「Kiana: "Wait, wait, wait, wait—! Isn't this moving a bit too fast?!"」
「Lumine: "Did I miss a few chapters in the middle or something? Do I need to pay to unlock the rest?!"」
「Silver Wolf: "Whoa—! Didn't expect this. Firefly from another timeline is surprisingly bold, huh!"」
「Firefly: "Stop saying things that'll make everyone misunderstand! It's just... I was full, that's all!"」
「Stelle: "Just answer the question: was it big or not!"」
「Kafka: "It seems I'll have to look at you in a new light, @Firefly."」
「Firefly: "Not you too, Kafka...."」
--+--
In the live stream's chat, teasing remarks from viewers across different worlds kept popping up.
Even Bai Heng was left with the corner of his mouth twitching by the simulation system's unique way of phrasing things.
Well, well, well. The vast depth and richness of language, and you've gone and learned all the wrong lessons, haven't you, system?
You used it well this time, but don't ever do it again.
Just as everyone was busy complaining, the live stream's simulation continued uninterrupted.
[This was perhaps the first time Firefly had ever felt such immense satisfaction from food. A lovely smile bloomed on her face, like a flower in the morning light.]
[She thanked you sincerely, clearly having forgotten that you were the very culprit who had emptied her wallet.]
[At this point, you mentioned that you would be staying in Penacony for quite some time and expressed a hope to hire Firefly as your guide.]
[In return, you would pay her a considerable fee for her services.]
[Firefly couldn't refuse this job. The mere 1000 Credits she had left couldn't support her continued stay in Penacony. Earning a significant wage for just a little time each day was crucial for her. And so, she accepted your request.]
"Oh, and one more thing. Since I'm a photographer and need to move around a lot, it might be quite physically demanding. As extra compensation, two sweet treats daily to help replenish your energy. Is that alright?"
At your words, Firefly let out a surprised and adorable, "Huh?"
But after a moment to process it, she hurriedly waved her hands to refuse. "I can't possibly accept that. The guide's wage you're offering is already more than generous. To trouble you for extra desserts on top of that... I'd feel far too guilty..."
Seemingly having anticipated the girl's response, you smiled slightly. Pointing at the dessert Firefly had just devoured, you offered a different approach: "Well, as you can see, I'm quite fond of sweets myself. But I find it a bit awkward to go to a dessert shop alone. Would you mind, while acting as my guide, also pretending to be a friend accompanying me?"
"As payment, I can provide you with two desserts daily. How does that sound?"
Your words brought a faint blush to Firefly's cheeks. She knew you had seen right through her love for sweets, and your offer left her no room to refuse. Giving a slight, almost imperceptible nod of agreement, Firefly thanked you once again.
--+--
「Kiana: He's so smooth!! Not only did he notice Firefly's love for desserts, but he found a way to let her accept his kindness!」
「Elysia: My, my, isn't this getting sweet already~」
「Stelle: Who was it that said Bai Heng was no good earlier? Let's hear from the haters now!」
「Lumine: I'm sorry, I admit my tone was a bit too harsh just now....」
「March 7th: See? I told you! How could anyone who loves taking photos be a bad person!」
--+--
The chat messages surged like a tidal wave.
After the recent broadcast, the entire live stream audience's impression of Bai Heng had completely turned around.
Although there was that earlier incident of him emptying Firefly's wallet, his subsequent actions—treating her to a meal and his tactful words—had deeply won everyone's approval.
It was right at this moment that Silver Wolf, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
--+--
「Silver Wolf: You all really think that? Well, you'd all be wrong.」
「Hu Tao: Wrong? But... treating Firefly to a meal, hiring her as a guide for a handsome fee, even using that line to cater to her love of desserts... it's all real, isn't it?」
「Firefly: Yeah... I don't see a problem either....」
「Silver Wolf: Of course~ Everything you just said is true, that's a fact. But before all that, have any of you stopped to wonder why Firefly went to eat with Bai Heng in the first place?」
「Keqing: Because nearly all her money was tricked away by Bai Heng's scheme. Miss Firefly was hungry and wanted to get her money's worth back through the meal.」
「Silver Wolf: Then let me ask you, why did Firefly agree to be Bai Heng's guide?」
「Lumine: Again, because her money was scammed by Bai Heng, so she needed to solve her financial problems.... Wait a minute....」
「Silver Wolf: Heh heh, looks like you've finally caught on.」
「Yae Miko: In other words, this was all part of Bai Heng's plan from the very start? Using some method to plunge Miss Firefly into financial difficulty, then revealing his kindness and employing his tactics afterwards to further his own agenda!」
「Stelle: Agenda? What agenda?」
「Raiden Mei: Haven't you realized yet? Hiring Firefly as a guide, that 'cake strategy'—it was all to create a legitimate reason for the two of them to meet and spend time together!」
「Elysia: My, Mei, you seem to know a lot about this!」
「March 7th: One scheme after another... suddenly it feels kinda terrifying!」
「Stelle: But why would he do all this?」
「Elysia: What else could it be for? It's for our adorable Firefly, of course~ From the looks of it, our Firefly has been completely played.」
「Silver Wolf: @Firefly, I quite like what you said earlier: 'It's not like I'd be that easy to win over!'」
「Firefly: So what should I do now....」
「Silver Wolf: Since you asked, as a colleague, I'll give you just one piece of advice: Don't let a good man get away, and don't waste a bad one~」
「Firefly: (ˊДˋ)!」
「Yae Miko: That is... certainly a sharp piece of advice.」
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.