"Ken, your uncle was only abroad for a few days—how come you've even resigned from the company?"
As soon as the call connected, a warm voice came through—it was Joe Ben.
As the second-largest shareholder of Weather Company, compared to Trump he was a well-known smiling tiger. Ken had experienced his maneuvering more than once.
"So it's Uncle Ben… We're not on the same path—it's better for both me and the company if I resign."
Ken said casually, waiting for what would come next.
This smiling tiger wasn't calling just to reminisce. If he were, he'd have called right after the resignation—not now.
"Ken, your uncle heard about it too—Old Trump was in the wrong. That Genshin project of yours, right? It's a good one."
"You're going out on your own now; must be hard, no? Judging by your game's promo style, you've spent quite a bit… How's your cash flow? Comfortable?"
"What your uncle means is, why not work with us? We won't take the lion's share—just put in some funding, you give us a cut. Consider it us helping you out."
Joe Ben laid out his prepared lines, unhurried.
Before calling, he'd looked into Ken's Star Dome Company.
Ken had taken a 20 million bank loan—sounds like a lot, but for game development it was nothing.
What Ken lacked most right now was money.
Otherwise, no matter how promising Genshin was, it would stall.
"How much is Uncle Ben planning to invest?" Ken asked.
"If we cooperate, Weather can put up 100 million. But since your company is developing the game, you only need to give us 40% of the revenue. If you need tech and marketing support, we'll provide it free," Joe Ben said quickly.
Ken raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Sensing momentum, Ben pressed on: "Of course—that's our sincerity. Business is about win-win. You should just let go of Old Trump's matter."
"That's a pretty good offer," Ken said.
Joe Ben: "Then this matter…"
"Quite good. I don't accept it," Ken said, blinking.
Joe Ben: "???"
If you won't accept, why BS this long with me?
Irate, Ben was about to say more when Ken hung up.
After ending the call, Ken washed up and headed to the company.
The whole team was burning the midnight oil; he couldn't slack off either. As for opening the shop in Mondstadt, they could source stock wholesale from a certain website.
...…
Mondstadt.
Back from Blue Star, Mona walked with light steps, following the address on the deed to the storefront.
The shop was on Mondstadt's main thoroughfare, right beside the Good Hunter, and close to the Adventurers' Guild as well.
"Didn't expect it to be this big…"
After finishing the paperwork, Mona received the keys.
Looking at the spacious, tidy interior, she couldn't help a small sigh.
The shop was divided into four zones, with shelves neatly arranged—she barely needed to lift a finger.
Following Ken's plan, Mona labeled the four sections:
[Compressed Biscuit Area], [Canned Goods Area], [Mineral Water Area], [Compressed Fruits and Vegetables Area].
Given the complexity of pricing, Ken didn't plan to sell too many varieties at first—just these four categories, with caravans and adventurers as the main customers.
Mona felt fully up to the task.
"Lady Megistus? This Prinzessin has long peered into that unknown domain, seeking to drag you from your prison, yet who would have thought that here in the City of Wind and Freedom, you'd be so leisurely at ease."
A sweet, proud voice drifted from the doorway.
Mona turned on instinct.
Standing at the entrance was a dainty girl; golden twin-tails like the first light of morning scattered to glittering strands, a purple swallowtail gauze skirt swaying lightly.
Her pale, shapely legs were wrapped in black lace garter stockings, with little black leather boots on her feet—she carried herself with elegant hauteur.
Most eye-catching of all was the eyepatch over her left eye, adding a touch of mystery.
It was the girl she'd met in Whispering Woods—
Fischl, an investigator with the Adventurers' Guild.
Hearing Fischl's slightly chuunibyou, cryptic phrasing, Mona frowned slightly.
After coming to Mondstadt, to cover daily expenses, Mona had occasionally helped the Adventurers' Guild with divinations—she met Fischl then.
The slightly chuunibyou girl often gave Mona headaches.
Many times, she honestly had no idea what Fischl was saying, relying entirely on the night raven Oz at Fischl's side to translate.
At this moment, Oz helpfully explained, "My lady means that she saw Miss Mona faint in the Whispering Woods and get drawn into a strange door. My lady investigated for quite some time but found no cause. To return to Mondstadt and see Miss Mona here—what a surprise."
"I see… That's because I was invited by Klee's father to visit Blue Star," Mona said truthfully.
Blue Star?
Fischl leaned forward slightly, a bit excited.
"Blue Star? Such a lovely, mysterious name… This Prinzessin has, in countless tomes, glimpsed a corner of that realm."
"My dearest friend, Lady Megistus, know that the Prinzessin der Verurteilung of the Immernachtreich bears a left eye that sees the cosmos' secrets… Fate shall carry you and me through the eternal stream of time, to share in the world's splendor."
Fischl walked up to Mona, dreamlike longing on her face.
She'd thought it was an Abyss Mage or hilichurls—but it turned out to be a world of legend.
By her side, Oz translated quickly, "Miss Mona, my lady means she read about Blue Star in books written by Lady Alice. If it's possible, she would like to go to Blue Star with you now and have a look."
"Uh…" Mona's mouth twitched, and she couldn't help taking two steps back.
If the boss saw the chuunibyou Fischl, what would his reaction be?
…
…