"As a Cloud Knight, how can I stand by when there's a conflict at the dock? Also, I'm not 'hey' or 'wild girl'—my name is Sushang!"
Stelle froze upon hearing the name. "Sushang… why does that sound familiar?"
Still, she decided to observe the situation first, standing aside to watch the commotion.
Chamber Secretary: "Miss, leave this matter to our Aurum Alley Chamber to handle."
Sushang: "You're… from the Chamber?"
Suddenly, a person dressed in company attire raised their voice.
"You handle it? That's hilarious!"
[Hahaha, I'm dying. Who is this guy? I can't stop laughing just looking at him.]
[Why's he dressed like an extra? I couldn't hold it together after his first line.]
[Hahahaha, this actor's voice—my stomach hurts from laughing.]
[Wait, isn't this the guy who made a scene at miHoYo? What's his name—Scott?]
[Right, right! miHoYo's got guts, actually casting him? Hahaha.]
"All you onlookers, every single one of you knows the Aurum Alley Chamber is mismanaged and incompetent. Now, with unpaid dock rent piling up, who's to blame?"
Scott played up his sarcasm to the max, his tone dripping with arrogance.
"It's all on you, Aurum Alley Chamber!"
Chamber Secretary: "I don't deny that."
Scott practically had "come hit me" written on his face.
"Then say it louder! Say, 'The Aurum Alley Chamber has failed the shops here, botched the dock, and everyone in the Chamber is useless!'
Then, for each day of overdue rent, kowtow loudly and apologize to me, the company representative!"
The camera cut to Stelle, who was gritting her teeth, rolling up her sleeves, ready to throw hands.
Bailu grabbed her wrist. "Hold on, aren't we just spectators?"
[This is the most I've ever rooted for Stelle.]
[I know Scott's acting is top-notch, but I still wanna punch him.]
[I know it's just a web drama trope, but why do I still want to deck him?]
[That snarky vibe is practically spilling out of the screen. No wonder miHoYo gave Scott a role.]
Sushang couldn't take it anymore. "Hey, your attitude's way too cocky. Can't we just talk about the overdue rent calmly?"
Scott deliberately lowered his voice, putting on a fake nice-guy act. "I'm not bullying anyone. I'm just kindly reminding you—can the company collect the rent or not?"
Chamber Secretary, with a stern face, said quietly, "Not right now."
Scott began gesturing wildly.
"The company leased the dock's management rights to your Chamber, hoping Aurum Alley would thrive… Look at this, such a fine cargo dock, completely wasted!"
"Who says the Chamber can't pay it back? What if… what if we do?"
Scott took two steps back, feigning disbelief.
"Oh, I can't even imagine it. Alright, let's make a bet. If the Chamber pays the company's rent, I'll bow and apologize in front of all Aurum Alley's folks…"
Stelle, propping her chin with one hand, found it odd. "Why's Scott so confident?"
"I'll loudly proclaim, 'I'm a blind fool! Arrogant and clueless, only good for barking!' Then I'll bark like a dog in front of you. How's that?" Scott raised an eyebrow at Sushang.
"Fine, and if I lose the bet?"
"Simple. You do the same—apologize in front of everyone and bark like a dog for me."
Stelle: "Don't agree, it's too childish. Feels like a trap."
But it was too late. Sushang turned and agreed.
"It's a deal!"
"Everyone heard that. I'll be waiting." Scott snapped his fingers at his lackeys.
"Hahaha, let's go!"
With the spectacle over, the onlookers slowly dispersed.
Soon after, Stelle and Bailu approached Sushang.
The Chamber Secretary thanked her earnestly. "Young lady, this bet offers you no benefit… we've dragged you into this."
Sushang: "No worries, no worries. His smug attitude ticked me off. I had to do something—I can't just stand by."
"We appreciate your kindness, but…"
Stelle shook her head. "Look at the mess you've gotten into."
Sushang gasped. "C-Calm down. Now that I think about it, losing would disgrace the Cloud Knights. But that guy's so arrogant—if he loses and barks like a dog, it'll be hilarious to see him humiliated."
"I'm Mingxi." Mingxi nodded to Stelle. "I'm the secretary of the Aurum Alley Chamber, though everyone calls me 'Little Secretary.' The dock issue was originally between the Chamber and the company. It shouldn't have involved you all."
Stelle put one hand on her hip, striking a frustrated pose. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have gotten involved."
Sushang, full of question marks: "I'm the one who made the bet with the company rep. You didn't even do anything…"
After some discussion, Stelle learned the Chamber indeed owed the company a lot of money.
The current issue was to increase revenue and cut costs, starting with organizing the cargo layout.
"I don't see how this saves much," Stelle said, puzzled.
Bailu had a sudden idea and dumped the task on Stelle. "It's better than doing nothing. Trailblazer, you seem good at problem-solving. Give it a shot."
"Where'd you diagnose that I've got a brain?"
Mingxi figured they might as well treat a dead horse as if it were alive.
Then, a QR code popped up on the video, linking to a mini-game tied to the interactive city's memory card, where players could earn new merchandise based on points and scores.
The screen noted that some time later, Stelle had successfully completed the task.
Stelle put her hands on her hips, looking smug. "Well, aren't you gonna praise me?"
Bailu sighed helplessly. "Fine, fine, good job. Your nose is practically touching the sky."
But a Chamber worker pointed out that logistics was still a major issue.
As the plot progressed, after resolving the logistics problem, Stelle was understandably put on the spot.
And,
the company was deeply involved, to the point where it wasn't an exaggeration to say they were pulling strings within the Chamber.
In the end, with input from "bet victim" Sushang and "spectator" Bailu, Stelle agreed to help the Chamber.
Unsurprisingly, both Sushang and Bailu hoped Stelle would lend a hand to Aurum Alley.
With no other choice,
Stelle looked solemnly at the sky. "When the heavens drop a trash can on someone or whatever, the greater the power, the greater the responsibility. None other than me, the Galactic Baseballer!"