When Lin Ze said that so-called love at first sight was nothing more than lust in disguise, Keqing nodded inwardly.
That summary wasn't wrong.
But when she heard what came after—
Her expression instantly stiffened.
That bastard actually didn't throw away the stockings that day?!
Grinding her teeth, Keqing glared at Lin Ze. Under Ningguang's and Yelan's amused gazes, she finally extended her hand, her face dark.
"At first, I thought it was just a pair of stockings. If they were gone, so be it. Tossing them would've been best."
"But since you've brought it up… give them back."
She had almost forgotten about the whole incident.
But now that Lin Ze mentioned it again, she decided that if she could get them back, it was better than leaving them with him.
"Alright. After I got them, I put them straight into storage. Time inside should be frozen."
Lin Ze didn't hesitate and returned them immediately.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a little proud.
Obtained someone else's belongings through the system—and returned them properly.
As expected of me. A true gentleman.
Keqing looked at the item that suddenly appeared in her hand. Without avoiding Lin Ze's gaze, she inspected it carefully.
Only after confirming nothing was wrong did she let out a breath and store it away in her Vision's internal space.
"Speaking of this," Ningguang said thoughtfully, drawing her gaze away from Keqing,
"if, in the future, you obtain items belonging to us through that… 'opportunity'…"
"Would it be possible to…?"
If Keqing's and Ganyu's stockings could be taken as rewards, then sooner or later, Ningguang's—or Yelan's—might also be targeted.
It would be best to settle this in advance.
"No problem," Lin Ze replied casually, waving his hand.
"If I get anything like that again, I'll find a way to return it."
He really didn't care. He had no strange hobbies, and he'd never been interested in the system's rewards. Everything was still sitting untouched in storage.
If the original owner wanted it back, he'd return it.
"Very good."
Ningguang nodded, choosing to trust Lin Ze's character. She tapped the table lightly with her smoking pipe.
The Geo energy quietly sealing the private room dispersed.
Almost immediately, the staff of Liuli Pavilion entered, swiftly clearing away the remaining dishes. After efficiently tidying the table, they placed a pot of tea and withdrew.
Moments later, Ningguang's Geo energy enveloped the room once more.
After pouring Lin Ze a cup of tea, her expression gradually turned serious.
Earlier, the conversation had been about Lin Ze—about what he knew, about information from his world.
Now, with everyone fed and relaxed, it was time for Ningguang's real purpose.
"Go ahead," Lin Ze said calmly, taking a sip of tea.
He knew this was the main reason Ningguang had invited him.
But he wasn't worried.
He'd hear her out first.
"We already have a general understanding of your abilities," Ningguang said steadily.
"The Black Flag's power is indeed extraordinary."
"Would you be willing to join Liyue and become a consultant of the Jade Chamber?"
She didn't waste time with pleasantries—she made the offer directly.
Ningguang believed Lin Ze preferred straightforward discussions.
Before she could elaborate, Lin Ze shook his head.
"No."
"You won't even hear my conditions?"
Seeing this, Ningguang wasn't disappointed. She simply continued, preparing to negotiate.
No matter what, Liyue had to secure Lin Ze.
"I don't have much ambition," Lin Ze said, shrugging,
"but I also don't want to live under someone else."
"Working every day, with a superior watching over me…"
"Unlike Keqing, I'm not a workaholic. If I can enjoy life, why would I choose to suffer through endless work?"
He waved his hand, cutting Ningguang off.
He'd read plenty of novels before. Some protagonists' choices were utterly baffling to him.
They had power. They had intelligence.
So why did they insist on joining factions just to become glorified employees?
A consultant was still an employee—just with a nicer title and a longer leash.
When it really mattered, you still answered to someone else.
Lin Ze could earn enough Mora to live comfortably and had the strength to roam Teyvat freely.
Why would he lower himself?
Just because it was Ningguang? Because it was Keqing? Former "2D wives" from his previous life?
"I see…"
Ningguang understood. Convincing Lin Ze to become a Jade Chamber consultant was impossible.
"In that case… how about cooperation?"
She smoothly changed tactics.
"Explain," Lin Ze replied, interested.
Cooperation, at least, was worth discussing.
"We wouldn't force you to do anything," Ningguang said.
"You may continue enjoying your life."
"But as you mentioned earlier, compared to your world, Teyvat is still quite backward."
"You might someday create items from your original world to further improve your lifestyle."
"And if you can create them, providing designs or blueprints shouldn't be difficult."
"I'll provide the funding, manpower, and land for production and sale."
"As for profit… how does a thirty–seventy split sound?"
Ningguang was willing to gamble.
Even if Lin Ze only introduced things meant for personal comfort, once Liyue fully understood the techniques and design concepts behind them, the benefits would be enormous.
"How is it only seventy percent?"
Lin Ze blurted out instinctively—then immediately shook his head.
"Slip of the tongue. Thirty–seventy. Who gets what?"
"You get thirty. I get seventy."
As expected—seventy percent still belongs to them.
"If we're cooperating, I think it should be seventy for me, thirty for you."
"Even if I don't really need more Mora… who would ever嫌 money?"
"Mora, I mean."
"Mr. Lin Ze," Ningguang replied calmly,
"you'd only be providing designs and concepts."
"The manufacturing process still requires our own research—time-consuming and labor-intensive."
"From development to production to sales, all of it would be handled by Liyue."
"Thirty percent isn't a loss. Liyue doesn't do business at a loss."
"That's knowledge," Lin Ze countered evenly.
"Knowledge that benefits this world—far beyond imagination."
Would thirty percent be a loss?
Lin Ze didn't know.
What he did know was—
In business, you start high and negotiate down.
That was just how it worked.
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