In specific circumstances, I can even personally help you earn some extra money.”

“Of course, if you get caught, don't use the detective agency's name. Instead, claim to be from the Underground Geyser Center, claiming you're Koishi's people…”

After a pause, Chu Bai tried to subtly manipulate Marisa's emotions, making her slightly more excited.

Then he dropped the heavy bomb he had prepared long ago:

“Most importantly, if you nod and join now, and sign this contract…”

“I can guide you in magic without reservation, and it'll be 24/7 close-quarters, zero-distance guidance, okay?”

Marisa: “!!!”

Hearing the last condition,

The girl had to admit, she was shaken again, severely.

She could stick close to Chu Bai and receive free magic guidance…

This was a pie-in-the-sky level of good fortune!

Just receiving casual guidance for half a month had already allowed her to fight Reimu for a long time, a huge improvement.

If she was guided every day now, wouldn't she be completely thrilled?

“This… I… I…”

Marisa stammered.

A scale appeared in the girl's heart.

On one side was Chu Bai's temptation, and on the other was her friendship with Alice.

With Chu Bai's constant additions, the scale had gradually tilted.

Wavering back and forth, Marisa finally made a choice:

“Then… then… then I'll… agree?”

“Yay!!”

Chu Bai happily gave a thumbs up:

“Finally hired someone who doesn't need a salary… cough, finally hired a suitable employee!”

Saying this, he put his arm around Marisa's shoulder quite generously:

“But Sasha, why do you seem so shy today? Just like a little girl?”

“What, I'm a maiden, for goodness' sake.”

Marisa protested softly.

Meanwhile, in her heart, she clasped her hands together and bowed repeatedly to Alice.

I'm sorry, Alice!

I still couldn't resist Chu Bai's temptation!

But rest assured, I will never steal your love, or interfere with your target.

On the contrary, I will help you keep an eye on the man, to prevent other women from sneaking in!

Yes, this is all to help Alice watch the man, with absolutely no selfish motives!

Constantly searching for reasons, Marisa finally managed to convince herself.

Thus, having completely figured it out, she once again displayed her usual cheerful expression, hooking arms with Chu Bai quite comfortably.

……

……

Marisa officially joined the team.

Chu Bai could be considered to have successfully recruited his third employee.

He straddled the sofa in Sasha's house, somehow hoisting a large broadsword, and roared roughly like a bandit chieftain:

“Where is Marisa?”

Marisa cupped her fist in her other hand in a traditional gesture:

“Sasha is here!”

Chu Bai nodded with satisfaction:

“I hereby appoint you as the third-in-command of the Jack-of-All-Trades, bestow the title of 'Black and White General,' and grant you the third seat!”

“Someone, bring a seat!”

Saying this, he summoned a magical puppet, which carried a small stool made of earth elements and placed it next to her.

Marisa's eyes gleamed:

“Thank you, Big Brother, for the seat!”

Having said that, she lifted her black robe and sat down on the stool with a flourish.

Before her butt even got warm, she stood up again, cupping her fist in her other hand:

“Big Brother, the mountain stronghold is newly established, and there's much to be done.”

“Why don't I take a trip to Kourindo and rob him of a few pounds of treasure, to make the brothers happy?”

“Wait a minute! Don't really get into character!”

Seeing Marisa grab her broom and prepare to go out, Chu Bai quickly stopped her:

“Rinnosuke is my sworn brother, my beloved friend!”

“Oh? What does Big Brother mean?”

“……Let him develop for a while. It's not too late to rob him after he gets some valuable goods.”

Marisa suddenly understood:

“That makes sense. Then we'll talk about it next time!”

Chu Bai reminded her:

“Remember to go under the banner of the Underground Geyser Center.”

“Hehe, don't worry, Big Brother…”

The two fooled around for a while.

After that, Chu Bai told Marisa about the competition with the Underground Geyser Center in terms of business volume, and the main business of the store.

For the first half of the month, Chu Bai first worked as a helper in the Night Sparrow Diner, and then went to the Temple School to be a teacher.

Although these two jobs didn't earn much, his reputation had improved a lot.

At least the villagers wouldn't run away in fright when they saw him, and occasionally some simple requests would be delivered to his door.

“Solve the simpler requests yourself, and 10% of the reward will be your own income.”

“If you encounter complicated situations, then come and find me.”

Chu Bai looked at Marisa and said:

“Are there any other questions you don't understand?”

Marisa raised her hand:

“I have no questions about the business, it's just simple odd jobs.”

“But I still have some questions about magic… no, I should say there are still many questions waiting for your guidance.”

Chu Bai knocked on her head:

“Are you thinking about the reward before you even start working?”

“We'll talk about magic problems in the next chapter. Now, let's think about the business process first.”

Marisa covered her head:

“Then I have no questions.”

“Very good, then come with me now. Let me see the actual process of you solving a request, and see if it meets the requirements of our detective agency…”

Chapter 166: Chu Bai and Sasha entangled? Aya Shameimaru captures a big scoop!

[Help find the mushroom thief]

[Reward: 100 yen]

[Client: Old Fujita from the head of the village]

This is a small, trivial request that Chu Bai recently accepted.

Although the reward is not worth mentioning, if he completes more of them, he can establish a reputation among the villagers, and then big merchants will naturally come to cooperate with him.

“So this request is entrusted to you.”

Chu Bai patted Marisa's shoulder:

“You will do everything from start to finish, and I will only be responsible for backing you up. Is that okay?”

“When Marisa does things, you can rest assured DA☆ZE~”

Marisa gave a thumbs up and cheerfully knocked on Old Fujita's door.

Then, under the old man's confused gaze, she directly pulled out Chu Bai's broadsword:

“Robbery! Hand over all your valuables!”

“Holy crap…”

Chu Bai's eyes immediately went dark, and he almost didn't catch his breath.

He quickly knocked Marisa to the ground, and then hurriedly said with a smile:

“Haha, don't be afraid, old man. We're just joking.”

“In fact, we saw your request and came to help you solve the problem.”

Marisa, who was lying on the ground, raised her hand:

“Cough… wasn't I just solving the problem…”