A/N:(Guys Ai is basically Keqing….)
"Um… Ms. Ai, should we check it first?" John's voice wavered. Selling a figure was completely new to him.
The past few days had been nothing more than a quick glance at the market, a rough guess at the figure's worth. That was all he knew.
His only experience came from selling Slime condensate — so fumbling through this was bound to happen.
"Sure, let's take a look." Ai nodded, though she knew she wasn't any more experienced with second-hand figures than he was.
In the past, she'd just grabbed Archon figures straight from the store during holidays — no private deals, no haggling.
Honestly, if you didn't really care, who would bother with a second-hand figure at all?
Ai pursed her lips. She had wanted this limited Archon figure for months, but an emergency had pulled her away the moment it was released.
By the time she got back, it was gone. She tried to track it down afterward — but it was like chasing a ghost.
Those who could afford limited figures didn't blink at a few Mora. Slowly, hope had slipped through her fingers.
Then Xiangling showed up. "I think he's got the exact figure you've been hunting," she said.
John remembered hearing about John's recent troubles — if he was putting this figure up for sale, it had to be serious.
I should give a little extra, she decided.
After all, this was about helping a fellow collector.
John carefully lifted the figure from his bag and pulled away the white cloth.
The delicate craftsmanship shimmered under the light, every detail calling out to her.
The patterns, the texture — the moment Ai laid eyes on it, she knew it was genuine.
Even among limited editions, this was a rare hidden version.
This wasn't just about money. Luck had a hand in it too.
Decision made. I have to have it.
John's gaze flicked to her nervously. He couldn't see her expression and had no clue if his base offer would satisfy her.
He couldn't just throw out a number — one wrong move, and she might sniff out his inexperience and he'd sell it for too little. Every Mora mattered.
"How much do you want?" Ai asked.
"You tell me," John replied, passing the decision back to her.
Ai paused. Figures were unpredictable — priceless to someone who cared, just another ornament to someone who didn't.
"Can I hold it?" she asked, sidestepping the question of price.
"Of course," John said, sliding the figure toward her.
She slipped on her black lace gloves, revealing smooth, delicate wrists.
Her long fingers danced over the Archon's dragon head, so lifelike it was as if the sculptor had witnessed the Archon himself.
She lifted the figure, tilting it to reveal the base. Stamped there were the maker's name and number — the signature marks of a hidden limited edition, nearly impossible to forge.
Mr. Zhong.
Ai's eyes widened. His works were rare, coveted — owning one was the dream of every Archon fan.
She placed the figure carefully on the table and raised a finger.
Ten thousand Mora? John guessed.
He hesitated. Even inferior figures in stores went for that much.
But as an outsider, he had no real benchmark.
He held up seven fingers.
Ai frowned. Seven hundred thousand Mora? That was steep.
She signaled three. After a tense exchange, they finally settled on five.
John exhaled. Half a month of relentless Slime hunting had earned him this — fine, take it.
Ai allowed herself a small nod. Five hundred thousand Mora — roughly half a month's salary plus some investments. Worth it.
With the deal settled, Xiangling arrived carrying a tray of snacks. "Try my freshly fried mushrooms! A little Jueyun chili powder makes them irresistible!"
Ai and John each sipped tea, lips tingling from the spicy kick.
No matter how cheerful Xiangling was, neither would dare touch the chili.
Too spicy!
"Since the deal's done, take off your hood. Hiding like that doesn't suit you, Ai," Xiangling sighed, teasing.
Ai hesitated a moment before pulling it off, revealing her delicate features: pale purple hair cascading over her shoulders, crimson eyes that could captivate anyone, a perfectly shaped nose and lips.
Even with her body mostly hidden, John knew — just this face could enchant a crowd.
Her hood alone could have cost several of his figures, worth hundreds of thousands of Mora.
She had rushed out without fully disguising herself, and Xiangling's comment forced her hand.
Luckily, John didn't seem to recognize her.
Even as Yuheng Qixing, not everyone in Liyue knew her.
Considering his recent struggles and his connection to Xiangling, she trusted him not to expose her identity.
And sharing the same hobby — collecting Archon merchandise — made him a friend in her eyes.