"Congratulations, Host, for completing the ordeal event—Reversing Rosalyne's Fate of Burning to Ashes. You have been awarded 3200 Ordeal Points."
Hearing the system's voice, Yide couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. He had originally intended the transfer of Rosalyne's soul merely as a validation experiment and hadn't expected to receive Ordeal Points for it.
In high spirits, Yide asked Rosalyne with a smile, "Rosalyne, what are your plans for the future? Now that you're no longer the Crimson Witch, you hold no value for the Fatui."
Rosalyne's face showed hesitation. After a period of inner conflict and struggle, she finally made a decision. "I had originally planned to return to Mondstadt to sing, letting the wind carry my songs over the land that fool Rostam protected with his life. But now, I want to start my new life in Port Fudé."
After hearing her words, Yide pondered for a moment and said, "That's a wise choice." He paused, then suggested, "Why don't you work for the Furina Foundation? The benefits and compensation are excellent, much better than what you had with the Fatui."
Rosalyne let out a light laugh and retorted with a hint of playfulness, "Working for you or for the Fatui, is there really a difference?"
Yide looked at her and said seriously, "There is a fundamental difference."
A trace of disdain showed in Rosalyne's eyes. "What difference could there be? It's all just the strong making the weak submit."
Yide didn't directly refute her words but said, "Go take a look at the Port Fudé orphanage. There, you will see the real difference between us and the Fatui."
"An orphanage?" Rosalyne was taken aback for a moment, then a sarcastic smile touched her lips. "Are you trying to show off the so-called charity of your West Factory?"
Yide's expression remained unchanged, his tone calm. "You'll understand when you see it for yourself."
Rosalyne snorted and replied, "I'll go see it."
Afterward, the two chatted for a little while longer before Rosalyne took her leave. The moment she stepped out of the apartment, the golden sunlight of the early summer morning gently fell upon her face, as if plating the new chapter of her life with a warm glow. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling the joy and anticipation of this new beginning.
She strolled leisurely down the street, fully enjoying the picturesque scenery of Port Fudé. The more she admired it, the stronger her desire to settle down in the port city became.
However, she soon realized a practical problem: the vast majority of her assets were still in Snezhnaya, and the bank card she carried had been destroyed. Was she really going to have to work for Yide?
Just as Rosalyne was lost in thought, she found she had unconsciously walked up to a warm-toned building. A sign hanging by the door read "Port Fudé Orphanage."
She involuntarily stepped into the courtyard, and the scene before her left her utterly shocked. She had originally thought the orphanage here would be much like the House of the Hearth, with children growing up healthy and happy. But what Rosalyne saw was completely different from her expectations.
Most of the orphans here were children with disabilities or serious illnesses. At this moment, they were gathered on a patch of ground gently illuminated by the morning sun, surrounded by caregivers, listening intently as a cat-eared girl told the story of how the Director of the West Factory subdued the Stormterror, Dvalin.
Quietly watching this group of orphans listening so earnestly, Rosalyne seemed to understand the fundamental difference between the West Factory and the Fatui.
...
Several days later, at Liyue Harbor's Yuehai Pavilion.
Ningguang and Yide sat opposite each other at a table, beginning their negotiations regarding Tartaglia.
Ningguang's brows were furrowed in displeasure. "A Class-A war criminal like Tartaglia, who dared to unleash a demon god, should be severely punished. Letting him rot in jail for the rest of his life wouldn't be excessive."
Yide, however, wore a smile and replied calmly, "Lady Ningguang, we both know that fool Tartaglia was manipulated. Besides, you were aware of his actions beforehand."
Ningguang snorted. "Even so, that doesn't change the fact that he is a Class-A war criminal."
Yide didn't argue with her further. "The Fatui are now willing to pay one hundred million Mora in compensation in hopes of ransoming Tartaglia back."
"One hundred million Mora?" A sarcastic smile played on Ningguang's lips. "They are quite generous. However, we in Liyue are not short on money!"
Though she said this, she immediately followed with, "However, for your sake, I will agree to this compensation."
Yide smiled at her words, but couldn't help but marvel at Ningguang's shrewdness and skill. Tartaglia had been captured by the West Factory as a favor to Liyue in the first place, yet Ningguang had cleverly turned it around and done Yide a favor in return.
Afterward, Ningguang's expression turned serious as she shifted the topic to another matter that truly concerned her. "Director Yide, the massive influx of Fontainian goods has already had a huge impact on Liyue's own industrial system. Many factories are on the verge of bankruptcy. Therefore..."
"Therefore, you wish to raise tariffs to buy some breathing room for your local factories, correct?" Yide finished her thought for her.
Ningguang said in a grave tone, "The successive collapse of local factories will lead to mass unemployment, pushing countless workers into hardship. Although the Morax Foundation is currently providing aid, such assistance cannot last forever."
Yide thought for a moment, then gently shook his head. "If this were eight years ago, I would support your proposal. But now, I cannot agree."
Ningguang urgently pressed, "Why?"
Yide replied calmly, "Because Fontaine's science and technology are developing at a rapid pace. If Liyue remains in its comfort zone, the gap between our two nations will only continue to widen."