Just as Mo Li expected, when he and Hu Tao arrived at the work area, Fu Hua, Ganyu, and the others were already sitting in front of their computers, immersed in their tasks. Even Yae Miko, usually the laziest, was diligently working alongside the girls.
"Durandal, how many times have I told you? Work doesn't have to be this intense—you don't need to push yourself so hard."
Mo Li found a seat and sat down as he spoke.
"Good morning, boss~"
The girls looked up long enough to greet him, then buried themselves back into their work.
"I'm not really working… just tinkering with the new version of Save the Girl whenever I have spare time."
"Haven't finished yet? Want me to lend a hand?"
"No need, boss~" Durandal shook her head with a smile. "It's almost done anyway. By the time Honkai Impact 3rd's new version goes live, the new gameplay for Save the Girl should be ready too."
At that moment, Rita walked in wearing an apron, carrying the calm elegance she always radiated.
Seeing Mo Li, she smiled warmly: "So the boss is finally up~"
"Morning, Rita~"
"Breakfast is ready. Everyone should eat before working any further."
Hearing that, Mo Li stood up at once and headed to the dining room. Ever since the girls had moved into this building, meals had been handled by Rita and Mei, with Kamisato Ayaka occasionally helping out. Their cooking was exceptional, to the point that Mo Li, once just an occasional freeloader, found himself completely spoiled—ordinary food outside no longer tasted right. The girls didn't seem to mind his freeloading, so he shamelessly made it a daily routine.
In the dining room, Mei and Ayaka had already laid out breakfast, still tidying up the kitchen when Mo Li arrived. He greeted them, then started digging into the food. Soon, the rest of the girls joined in, with Kiana stumbling in half-asleep and insisting that Mei feed her. To everyone's surprise, Mei actually obliged, slipping her a few bites before Kiana, grinning from ear to ear, picked up her own chopsticks.
The lively teasing at the table only heightened the cheerful atmosphere, with Rita and Yae Miko joking at Mei and Kiana's expense.
After the meal, Mo Li helped clear the table, and both Mei and Rita came to assist him. Watching the two girls work so gently and attentively, Mo Li couldn't help but sigh:
"Tsk tsk… whoever marries you two must've saved the world in their past life."
"Oh? Boss, are you saying you want to marry both of us at once?" Rita teased with a sly smile.
Mo Li froze. "…That's not what I meant." But then he chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Though honestly, who wouldn't want to marry more than one if they could?"
Rita's laugh was soft, her eyes curving like crescent moons. "Greedy~ But perhaps that's just every man's true dream."
"More accurate to say—an unattainable dream," Mo Li quipped back.
Rita leaned closer, voice honeyed: "Then you'll have to work hard, boss. After all… you'd need to get past Kiana first."
Mo Li raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And not you?"
Rita smiled knowingly. "If you can win Mei away from Kiana, I'd surrender without a fight."
"Please. I don't even put Kiana in my sights," Mo Li said dismissively. "If I truly wanted to compete for Mei, she couldn't keep up with me."
"Then… you're saying you do have feelings for Mei?" Rita pressed.
At that, Mei, her face scarlet, finally couldn't bear it anymore. "Rita, boss… don't joke about me like that…"
Seeing her flustered expression, Mo Li and Rita exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
The banter continued until Mei fled in embarrassment, leaving Rita smirking in triumph. "See? She knows deep down you'd make a good match, boss. Handsome, capable, kind… I only told her the truth."
Mo Li sighed. "…Fine, you win this round."
Later, back in his office, Mo Li sat down to work on the upcoming Honkai Impact 3rd update PV. After debating whether to push Chapters 17 through 19, he decided to focus only on Chapter 17, since its ending conveniently teased Otto observing other worlds through the Imaginary Tree—including a glimpse of Genshin's Stormterror.
The perfect chance for a crossover.
He pulled up the official 4.1 trailer "Thunderous Fanfare" as a base, which showcased the new Herrscher of Thunder battlesuit, then edited in Keqing and Fischl with event footage, layering it with the track "Thundersoaring Rainfall."
It took the entire morning, but at last, the PV was finished. Just as he leaned back, Rita entered with coffee.
"Boss~ you've been locked up in here all morning. Trouble?"
"Nope. Just polishing the new PV." Mo Li took the coffee without hesitation, sipping it gratefully.
"Mind if I take a look?"
"Go ahead. Once you're done, help me post it."
Rita smiled, pulled the computer closer, and began uploading the video to Douyin, Bilibili, and Weibo before finally sitting back to enjoy the completed trailer.
Beside her, Mo Li launched the dev build of Honkai Impact 3rd, eager to test Keqing's skills in her crossover form—no longer the "tickle-damage" swordswoman of Genshin, but a dazzling thunder swordsage unleashing spectacular, high-damage combos.
As he grinned at the screen, Rita's gaze lingered on the seat Mo Li had vacated, her smile soft and thoughtful.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554