The next morning.
Yanfei woke up feeling groggy, her mind still foggy. She realized she couldn't quite remember what had happened the night before.
What exactly had happened last night?
And where was she staying now?
Noticing Amber lying beside her, still fast asleep, Yanfei nudged her shoulder. "Amber! Amber, wake up!"
Amber blinked drowsily and mumbled, "Huh? Let me sleep a little longer..."
"What happened last night? I can't remember any of it!" Yanfei pressed.
"Last night... last night..." Amber yawned, then suddenly perked up. "Oh! I have a video of it!"
She pulled out her phone and showed Yanfei the recording.
Yanfei's eyes widened in horror as she pointed at the screen. "That's me?!"
"Who else would it be?" Amber teased. "You were crying so pitifully, practically burying your face in Mr. Lu's clothes!"
"This... this can't be..."
Yanfei felt like the sky had fallen.
How could this have happened?!
This was nothing like what she had imagined!
"Delete that video right now!" Yanfei demanded. "Let's pretend none of this ever happened!"
"Nope!" Amber quickly hid her phone behind her back. "This blackmail material is staying with me!"
"Amber!" Yanfei was frantic.
"You don't even remember what happened afterward, do you?" Amber grinned mischievously. "You gave him your bone whistle—some might even mistake it for a love token!"
Yanfei froze, then frantically patted herself down. "Wait... I did that?!"
"Yep!" Amber nodded emphatically. "You even promised to make two whistles—one for me!"
"Ugh..." Yanfei clutched her head in despair.
"Oh, and one more thing," Amber added. "You made a drinking promise with Mr. Lu. Next time, try not to pass out so quickly, or who knows what might happen between you two alone?"
"WHAT?!" Yanfei's face flushed crimson.
"What are you even saying?!" She smacked Amber's arm in embarrassment.
"Just saying, it's a possibility~" Amber flopped back onto the bed. "Alright, stop bothering me. Let me sleep a little longer. You were tossing and turning all night, muttering stuff I couldn't even understand."
Yanfei was utterly baffled. She truly couldn't remember any of it.
9:00 AM.
A knock sounded at the door.
Still dazed, Yanfei got up and opened it to find Lu Heng standing outside.
"Did you rest well?" he asked warmly.
"Uh..." Yanfei seemed to short-circuit for a moment before finally nodding. "Y-yeah, pretty good."
"You seem a little off," Lu Heng remarked curiously. "Not quite your usual self?"
"Huh? D-do I?" Yanfei fidgeted awkwardly.
The memory of last night's breakdown made her want to disappear. The way she had acted was completely unlike her usual composed self!
"Maybe?" Lu Heng chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you're okay. Want me to grab some breakfast for you?"
"N-no, that's fine!" Yanfei waved her hands frantically.
"Since when are you so polite?" Lu Heng teased. "Last night, we were practically sworn siblings! Don't tell me you're treating me like a stranger now?"
"No! It's not that!"
The thought of that humiliating video made Yanfei want to crawl into a hole.
How could she face him after crying like that?!
Still, she had to admit—after last night, she did feel much closer to Lu Heng. At least the awkwardness was gone.
"Really sure?" Lu Heng asked again.
"Positive! We can take care of ourselves—we're not kids!" Yanfei insisted.
"Alright then." Lu Heng nodded. "I'm heading to Inazuma soon, so I won't have time to hang out. But once the branch store is set up, I'll be free. Feel free to invite me for drinks anytime."
"Er... actually, alcohol isn't that great. Too much is bad for your health!" Yanfei said solemnly.
"What about just a couple of drinks?" Lu Heng smirked. "Miss 'Grudge Knight,' don't tell me you're scared of losing to me?"
"AS IF!"
Yanfei straightened up, crossing her arms. "Hmph! Underestimating me? I'll remember this grudge too! Last night was just a fluke—I wasn't prepared! Next time, we'll settle this for real!"
"Looking forward to it." Lu Heng grinned. "Anyway, I should get going. No need to clean up—I've already arranged everything."
"Got it. See you next time!" Yanfei nodded.
Once Lu Heng had left, she shut the door and let out a long sigh.
Facing him now was just... embarrassing.
The memory of her tearful breakdown made her want to bury herself.
"This is all Amber's fault!" Yanfei declared.
"Hey, don't pin this on me!" Amber protested, finally waking up fully.
Best friends aren't meant to be scapegoats!
"I don't care, it's definitely your fault!" Yanfei huffed.
"Wow, you're unbelievable..." Amber laughed helplessly.
Inazuma.
Early in the morning, Kamisato Ayato was already hard at work.
Yae Miko was also at Tenshukaku, delivering some exciting news.
"What?! The branch store is coming here?!" Raiden Ei was stunned.
This was an unexpected blessing!
She had assumed she'd have to travel to Liyue Harbor, but now the shop was coming to her doorstep!
"Be on your best behavior when Mr. Lu arrives," Yae Miko chided, tapping Ei's forehead.
"I'm not a child..." Ei grumbled.
But she had to admit—her social skills were nowhere near Yae Miko's level.
"What preparations do we need to make?" Ayato asked calmly.
The person arriving was no ordinary figure. In terms of status, influence, and power, he far surpassed even the Raiden Shogun.
They couldn't afford any missteps. A single bad impression could spell disaster for Inazuma!
"I've already made arrangements yesterday," Yae Miko said lazily.
She usually took her time with things, but this matter was different. The moment she confirmed there were no issues, she had immediately begun preparations.
"The location I've chosen is near the Adventurers' Guild." Yae Miko pointed to a spot on the map.
Ayato examined it and nodded.
The spot was perfect—right in the heart of Inazuma City, with excellent accessibility. Though given Inazuma's terrain, some adjustments might be needed for vehicle access.
"When is he arriving?" Ei asked eagerly.
"Before noon, I'd guess?" Yae Miko mused.
She had only learned of Lu Heng's plans that morning, after seeing his social media post.
Last night, she had been envious seeing Mondstadt's official branch store. But now, Inazuma was next!
The thought filled her with excitement.
A branch of the Card Shop—this was the cornerstone of a new era!
Being able to pull cards right here in Inazuma City, rather than traveling to Liyue, was a game-changer.
From both a personal and national perspective, this was the best possible outcome!
"So what do we do now?" Ei asked.
"Now?" Yae Miko thought for a moment. "We wait at Tenshukaku. I told him to message me before he arrives."
10:00 AM.
Yae Miko's phone pinged.
Instantly, Ei and Ayato turned to look.
Yae Miko checked the message and smiled. "He's here!"
She sent over a map of Inazuma.
Moments later, a spatial rift opened in Tenshukaku's courtyard.
Under the watchful eyes of the three, Lu Heng—dressed in black and white—stepped through.
"Mr. Lu." Yae Miko greeted him warmly.
"Did I keep you waiting?" Lu Heng asked.
"Not at all." Yae Miko shook her head. "The location is ready. We can set up the shop first, then have lunch together. Does that sound good?"
"I'll leave it to you." Lu Heng agreed. The plan sounded perfect.
"Mr. Lu, it's an honor!" Ei and Ayato quickly stepped forward.
Lu Heng looked at the socially awkward archon and smiled. "I'm quite familiar with you already."
Ei glanced at Yae Miko, as if asking: How does he know me so well?
"Just say what's on your mind," Yae Miko whispered.
Given that Lu Heng had created Genshin Impact, it made sense he knew every character intimately.
Though he was easygoing, he wouldn't be so friendly with someone he disliked. The fact that he was smiling now meant he held no ill will toward Ei.
"Mr. Lu, I've heard so much about you," Ei said formally. "I was planning to visit Liyue Harbor, but you've saved me the trip. I'm truly grateful."
"I always intended to open branches in every nation—just needed time to execute the plan." Lu Heng smiled. "Since I'm already familiar with Inazuma's situation, let's skip the formalities and get to work?"
"Perfect!" Ei was relieved.
Ayato quickly interjected, "Mr. Lu, right this way."
As they walked through Inazuma's streets, people bowed respectfully at the sight of the Raiden Shogun.
But when they noticed her walking half a step behind Lu Heng, curiosity rippled through the crowd.
Who is this man?
In Inazuma, walking order reflected hierarchy.
For someone to take precedence over the Shogun herself—just how important was he?
Soon, they arrived at Yae Miko's chosen location.
Lu Heng surveyed the area.
The space wasn't huge—about 500 square meters, likely formed by merging two shops.
While that might not sound impressive, Lu Heng didn't need much space—the shop's interior could be expanded with spatial manipulation.
As long as the location was convenient for customers, it would suffice.
"Mr. Lu, this is the spot. I've also prepared a few alternatives," Yae Miko said, pulling out the map.
"No need. This is perfect."
Lu Heng shook his head.
Didn't he know Inazuma City like the back of his hand?
This was undoubtedly the best location.
With that, he pulled out the Omnipotent Shop Deployment Card.
A... rainbow-colored card?
Yae Miko had never seen one before.
As far as she knew, the highest rarity available was five-star gold cards, with six-star being red.
But this was a card used to create the shop itself—the very place where such powerful cards could be obtained.
Ei, having been briefed by Yae Miko, was equally stunned.
Lu Heng selected the location and activated the card.
A radiant glow enveloped the area, transforming it in mere seconds.
A brand-new building materialized, its sign reading: Card Shop!
Lu Heng pushed the door open. "Come take a look. Does it suit Inazuma's style?"
The three stepped inside.
Yae Miko glanced around and nodded. "Pure Inazuman aesthetic, with a modern touch."
"Necessary, since we're not actually living in ancient times," Lu Heng agreed.
"I've heard the first customer at a new branch gets a luck boost. Anyone want to try?" he offered.
"Really?" Yae Miko's interest was piqued.
"Supposedly. But luck is luck—no guarantees." Lu Heng shrugged.
"Either of you want to go first?" Yae Miko asked Ei and Ayato.
Ei shook her head—not because she didn't want to, but because she hadn't brought any Mora.
Ayato stepped forward. "I'll give it a shot."
"Alright." Lu Heng moved behind the counter. "You've done your research, right?"
Though it was a question, he already knew the answer.
Ayato was sharp—Yae Miko had given him a card device and phone.
With internet access, he'd have looked into it.
"I have."
Ayato transferred some Mora into his account—just 2 million, spare change he carried.
He tapped the 10x Pull button, feeling an unexpected thrill.
Even for someone as composed as him, the allure of potentially gaining power rivaling the Raiden Shogun's was undeniable.
In a world where strength dictated everything, power was the ultimate currency.
Not that Ayato sought to dominate—but with enough strength, the Kamisato Clan could thrive in this new era.
Power wasn't just for conquest; it was also for protection.
The gacha animation played, and a purple glow appeared.
"A four-star purple card," Lu Heng mused. "Pretty good for a standard pull."
Ayato tapped another 10x Pull—but this time, nothing notable appeared.
Lu Heng picked up the purple card.
It bore an upward arrow. Even before appraising it, he could tell it was an ATK Buff Card.
[ATK +20%]
[Rarity]: 4★ • Purple
[Type]: Buff Card
[Effects]: Stat Boost, Gameplay Utility
[Description]: Increases attack power based on weapon base stats and character attributes.
In simpler terms, it was like equipping an artifact with a 20% ATK main stat—but without substats.
"Not the strongest, but definitely not weak either," Lu Heng said. "Try equipping it."
Ayato slotted it into his device.
Instantly, his eyes widened.
The surge in power was unmistakable.
This... was the power of cards?!
"Well?" Ei watched him intently.
"Remarkable!" Ayato said earnestly. "A significant boost to my combat ability!"
Ei could see it.
As a master warrior, she could sense the change in Ayato's aura.
The difference wasn't massive, but that was likely due to Ayato's own limitations.
"Mr. Lu..." Ei turned to Lu Heng, her eyes shining with excitement.
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T/N:
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