Lu Ze knew nothing, let out a silent sigh, and finally finished grinding out the PV.
"Cabbage head, stop sleeping, help me with some work, make a few more 3D projection helmets."
Xiao Xiao Ai Jiang was displeased. You don't think of me when there's something good, but you only think of me when there's something bad. Are you biased or what?
There was no other way, she couldn't disobey the Captain. She silently maxed out her tech points and started her daily work.
Lilia also took off her helmet, having basically finished all the content in version 1.0 that could be played, and all that could be ground out had been ground out. It seemed they could only wait for an update. Ah, how boring.
"Captain, can we go out for a walk? It's so boring staying in the shop..."
Seeing Lilia's pitiful state, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. After all, she was just a child. Keeping her in the shop all the time would surely make her uncomfortable!
"Okay, let's go. We'll visit Mondstadt City first. Cabbage head, do you want to relax? If you do, come along."
As soon as Ai Jiang heard she wouldn't have to make helmets anymore, she happily trotted over. The Captain was so nice, hehe (º﹃º).
He temporarily closed the shop door and put up a sign that read "Closed, Do Not Disturb."
He also installed a high-tech lock to secure it. What if someone stole his shop later? So, precautions were necessary.
"Let's go, let's go. Mondstadt City is not far. As for Mora..."
Just then, he saw Diluc walking towards them. Ah, Mora was here! This man was a walking millionaire; even a million or two would be enough for him.
"Diluc, good afternoon. It's so late, are you still planning to visit my shop? I'm sorry, I'm temporarily closed and planning to go visit Mondstadt City."
Diluc looked up and saw the owner of the Honkai Impact 3rd experience store speaking. "Is that so! Would the three of you like to sit at Angel's Share? I'll treat you to drinks... beverages!"
After all, apart from Lu Ze, the others looked like minors no matter how you looked at them. A little loli, a small flying thing, such a strange combination. He had to admit he was envious.
Wait, isn't that Ai Jiang from the game? So there's a real-life prototype?
Diluc looked at Ai Jiang with surprise, making her scalp tingle with his intense gaze.
"Cough, cough, let's go then," Lu Ze interrupted. After all, this was a good opportunity to mooch some food and drinks.
Upon arriving at Mondstadt City, it was even grander than in the game. It was a true city-state, about three times the size of the game's depiction. Every place was magnified. Even at the entrance, one could see the Anemo Archon statue, which gave an idea of its immense size.
Walking to the right and then up led to Angel's Share. But this was reality, and the five of them walked to their destination in silence.
Diluc looked at Acting Grand Master Jean with some surprise. Didn't she want to ask the shop owner something? Why wasn't she asking? Wait, I haven't introduced them yet, that's why.
Arriving at the bartender's counter, Diluc said, "Well, let me introduce everyone first."
"This is the Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, Acting Grand Master Jean. Boss Lu Ze, you can call her Jean or Acting Grand Master; both are fine."
"And this is Lu Ze, the owner of the Honkai Impact 3rd offline experience store. The developer of this game, a rather strong individual."
Acting Grand Master Jean looked at the person beside her in surprise. She thought Diluc had met someone familiar, but she hadn't expected it to be the shop owner. It was quite surprising.
"Not at all, not at all. I'm not a strong individual. At least, I haven't accomplished what I set out to do, so how can I be considered a strong individual?"
Lu Ze said self-deprecatingly, thinking of the people from Honkai Impact 3rd. He wondered how they were doing. Was Kiana eating properly? Was Bronya treating Seele seriously? Had Mei found the truth?
Thinking of these, and then thinking of the departure of the three people, his heart gradually turned cold, terrifyingly cold. The only thing he wanted to do now was to revive Himeko; he didn't care about anything else.
"Do you have alcohol here? No, that's not right. I misspoke. How can a tavern not have alcohol? Please give me a glass of something strong; I want to drink a bit."
As if sensing he was thinking of something unpleasant, Diluc nodded and prepared a "Hell Forest," a rather strong drink.
Something that looked like an overturned forest was placed before him. He was a little surprised by its appearance but didn't think much of it. He took a sip silently, without any discomfort on his face.
"Brother Lu Ze..."
Lilia looked at Lu Ze with concern. His reputation for not being good with alcohol had spread throughout the Hyperion. That Aunt Himeko always wanted to get the Captain drunk with beer, but she was always stopped by others.
How happy those times were. Rosaliya was beside her. The Vodka Girls never drank vodka, right? What did they drink? That's a secret.
"Heh, one sip, and I feel much better. Lilia, don't look at me with such worry! Your brother's alcohol tolerance has long since improved; I won't get drunk with one glass!"
Lu Ze's face was slightly flushed as he looked at Lilia. Good heavens, you only had one sip, and you're already like this? You say your alcohol tolerance has improved? I'm afraid you'll pass out after finishing this glass.
Lilia looked at him speechlessly. It seemed she would have to carry him back later. Are you taking me out shopping, or am I accompanying you for drinks? It's truly baffling.
"Here, kid, have some milk. It's free, no charge."
Diluc also handed Lilia a glass of milk. It looked quite good and was warmed.
Jean watched all this silently, not saying anything. After all, she never drank during work hours. Although it wasn't now, she still couldn't drink, as she had to work tomorrow, didn't she?
"Why? Why did they leave me? I clearly didn't do anything wrong. I just went to the lion's den myself for them, trying to get some information, but why did they all leave me? Why?!"
Lu Ze was clearly drunk, angrily pounding the table. It seemed he had gone through something unpleasant, perhaps betrayal by companions, their distancing, or them watching coldly.
"Brother Lu Ze, you did nothing wrong. Lilia never distanced herself from you because you went to Schicksal. It's them who are not worthy. They are not worthy of being your friends, except for Sister Bronya, of course."