The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 33

Jian Li was pleased that her saliva had completely covered the wound. She explained, “In nature, when animals get injured, they lick their wounds, and they heal quickly.”

 

Yan Qingshuang looked at her. “Mm, Xiao Li is right.”

 

Jian Li continued licking, her voice filled with pride. “Of course! I’m a Spiritual Beast, so my saliva has even stronger healing properties than ordinary animals.”

 

After saying this, she sniffed her saliva. Finding no odor, she relaxed.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s ears burned. In public, she couldn’t do more than pat Jian Li’s head. “That’s enough. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

 

Jian Li looked up, remembering Yan Qingshuang’s tendency to feign strength. “Don’t lie to me,” she warned. “If you do, I won’t heal you next time.”

 

Yan Qingshuang pulled her into a hug. “Alright, I won’t lie.”

 

Sniffing Yan Qingshuang, Jian Li thought, I really love being held by her. The feeling is softer than cotton candy, and I love her scent.

 

This scent emanated from her skin, even more concentrated beneath her clothes.

 

She gently tapped Yan Qingshuang’s chin. “Are you still going to look for the Ice Spiritual Root?”

 

Yan Qingshuang walked toward the Dining Hall, answering indirectly, “At first, Xiao Li wanted to find it.”

 

Jian Li squirmed uneasily, shifting back and forth. “Well, can’t I change my mind? I’m not some virtuous gentleman who must keep his word.”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Alright, if you say you don’t want to look for it, I won’t.”

 

Though this was the answer Jian Li wanted, it sounded strangely off.

 

Jian Li realized the implication and grabbed Yan Qingshuang’s collar, protesting, “You can’t say it like that! You should say you never wanted to look for it in the first place. Why make it sound like I’m stopping you from finding the Ice Spiritual Root?”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Xiao Li is so clever. Hmm… I never actually considered it.”

 

Hearing Yan Qingshuang’s explicit assurance, Jian Li finally settled down contentedly.

 

When they arrived at the Dining Hall, Jian Li, flush with funds from today’s mission (300 Spirit Stones, bringing her total to 12,945), insisted on treating Yan Qingshuang.

 

After ordering a lavish spread, Jian Li reached for her Storage Pouch to pay, but Yan Qingshuang pressed her hand down. “I’ll pay. You earned your money with difficulty.”

 

Jian Li protested, “Are you looking down on me? If you won’t let me pay, I’ll starve myself!”

 

Threatening Yan Qingshuang with her own well-being proved remarkably effective.

 

Yan Qingshuang relented. Jian Li glanced at the bill—it was only 10 Spirit Stones. She still had 12,935 left.

 

This was their first time dining in the Dining Hall together, drawing considerable attention. The reason was obvious: Yan Qingshuang treated Jian Li like her own child.

 

She cradled Jian Li on her lap, feeding her bite by bite, patiently wiping away food crumbs clinging to the Little Snow Leopard’s mouth with a handkerchief.

 

Jian Li worried that if she were human, she wouldn’t eat like a sieve. Fortunately, Yan Qingshuang wasn’t particularly fastidious, bathing in her used bathwater, drinking her water, and eating her leftovers.

 

Under the public gaze, Jian Li’s pride stung. She suggested to Yan Qingshuang, “It’s such a hassle for you to feed me every time. Why don’t you get me a bib? I can eat myself and just wipe it clean when I get messy.”

 

Yan Qingshuang asked, “Don’t you like being fed by me?”

 

Jian Li glanced sideways at the curious stares around them, feeling a pang of self-consciousness. She knew Yan Qingshuang enjoyed feeding her, but she couldn’t understand this peculiar habit.

 

“It’s not that I don’t like it,” Jian Li explained. “I just feel like I’m grown up now and should start taking care of myself.”

 

Yan Qingshuang hummed in agreement. She was more perceptive than Jian Li when it came to reading the hidden meanings in others’ eyes. “From now on, we’ll eat all our meals at home.”

 

“Then why did you come here today?” Jian Li asked.

 

Yan Qingshuang teased, “To visit an old flame.”

 

Jian Li paused, realizing Yan Qingshuang was joking. She turned her face away. “How come I never knew you were this kind of person before?”

 

“What kind of person?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

 

Jian Li glared playfully. “You’re so scheming! You love to tease me and make me angry. It makes you feel good, doesn’t it?”

 

Yan Qingshuang smoothed Jian Li’s hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I came to see her because of the Immortal Alliance—it’s related to a mission.”

 

Jian Li had never interacted with the Immortal Alliance. In the game, she knew it was an organization formed by the major sects and families of Xuanzhou, united against the fiends.

 

“A mission? I want to hear about it too,” Jian Li insisted.

 

After finishing their meal, Yan Qingshuang carried Jian Li to the kitchen to find Wu Yun. It was clear that Wu Yun and Yan Qingshuang hadn’t seen each other in quite some time.

 

Having heard that Yan Qingshuang’s Golden Core had been extracted, Jian Li considered whether to offer her condolences. However, their strained relationship from years ago, marked by infrequent direct communication, made her hesitate.

 

When Yan Qingshuang appeared with the Little Spiritual Beast, Wu Yun paused in surprise before instructing her subordinates that she would be busy for a while.

 

Wu Yun’s imposing stature made Jian Li feel temporarily safe from her oppressive presence only when nestled in Yan Qingshuang’s arms.

 

“I’m a little scared of her,” Jian Li whispered into Yan Qingshuang’s ear. “You need to protect me.”

 

Yan Qingshuang nodded in agreement. Wu Yun donned her outer robe and broke the awkward silence. “Let’s talk in the backyard.”

 

In the backyard, a refreshing autumn breeze rustled through the air. The courtyard here was far more lavish than Yan Qingshuang’s, with several interconnected rooms and a layer of fallen orange-red maple leaves carpeting the ground.

 

The surroundings were eerily quiet. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Jian Li glanced at Yan Qingshuang, then at Wu Yun.

 

Both women simultaneously turned their gaze to the maple tree. Understanding the unspoken tension, Jian Li lowered her voice and asked, “Is there something wrong with that tree?”

 

“Nothing’s wrong,” Yan Qingshuang replied. “It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen it. I’m just looking.”

 

Wu Yun chuckled. “The marks we carved are still there.”

 

“Us?”

 

Jian Li, with her sensitive skin, couldn’t stay still. She leaped to the ground and ran to the tree, examining its thick trunk and circling it, pawing at the bark.

 

Finding no man-made markings, she turned to Yan Qingshuang. “Little Shuang, I can’t find anything.”

 

Yan Qingshuang came to her side, brushing a fallen leaf from Jian Li’s head, and pointed. “Here.”

 

Jian Li stared at the indented mark, about to ask what it was, when she noticed Wu Yun crouching behind her. Frightened, Jian Li clung to Yan Qingshuang’s leg, refusing to meet Wu Yun’s gaze.

 

Understanding the Little Spiritual Beast’s intelligence, Wu Yun explained, “Years ago, A-Yan and I compared our heights here. She was taller, and I refused to accept it. We made a bet that I would definitely surpass her someday.”

 

Yan Qingshuang nodded, while Jian Li muttered, “Duh, she’s a Body Cultivator. Of course she’s taller than you.”

 

Jian Li felt herself being lifted into Yan Qingshuang’s arms. Her long hair brushed repeatedly against Jian Li’s nose, drawing her attention to the fragrant strands.

 

Yan Qingshuang asked softly, “A-Yun, do you still want revenge?”

 

Wu Yun’s body stiffened, a fierce glint appearing in her eyes. “Is there new information?”

 

Yan Qingshuang replied, “The Immortal Alliance’s returning members reported that the Demon Race is running rampant in Xiucheng, slaughtering entire families. The culprit is your mother.”

 

Wu Yun clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and her facial muscles tightened. “Lies! Impossible!” she declared. “My mother died in the massacre twenty years ago!”

 

“What if she’s a Human Puppet?” Yan Qingshuang countered.

 

Wu Yun’s knuckles cracked audibly as she tightened her grip.

 

Jian Li couldn’t understand their conversation. It must be about an Immortal Alliance mission, and a serious one at that. As long as they weren’t talking about romance, Jian Li didn’t pay much attention.

 

A beautiful butterfly fluttered past, capturing Jian Li’s attention. She leaped down, alternating between standing on her hind legs and hopping around the courtyard, gleefully chasing butterflies.

 

By the time Yan Qingshuang and Wu Yun finished their discussion, dusk had fallen. Jian Li, exhausted from her antics, realized the butterflies were flying too high for her to reach.

 

Yan Qingshuang glanced at her and bid Wu Yun farewell. “Consider carefully whether you’ll join us on this journey.”

 

Hearing Yan Qingshuang call her, Jian Li bounded over and nestled into her arms, already drowsy but still curious. “What important thing were you two talking about earlier?” she mumbled.

 

Yan Qingshuang brushed leaves off Jian Li’s fur. “It wasn’t that important. Weren’t you just saying you wanted to hear? Why did you run off to play with butterflies instead?”

 

Jian Li blushed. “I just didn’t want to intrude on your private time,” she said sheepishly.

 

Yan Qingshuang pinched her cheek. “You have two sets of excuses. You were sulking earlier when I was just joking.”

 

Jian Li chuckled, admitting her double standards, but she still wanted to understand the mission details.

 

Back home, after showering, Jian Li helped Yan Qingshuang brew medicine. They sat on small stools, chatting about everything and nothing. Jian Li would bring up topics, and Yan Qingshuang would respond, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

 

Once Jian Li had urged Yan Qingshuang to finish her medicine—watching intently to ensure no residue remained in the bowl—she wrapped her arms around Yan Qingshuang and asked about the Immortal Alliance’s mission.

 

Yan Qingshuang sidestepped the question. “Where are you sleeping tonight?”

 

Without hesitation, Jian Li blurted out, “On the floor, of course. I’m a guest; how could I presume to sleep in the Master’s soft bed every night?”

 

Yan Qingshuang countered, “As the saying goes, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Guests should follow the host’s lead.'”

 

Jian Li, still thinking in terms of modern etiquette, replied, “But I am following local customs, aren’t I?”

 

Yan Qingshuang pressed, “What about the second part? What if I invite you to sleep with me?”

 

Jian Li immediately understood the unspoken implication. She squirmed, saying, “This… sounds a bit suggestive, doesn’t it?”

 

Yan Qingshuang sighed. “Have you forgotten how you caught a cold the night before last? You had a fever and cried, refusing to take medicine or get a shot. As the night grew colder, how could I possibly rest easy knowing you were so frail?”

 

The memory of the butt injection sent a phantom pain through Jian Li, as if the silver needle were still lodged in her flesh.

 

Though Yan Qingshuang’s words were clearly meant to show concern, Jian Li couldn’t shake the feeling that Yan Qingshuang was becoming increasingly manipulative. Yet she couldn’t find any logical reason to object.

 

Reluctantly, Jian Li climbed into bed, making one last defiant stand. “You can share the bed, but you’re not allowed to hug me.”

 

With that, she deliberately drew a dividing line on the mattress with her palm, giving Yan Qingshuang the larger portion and claiming the smaller space for herself.

 

“You sleep on this side,” Jian Li gestured. “This part is mine.”

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled and nodded, saying nothing more. She knew that by the late hours of the night, Jian Li would inevitably burrow into her arms of her own accord.

 

After settling in, Jian Li obediently slipped under the covers, her round blue eyes peeking out. “Tell me a story. What’s the Immortal Alliance’s mission this time?”

 

Yan Qingshuang turned on her side, resting her cheek on her hand, her long hair cascading softly as she began to speak in a slow, gentle voice.

 

Jian Li listened intently. The mission seemed straightforward enough: Human Puppets were weapons created by the Demon Race for slaughter. They feared light and operated at night.

 

Xiucheng wasn’t the first city to suffer. A small team of Immortal Alliance cultivators had happened to stop there when they were ambushed by Human Puppets at night. None escaped the deadly assault; only one gravely wounded disciple returned.

 

This incident finally drew the Immortal Alliance’s attention.

 

The entire city was gripped by terror. Some families fled, while others barricaded themselves indoors. One household, defying the warnings, opened their door to a stranger in the dead of night, resulting in the annihilation of the entire family.

 

Jian Li could vividly imagine the scene. The story of a stranger turning out to be a murderer sent a chill down her spine.

 

“Um… I’m getting a little cold,” she said timidly. “Could you hold me?”

 

Yan Qingshuang wasn’t surprised. Perhaps Jian Li had been frightened by her talk of dark nights and stormy weather.

 

“You said yesterday that hiding under the covers was warm enough.”

 

Jian Li slapped the bed with her paw-like hand. “Fine, I’m scared, okay? These Human Puppets are like ghosts—they’re terrifying!”

 

Calling them ghosts wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Human Puppets were created by casting spells on corpses, infusing them with Demonic Qi, and forging them into demonic creatures capable of mimicking human speech and behavior.

 

Yan Qingshuang stretched out her long arms and pulled Jian Li tightly into her embrace, leaving no space between them. Jian Li froze, a familiar warmth rising from her abdomen.

 

Jian Li immediately panicked and struggled to break free. “Don’t hold me so tight!”

 

Yan Qingshuang released her arms, looking dejected. “I’m sorry. Human Puppets are terrifying, and I was a little scared.”

 

Yan Qingshuang, scared? Jian Li teased her, “You’re such a coward.”

 

“Yes,” Yan Qingshuang replied, “a complete coward.”

 

Jian Li cleared her throat theatrically and rolled back onto Yan Qingshuang’s chest, feeling perfectly justified. Yan Qingshuang stroked the fur on her back.

 

Thinking about the Human Puppet that had annihilated the Wu Clan, Jian Li asked, “So why did Wu Yun’s mother become a Human Puppet?”

 

Yan Qingshuang closed her eyes. “I’m tired. I’ll tell you another time.”

 

Jian Li didn’t believe her. “You usually stay up later than me. Why are you acting so strange today?”

 

Yan Qingshuang had used the Bl00d-Rending Needle more times than usual today, leaving her genuinely more exhausted than usual. In another week, she would be able to absorb ordinary Spiritual Energy again.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s cool voice softened slightly. “Perhaps you’re too warm. I’m feeling a little drained.”

 

Jian Li still wanted to ask about the Sect Competition next month, but Yan Qingshuang seemed genuinely exhausted. Cultivation was, after all, a demanding endeavor.

 

Understanding Yan Qingshuang’s fatigue, Jian Li obediently moved to her own side of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance.

 

Jian Li summoned the System. “I have an extra 10,000 Spirit Stones. Give me ten percent of that in Great Tonic Pills.”

 

The System processed the exchange, and a Great Tonic Pill, identical to the previous one, materialized before her. Jian Li carefully stored it away, already strategizing how to trick Yan Qingshuang into taking the pill.

 

Jian Li considered forcing Yan Qingshuang’s mouth open and shoving the pill in, but violating Yan Qingshuang’s will would inevitably decrease her Favorability.

 

Besides, Jian Li wasn’t entirely disrespectful of the bad-tempered panther.

 

The remaining 9,999 Spirit Stones felt like a heavy stone pressing on Jian Li’s heart, refusing to dissipate.

 

Her mind racing, Jian Li soon drifted off to sleep.

 

The next morning, Jian Li woke unusually early. She immediately realized she was pressed tightly against Yan Qingshuang, separated only by a thin undergarment. Yan Qingshuang’s faint breath brushed against her fur.

 

Panicked, Jian Li quickly retreated to her side of the bed before Yan Qingshuang could awaken.

 

Her movements were too loud. Yan Qingshuang’s beautiful eyes fluttered open. For her, opening her eyes was merely a physical action; she would never see anything.

 

Yan Qingshuang murmured, “Xiao Li, good morning.”

 

Jian Li offered a polite smile. “Good morning, Little Shuang.”

 

“Hungry?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

 

“Not really,” Jian Li replied. “I’m not that hungry. You should rest a bit longer.”

 

“No need. I’ve had enough sleep.” Yan Qingshuang sat up, swung her legs off the bed, and headed toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

 

“Little Shuang!” Jian Li called out urgently.

 

Yan Qingshuang stopped in her tracks. Jian Li remained silent. Yan Qingshuang gently stroked her cheek. “Go on,” she urged.

 

It wasn’t easy to broach the subject, especially since Yan Qingshuang had previously refused to take another Great Tonic Pill. But as the night wore on, Jian Li’s anxiety grew. Now that she had the pill in hand, she desperately wanted Yan Qingshuang to take it immediately.

 

Steel herself, Jian Li shook the Great Tonic Pill out of her Storage Pouch. “Little Shuang, I… I got another Great Tonic Pill.”

 

Yan Qingshuang finally understood Jian Li’s hesitant demeanor. There was indeed something she was hiding. Activating her Spiritual Sense, she examined the divine-like pill. “Xiao Li, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take any more?”

 

Jian Li’s blue eyes filled with pleading. “Can’t you take it for me? This pill is useless for me.”

 

Yan Qingshuang had resolved not to delve further into Jian Li’s mysterious origins, choosing to ignore her oddities as if they didn’t exist. But with this pill in Jian Li’s possession, she couldn’t simply ignore it.

 

Unwilling to let Jian Li carry such a precious item outside, she urged her sternly, “I’ll keep this treasure safe for you. When you want to take it later, I’ll give it back.”

 

“Can’t you understand plain words?” Jian Li snapped, exasperated. “I said, eat it!”

 

“No,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

 

“You really won’t eat it? No regrets?”

 

“Mm, no regrets.”

 

Fine, no regrets, huh? Jian Li, nearly driven to tears by Yan Qingshuang’s stubbornness first thing in the morning, refused to utter another word. She pocketed the Great Tonic Pill.

 

Yan Qingshuang offered no comfort, instead heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast alone.

 

Jian Li’s greatest flaw, she realized, was her inability to transform into a human. If she were human, she’d have countless ways to deal with Yan Qingshuang.

 

Then she remembered the Form Transformation Pill. Why wait? She pulled it out, examining it from every angle. There shouldn’t be any side effects, right?

 

As she brought the pill to her mouth, nervousness made her hesitate. She tried several times, but couldn’t bring herself to swallow it.

 

The aroma of breakfast drifted into the room—not the usual steamed buns, but something that smelled like delicious pastries.

 

With Yan Qingshuang here, there’s nothing to fear, Jian Li reasoned. If anything goes wrong, I’ll just ask for help.

 

Hua Feiyi had once said Yan Qingshuang would walk through fire for her. Though Jian Li couldn’t fathom why Yan Qingshuang was so devoted, she figured it must be her irresistible charm.

 

Bolstered by this thought, she closed her eyes and decisively swallowed the pill.

 

She had believed that consuming the pill would allow her to transform into human form. But when she opened her eyes, her limbs remained short and weak, covered in soft fur, with no change whatsoever.

 

Jian Li flew into a rage. “What a fake pill!”

 

Seething, she grabbed her Spirit Mirror and contacted Zhang Yuan: Even though I made a mistake giving you the Red Fruit, you’re no saint either! Bullying a little bear! What kind of person does that?!

 

Zhang Yuan, on her way to the Disciplinary Hall, saw the message and decided to take another day off. Did Murong Zheng tell you?!

 

Jian Li: Secrets always come out eventually.

 

Zhang Yuan: ……

 

Jian Li snorted through her nose, joining the Little Raccoon in scolding: You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing! She’s so pitiful, you’ve even left her without clothes!

 

Zhang Yuan: Isn’t there some misunderstanding here?

 

Wasn’t it Murong Zheng who stripped me of my clothes?! She had only eaten half the fruit when Murong Zheng snatched it away and then, without a second thought, tore off her clothes.

 

The thought made Zhang Yuan want to hide from the world. Having her body violated by a Monster Beast, she had no one to confide in.

 

Now, to make matters worse, this gossipy creature had dared to tell Jian Li everything.

 

Jian Li, bursting with energy and endless vigor, was always running around—one day on this mountain peak, the next on that peak. Soon, the entire Sect would know.

 

Zhang Yuan felt like he should just retreat into the mountains and never show his face again.

 

In a final desperate attempt, Zhang Yuan messaged: I don’t know what she told you, but don’t believe it.

 

Message after message flooded in, exactly the effect Jian Li had intended. Watching the anxious words appear on the Spirit Mirror, she refused to reply. Serves him right for giving me a fake Form Transformation Pill.

 

She had even briefly entertained the thought of what it would be like to become human. Would she look like her past self?

 

Yan Qingshuang finished preparing the meal and pastries, arranging them on the table. Jian Li wasn’t her usual enthusiastic self. Yan Qingshuang activated her Spiritual Sense and approached the bed. “Aren’t you hungry?”

 

Why are you wearing so little? Jian Li frowned at Yan Qingshuang’s thin clothing. Her already ethereal beauty now radiated an even colder, more fragile aura, making her appear even more frail.

 

“Don’t you have money for winter clothes?” Jian Li asked, concerned.

 

“I have winter clothes,” Yan Qingshuang replied. “Why are you asking?”

 

Jian Li poked Yan Qingshuang’s flat stomach, her slender fingers tracing her delicate wrists and bony arms, her gaze lingering on her lean thighs. She left no part of her untouched.

 

Only after her thorough examination did Jian Li say, “You’re so skinny you’re practically skin and bones. What if you freeze to death one day? What would I do then?”

 

Yan Qingshuang knew Jian Li was worried, despite her harsh words. She soothed her, “Burning firewood while cooking keeps me warm. Wearing too many layers would only make it harder to move around while cooking.”

 

Jian Li, with no real cooking experience, found Yan Qingshuang’s reasoning sound. She leaned closer and wrapped her arms around Yan Qingshuang’s neck, saying, “I’ll let you hold me while you eat to keep you warm.”

 

Yan Qingshuang replied, “Isn’t that how it is every day?”

 

Jian Li raised a paw as if to strike her. “Ah, you’ve ruined the fun by saying that! You make me sound like I’m all mouth and no hands or feet. Don’t do that again!”

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled and fed her a piece of meat. Though it tasted good, Jian Li’s mind wandered. “How can I convince you to try my Snow Leopard Brand sugar pills?”

 

She had unilaterally changed the name. Yan Qingshuang picked up a piece of green vegetable, chewed it for over ten bites, and finally swallowed. Jian Li stared blankly at the sugar pills.

 

Yan Qingshuang responded casually, as if joking, “If you transform, I might consider it.”

 

The mention of the Form Transformation Pill filled Jian Li with resentment. She embellished her account of Zhang Yuan’s unreliability to Yan Qingshuang.

 

Yan Qingshuang had already heard Jian Li’s gossip yesterday. Hearing an even more dramatic version today, she remained largely unmoved.

 

She nonchalantly picked up a piece of mung bean cake. “You took the Form Transformation Pill?”

 

“Yeah,” Jian Li replied. “It hasn’t worked yet, so don’t worry—it’s a fake. I want a piece of mung bean cake too.”

 

Yan Qingshuang held the pill to Jian Li’s lips, but Jian Li didn’t bite. “You said if I took the Form Transformation Pill, you’d eat the sugar pill,” she argued. “This counts as me taking it, so you can’t back out now.”

 

Jian Li seized upon Yan Qingshuang’s words, twisting them to her advantage.

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled indulgently, unable to resist the Little Snow Leopard’s stubbornness. Having Jian Li’s Divine Elixir would be immensely beneficial to her.

 

Their gazes met—Jian Li’s hopeful blue eyes reflecting Yan Qingshuang’s violet-gray pupils. Jian Li held the pill to Yan Qingshuang’s lips, pleading sweetly, “Please, I really did take the Form Transformation Pill.”

 

Who could refuse such a cute Little Snow Leopard? Yan Qingshuang’s eyes softened. “As you wish.”

 

She accepted the pill, her slightly pale lips parting slightly as she placed it on her tongue.

 

Jian Li cheered, her appetite surging. “I’m going to eat everything on this table!” she declared boldly.

 

Normally, Jian Li would have devoured the entire meal anyway. Yan Qingshuang reminded her that after breakfast, they needed to train.

 

Jian Li chewed on a piece of chicken. “Where are we training? I’ll come with you. I don’t have any missions today.”

 

“Xiao Li has such boundless energy,” Yan Qingshuang remarked.

 

Jian Li puffed up with pride. “Of course! You can’t make money without stamina.”