Honkai Impact 3rd, but I have too many mods.

Rita suddenly realized that she didn't know the name of this "snake".

"Mr. Liu, you don't need to worry about some work-related conflicts."

Unsurprising answer.

Liu Bai remained calm.

The simplest way to end a conversation is to cut off the topic.

Rita's dual personality means she will never ask overly provocative questions in situations where she is not the enemy; she should just deal with things step by step.

"So, Mr. Liu Bai, what are you doing right now?"

"I'm a stay-at-home guy, being supported by my older sister. To be honest, Miss Rita, today is my first time going to the mall to buy things."

"Wow... I had no idea you were a homebody."

Rita looked surprised.

(Are these two organizing some kind of matchmaking event?)

Although Raven could tell that Liu Bai was refining his character, she couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her eye.

Should we ask about RVs next?

If the persona isn't that of a homebody, would I still need to ask about their salary?

"There are many types of otaku, and there are even rare professions like tech otaku."

“Hmm… so I guess I have some tech geeks among my colleagues.” Rita nodded slightly. “To be honest, I was quite surprised when I saw you this morning. It’s amazing that someone would be so relaxed when the Honkai alarm was going off, even shopping and paying for things. Even Ms. Yelan praised you.”

Oh, so that's why Lan's favorability rating inexplicably increased last night?

"You startled me too."

"me?"

"It's impossible not to be scared if a maid wielding a large scythe suddenly blocks your doorway and says something like 'Don't leave after school'?"

Is that how I appear to you?

Rita thought about her performance that morning and tried to put herself in Liu Bai's shoes.

It seems... that's really the case?

Rita couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

"I was truly rude. I really only meant to warn you about the dangers outside. After all, the Honkai is no joke. But since I've frightened you, please accept this as an apology."

Rita took out a bookmark embroidered with purple flowers from her fanny pack.

Bachelor's Bookmark (Jewelry)

[Slightly increases reading efficiency when worn]

"Hey bro, don't accept things from strangers." Raven said, propping his head up with a displeased look.

Liu Bai pretended not to hear.

When you're feeling sleepy, here's a pillow for you...

Seeing Liu Bai accept it, Rita smiled even more happily.

"By the way, although it may be a bit presumptuous, could we exchange contact information?"

"Hey, don't go too far." Raven finally lost his temper.

"I'm sorry, but since my sister isn't willing, then let's just forget about it."

Liu Bai also refused.

Contact information is a very sensitive thing.

"I understand, this request is indeed a bit presumptuous on your part..."

Rita showed no disappointment.

At this point, the waiters started serving the dishes.

"However, if there is an opportunity for lunch after the game, I hope to get to know you better, Mr. Liu. Now, let's enjoy the food and have a good chat."

Chapter Twenty-Two: A Cozy Cottage

Rita's Affection Level: 2025

[Natasha's favorability: 1525]

Besides the bachelor's bookmark, the only additional benefit was the increased favorability between the two.

However, after meeting Rita, Raven absolutely refused to let Liu Bai continue wandering around outside today.

"I didn't realize you were such a good kid, old man... cough."

But Raven didn't hold back on the praise it deserved.

"I can't talk to that Rita calmly."

"But this matter is not over yet."

Liu Bai poured cold water on the raven.

The raven suppressed its smile and nodded silently.

Liu Bai has established his persona, so the next step is to help solidify that persona.

Only a thousand days to be a thief, how can a thousand days to guard against thieves?

...Although Raven really wanted to just lock Liu Bai up.

However, our lord's response to this matter is as follows:

"Being targeted? Hmm? This lab rat is really lucky. Caged? Why cage it? Raven, don't you think things are getting more and more interesting?"

That's ridiculous! Didn't you yourself say these were precious lab mice?

You should at least be more careful yourself!

"Tell me what you think the next step should be."

Raven sighed and began to seek Liu Bai's opinion.

Based on what happened today, Raven has become more confident in Liu Bai's intelligence—her former strategist was that stupid dog, Jackal.

Now we finally have a proper strategist.

“A house—my persona isn’t important, what’s important is your persona, Raven.”

"Me?" The raven didn't quite catch on.

"You are now to play the role of a 'brother-obsessed older sister who secretly becomes the villain behind her younger brother's back'."

"...Are you sure you're not just messing with me?" Raven felt ashamed when she heard this.

"You think I'm the only one Rita's targeting?"

Raven was speechless. Well, her goal was definitely bigger than Liu Bai's. If the two of them could fight, they would definitely not hesitate to kill each other.

"So your persona is that of a 'close younger brother who vaguely senses what his older sister is doing but can't bring himself to say anything'?"

Raven grasped it instantly—though Raven himself didn't want to understand it so quickly at all.

"Yes, sis, do you believe that I'll have a high chance of running into Miss Rita every time I go out these next few days?"

"Can't you just stay home?" Raven grumbled, then led Liu Bai to the parking lot, pointing at the sports car in front of them. "Get in, I'll take you to my house."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Ningguang, are you sure it's okay? Okay, whatever you want."

When Rita returned to the Chamber of Commerce, Yelan had just finished making a phone call.

"You seem to be in a good mood, Rita?"

"I made a very interesting friend." Rita didn't deny that she was in a good mood.

Ye Lan leisurely rocked the armchair beneath her, revealing a hint of understanding: "That young man from this morning? I told you he was an interesting person."

There aren't many people who can earn her admiration for their strong will.

Rita hesitated for a moment, then asked, "By the way, did you know that 'Snake' has a younger brother?"

(Snake? Oh, you mean raven?)

"Who knows? Rita, would you voluntarily tell me about your family situation?"

Rita smiled without saying a word.

Of course not.

Does that mean the probability of this sibling relationship being real is not low?

On the way back, Rita suddenly realized something—who was in charge of hosting this dinner party?

Rita's final conclusion was that Liu Bai was the one who caused the problem.

Somewhat incredible.

She achieved her most basic goal with great precision.

Clearly, I was the one who proposed the whole thing, the one who took the initiative and acted first, but the result was the opposite; I was led by the nose, and I didn't even realize it until afterwards.

This feeling is really... strange?

Rita, however, showed no dissatisfaction at being outmaneuvered by the strange man; instead, she seemed to be pondering another matter.

sheep

Assuming the relationship between the two is true, would Liu Bai not know what his sister has been doing?

If we take this as a premise, then Liu Bai's initiative today is not surprising.

"Ye Lan, may I post a request?"

"Publishing is certainly possible, but whether we accept it depends on the size of your request. Our chamber of commerce doesn't have time to waste on trivial orders."

Without even guessing, Yelan knew what kind of request Rita was going to make.

"Rest assured, I will definitely provide you with a reward that will satisfy you, Ms. Yelan."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"We're here." Raven's supercar stopped in front of an apartment building. "Follow me."

Raven got off the car and went upstairs, and Liu Bai and Gui Naifen obediently followed.

Then, the raven stopped in front of room number 2, took out a key, and smoothly unlocked the door.

Pushing open the door reveals a cozy little house decorated primarily in warm yellow tones.

"This is...your home?" Gui Naifen asked with a curious expression.

“It’s not my family’s property (it’s one of my properties)... Well, you’re lucky. I was originally planning to sell this apartment building.”

The raven spoke in a nonchalant tone, as if it were the words of a wealthy woman.

"Since you need it, you can stay here for now—you definitely can't stay at Shencheng Medical Center any longer anyway."

As long as Liu Bai continues to go out, living at the headquarters of Shencheng Pharmaceutical is a troublesome matter.

“There are two bedrooms here. You and Gui Naifen each have one room normally. I will come over when you need me to play house with you.”

Raven has people to take care of herself, so she can't possibly play along with Liu Bai.

"However, this place hasn't been cleaned in a long time. If you want to clean it, you can clean it yourselves. Here, this is the key. This apartment is yours now. If you want to rent it out, that's fine too, as long as you have a clean background. Consider the rent as your pocket money."

Raven thought she needed to find something for Liu Bai to do, otherwise this guy would be idle all day taking out his gun and wandering around the streets, and she didn't have the energy to take care of Liu Bai all the time.

[The "Nameless Apartment" in the industrial park has been unlocked]

Oh, is this... a free gift of industry?

Liu Bai was slightly surprised, but not particularly delighted.

The early stages of the V industry are too drawn out, and the last three stages are just "destiny" umbrellas, "reverse entropy" and the like, just picking up what's readily available.

Aside from players who focus on managing their own resources, no one would likely invest in industries in the early stages of the game.