"Sushang, Qingque, Fu Xuan, and Professor Ratio at one table." Su Chen nodded silently. "Professor, you're in for a treat."
Then, he walked over to the trio of friends—Aventurine, Topaz, and Jade. "Are you three just going to stand there as cheerleaders? How about joining in for another round and making a table?"
Aventurine hesitated for a few seconds. He couldn't believe he'd lost so badly. There was a time when he'd lived life on the edge—how could he be defeated by something as trivial as mahjong? It must've been that Qingque. Her mahjong skills were too sharp, as if she'd been playing since the womb.
"Fine, let's do one round."
Hearing this, Jade struggled to maintain her smile. She slowly walked over to Aventurine and pinched his cheek hard. "I just helped you clean up your mess, and now you're jumping into another fire? Do you really not take me seriously at all?"
"Ow ow ow… Ms. Jade, I was wrong! This is the last time, I swear!"
Topaz glanced at Aventurine. "You go play by yourself. Ms. Jade and I aren't joining."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong," Su Chen suddenly interjected. "According to reports from my intelligence team, Ms. Yelena recently invested in a movie called Bureau 794, right? It's caused quite a stir online—a different way to leave your mark in history, I suppose."
Topaz crossed her arms and said nothing.
Seeing this, Su Chen continued, "It's simple, really. Your judgment's always been sound, but you're just too impatient now."
"And what's your advice, then?"
"I have a movie script. If any of you three can beat me, I'll hand it over without a second thought."
Jade's eye twitched. "Seeing is believing. Sorry, but I don't think anything in this world comes that easy. It's better to be cautious."
"Seeing is believing, huh?" Su Chen paused. "Even if I win, I'll still let you take charge—just under my company's name. Either way, you don't lose, right?"
Jade narrowed her eyes at Su Chen.
What's his game?
Does he just want the three of us to work for him?
Why go through all this trouble?
Nothing this good comes for free in this world.
Perhaps to figure out what Su Chen was really up to, Jade agreed.
"So, it's the four of us, then?"
"No, I'm not playing." Su Chen quickly waved his hands.
"Then why did you make it sound so serious?"
Just then, a melodious voice rang out behind Su Chen. "Excuse me, sir, are you in some kind of predicament?"
Su Chen couldn't help but laugh as he turned around. Sure enough, there stood a radiant red-haired man.
"I do need help."
"In that case, are you aware that the Beauty Goddess Idrila's magnificence is unparalleled under the heavens?"
Su Chen leaned in and whispered into Argenti's ear, "Not only do I know about Idrila, I also acknowledge that Idrila's beauty is so overwhelming it makes snot bubbles pop, and I've got plenty of that armor that goes 'biu' and sprouts roses."
"Ah!" Argenti nodded in satisfaction. "My like-minded friend, with Idrila's relics, I believe I will surely find her one day. Thank you for affirming the beauty of Pure Beauty!"
"But right now, I need you to do me a small favor. Play a round with those three in my place." Su Chen pointed behind him.
Argenti followed his finger to where Jade and the others were sitting.
"I see. So this is your predicament? I shall extend my aid without reservation. While I don't play mahjong often, I do know a thing or two."
——
Meanwhile, Sampo watched everything unfold from a distance.
Then, he made his way to the second floor of the hall, found a seat, and sat down to observe quietly.
"I don't know how this will play out, but it's bound to be interesting."
"It is quite interesting."
At that moment, Su Chen sat down directly behind Sampo.
"Weren't you just downstairs? How'd you get up here so fast? You nearly scared the soul out of old Sampo!"
"I run fast." Su Chen scooted his chair forward, closing the distance between them.
"You fear nothing except Gepard. My being here shouldn't be a surprise to you, right?"
"Don't even mention Gepard. I've never met anyone so uptight in my life. You're my boss—where you show up is beyond my knowledge. How could an employee possibly guess their boss's thoughts?"
"Actually, I'm curious. What's the point of it all?" Su Chen interlaced his fingers behind his head.
"Day after day, tirelessly posting toxic stuff in the group chat late at night, tricking March 7th and Stelle into a daze—what's the point?"
Sampo didn't answer, silently watching the scene below.
Su Chen continued, undeterred.
"You love dealing in second-hand goods at miHoYo. I heard from Nicole that you sold Billy a bootleg Kamen Rider set, but it was just My Fair Princess episodes. He almost cried watching it.
"It does sound funny, but it doesn't hold up under scrutiny. Are you short on money?
"No, you spend most of your money on miHoYo's kids. Hook and Bailu have even gotten cavities from all the treats you've given them. So, back to the question—what's the point?"
Suddenly, Su Chen had an epiphany. "You're in it for the laughs, right? That does make it pretty entertaining."
"Many scammers already have plenty of money, so why do they keep scamming?
"Because they enjoy the process. I just find the process interesting, that's all." Sampo turned around, rubbing his hands together.
"Besides, boss, business is all about mutual consent. All my deals are legit—no shady underhanded tricks!
"So, you didn't come here just to lecture me, right? If you've got something to say, just say it. What's the point of all this?"
"I need a director. Bring her to me."
"Oh-ho-ho! Boss, you're really cutting to the chase, huh?" Sampo put on a panicked expression. "This isn't what we agreed on! You know, Sparkle and I are practically siblings. How could I do something like this?
"I know your methods. Anyone who catches your eye—even if they're just passing by to use the bathroom—gets roped into your schemes. The Wise-Belle siblings and the Cunning Hares are proof of that, aren't they?
"So, this matter should still be about voluntary participation. Don't you agree, boss?"
Su Chen smiled without responding.
"Boss, there's no one else here. If you don't pick up the thread, how can old Sampo keep the conversation going?"
"I thought you'd say, 'It'll cost extra.'" Su Chen sighed. "Seems I was too shallow. From now on, I won't interfere with whatever you do at miHoYo. You'll have the same privileges as Aha—no one can restrict you.
"Of course, if they retaliate, I won't lift a finger to help you. How's that?"
"Pfft, listen to you. Even if you hadn't said that, I'd still help you with this…"
"Good. I take it back, then."
"Hey, no take-backs! I heard it loud and clear."
In the next moment, Sampo pulled out his phone and sent two messages. "Do you think that Professor Ratio can really beat Qingque? When it comes to mahjong, she's never lost."
"Don't worry. The professor's credentials are top-notch. I've also got something big planned for him. Just sit back and enjoy the show."