The live audience was a bit speechless. Though they were swearing under their breath, no one actually did anything to the lucky player.
Everyone there played Genshin; a couple of trash-talk lines to have some fun is fine. No one's really going to charge up to the guy and cuss him out to his face. That'd be too much.
Not only did the players feel awkward—Ken himself didn't expect that question either.
Because that kind of line usually shows up in fan-made meme content. Who'd have thought someone would actually bring it up for real during a con Q&A?
Ken sat on the sofa with gentlemanly poise and teased, "Thanks for supporting Genshin, but my household isn't short on cleaning staff right now. If we ever are in the future, I'll contact you."
This kind of interview is purely for entertainment, so Ken naturally wouldn't answer dead-serious.
After all, the player was just playing along with the meme.
What, did he really want to come sweep Ken's house?
"I can clean the toilets too!" the lucky guy yelled into the mic.
He was indeed leaning into the bit—but if he really had a chance to sweep floors at Ken's place, he wouldn't refuse. Eyes full, worth it.
Sadly, that beautiful fantasy was ruthlessly crushed by Ken.
Before the guy could keep pushing, staff took the mic away—also standard Q&A protocol.
If everyone asked a dozen questions apiece, there wouldn't be time.
And who dares waste the boss's time? Getting through two rounds is already pretty good.
The round ended and the host quickly picked the next lucky audience member. With the spotlights doing a random selection, the host busied himself: "Congrats to the audience member standing in the back! He's cosplaying Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. What would you like to ask? Questions about Genshin are fine too—I'm sure Mr. Ken won't mind some spoilers, right?"
In settings like this, the host worries someone might really ask something over the line, making it hard to wrap up. So he gave a nudge: ask about Genshin, some spoiler's okay—just don't make it too awkward.
As the host's voice faded, the big screen pulled up the guy in the back.
A proper fan, he was dressed as Barbatos. Compared to the socially anxious player earlier, this dude was extremely social. Seeing himself on the big screen, he waved enthusiastically to the camera.
Everyone else looked on expectantly, hoping Bro wouldn't ask useless stuff like the last guy. Best to ask something constructive.
Like the identities of those top-tier cosers, or their Twitter, etc. Even questions about the next Genshin patch events would be great.
Most importantly—don't be a Ken bootlicker.
Yet somehow, the moment he got the mic, the dude blurted, "Mr. Ken, give it to me straight—what do I need to do to become your son-in-law!"
Damn!
The hall erupted.
"What's with this guy? You ask that? Isn't that a freebie for Mr. Ken? You could at least flame him!"
"I already know how Ken'll answer: 'No chance, forget it.'"
"Could you pass your question to someone who needs it? Ask Mona's Twitter for me? She didn't come, but I'm her fan!"
"That's my classmate. I didn't think he'd ask that. I swear I'm decking him on the way back!"
"…"
Sure, everyone jokes about the meme—but meme is meme; it's not happening.
Never mind Klee being so little—even if she were an adult, it wouldn't be any of us. Everyone knows the score. This kind of question is meaningless.
Better to use the chance to ask for other cosers' contacts, or info about the next version's events. That'd be tasty!
Even his buddy's fist was clenching… What a waste of a question slot.
But the guy didn't think anything of it. He eagerly awaited Ken's answer.
On the big screen, Ken smiled slightly on the sofa. "Spend more time eating well. Don't have meaningless dreams."
That unsurprising line came from the speakers and drew a collective sigh.
What a wasted question.
But while everyone was speechless, the speakers suddenly crackled with a series of kissy "mwah mwah mwah" sounds.
Then the big screen cut to the Barbatos coser, who was crazily smooching the mic, going "mwah mwah mwah" repeatedly.
"If I can't be your son-in-law, I can be your man. Mr. Ken, I go both ways—how about considering me? Mwah mwah mwah!"
He finished with a wink at the camera.
The sudden shamelessness stunned the hall into silence.
They'd imagined countless kinds of questions, but not this.
Pulling this stunt at a con?
Can't be your son-in-law, so be your husband?
Dude must've been drinking!
After a brief silence, many grimaced and twitched at the corners of their mouths.
"Bro, are you okay? I'm gonna hurl! You into that kind of pervy stuff?"
"If I knew you were into this, I wouldn't have come with you. I kept dreaming someone kissed me last time—don't tell me it was you having a fit in the dorm!"
"Alright then, worthy of a deranged player. If you can't be Klee's hubby, you'll be her step-mom. You lot are unbelievable."
"Dude… you dare fight Alice for a man!"
"…"
It wasn't just the audience roasting him—the security guards had twitching mouths too.
Some players really are into freaky stuff. A perfectly good Q&A turned into this. Seeing the guy flirt on the big screen, a guard uncle promptly snatched the mic back.
They'd done con security for years—seen people go feral at female cosers, and at male cosers—but never at the boss himself.
Damn!
The mic was covered in the guy's spit. Damn sin!
…
On stage, Ken's mouth twitched. Seriously… with this many players, there are bound to be a few not quite right. You can't guard against this stuff.
Just like celebrity events in his past life—there's always a weirdo making a scene.
Lumine, Klee, and Yaoyao also looked complicated… Wow. Didn't expect such a crazy fan.
Truly eye-opening.
"Ahem." Ken cleared his throat and signaled the host.
The host got it immediately. "Due to time constraints, that concludes our Q&A. Thanks for coming to the Genshin expo—we'll see you at the afternoon events!"
As his voice fell, Ken said a quick goodbye, scooped up Klee, took Lumine by the hand, and left.
These people were too unhinged.
Couldn't take it!
But when the players saw Ken carrying Klee and holding Lumine's hand, with Lumine holding Yaoyao's, they got a little sour.
Some even thought they had to find a way to contact Alice and have her rein Ken in.
Amid the crowd's grumbling, Ken and the girls hurried backstage.
…
Backstage.
"Hahahahaha…"
As soon as Ken returned, he saw Hana laughing so hard she was doubled over. She had watched the whole thing from backstage.
She hadn't expected the players' feelings for Ken to be this complicated.
Some even wanted to be his son-in-law; failing that, smooch the mic… truly deranged.
"Funny?"
Ken asked dryly.
"Not funny." Hana cut her laugh off and quickly changed the subject. "I prepared small gifts for our three cute guests. I hope they'll like them."
At her words, staff soon brought over a big box filled with exquisite figures.
"This is for little Klee—a custom Dodoco figure. I hope you like it!"
A giant Dodoco figure, taller than Klee by a head.
Klee hugged it, cute as a button. "Thank you, Sister Hana! I love it!"
Dodoco holds very special meaning for Klee; it's her childhood comfort.
Better than giving her food or drink—Dodoco is the perfect gift.
"This is for Lumine—a Paimon figure."
Compared to the massive Dodoco, the Paimon figure was petite—life-sized Paimon. In Lumine's arms, it looked perfectly natural.
After all, Paimon and Lumine are the perfect pair.
"For Yaoyao, a Yuegui figure. I hope you like it!"
The cute mechanized bunny looked almost identical to Yaoyao's, but much bigger. Yaoyao couldn't put it down.
They knew they were just figures, not the real gadgets. But figures are for collecting; all three loved them.
"Good work."
Ken patted Hana's shoulder, approval in his eyes.
These were all prepared by Hana—clearly with care; the craftsmanship was superb.
And the con was organized very well. Even though Ken got cursed out, player engagement was sky-high. That was Hana's work and deserved praise.
"Thanks, boss. Want to grab a meal together?" Hana asked.
Ken shook his head. "Forget it. We've got things to do at home."
Paimon was still at home alone—probably bored to death. Ken thought it better to head back.
"Bye, Sister Hana!"
Lumine and the two lolis waved goodbye and followed Ken through a special passage to drive home.
On the way back, the internet was lighting up with trending topics about the con.
But the fastest-climbing trend was about Alice.
#SearchingTheWholeInternetForAlice#
Players promptly posted about the day, declaring they'd find Alice to set things straight.
Of course, it wasn't truly picking a fight with Ken or trying to ruin his rep.
It's just that the show effect today was explosive, and a lot of things are a blur of truth and fiction. Going to a con is about enjoying the 2D fun up close, so everyone just went all in—fully role-playing Genshin.
Ken is Klee's dad, so he's Alice's husband.
Now he's publicly flaunting romance with Lumine—Alice should come rein him in, right?
Worried regular netizens might misunderstand, they uploaded their videos so it was clear: everyone was just role-playing the con event, purely meme-ing.
The comment sections were hilarious.
["I clicked in thinking some public figure cheated, turns out it's a Genshin event. You 2D people cracked me up."]
["I haven't played Genshin, but honestly… watching this I'm salty. Who's Alice? Whatever… Alice, come rein in Mr. Ken. As a wage slave, I'm a bit sour."]
["Alice hurry up and rein in Ken!"]
"…"
The net was boiling over the con, with netizens showing off their humor.
But despite the heat, Ken didn't know. He drove home and was startled by the scene inside the villa.