"This is One Lakh mora."
Aether didn't waste words, directly handing over a pouch.
In his view, this mysterious Boss Han had seen through his disguise instantly.
So, of course, he must also know his relationship with Lumine.
Hmph!
Since you dare covet my sister,
then I'll make sure to squeeze some benefits out of you later.
As her big brother, that's not too much to ask, right?
"Why does he look a little too calm?"
Han Feng tilted his head, puzzled as he watched Aether's retreating back.
If he knew what Aether was thinking, he'd definitely be speechless.
Brother-in-law, don't overthink it.
As long as you've got mora, rewards are plenty.
No mora? Then too bad.
Even Lumine has to pay for her manga.
At most, I can treat you to a meal…
After Ningguang and her group had chosen their books, there were only five manga left on the shelf.
"So the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon came from Yu-Gi-Oh!? Then I'll take this one."
Spotting the title, Aether didn't hesitate.
He picked it up and found a quiet seat.
The more he read, the stranger his expression grew.
From what the manga described, characters could summon virtual monsters using cards— such as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the Dark Magician.
And this Blue-Eyes White Dragon was almost identical to the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon his minions had described.
"So… could it be that someone actually got a monster card from here, and then summoned that Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon?"
The thought made his face twist.
Good grief.
So all that effort gathering intel was worthless?!
The dragon was just a virtual summon?!
He'd come all this way for nothing?!
And to make it worse, he could only read one manga a day.
If he wanted a different reward, he'd have to wait until tomorrow.
"…Not necessarily. Maybe someone just got lucky and really pulled a monster card."
Aether comforted himself.
Though he felt the odds weren't great, what else could he do now?
He had to finish it.
Otherwise, his money would be wasted.
"Hmph. You'd better pray I don't pull a Duel Disk.
If I do, you'll regret it."
He snorted coldly.
(Somewhere nearby, a certain Abyss Mage was trembling:
Rewards are random, Your Highness, I swear it has nothing to do with me!)
"Perfect. That makes ten customers.
Now I can draw a new manga."
Watching Aether sit down, Han Feng smiled.
His brother-in-law really was a good guy— even showing up right when he needed one more customer.
Just as he was preparing to start the draw, Jean entered, her face full of astonishment.
"Boss Han, this… this transformation is unbelievable!"
Looking around the manga store, she was stunned.
Last night, she had formally gifted the surrounding land to Han Feng.
She'd planned to send people over today to help.
But in a single night, Boss Han had completed an upgrade all on his own.
The shop was larger, more elegant, and even had little figures resembling the manga characters.
Jean was completely floored.
As expected of Boss Han's handiwork!
"This is all thanks to your gift."
Han Feng smiled.
Of course, with or without Jean's gift, the result would have been the same.
But courtesy demanded thanks.
"N-no, it's nothing.
Just a token of Mondstadt's gratitude."
Jean stammered, her mind flashing back to Lisa's teasing about "dowries."
"By the way, you came alone today?"
Han Feng asked curiously.
Normally, Jean arrived with Lisa, Barbara, or Lumine.
This was the first time she'd come by herself.
"Yes. They're all busy with their rewards."
Jean sighed helplessly.
After finishing her own work, she had wanted to meet up with them— but everyone was preoccupied.
Lisa was absorbed in studying APTX4869,
claiming it could change not only Mondstadt's, but the entire continent's future once cracked.
Barbara had taken little Snow out to forage herbs early in the morning.
Knowing her strength now, Jean wasn't worried.
As for little Klee… she had run off with a God Card to "play."
Hopefully she wasn't blowing up fish or setting fire to hills…
Han Feng's brows arched with interest.
If Lisa really succeeded in recreating APTX4869, it could indeed alter Teyvat's future.
After all, the majority here were ordinary mortals.
A rejuvenation drug would have immense significance.
As for Klee— wait, she wouldn't actually be riding the Winged Dragon of Ra to bomb fish, right?
Had she really taken his joking words seriously?
Well, as long as she didn't get caught… if she did, she'd be locked up for sure.
Jean shook her head and handed over mora, then headed to the shelves.
Spotting Detective Conan, she immediately picked it up.
Seeing how invested Lisa was in studying it,
Jean had grown curious as well.
"Captain Jean, there's a quiet reading area and a discussion area now.
Allow me to show you."
Noelle offered respectfully.
Though no longer the maid of the Knights of Favonius, Jean was still her idol— a woman she deeply admired.
Jean's gaze softened.
She knew this girl well— dreaming of knighthood, studying knightly etiquette despite failing the entrance exams, always eager to help others.
Jean had always liked her.
But, as Venti once warned, Noelle's selfless nature often put her in danger.
She and Lisa had always worried for her.
Now, working under Boss Han, this was surely Noelle's turning point.
Her future would be brighter here.
"Work hard, Noelle.
Don't let Boss Han down.
Now, please, lead me to the quiet area."
Jean encouraged with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Captain Jean!"
Noelle answered excitedly.
Her heart swelled with motivation.
This was a blessing and a charge from her idol.
She quickly led Jean toward the reading area.
As Han Feng watched his store fill up, his expression turned complicated.
The Knights of Favonius of Mondstadt…
Ningguang and the Qixing of Liyue… and now the Abyss Prince himself…
In less than ten people, three major powers had gathered.
If a Fatui agent walked in next— tsk, they could all sit down for a game of mahjong!
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