As a type of food, if no patent is applied for, the recipe doesn't need to be disclosed, and those confident in the complexity of their recipes rarely make them public.
Victor Wang hadn't looked into other cases, but he knew that the recipe for a certain cola was rumored to be locked in a safe at the company's headquarters—oh, and also the Krabby Patty secret formula that Plankton was always scheming to steal.
As for applying for a patent—trading disclosure for protection… in theory, it sounds nice. But if someone infringes in secret, who's going to enforce it? Within the country, management agencies can supervise, but what about internationally? In peacetime, cross-border patents might be respected, but in wartime?
Reality is… reality.
But…
"Since we've already talked this far, are you sure Ningguang said that after applying for a patent, she'll protect our rights?"
The ingredients for chewing gum and bubblegum were just too simple. With so many people in the world, there were bound to be bad actors—especially among profit-driven merchants… but if Ningguang could guarantee it, then maybe applying for a patent would be better.
"This contract—please take a look." The young man pulled a document from a thick stack and slid it over to Victor Wang and Xiangling.
Opening it, they found it was exactly a contract stating Ningguang's promise to guarantee the patent rights for chewing gum and bubblegum, even stamped with the Tianquan Star seal.
"What exactly is Ningguang… planning?" Politics and business were both industries known for shrewdness and deep strategy—a neutral, objective observation. Ningguang occupied both, and with Xiangling's straightforward mind, she couldn't guess her intentions at all.
The young man hesitated before saying, "To be honest, Lady Ningguang wishes to collaborate with you two. But the foundation of cooperation is for you to first secure the patent."
Victor Wang also hadn't guessed this. "...I thought it was her showing favor to Wanmin Restaurant, or a reward to Xiangling for standing up to the Fatui yesterday."
Xiangling's confusion deepened. "Showing favor to Wanmin Restaurant? What do you mean?"
Victor Wang didn't answer. The young man across from them just smiled without speaking, clearly aware that Ningguang had funded Wanmin Restaurant before, and with the authority to act as her personal secretary on patent matters—his status was clearly not low.
"What's your name?"
"I am Qi Xiuming. Just call me Xiuming."
"You're not just an ordinary staff member."
Qi Xiuming nodded, then shook his head. "Everyone at the Ministry of Civil Affairs serves the people—there's no such thing as 'ordinary' or not. But my position is indeed a bit special. I am Tianquan Star's proxy in the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
"Proxy?"
"The Ministry of Civil Affairs handles and processes many grassroots affairs. Yuehai Pavilion handles important matters and is where the Qixing work daily and make decisions. But sometimes the Ministry has small matters that still require a Qixing's oversight. To avoid wasting time traveling back and forth, a proxy is appointed here.
"This isn't usually worth mentioning, but I hope you can feel our sincerity again—if Lady Ningguang weren't busy dealing with Childe, and Master Baixiao hadn't failed to find Mr. Wang, this matter would never have fallen to me."
"So please, give more thought to applying for the patent."
This man's politeness was almost over the top—so much so that it felt a little insincere. Still, Victor Wang no longer had doubts about applying for the patent. He exchanged a glance with Xiangling, silently asking for her opinion.
"Don't worry about me. Whether or not to reveal the recipe is entirely up to you."
"Then let's apply. Let's see the contract."
Decision made, Victor Wang watched as Qi Xiuming carefully aligned the stack of contracts and pushed them across the table. In the elegantly decorated reception room, only the sound of rustling paper remained.
Though Victor Wang had never applied for a patent on Earth, this contract was more or less what he had imagined. Only three points were noteworthy:
There's no limit to the number of patent inventors. Once a patent is granted, anyone wishing to use the recipe and process commercially must first obtain authorization from the patent holders, or it is considered infringement. The patent, like book copyrights, is protected across all of Teyvat—at least according to the contract.
"Looks like there's no need to file separately. We can just sign together and share the patent."
"Mm."
After Victor Wang and Xiangling had signed their names a dozen times and written down the ingredients and process, Qi Xiuming nodded. "I'll just need both of your IDs."
Taking Victor Wang's brand-new Liyue ID, Qi Xiuming glanced at the photo, then looked up at Victor Wang. The photo matched perfectly… but still…
"Please wait here for a few minutes. I'll finish the last step."
Qi Xiuming left, ID in hand, first confirming with the relevant department.
"Yuheng's special approval? No problem—just making sure it's real."
Looking closer, the home address was even Yuheng's residence… interesting.
A few minutes later, he returned with a patent certificate and an authorization contract.
"According to patent law, once a patent is granted, no one may use it without authorization—including the patent holder. I hope you don't think I'm overstepping."
"Not at all—it's just that the process is a bit too complicated…" Xiangling muttered, flipping through the authorization contract.
"The more complicated it is, the more complete the law."
"You really know how to talk."
"Thank you—I'll take that as a compliment."
"...Signed."
"Good. Wanmin Restaurant now has authorization for chewing gum and bubblegum, so you can sell them with peace of mind."
"That's all for today, right?"
"That's all for today. Tomorrow, will you both be free? Lady Ningguang may invite you to discuss cooperation."
"Again? No way—so long as Wanmin has the authorization, I'm satisfied. I'm not interested in cooperation—leave it all to Victor."
Qi Xiuming turned to Victor Wang. "And you, Mr. Wang?"
"Can I refuse to cooperate with Ningguang?"
"Of course—it's your right."
"...You're not even going to try persuading me?"
"If you've already made up your mind, persuasion won't matter—and it could backfire. But since you asked, I can briefly explain the benefits of cooperation and the drawbacks of refusal.
"The benefit of working with Lady Ningguang is guaranteed wealth and a favorable connection. The drawback of refusing? Oh—there's none for you. I'll just end up getting scolded by Master Baixiao."
This wasn't Noble Qi Xiuming—this was Sly Qi Xiuming!
Victor Wang probed, "Then I'd actually like to see Baixiao scold you. Think I could watch?"
Qi Xiuming gave a wry smile. "Please don't tease me."
"Just kidding. I've heard people pay huge sums to bid for a meeting with Ningguang, and now that the Tianquan Star is inviting me herself, how could I possibly refuse?"
Qi Xiuming nodded. "Then tomorrow, someone from Yuehai Pavilion will come find you—according to your ID address, is that fine?"
"...No, I'm currently staying at Wangshu Inn. If not there, then I'll be at Wanmin."
"Understood. Safe travels."
…
The next afternoon.
Led by Baiwen, Victor Wang arrived at Yuehai Pavilion.
Ningguang studied him carefully. "You're younger than I expected. Please, sit."
This was Ningguang's personal office in Yuehai Pavilion. If the Jade Chamber hadn't been destroyed, they'd be meeting there instead. Though this place was grand, Victor Wang still found it a bit of a shame.
"Has anyone told you why I invited you?"
"Something about cooperation on chewing gum and bubblegum, more or less."
"Mm." Ningguang rested her elbows on the desk, fingers interlaced just below her nose, and observed him in silence for a dozen seconds before speaking again. "Since you're here, I take it you're willing to work with me?"
Being stared at so directly by such an elegant woman, Victor Wang felt a bit awkward and gave a mechanical nod.
"My plan is to secure exclusive rights to chewing gum and bubblegum outside of Wanmin Restaurant. Meaning you cannot grant this patent to any other organization. Can you accept that?"
"So, when you said you'd protect our rights after publicizing the recipe… it was actually because it benefits you?"
"You could think of it that way. Once I hold exclusive rights, any infringing organization becomes my enemy—and I'll have every reason to deal with them without holding back."
"You never considered that I might refuse to cooperate?"
"That guarantee was my way of showing sincerity first. Without investment, there's no return. If you refuse, I'll just consider it a sunk cost—investment always carries risk."
"I thought Tianquan Star would be more aggressive in business… didn't expect you'd try to win me over with sincerity…"
"Cooperation is cooperation—if one party isn't sincere, it can't be called that. I've always been accommodating to my partners… as long as proper methods still work, I have no problem following the rules."
"...As long as proper methods still work?"
Ningguang smiled faintly and changed the subject. "The most important part of cooperation is profit-sharing—that's what we should be discussing today. I'll be direct: for chewing gum and bubblegum patent royalties, I'm willing to give you ten percent of my net profit."
Even now, her crimson eyes were studying Victor Wang, missing none of his expressions or subtle gestures.
"I don't know if ten percent is much or little, but you seem to value chewing gum and bubblegum highly."
Bubblegum really was impressive—but in a different sense. In all the novels Victor Wang had read, no transmigrator had ever invented this…
"Heh." Ningguang chuckled. "I'm curious—how do you, as their inventor, view them?"
"Compared to other candies, the texture is quite different. Sugar-free, so you don't need to worry about gaining weight. Freshens breath. Relieves stress when nervous—that's chewing gum.
"Bubblegum also has the unique feature of blowing bubbles—which, as far as I know, is unique in Teyvat."
Victor Wang listed the advantages, but Ningguang seemed unsatisfied.
"You're right, but you left something out—what I see is a business opportunity."
She explained unhurriedly:
"First, the basics: as I predicted, the raw materials are simple.
"Slimes—countless are slain daily by adventurers. Most of their slime condensate just gathers dust in alchemists' storerooms. Fruits and vegetables go without saying. Of all the materials and processes, the most expensive is paying the alchemist.
"Most importantly, the uniqueness of chewing gum and bubblegum.
"Chewing gum is small, yet its flavor lasts long. Given the low cost of ingredients, the price will naturally be low—like Xiangling's one hundred Mora per piece, which is perfect.
"Children in school can buy it. Dockworkers can buy it. Ladies before a banquet can buy it. Adventurers on commissions can buy it.
"Sugar-free, vivid flavor, a unique chewing experience, a texture that doesn't dissolve in the mouth, and a low price—together, these create the most important uniqueness: it won't just be food, but a pastime.
"Don't you think chewing gum and tobacco are similar?"
"A pastime…"
Chewing gum and bubblegum were never meant to be filling foods… that misconception was all Xiangling's doing. As expected of Ningguang—she had perfectly deduced their original market position.