"Mr. Chen Feng."
Chen Feng was just about to go out when he unexpectedly ran into someone.
"Miss Ningguang?"
Chen Feng scratched his head.
"Are you here to see Director Hu Tao?"
Hearing Chen Feng's words, Ningguang nodded.
"Yes, I have some business with Director Hu Tao."
"Director Hu Tao just went out to discuss business. She probably won't be back until this afternoon."
"Why don't you go back for now, Miss Ningguang? I'll tell the Director you came by when she returns."
Just as Chen Feng finished speaking, Ningguang slowly opened her mouth.
"Is that so?"
"It seems my timing wasn't very good."
Ningguang showed a hint of regret, but inwardly she was perfectly calm.
Of course she knew Hu Tao wasn't here; she had specifically chosen this time to meet with Chen Feng alone.
"But it doesn't matter. It's not a particularly important matter, and Mr. Chen Feng should be aware of it as well."
Pausing here, Ningguang looked at Chen Feng and spoke again.
"Mr. Chen Feng, have you heard the recent rumors in Liyue Harbor?"
Hearing this, Chen Feng's expression stiffened, and he immediately shook his head frantically.
"What rumors? I don't know anything! I haven't heard a thing!"
Seeing Chen Feng's forced composure, Ningguang smiled.
"Is that so? But I heard that Director Hu Tao seems to have a black notebook. If someone's name is written in it, they die shortly after."
"Rumors! They're all just rumors!"
"Heh heh, Miss Ningguang, you really know how to joke!"
"Director Hu Tao does have a black notebook, but it's just an ordinary one!"
"Miss Ningguang, who's spreading these rumors? Please tell us, and we'll be sure to send them an attorney's letter!"
Chen Feng spoke with a face full of indignation, as if he had been unjustly wronged.
Of course, Ningguang knew the rumors were exaggerated, but the main reason they spread was that these two were far too unrestrained.
Still, I trust that after this subtle reminder, those two will be a little more careful.
"It's fine. I didn't come to cause trouble for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor over this."
Ningguang shook her head, then continued.
"I'm just a little puzzled, and I was hoping Mr. Chen Feng could enlighten me."
"Miss Ningguang, please feel free to ask."
After all, Chen Feng had made a considerable amount of money from Ningguang, so he felt it would be rude to refuse a reasonable request.
"What I want to ask is..."
"Mr. Chen Feng, the death you foresaw... is it truly unchangeable?"
"Although there's a saying in Teyvat that everyone's fate is tied to the stars in the sky, when someone learns their destiny, there will always be those who refuse to accept it and try to change it."
After hearing Ningguang's words, Chen Feng's face grew thoughtful. After a moment, he looked up at her and spoke slowly.
"Miss Ningguang, I'm afraid I can't give you an answer to that question."
"To be honest, I don't fully understand this ability of mine either. It's like something I was born with, just as a person doesn't question why they can walk."
"But I can tell you this."
"So far, no matter what has happened, the aura of death I've seen on people has never changed in the slightest."
After hearing Chen Feng's words, Ningguang's expression became thoughtful.
Actually, the reason she asked this question was precisely because of what had happened before under Ganyu's protection: those people who were about to have accidents, but avoided them because they knew their death dates, all ultimately died from various other accidents.
Some of these accidents were caused by trivial things, like choking on water or getting food stuck in their throats while eating, and even emergency rescue efforts failed.
Several renowned doctors were summoned simultaneously, yet they were all powerless.
While individual accidents like these could happen, it was extremely abnormal for so many to occur at the same time.
Ningguang didn't actually believe in fate; otherwise, she wouldn't have harbored the ambition to shatter Liyue's previous god-ruled order.
However, recent events had forced her to confront this issue, making her feel as if everyone's life was predetermined.
"That's all I know."
Watching Ningguang's pensive expression, Chen Feng spoke with some embarrassment.
"It seems I wasn't very helpful."
"No, Mr. Chen Feng, your words have been very useful to me."
Ningguang took a deep breath, then looked at Chen Feng and spoke again.
"As a token of my gratitude, I will give you a gift."
"Ah, it was just a small thing. You're being too formal!"
Hearing there was a gift, Chen Feng's eyes instantly lit up.
"How about we skip the gift, and Miss Ningguang just gives me another autograph instead!"
"Is that so?"
"I was wondering what Mr. Chen Feng might like, so I prepared two million Mora as a thank-you gift. You can buy whatever you need with it."
"If Mr. Chen Feng finds that too troublesome, an autograph is also an option..."
"Not troublesome at all, not at all! I'll take the Mora!"
Chen Feng had initially thought the gift wouldn't be as valuable as an autograph, but upon hearing Ningguang offer two million Mora, who needed an autograph anymore!
However, Chen Feng suddenly realized the two million Mora might have a hidden meaning, and his expression turned awkward again. Still, his hand very honestly extended toward Ningguang.
Of course, Ningguang didn't mind. She had already conducted a detailed investigation into Chen Feng and knew of his love for money.
It seemed that the hardships he endured right after losing his memory had given him an extraordinary passion for Mora.
In fact, she was the one who had arranged for the high-priced purchase of his autograph earlier, considering it a favor that might prove useful in the future.
Anything that could be bought with money was trivial to Ningguang.
She wasn't interested in money; she had more than she could ever spend anyway.
Placing the prepared Mora into Chen Feng's hand, Ningguang spoke to him again.
"By the way, Mr. Chen Feng."
"I've heard you've recently come up with some very unique forms of entertainment. Have you considered promoting them throughout Liyue, or even across the Seven Nations?"
"This can make money too?!"
Chen Feng's eyes lit up.
"Of course it can. Please trust my judgment."
Ningguang said.
"And I can have someone handle the business side of things, so Mr. Chen Feng won't have to worry about it."
Hearing this, Chen Feng immediately agreed and enthusiastically invited Ningguang to sit inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Miss Ningguang, please come in and have a seat. I'll go get those things right away and then explain them to you in detail."
"Mm."
Ningguang nodded and followed Chen Feng into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Although this business could indeed make money, it wasn't significant enough to warrant Ningguang's full attention. The main reason for her interest was Chen Feng himself.
However, as Chen Feng, seemingly tempted by money, kept revealing new games, even Ningguang could no longer remain completely calm.
The knowledge Chen Feng possessed was remarkably comprehensive, covering various game genres, all of which were foreign to this world.
This made it even more likely that Chen Feng came from beyond this world, which in turn reduced the possibility of him belonging to that faction.
"Mr. Chen Feng, I recall you mentioned you have amnesia, correct?"
Hearing Ningguang's question, Chen Feng scratched his head and replied.
"I have indeed lost many memories, but I remember these things very clearly. I don't know the specific reason why."
After hearing Chen Feng's explanation, Ningguang's thoughts shifted. Deciding to test him, she selected some less important parts from recent difficulties she had handled, described them to Chen Feng, and then asked for his thoughts.
To Ningguang's surprise, after some thought, Chen Feng actually proposed a rather decent solution.
Instantly, Ningguang's gaze on Chen Feng filled with complex emotions, but she quickly suppressed the unusual look in her eyes.
Next, Ningguang discussed matters from other fields with Chen Feng. Most of the viewpoints he expressed were remarkably forward-thinking, giving Ningguang a sense of sudden enlightenment.
In many cases, the answer is separated by only a thin sheet of paper; once you pierce through it, the path becomes crystal clear.
Ningguang never imagined that Chen Feng was also a talent for governance. However, his identity was questionable, so she dared not employ him lightly. Moreover, she couldn't be sure if this was something Chen Feng was intentionally revealing to her.
After pondering for a long time, Ningguang asked Chen Feng about a problem that had troubled her for quite a while.
"Mr. Chen Feng, I wonder how much you know about the Northland Bank?"
After hearing Ningguang's words, Chen Feng shook his head.
Seeing this, Ningguang slowly began to speak.
"When merchants conduct international trade, the amount of Mora they need to carry is staggering."
"Transporting Mora is not only extremely dangerous but also very costly."
"The Ninth Fatui Harbinger, 'The Regrator' Pantalone, saw a business opportunity in this and founded the Northland Bank, leveraging the Fatui's immense power to establish its presence across the Seven Nations."
"Currently, the relationship between Liyue and Snezhnaya is not very good, yet I cannot expel the Northland Bank from Liyue. Doing so would shake the very foundation of Liyue's economy."
"Mr. Chen Feng, I wonder what your thoughts are on this matter?"
In truth, Liyue's situation hadn't been so perilous before. It was only after losing the Gnosis and the Golden House ceasing Mora production that Ningguang was forced to take this problem seriously.
Chen Feng lowered his head in thought for a moment, then spoke.
"If Mora is inconvenient to transport, you could introduce a new currency."
"However, a new currency needs to gain everyone's acceptance, and achieving that is not easy."
"To achieve this, it must have significant advantages over Mora, and it would also need simultaneous guarantees from multiple nations."
"If these conditions aren't met, this problem is nearly unsolvable through peaceful means in the near future."
Hearing Chen Feng's reply, Ningguang didn't feel disappointed; she had already anticipated this answer.
However, Chen Feng's ability to grasp the core of the problem so quickly still made her see him in a new light.
Ningguang rose to her feet.
"Well, it's getting late. I should be taking my leave."
"This conversation with Mr. Chen Feng has been very enlightening. I may come to trouble you again when I have the chance."
"I wonder if Mr. Chen Feng would be interested in working at the Yuehai Pavilion? I would offer a very satisfactory price."
As Ningguang finished speaking, Chen Feng's expression clearly showed interest, but after hesitating for a long time, he finally said:
"Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Ningguang, but I still feel more at ease being a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Hearing these words, Ningguang nodded.
Because she had only asked tentatively, she didn't try to persuade him further.
"Mr. Chen Feng resolved many of my doubts this time. I'll have the payment for this sent to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor later."
After saying this, Ningguang quickly left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Not long after Ningguang left, Hu Tao returned to the parlor, beaming.
"Consultant Chen Feng, This Director just closed five more deals!"
Hu Tao announced the good news as soon as she entered, only to see Chen Feng frantically stuffing a large pile of Mora from the table into a bag.
Seeing Chen Feng's nervous expression, Hu Tao huffed, pulled over a stool, and sat down.
"Consultant Chen Feng, why are you acting like you're guarding against a thief? Am I the kind of person who'd covet your little bit of money?"
As soon as Hu Tao finished speaking, she saw Chen Feng nodding vigorously, which only made her angrier.
Just as she was about to erupt, Hu Tao suddenly noticed that the bag Chen Feng was using for the Mora wasn't his usual one. This bag was much more exquisite and clearly expensive.
"Where did this money come from?"
"Miss Ningguang visited the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor today."
Chen Feng finally finished packing all the Mora, a relieved smile appearing on his face, and then he explained to Hu Tao.
"Ningguang was here?"
"It's not about the recent incidents again, is it?"
"But This Director has been trying to restrain myself lately!"
Hu Tao muttered under her breath, then suddenly realized the pile of Mora she'd seen earlier seemed quite large.
"Wait, why would Ningguang give you money?"
"Miss Ningguang asked me some questions, and this money is her gift of thanks."
"How much?"
Chen Feng held up two fingers again, and Hu Tao's jaw dropped.
"Sharing is caring! Give This Director a cut!"
"Director Hu Tao, you just said you weren't the kind of person who'd covet my money!"
"Didn't you just expose This Director's true colors?!"
Chen Feng: "..."
"How about I treat you to a meal instead?"
Hearing Chen Feng's words, Hu Tao instantly flew into a rage.
"You dare mention meals again!"
Just thinking about the numbers on that bill made Hu Tao feel like her heart was bleeding!
Hu Tao lunged at Chen Feng.
"Don't even think about dodging this time. Today, you must bleed some money!"
"Director Hu Tao, if you do this, you'll lose me!"
"Just so you know, Miss Ningguang invited me to work at Yuehai Pavilion today. But I remembered how well Director Hu Tao treats me, so I turned her down flat!"
Hu Tao tensed up at first, then breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Chen Feng had refused.
Good grief, everyone's trying to poach my talent. This is outrageous!
And they're doing it while I'm away, which is even worse!
Looks like I'll have to keep a closer eye on Chen Feng. I can't let him get secretly snatched away.
"Consultant Chen Feng, this Director will take you out for some delicious food!"
"Director Hu Tao is still the best to me!"