"Huu?! How?! Did I miscalculate too? That can't be!"
Ratio exhaled sharply. "You did miscalculate. You lost precisely because you failed to predict Sushang's playstyle."
"But... but..."
"But what?" Fu Xuan's voice cut into Qingque's ears. "You actually dared to drag the boss into slacking off with mahjong? Have you finished your report? Did you complete the tasks I assigned you?"
"Captain Fu, I—I swear Boss Su Chen was the one who insisted on bringing me here! If you don't believe me, ask him!"
"Honestly, I don't forbid you from playing mahjong—just know your limits. You slack off all the time, setting a bad example for everyone. But if you finished your work properly, even if no one else would play with you, I would."
Hearing this, Qingque's eyes reddened. "Captain Fu..."
She immediately hugged Fu Xuan. "You're the best! So... does that mean I don't have to write the report?"
"No!"
——
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the neighboring table was entirely different.
The air was thick with tension as Topaz and Aventurine sat like enlightened sages, drawing tiles with an almost religious solemnity.
Topaz picked up a tile and sighed. "Ah, behold this flawless craftsmanship! The divine strokes of its characters! Even after countless hands have touched it, its beauty remains undiminished! O Mahjong! Today, too, you are pure and beautiful!"
Jade could only smile wryly at the scene. "Little Yelena, can you still hold on?"
"Y-Yes, Lady Jade... But honestly, I'd rather praise myself than listen to him go on like this... Ugh... I can't take it anymore. I feel like I'm about to lose my hair from sheer frustration..."
——
At the same time, outside the game room...
"This is the place! Inside, you'll find your good friend—Sushang. Just take a seat next to her when you go in. Oh, and there's probably a very serious-looking professor at the table too, but don't worry, he's actually really nice!"
March 7th grinned. "Thanks, kiddo! We'll definitely ask you to guide us again next time!"
"Uh... I'm not a kid." The attendant adjusted her cap, then suddenly rubbed her thumb and index finger together meaningfully. "So, since I brought you all the way here... shouldn't you...?"
Stelle studied the gesture for a few seconds before nodding in understanding. "Ah, I get it. You're too kind."
She pulled a small bag from her pocket and handed it to the attendant. "Here's some trash. I totally forgot about it until you reminded me. I noticed the hotel's bins are all fancy, so just toss this in the garbage truck downstairs. Thanks!"
Before the attendant could react, Stelle pushed the door open and marched inside with March 7th.
"Tsk... Was I not clear enough? Hehe, no matter~ The show's about to start! Time to find a good seat and enjoy the chaos!"
The attendant removed her cap, revealing a head of silky hair. With a quick change of clothes and a slight adjustment to her appearance, she transformed into an entirely different person.
Just as she was about to skip away, two towering figures blocked her path.
"Wow! If it isn't the great Sampo Koski! And this little gray-haired guy next to him... unless my eyes deceive me, it's the actor who plays Caelus, the Trailblazer—and the boss of miHoYo himself, Su Chen, right?"
"Sparkle, you don't seem surprised at all?" Su Chen smirked, eyeing the twin-tailed girl.
"Not surprised? Oh-ho-ho~" Sparkle lowered her voice dramatically. "Let me tell you a secret~ I'm shaking with surprise!"
Su Chen cringed at her exaggerated acting. "Honestly, I'm more curious about what's really going on in your head. Why did you help me?"
"Help you? Pfft—when did I ever? I just thought throwing them all together would be hilarious! Aren't you doing the same thing?"
"Alright, standing around isn't productive. How about we move this to the second floor?"
——
Soon after, Sampo and Su Chen returned to their usual spot on the second floor—now joined by Sparkle.
"Seems like you expected us to come looking for you?"
"Not expected—just that stepping out from behind the scenes makes things even more fun! What's wrong with chasing a little joy?"
Su Chen's expression turned serious. "miHoYo has been lacking a professional director. I want to recruit you."
Sparkle covered her mouth, giggling. "Hehehe~ Su Chen, I knew you had a taste for mischief!"
Yet Su Chen's confident smile never wavered, making Sparkle slightly uneasy.
"W-What? Is there something on my face? Why are you staring?"
"Can you read scripts?"
"Hah! Of course I can!"
Su Chen pulled out a thick stack of papers and tossed it in front of her.
Sparkle glanced at the title and read aloud, "The Golden Street's Forgotten Echoes? What's this?"
"A script. We're about to start filming, and we need a director. Interested?"
Sparkle flipped through the pages casually—until her eyes gradually widened.
"This... this story is way too entertaining!" But just as quickly, she snapped the script shut.
"The Scott sections are decent, but too short. Doesn't meet my standards."
"What about this one?"
Thud. Su Chen dropped another script.
"Honestly, most scripts are the same. But if you really have something this fun, I'll join for free, okay?"
Sparkle picked up the new script, eyeing the cover—First Blossoms, First Swords. She began flipping through it, her fingers moving faster and faster.
"Wha—?!"
"T-This... this is the most chaotic story I've ever seen!" She held the script up triumphantly. "Scott?! What a legend! With him around, it'll be nonstop fun!"
"So? Made your decision? If you agree, you can direct another web series too."
"Ta-daa~! Now, let's welcome the great Sparkle for a prize-less quiz!" She rolled the script into a makeshift microphone. "Question: If one day, Sparkle walks up to miHoYo's doorstep... what will she do?"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"OF COURSE SPARKLE WILL JOIN!"
Ahem. Sampo patted Su Chen's shoulder. "As much as I hate to interrupt this heartwarming recruitment... I think the professor might be dying over there."