"Done~"
Mo Li stretched lazily after finishing up the promotional video for Genshin Impact.
"Time to go check on Mei's dubbing progress."
In Chapter 17, the story was almost entirely focused on Mei and Kiana.
Which meant that while the other girls were happily exploring the world of Teyvat, only Mei was working hard.
Mo Li poured a glass of water and quietly headed toward the recording studio.
But when he walked in and saw Mei crying her eyes out, he couldn't help but sigh.
Whether in real life or in the game, Kiana and Mei's bond ran deep.
And Chapter 17 just happened to stab right at their relationship.
Mei was a sensitive girl—how could she not cry after reading such a heartbreaking script?
Originally, Mo Li hadn't wanted Mei to voice this chapter.
But that girl could be stubborn when it came to work…
"Now you're crying, huh…"
He shook his head and pushed open the studio door.
"Mei, why don't you take a break and have some water?"
The sudden voice pulled Mei out of the script.
She wiped away her tears and whispered, "Thank you, boss… but it's fine. My emotions are just right now, it won't affect the recording."
Her eyes were red, brows faintly knitted. That delicate face carried an air of pitiful fragility.
Mo Li ignored her protest and shoved the glass into her hands, then firmly switched off the recording equipment.
Seeing this, Mei murmured weakly, "Boss… I worked so hard to build up this mood…"
"Not easy, huh?" Mo Li rolled his eyes, handing her tissues while teasing, "Look at you, pitiful as can be…"
"If Kiana saw you like this, she'd probably jump at me and bite me again."
"D-Do I really look like that…" Mei quickly set down the glass and used her phone as a mirror.
When she saw her tear-streaked face, a blush spread across her cheeks.
She'd hardly recorded any lines at all—just reading the script had already made her cry.
"Alright, tidy yourself up. Let Kiana relax with you for a while."
Mo Li gently added while shutting down the equipment: "There's no rush with the dubbing, we've got plenty of time."
"Thank you… boss, but… don't turn the equipment off." Mei's expression suddenly turned serious.
"I'll just rest here for a moment. That way I can slip back into the mood quickly and finish Chapter 17's dubbing sooner."
"Boss, don't underestimate me. We really can make a game ourselves!"
Mo Li was momentarily taken aback by her seriousness.
But thinking it over, she wasn't wrong.
In a way, these girls were more capable than him.
At the very least, they were able to manage and operate a game on their own.
"Alright then… but don't get too caught up. It'll only hurt your mood."
Mei: "…"
"You're still underestimating me…"
Mo Li shrugged. "Can't help it. You look so soft and gentle all the time—it makes people want to bully you."
"Am I really that bad… I think Ganyu is way softer than me."
Mo Li pondered, then remarked, "Ganyu has the kind of look that makes people reluctant to bully her.
But you, Mei… you look like someone people want to bully. Maybe that's why Kiana always has 'protect Mei' on her lips."
Mei blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly.
"Kiana, huh… I've always felt that I'm the one protecting her."
"Mm… maybe you two are complementary." Mo Li chuckled. "You look easy to bully but are clever, while Kiana looks… not so clever, and just punches whoever she doesn't like.
"If she keeps it up, she might even get scammed and thank the scammer afterward."
Mei laughed softly. "She's actually the youngest of us… but she's always yelling about protecting this or that."
"But boss, you're wrong about one thing—Kiana is smart. She just doesn't like using her brain."
Mo Li thought about it. That was true.
The only reason she always acted silly was because Mei—or one of the other older sisters—was around.
In short, she was just too lazy to think.
"I never noticed before. I only remember her bites really hurt…"
Hearing this complaint, Mei couldn't hold back a giggle. Then she glanced apologetically at Mo Li.
"Sorry, boss… Kiana's just reckless like that."
Mo Li waved it off with a smile. "Which is why you shouldn't cry. The moment you do, she'll think I bullied you."
"And when she can't win, she just bites."
Mei knew he was joking, so she just nodded with a smile.
Seeing Mei's spirits lift, Mo Li was about to leave when she pulled out her phone and grinned.
"Boss, help me farm Cryo Regisvine a few times~"
Mo Li considered it. He wasn't busy right now anyway.
"Log in!"
Once he and Mei logged in, the other girls who were already online saw it immediately.
Requests to join their world popped up one after another.
Mei tapped twice at random.
Bronya and Ganyu joined.
Bronya: "Mei, weren't you dubbing?"
Mei: "Taking a break."
Ganyu: "Boss is here too?!"
Mo Li: "Mei's too much of a noob, couldn't beat the Cryo Regisvine. So she called me in."
Mei instantly glared at him. "Boss… I just haven't played long enough, that's all…"
Mo Li was about to retort when suddenly the recording studio door slammed open.
"Mei!!"
Kiana's shout carried a strange hint of grief and anger.
"Boss, you're too evil! Trying to steal my Mei?!"
She puffed her cheeks in indignation and dove straight into Mei's arms.
"Mei, did the boss trick you? Why didn't you let me into your world~"
Mei sighed helplessly, exchanging a look with Mo Li before answering indulgently:
"No… I just randomly tapped twice."
"See~" Mo Li smirked at Kiana. "Not my fault. Your hands were just too slow."
"Impossible!" Kiana protested. "The moment Mei logged in I sent my request! I even left a chest half-unlocked!"
Mo Li widened his eyes in mock amazement. "Oh ho~ incredible! Kiana actually managed to solve a puzzle?!"
"Hmph~ just a tiny lit—" Halfway through, Kiana realized he was mocking her intelligence.
Unforgivable!
"You… What do you mean? Are you calling me stupid?!" She lunged at Mo Li.
Mei, holding back laughter, quickly pulled her back.
"Alright, Kiana, boss was only joking with you~"
"Hmph, jokes like that aren't funny!" she grumbled, then snuggled against Mei.
"Mei, I really am smart, right~"
Mei nodded. "Mm… when everyone calls you dumb, they're just teasing. Boss too."
"Really?" Kiana looked at Mo Li suspiciously.
He only smiled in silence.
Sometimes teasing Kiana was just too fun—she never actually got mad.
"Think about it. In the game's story, you might look silly early on, but later you grow more and more mature, don't you?" Mei added.
"Isn't that boss acknowledging you?"
Kiana's eyes lit up. Her mood instantly soared.
In a way, Mei was praising her.
And… maybe she really had earned the boss's recognition.
"In that case, I'll forgive you this time~" Kiana announced proudly, turning her attention back to the game.
"Mei, kick boss out and let me in!"
Mei: "…"
Before she could respond, Mo Li laughed.
"Fine, fine. If I don't hand Mei back, you'll probably jump up and bite me again."
At that, even Kiana's thick skin flushed red.
"I-I don't bite people…"
"Alright, you two play. I'll go pick up Eden—she should be arriving soon."
With that, Mo Li left the recording studio and dialed Eden's number.
"Miss Eden, are you free now?"
Her voice quickly came through the receiver.
"Mm, with the address you gave me… I should be there in about two minutes."
"Great, I'll come out to meet you."
….
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