"Hehe, I really am lucky."
The simple-minded Cyrene didn't think too deeply about it.
She was delighted that she had actually passed MiHoYo's standards!
Right away, she packed her luggage and set off.
But before departing, Cyrene sent another message to Aglaea.
In it, she expressed that she, too, was about to become a MiHoYo employee.
...
Meanwhile, in MiHoYo.
That ten-year die-hard fan who had accompanied Okhema Theater the longest was actually going to become her colleague?
What kind of Fan power is this?
However, Aglaea soon realized something was off.
Perhaps Cyrene herself hadn't noticed. Some of her little personal hobbies had already been revealed in her letters and messages.
But Aglaea, and even the others, had always treated it with the helpless indulgence reserved for a loyal fan.
Let her ship whomever she wanted. Anyway that was only in her thoughts.
Yet once she realized that this particular fan was about to become a colleague, Aglaea's whole body trembled.
She recalled how, in her own mind, Cyrene had excessively projected herself and Tribios or herself and Cifera together.
"I hope… that kind of hobby stays only in the letters." Aglaea prayed.
She shook her head.
Aglaea stood up and headed toward Xia Wen's office.
Xia Wen was currently inside, formulating MiHoYo's next development plans.
Although everything in the company was presently on track, ever since his last meeting in Greece, Xia Wen had developed a sense of unease.
Not because of the shows themselves, but because of those opponents.
Behind Cinnati stood Hollywood, and the fact that they had stepped forward to integrate resources and openly challenge Amphoreus was already enough to put him on guard.
Their Olympus could never beat Amphoreus. Of that, Xia Wen was absolutely confident.
But the problem was that he had realized MiHoYo still faced many challenges on a global scale.
This time, they had only used Cinnati to challenge MiHoYo's position.
If they lost, there was no guarantee these people wouldn't panic and resort to dirty tricks.
For example blocking MiHoYo on a global stage.
The spread of any show requires support from global platforms. Although MiHoYo has its own official website and can accept viewers from all over the world, for various reasons, its reach is still limited.
Compared to the overall overseas fanbase, a considerable portion of viewers watch on other online media platforms.
And now that Hollywood had stepped in, there was no guarantee they wouldn't use underhanded tactics, to casually find excuses to prevent those platforms from streaming Star Rail.
If that happened, Honkai: Star Rail would take a severe hit.
Therefore, Xia Wen felt he needed to make preparations. Even if there was no such threat yet, he had to be proactive.
This time in Greece, he had already negotiated cooperation with three local big shots, gradually building a new streaming platform.
And through capital operations, he tightly bound the platform's development to certain rising political figures.
Prosper together, fall together.
Only in this way, when the worst-case scenario occurred, would these platforms stand firmly on the same side as MiHoYo.
Put plainly, it was about aligning interests.
If this model could take root in one region, then Xia Wen would use his sister Ningguang's network to gradually replicate the same approach in other regions.
"This model is much simpler than I originally expected. The obstacles have been far fewer." Xia Wen looked at the messages on his computer, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
After thinking it over, it was likely because MiHoYo's influence truly could be converted into tangible monetary benefits.
And the massive cash cow, the Aetherium Wars, had only grown more popular with each update, creating strong incentives on the customer side.
As long as the prospects were lucrative enough, more people would be willing to tie themselves to the MiHoYo war chariot.
"Once things stabilize in Greece…"
"I'll gradually promote this model across regions worldwide."
As Xia Wen was mapping out his plans in his mind, there was a knock at the door.
"Boss, it's me." Aglaea entered with a stack of documents.
Xia Wen rubbed his face, his expression relaxing, and smiled. "I heard you've been stuck on set these past couple of days. How do you have time to come see me today?"
"It's about Cyrene." Aglaea said.
"Cyrene…" Xia Wen rolled the name around in his mouth, recalling the briefing the company had sent him not long ago.
When he saw that pink-haired name, he had instinctively typed out those urgent 'bring her back immediately' words.
No choice. Amphoreus simply couldn't be complete without her.
Still, during recruitment, he had wondered why Cyrene wasn't at the Okhema Theater Theater, which had sent him searching for quite a while.
By all logic, since everyone from Okhema Theater was together, Cyrene should have been accompanying the troupe.
Now, seeing Aglaea's conflicted expression, he immediately knew, there was some gossip behind this!
"Cyrene… what's wrong with her?" Xia Wen asked with feigned confusion, though his ears were already perked up.
"Well… it's like this…"
"Cyrene actually…"
Aglaea spent a long time explaining the strange bond between Okhema Theater and Cyrene.
After hearing it all, a few words automatically popped into Xia Wen's mind.
Ten-year loyal fan. Hardcore shipper.
"So that's what you had waiting for me?"
"Tsk…"
"Hiding in the audience, exchanging letters, never meeting in person… sounds oddly fitting."
Xia Wen clicked his tongue, then found Aglaea's reaction even stranger.
They were finally going to meet Cyrene, a loyal fan, shouldn't Aglaea be happy? Why did it feel like she still had something she couldn't bring herself to say?
"Anything else?" Xia Wen asked.
"No… not really." Aglaea shook her head, guiltily averting her gaze.
She really didn't know how to describe Cyrene's strange hobbies to her boss.
Seeing the increasingly puzzled look in his eyes, Aglaea coughed lightly and quickly said, "We just hope that you'll join us in welcoming her."
"Of course. Every new employee, I personally go to greet them." Xia Wen said matter-of-factly.
"Then… I'll take my leave for now." Aglaea fled almost as if she were escaping.
"Something's fishy…" Xia Wen stroked his chin, staring at the shadow of Aglaea's retreating figure.
Yet no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what kind of issue Cyrene had that even Aglaea couldn't bring herself to say aloud.
...
A few days later.
At the entrance of the park.
Xia Wen and everyone from Okhema Theater were all dressed neatly, waiting expectantly.
Everyone was extremely curious.
"So… are we finally going to meet her?" Xia Wen spoke with playful anticipation, his gaze shifting back and forth between Aglaea and Tribios.
He still had some understanding of Cyrene's interests.
As for Tribios, she had no idea at all, those letters that were a bit inappropriate had never been shown to her by Aglaea.
After all, who would show that kind of yuri to Tribios!
Right now, she simply wore an innocent, curious expression.
"I wonder what Miss Cyrene is like in real life. The version of her in my heart is always full of energy, and she seems really interested in the details of my interactions with Aglaea."
"Cough, cough, cough!" Aglaea almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
"That's probably just what fans are like," Phainon said simply.
"After all, in her letters, she often asks me about my matches with Mydeimos too. Of course, every time, I say that I won."
"Huh?" Mydeimos looked at Phainon in shock.
"What a coincidence. When she asks me, I also always say that I won."
"Ah?" Phainon stared at Mydeimos in equal shock. Both of them were stunned by the other's shamelessness.
Meanwhile, Hyacine stood there cutely, humming a little tune.
Soon.
Within everyone's field of vision.
The gate of the park opened and a vehicle drove in.
Everyone's gaze gathered there, as three figures stepped down one after another.
When the people of Okhema Theater finally saw Cyrene.
Aside from Xia Wen, everyone felt an enormous sense of contrast.
Compared to the somewhat mature air of her letters, the girl standing before them was lively and adorable.
"Hello everyone, it's Cyrene~" Cyrene greeted them openly and cheerfully.
"Welcome."
Xia Wen was the first to step forward.
In his eyes, Cyrene, aside from dressing differently, was almost exactly the same as her character.
"Hello, Boss!" Cyrene broke into a bright smile, shook hands with Xia Wen, and carefully sized him up.
Just like in the news. Sharp and cool.
And with everyone inside Mihoyo, he was both a boss and a good brother, a good friend.
His mutual fulfillment with the Sunday siblings. And his friendship with the trio from the train.
So many stories echoed in Cyrene's mind.
In an instant.
Countless ship's involving Xia Wen appeared.
This....
This is soo good!
Her small face couldn't help but flush slightly.
Xia Wen was completely baffled.
"No, why are you blushing?"
Or could it be...
'Is it because I am too handsome?'
"Ahem, of course it's because I was dazzled by how handsome the boss is!"
"And I absolutely don't have any other thoughts, really!" Cyrene hurriedly waved her hands.
Xia Wen was even more confused.
Why did Cyrene feel so strange? But at the moment, he didn't think too deeply about it.
Instead, he watched Cyrene's first meeting with the people of Okhema Theater.
Everyone was friendly and polite, and also very curious. The meeting wasn't as enthusiastic as imagined.
But it was clear that Cyrene had already formed deep connections with these people.
"Sister Aglaea, the dress you're wearing today looks just like the one from that performance four years ago! Even the pattern is exactly the same!"
"Teacher Tribios! I finally get to meet you! I really liked your performance on stage back then, I even wrote you a letter!"
Every time she met someone. Cyrene was always able to bring up the story she remembered most vividly about them.
And through this process, the people of Okhema Theater gradually relaxed.
Even Aglaea let out a sigh of relief. Sure enough, a hobby was just a hobby.
Miss Cyrene, in real life, was still a perfectly normal person.
Finally, when Cyrene reached Anaxagoras.
Cyrene saw something shiny on the ground nearby and bent over to pick it up.
But the moment she bent over. The bulging backpack on her back finally gave out.
The zipper burst open.
A large pile of notebooks, literally diaries filled with titles, along with various clay figures, figurines, and other items spilled all over the ground.
"Ah!" Cyrene's once lively expression instantly turned panicked.
She hurriedly tried to cover the items scattered on the floor.
But it was already too late.
As Anaxagoras, the closest one, bent down to help her pick things up, his eyes landed on a title.
[Professor Anaxagoras Can't Possibly Be This Shy]
Below the title were several lines of concise yet intense summaries.
He only needed to glance at it. And Anaxagoras already began to regret ever learning how to read.
By the time he realized what he was looking at, it was too late.
'Even I can be shipped?' Anaxagoras's eyes widened in shock.
"No, don't!"
"I'll pick them up myself!"
Cyrene's face was completely red now, practically steaming.
She waved her hands desperately.
But everyone had already gathered around.
[Narcissistic: Aglaea and Her Doll]
[Phainon and Mydeimos' Bathroom Story]
[Will Doctor Hyacine Treat Castorice for a Lifetime?]
[Okhema Theater Falls in Love with a Bakery]
The people of Okhema Theater. Especially Phainon and Mydeimos, Hyacine and Castorice, those who already had complicated thoughts, the shock they felt upon seeing these titles was simply impossible to put into words.
Xia Wen also sucked in a sharp breath.
So now he finally understood why Aglaea had come to him a few days ago, asking strange questions.
Holy shit. As expected of Cyrene and the Chrysos Heirs.
This wasn't just an ordinary fangirl anymore, this was the kind you couldn't deal with even by throwing heavy punches.
Just then.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Aglaea sway slightly, and instinctively reached out to support her.
But Tribios, standing beside her, was already faster, steadying Aglaea immediately.
At the same time.
While picking things up, and incidentally examining them from an academic perspective, Anaxagoras picked up a thin notebook that looked like it had been written not long ago, and felt an intense sense of shock.
"Boss, look at this."
He raised the notebook in his hand.
Xia Wen focused his gaze.
On it were the words:
[Xia Wen and the Aetherium Wars]
?
What the hell? There's even this?
Xia Wen stared at Cyrene in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Cyrene had her face completely buried in her hands.
Even the tips of her ears were red.
In short.
That day.
No one knew how the people present managed to get through it.
Whether it was Cyrene or those who appeared in her notebooks.
When questioned afterward, everyone, including Xia Wen, kept their mouths firmly shut.
Only when Anaxagoras was asked did he give a thumbs-up and use a few words to describe how he felt at the time.
Tainted. Unholy. Calamity.
But no matter what, the story of Amphoreus had finally completed its last missing piece.
The beginning of an epic was finally about to meet its audience.
----------------------
Hey Everyone!
LordIsland here! How are you? Everything good?
Wishing you a very happy new, may all your wishes come true in 2026. And may everyone win the 50/ 50's and get the characters they wish for!!!!
I'm waiting to pull for Columbina; how many of you are also waiting for the next version to drop :)