Back in Guinaifen's livestream, after her conversation with March 7th, she couldn't help but sigh.
Then, upon returning to her room, she found the door wide open—and someone had already made themselves at home inside!
"What the—?"
The moment she recognized the intruder, Guinaifen shouted angrily, "Aventurine! What the hell are you doing in my room?!"
"This is way too brazen!"
"You think just because you're an IPC bigshot, you can do whatever you want?"
Stepping inside, Aventurine casually greeted her as if nothing was wrong. "What a coincidence, we meet again."
[This is MY room. Why are you here?]
"Relax, I just came to share some good fortune. It's your room now, but half a system hour ago—it was mine."
"A lucky building, a lucky floor, a lucky room number... I went through great lengths to book such a prime spot. Consider it a gift. Treasure it, my friend."
[No matter the reason, get out.]
Aventurine's faint smile didn't waver. "Ah, now that's not very nice..."
"Penacony is the real deal—a land of dreams. How many across the galaxy would spend half their lives just for a ticket to the Reverie Hotel?"
"Think about it—what kind of people get to stay here? If it weren't for my maneuvering, do you think the Family would dare offend all those high-profile elites just to sneak an 'uninvited guest' like you in?"
Guinaifen shook her head.
"Tch, tch, tch..."
"Worst case, I'll just swap back to Dan Heng's room. Who needs your charity?"
"We Xianzhou have an old saying—'Are kings and nobles made of different blood?!'"
"Aventurine, if you're here to flaunt your power and schemes, you've messed up big time!"
"I won't bow to your authority!"
Playing the game, Guinaifen suddenly felt a surge of pride. She planted her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest!
...
"Damn right—'Are kings and nobles made of different blood?!' Xiao Guizi, you're my favorite streamer!"
"Sis Gui, my online voice!"
"Aventurine looks all dignified, yet pulls this kind of scummy move..."
"Bro's getting a little too eager, huh?"
"No offense, but aside from Topaz, the IPC's full of scumbags."
"You think a handful of credits can make the Galaxy Batteer submit? Nah! Gotta pay more."
Soon enough, Aventurine revealed his true intentions—
"Simply put, friend, I need your help. You might not realize it yet, but Penacony isn't as simple as it seems. The Family's eyes are everywhere. I'd rather not spell it out—you understand."
"My goal is straightforward: help the IPC reclaim what's rightfully ours. If you assist me, you'll be handsomely rewarded—along with the 'Preservation's' protection."
...
Hearing this, Guinaifen burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA—!"
"Sorry, but I've already caught the 'Preservation's' gaze."
"When this is over, we'll be dancing together in the OP!"
"Our Amber Lord has already acknowledged us!"
"Presents the Architect's Lance"
"Wait, what if Aventurine's 'Preservation's protection' just means the IPC's backing?"
"In a way, that's kinda tempting..."
"Imagine having both the Astral Express AND the IPC as your backers. Stelle would be unstoppable!"
"Assuming Aventurine's promises are legit. I feel like he's setting us up..."
...
In the Reverie Hotel's VIP section, Aventurine watched the story unfold with mild amusement, a faint smirk on his lips.
Seeing his actions from a third-person perspective was... oddly enlightening.
Now, he thought, having his schemes play out in-game wasn't so bad. It gave him an objective lens to reflect on himself.
A rare opportunity for self-assessment.
Beside him, Topaz shook her head.
"Your credibility is just abysmal..."
"Look at the comments."
"Nine out of ten are roasting you. The last one's a sarcastic troll."
"And it's not just regular players—I spotted a few IDs that scream 'IPC employee.'"
"Even your own colleagues are dragging you. You're beyond saving."
Aventurine glanced at the chat and sighed dramatically.
"Ah... I suppose I'll have to do more charity work from now on."
"But given my reputation, even if I donated my entire fortune, people would still suspect ulterior motives, wouldn't they?"
He pointed at his own face, mock-offended.
"Then what's the point? Might as well embrace the villain role fully."
Leaning back in his chair, Aventurine seemed to resign himself to his fate.
Once he accepted the "villain" label, the last traces of hesitation vanished.
"Such is the way of the world..."
"Fate was never fair to begin with."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly and returned to the story.
There, his in-game self—after showcasing his influence—began weaving honeyed words to sway Stelle.
"You're different from the rest. Special enough to flip the entire table. That 'power'... don't you want to wield it? Or... rid yourself of it? Make your name known across the cosmos?"
"That force everyone fears yet craves—it's right there, in the palm of your hand..."
"'Stellaron' girl, am I wrong?"
[I don't know what you're talking about.]
"Good acting. I like it."
"No need to answer now. Take your time. When the moment's right, I'll come to you."
"You can even consult your friends—or try to use me in return. I welcome it. That just proves your value."
"I never make bad investments. So, my dear 'friends'... don't disappoint me."
Aventurine nodded slightly.
Perfect.
This was exactly his style.
Just as he turned to leave, he paused and flashed a sly grin.
"Oh, one last thing before I go—let's play a little game. Simple: guess which hand holds the chip. Consider it an introduction—to my personality... and methods."
A coin flipped into the air—then vanished in an instant.
Instead, two clenched fists hovered before Stelle.
"Left or right? Ready—I'll reveal the answer."
"Ah, but I didn't ask for your pick. No matter..."
"Friend, the game's already begun."
With a cold smirk, Aventurine stepped closer.
One by one, he opened his hands.
Both were empty.
The coin was nowhere to be seen.
"Make a deal with me."
"You can't refuse..."
"No reason to..."
"No room to argue."
Stelle's eyes widened in shock.
The coin—somehow—had ended up in their own hand.
Just as Aventurine removed his sunglasses, like a serpent baring its fangs—
A voice cut in from the doorway.
"Hey."
"What are you two doing in my room?"
---
"Every move Aventurine makes oozes subtle intimidation."
"So scheming, so well-connected, so calculating!"
"Compared to him, Duke's a saint."
"This guy's dangerous—eliminate him!"
"He's nothing but a profit-driven swindler. Don't trust him!"
"SISTER Huangquan, SAVE ME!!"
To be continued…
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