"Give me 5,000 Mora, and I'll add some of my own to buy you another Lucky Card. Cheer up, Itto, don't be such a wimp!"
"Huh? Boss Feng Yi, you're willing to front me 295,000 Mora? I'm truly touched!"
Hearing Boss Feng Yi's offer to help him draw another Lucky Card, Arataki Itto's spirits immediately lifted. He looked at the other with burning eyes, knowing he hadn't misjudged him.
"Take that 'bling-bling' look out of your eyes. You're making me want to throw up my dinner from last night... And who said I was fronting 295,000 Mora? I only need to front 1,000 Mora!"
Feng Yi took out a golden bell and hung it on his waist with confidence.
This golden bell, said to bring good luck, had already been retrieved from Lady Yae during their visit to the Fatui's Delusion production factory.
Feng Yi stated, "You can always trust the golden bell."
"Boss Feng Yi, I appreciate your confidence, but I must remind you, I only managed to draw that Lucky Card after buying 50 novels. I admit your luck might be slightly better than mine, but to hit the jackpot on the first try? That's harder than eating ramen upside down..."
As someone who had been through it, Arataki Itto knew the rarity of Lucky Cards. He felt that for Boss Feng Yi to get one on the first try was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Feng Yi: But I brought a 'super-powered magnet,' you know...
"It's not your fault. Ordinary people can't understand the world of the lucky ones. Just relax."
Feng Yi accepted Arataki Itto's 5,000 Mora and joined the queue to buy novels, appearing completely calm.
Logically, Feng Yi was the one drawing, yet Arataki Itto was more nervous than him. He stood beside Feng Yi, fidgeting, and occasionally glanced up to check the remaining quantity of Lucky Cards.
"Boss Feng Yi, there are less than three Lucky Cards left. It's over, our hope is dwindling..."
Arataki Itto's heart ached as he looked at the scarce Lucky Cards left in the pool.
However, Boss Feng Yi's calm and confident demeanor offered him some reassurance.
"Not drawn, not drawn... Heh, good thing it wasn't drawn!"
Every time a customer ahead of them began their draw, Arataki Itto would clasp his hands together in prayer, wishing for them to draw the last one.
His mumbling looked quite earnest.
If he hadn't been speaking in the Oni language, which others couldn't understand, he might have been beaten up by now.
"It's finally our turn, Boss Feng Yi, let's go all out! I'll pray and cheer you on from behind!"
Arataki Itto's gaze was fixed on the last two Lucky Cards remaining in the prize pool, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Boss, please give me that book, 'I Married the Geo Archon, My Adorable Child Conquers Teyvat.' Here's 6,000 Mora."
Feng Yi casually picked a novel of appropriate price and handed over his coin purse.
"Here are the novel and the draw card pack. Please take care of them, customer."
The Yae Publishing House staff handed both items to Feng Yi.
Feng Yi put the novel away, intending to read it when he had time, his attention fully focused on the other item.
It was a festive red paper packet. A gentle squeeze revealed a rigid card inside.
Although the paper packet was thin, it was opaque, deterring any attempts at peeking.
Based on his observations, the moment the paper packet was opened would be the judgment of fate. If luck was not on his side, he would only receive a white card inscribed with 'Thank You for Your Patronage.'
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Feng Yi tore open the seal of the card pack.
Screeech~
The card inside was slowly drawn out.
From Arataki Itto to the Yae Publishing House staff and the other waiting customers, all eyes were fixed on the card pack in Feng Yi's hand.
They held their breath, as if anticipating something, almost forgetting to breathe.
Arataki Itto naturally hoped Feng Yi would draw a Lucky Card, but the others, especially those queuing behind, did not share the same sentiment.
As the card edge appeared, golden patterns shimmered in the sunlight, casting a dazzling halo.
"Hahahahahaha... As expected of Boss Feng Yi, this luck is unbeatable! Of course, my prayers from the side also contributed!"
Arataki Itto's eyes lit up. He was all too familiar with Lucky Cards. The moment the golden patterns appeared, he knew the outcome.
"How can this person be so lucky? Did they step on dog poop when they went out?"
"I'm so jealous, I'm so envious, sob... There's only one Lucky Card left now. The hope of drawing one has become even slimmer."
"Hmph, luck is something everyone has. Whoever uses it up first is the one who goes. I'm not envious at all, not one bit!
Okay, fine, I admit I'm so envious I'm going crazy. If only I could draw one, I'd gladly give up three years of my life!"
Everyone stared enviously at the golden card in Feng Yi's hand, feeling like they had just eaten several sour lemons.
Someone offered 500,000 Mora for the Lucky Card in Feng Yi's hand, but Feng Yi refused without a second thought, tossing the card to Arataki Itto beside him.
Arataki Itto fumbled to catch it, this treasure worth 500,000 Mora.
He inspected it carefully, then meticulously tucked it away close to his body.
Arataki Itto declared that he was here, and the card was here. This Lucky Card was crucial to his love with Miss Shina, more important than his own life.
"Boss Feng Yi, there's one Lucky Card left in the prize pool. Why don't you just draw it? It's only a matter of 6,000 Mora..."
Arataki Itto now had absolute faith in Boss Feng Yi's luck and suggested clearing out the remaining cards.
"You scoundrel! Leave some room for negotiation, you never know when you'll need to meet again! At least leave us some hope!"
Before Arataki Itto could finish, he was met with angry glares from the other customers, who clearly feared Feng Yi's god-tier luck.
"Kid from the Arataki gang, abandon your wicked thoughts, lest the heavens strike you and you can't poop for three days!"
"Shut up, or you'll never set foot in my izakaya again!"
"Woof, woof, woof..."
Arataki Itto's selfish intentions were so obvious that even the stray dogs on the street couldn't stand it.
"Let's just forget it. I'll leave this opportunity to someone who needs it more."
Feng Yi waved his hand. He wasn't interested in such virtual things.
However, he didn't expect that his words would immediately earn him grateful gazes from everyone, a stark contrast to Arataki Itto's reception.
It was at this moment that Feng Yi realized the extent of Miss Shina's influence.
He suddenly began to worry about the fan meeting in a few days. If the fans couldn't see Miss Shina in person, how would Yae Miko handle the situation?