Note: Subsequent mahjong gameplay follows Sichuan "Que Yi Men" rules, where only two out of the three suits (Bamboo, Dots, Characters) are allowed in a winning hand. Players must declare their discarded suit at the start, colloquially called "Que Yi Men." Having all three suits triggers a "face-washing" (discard readjustment) process.
"Uh..." Fu Xuan blinked.
Idrila?
The Aeon of Beauty?
Wasn't that just something Su Chen made up for the PV?
Why is he asking this?
Better stand up properly first.
"I know her!"
"Ah—!"
Before she could finish, the red-haired man yanked her upright.
"Little miss, splendid! Since you're aware, do you acknowledge that the beauty of Lady Idrila is peerless across the cosmos?"
Fu Xuan's eyes darted up and down, scrutinizing the man. He wore a pristine suit, his very presence radiating a blinding brilliance.
Idrila was only mentioned once in a PV—why's he asking me what she looks like? How should I know? More importantly...
As a behavioral profiler, Fu Xuan prided herself on reading people instantly—she could even guess March 7th's underwear color at a glance. Yet this red-haired enigma left her utterly baffled.
She shook her head and decided to humor him.
"Uh... sure, if you say so?"
The man nodded. "My name is Argenti. I devote myself to embodying Beauty through action—extending aid to those in need while enlightening them about Idrila's matchless grace."
Argenti smiled beatifically, his face literally shimmering with golden light.
"Lost? Fear not. I shall help you find your mother!"
Fu Xuan wiped sweat from her brow. "No need..."
"Worry not. Share your destination, and I shall escort you safely."
"Really, it's fine. I'm heading to the Reverie Hotel, so—"
"Splendid! This must be Idrila's divine guidance—I, too, seek a business associate there. Let us journey together!"
"Uh... journey?"
Meanwhile, at the miHoYo Interactive Zone...
"Come ooon! Your brother went out with Qingque and Sushang—let's go too, okay?" March 7th tugged at Stelle's wrist, whining. "Okay? Okay? Okay?!"
"No. He's the CEO—if he wants to slack off, let him."
"Why does he get all the fun? Nope, I'm tailing him to see what he's up to! Let's gooo!"
"Pass."
March patted Stelle's shoulder. "So you really won't go? Too bad—I'm dragging you even if I have to break your legs."
"Pfft. You and wh—GYAH!"
March instantly locked Stelle's arm in a cross ligament hold.
"Wrestling move: Crucifix Armbar!"
"OWOWOW—FINE! I'LL GO! LET GO!"
At the Reverie Hotel, a luxury downtown establishment boasting comprehensive recreational facilities, the most intense atmosphere radiated from a mahjong table in the two-floor gaming lounge.
Three women and one man sat at the table, while Su Chen observed from the sidelines.
"Oh? Mr. Aventurine." Su Chen produced a calculator from his back pocket. "Just a reminder—lose this round, and even your underwear becomes mine."
"Impossible. There must be a mistake. I can't lose."
"Right! I believe in you—just like I believe my stocks will rebound!" Topaz added, equally indignant.
Out of courtesy, Su Chen hadn't stripped Aventurine bare yet, leaving him with minimal dignity.
Who could've predicted that Qingque and Sushang would utterly demolish Aventurine and Topaz? The IPC duo had nearly lost everything—pathetic.
As the game resumed, Aventurine drew tiles one by one...
Slowly, he began to smile. Then grin. Then cackle.
"HAHAHA! FINALLY! My face-washing is complete!"
He slammed down a tile.
Qingque snatched it instantly. "Ron!"
The declaration struck like lightning. Aventurine froze.
"How?! HOW?! I'm blessed by Fortune's favor!"
Su Chen sauntered over. "Mr. Aventurine—or should I say, Kakavasha? Whatever. You just fed Qingque a winning tile for her Pure Characters hand. Even stripping you naked won't cover the debt. So... what now?"
Aventurine trembled with suppressed rage. "What. Do. You. Suggest?"
"How about... joining my company?"
"Eh?" Aventurine gaped. "Employment?"
Just then, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he nearly wept.
The moment he answered, a mature woman's voice spoke:
"Never take such risks again. Understood?"
"Y-Yes, Ms. Jade! Where are you?"
"Behind you."
Aventurine whirled around to see Jade approaching gracefully.
Jade's arrival was entirely thanks to Topaz's discreet SOS—something Su Chen had allowed under his watch.
Chaos was the goal. The more, the merrier.
Now standing before Su Chen, Jade smiled.
"You must be Mr. Su Chen, CEO of miHoYo?"
Su Chen nodded. "Indeed. And you must be the illustrious Ms. Jade?"
"Illustrious is excessive. I'm but a humble corporate drone." She handed Aventurine a note that read:
"The Doctor is en route on horseback."
Noticing but ignoring this, Su Chen grinned. "I understand. Still... shouldn't we settle this properly?"
In the hotel lobby, Argenti and Fu Xuan arrived.
"Little miss, where might your guardian be? Though I have an appointment, Beauty's creed compels me to assist you first." Argenti's tone was gentle, but Fu Xuan was fuming.
"I. AM. NOT. A. CHILD! I'm a peacekeeper!"
"Of course, of course. When you grow up, you'll be the finest peacekeeper. I believe in you. May Beauty bless your path."
Just as Fu Xuan was about to explode, someone tapped her shoulder.
She turned—and saw an unexpected figure.
"Sampo?!"