"I've kept you waiting." Kevin walked over to a cluster of trees not far away.
At this moment, Su Chen was leaning against a large tree. "Not long. The moment you saw me coming, you deliberately held back."
"This feels like… our first real meeting, doesn't it?"
"It really does seem to be. Before this we always missed each other for various reasons." Su Chen gave a small smile. "Now that you've stepped down from being clan leader, what do you plan to do next?"
"I want to take a long vacation for myself. Then travel the world with Mei—truly discover the beauty of the world."
Suddenly, Su Chen tossed a set of keys to Kevin. "Keys to an Unimog motorhome. Take the person you care about most and travel slowly. Consider it my sponsorship for the two of you."
"For me?" Kevin caught the keys. "This motorhome isn't cheap."
"Why say so much? That doesn't sound like you at all."
"I don't know why, but after laying down the position of clan leader, I feel so much lighter."
"You deliberately cooperated with the faded fairy to cause such a huge commotion just so Kiana could successfully take over as clan leader in the end. I understand. You've carried it for far too long."
Kevin slowly exhaled. "Just like in the Honkai Impact 3rd story—even though it was only acting, I still felt the loneliness of a hero.
Carrying the entire world on your shoulders… If the Kevin in the story could have laid down that burden like I did, with friends still by his side, together with the person he loves most—that would have been wonderful."
"So you completed that version for him, didn't you?" Su Chen patted Kevin on the shoulder. "Perhaps you are another possibility of that story. I think everyone wants to see 'Kevin' have this kind of ending."
"Thank you. If you need to reshoot any scenes or anything later, just let me know."
"Don't worry. I absolutely won't call you for the next six months."
At that moment—
"Wait, Senior Kevin!"
Phainon burst out from between the trees. It had to be said—after changing into a black trench coat, he looked much more presentable than before.
"There are still some things I'd like to ask you about."
"Pretty good—you actually managed to follow us here?" Kevin glanced at Phainon, then looked toward Su Chen. "I never thought the three of us, with no blood relation, could end up looking so alike. The world really is full of wonders."
Phainon, Su Chen, and Kevin looked at one another.
The next moment, Su Chen made his suggestion. "Coming early isn't as good as coming at the right time. Since things have turned out this way, why don't the three of us become sworn brothers?"
Phainon and Kevin spoke in unison: "Sworn brothers?"
"Mm-hmm. So—what do you say?"
"Fine!"
With that, the three of them stood side by side, cupped their hands, and spoke the famous lines together:
"I, Su Chen."
"I, Kevin."
"I, Phainon."
"Today, we swear brotherhood. We may not have been born on the same year, month, or day—but we ask to die on the same year, month, and day!"
In the end, Su Chen proposed ranking seniority by the order they joined Mihoyo.
Su Chen—eldest brother.
Kevin—second brother.
Phainon—third brother.
"Alright." Su Chen gave a slight bow. "Second brother, third brother—I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. You two talk properly."
With that, Su Chen left the area.
At this point, Phainon suddenly spoke up. "Second brother, I want to ask—how can I play a good villain?"
"Uh… why so sudden? Also, I'm not exactly a villain in name. But I can still give you some advice…"
"…"
Not long after.
After listening to Kevin's explanation, Phainon had an epiphany. "So that's how it is! Say less, do more—strike ruthlessly! Second brother, you've told me so much—I insist on treating you to a bowl of egg fried rice."
"No need. I'm about to go pick up my girlfriend. Actually, there are dishes in this world even more delicious than egg fried rice."
Phainon paused, then asked, "What dish?"
"Instant noodles."
——
Thursday night—localized torrential rain over Sparkle's head.
"My dear sister~ How did you end up being the one chosen?" Sampo stood beside Sparkle, the corners of his mouth rising uncontrollably.
"Aiya~ Isn't this my dear brother Sampo?" Sparkle's voice was three degrees sweeter than usual. "Haven't disciplined you lately—feeling itchy, are we?"
"Owww, listen to what you're saying! When have I ever itched more than you? Playing pranks right on Boss Su Chen's head—feeling happy now?"
Sparkle was about to fire back, but her mind turned and she thought of a better idea. "Sampo, let me tell you—our company just got a new colleague named Cipher. She's super easy to trick!"
"Easy to trick? I've been reformed for a long time, okay."
"She's even more innocent than Nekomiya Mana."
"Really?" Sampo looked at Sparkle half in doubt.
"You're so smart—could I possibly trick you? As for whether Cipher is smart or not… why don't you go test it yourself?"
Sampo gave a thumbs-up. "Sis is on point!"
Just then.
Su Chen stepped up to the front. "Everyone—recently Interactive City has had quite a lot of incidents, and I can't escape responsibility. However, the Mihoyo family has welcomed many new faces. Please give them the warmest applause!"
Thunderous applause filled the entire café.
Hyacine sat beside Kiana. "Kiana-bao, everyone feels so enthusiastic!"
Kiana quietly leaned toward Hyacine's ear. "Hyacine, events like this are very dangerous. You have no idea—Thursday team-building is terrifying. If Sparkle hadn't taken the hit today, do you think they'd be this enthusiastic?"
Hyacine looked puzzled. "How so? It feels like something really serious happened."
"I'm telling you—it's company-death level!"
"Hmph." Mydei sat to the side, arms crossed over his chest. "The dictionary of Suspended Edge City contains no such words as 'company death'."
"Didn't expect you to have such guts." Phainon slung an arm around Mydei's shoulders. "How about I mention it to big bro—next week we let you take the stage?"
"Who's your big bro?"
"The one speaking on stage."
"HKS—whatever you want!"
At the same time.
On stage, Su Chen cleared his throat lightly. "Everyone—actually, I misspoke earlier. This time's fan-made video was arranged by Sparkle—it is not her original creation. If you have grudges, settle them; if you have仇, take revenge—but please do not harm the innocent. For example, a gentle and reliable boss like me. Thank you!"
Snap—
Su Chen pressed play.
"Watch Closely—This Is How Clock Tricks Are Really Done!!"