He changed Tiwat

"Confidence is very important for women. If you have more worries or doubts in your heart, even the most beautiful clothes will not be able to achieve 'harmony' with you, let alone aesthetics. So your affirmation... is very important to me."

The hint of allure hidden in Ningguang's eyes made Han Fulai lower his head uncomfortably.

“Alright, it’s time for us to get going,” Ningguang said.

"Huh? Going to Liuli Pavilion now? Isn't it a bit early?" Han Fu looked at the clock on the wall. It was only a little past nine in the morning, far from lunchtime.

"Hehe, of course not to Liuli Pavilion. Have you forgotten? I just said I would give you a new set of clothes. Come on, I'll take you to meet my personal tailor."

Ningguang smiled and asked, "Speaking of which, what do you think of the feel of this clothing?"

"It feels quite nice... Ah, sorry, I touched this dress out of curiosity." Han Fulai realized that he had been caught touching someone else's clothes.

Ningguang shook her head dismissively. "It's no big deal to touch it. I asked you to help me get my clothes so you could try on the fabric. The new clothes I made for you are made of the same material."

It seems Ningguang was prepared all along... Han Fulai knew that things had come to this point, and he had no choice but to accept it.

"Then... thank you very much, Sister Ningguang."

Ningguang's eyes flickered, and she suddenly smiled mischievously. "Since I'm wearing it, you won't have a chance to touch it anymore. Or do you still want to touch it now?"

"No, no need..." Han Fulai blushed and quickly waved his hand.

After descending from Qunyu Pavilion, Ningguang and Han Fulai walked side by side on Feiyun Slope, occasionally discussing the development history of nearby shops.

Given Ningguang's extensive knowledge of Liyue's information, she naturally knew these things like the back of her hand. Han Fulai had also spent some time studying Liyue's history recently, so he was able to join in the conversation.

Both of them are now celebrities in Liyue Harbor, and their outing together naturally attracted the attention of many passersby, especially Ningguang's formal attire, which drew many onlookers... Of course, Ningguang was already used to being the center of attention, and Han Fulai had done his fair share of public appearances, so he was equally unfazed.

When Ningguang accompanied him on the day the civil service exam results were released, he was quite shy. But now, his attitude is—"Hehehe, let me tell you, Ningguang not only accompanies me shopping, but also buys me clothes and treats me to fancy meals. Aren't you envious?"

The two chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, they were talking about the famous chess game with Liyue Harbor as the chessboard—"Liyue Millennium".

“‘Liyue Millennium’ is an adaptation of traditional board game rules. When designing it, I wanted it to not only be entertaining but also faithfully showcase the characteristics of Liyue. So I introduced many concepts that didn’t exist in the original board game to show the differences between different pieces and the board. I’m still revising and adding content, and there are now more than thirty versions.” Ningguang pointed to the surrounding shops as she introduced the game.

In her "Liyue Millennium", the appearance of Liyue Harbor was almost a one-to-one replica.

Han Fulai naturally knew about this, and he took the opportunity to ask a question that he was very interested in.

"If the rules are complicated, wouldn't that be very difficult for new players to learn?"

"Yes, that's why this game hasn't been very successful in terms of promotion..."

Ningguang's face showed a rare hint of distress, and Han Fulai thought to himself that even she had her troubles. After all, it was quite frustrating for a businessperson to have a product they had worked so hard to create but fail to promote.

However, she quickly regained her confident demeanor and said earnestly, "But I've never thought that 'reducing the learning cost' is a good thing. Isn't being able to continuously learn and improve within complex rules one of the most important joys of chess?"

"But that would only attract hardcore players; casual players wouldn't touch it at all." Han Fulai recalled the online debate about the difficulty of Genshin Impact's maps. Balancing the game's difficulty was the most challenging aspect for game designers.

Ningguang is a successful businesswoman, but not necessarily a successful game designer. She managed to make a Monopoly-style simulation game with rules and content at the level of Paradox Interactive's games, which is something most people simply can't handle.

But Ningguang is someone who wants to do everything to the best of her ability.

"I've considered creating content that will interest even those unfamiliar with chess. So I plan to make a new set of chessboards and pieces, adapted from the two major battles from a while ago. The game is divided into two factions: one side plays as the guardians of Liyue Harbor, and the other side plays as the Fatui, Oser, and Bazha."

"That sounds very interesting. If the new game is developed, please let me try it." Han Fulai was quite interested. As a participant in those two major battles, he was very curious about how Ningguang would adapt it.

Ningguang smiled and said, "Once I finish designing it, the first thing I'll invite you to experience it. I've tried my best to recreate the most realistic appearance of every piece in 'Liyue Millennium.' And how could the Guardians of Liyue Harbor be without you, Han? Right?"

"Me?" Han Fulai was genuinely surprised this time. "Is there a character for me in the new game?"

How to put it? He felt like he was still alive when Type-Moon turned him into a Servant in FGO, and he had mixed feelings all of a sudden.

Ningguang smiled. "That's right, and I want to be many, many more of you. My idea is that only players who pre-order this new 'Liyue Millennium' set at full price will be eligible to obtain you as a chess piece. This design also reflects your status in my heart."

So it turns out I'm not only going to be made into a Heroic Spirit card, but a limited five-star one, exclusive to whales?

Chapter 56 A Date with Sister Ningguang (Part 3) [4k]

Being used as part of Ningguang's new game promotion plan, Han Fulai was unsure whether to be happy or helpless. Would being made into a chess piece mean there would be swimsuit versions, special skins, and so on? Could there even be a gender-swapped version?

Ningguang, on the other hand, was all smiles, looking quite excited, as if she was already thinking about what shape to make Han Fulai's chess pieces.

"Speaking of which, why did Ningguang invent 'Liyue Millennium'?" Han Fulai quickly changed the subject.

Ningguang gave Han Fulai an answer he hadn't expected—

"In order to remember history."

"Remember history?" Han Fulai repeated in confusion.

"Yes, naming it 'Liyue Millennium' is to make people remember Liyue's thousand-year history. I meticulously crafted this game, replicating the local customs and culture of Liyue Harbor, and setting various rules that are not like a game of chess but are closer to reality. I want to tell people that the history of Liyue, like the pieces and dice on the chessboard, is actually in people's hands."

When Ningguang said this, her eyes were filled with an unusual gleam.

“My design for the latest version of ‘Liyue Millennium’ wasn’t entirely for promotion. More importantly, it was to remember that history. The reason I made you a pawn is because you are the one who best represents that history.”

"I... represent history..."

At this moment, Han Fulai suddenly felt a real sense of having tangibly influenced the history of Liyue. The wheels of history rolled forward, and he was among those who propelled them.

“I will turn all the participants into chess pieces, including myself. That way, by collecting this game of chess, I will also be collecting a vivid piece of history,” Ningguang said with a smile.

Han Fulai nodded. "Please allow me to pre-order one at full price when the time comes."

After walking a short distance, Ningguang turned a street corner and stopped.

"We've arrived."

Han Fulai looked up and realized that this place was very familiar to him; he had just been here yesterday—"Chunxiang Kiln".

Shop owner Ying'er happened to come out of the shop and saw the two of them, her face lighting up with surprise: "Hey, isn't this Miss Ningguang and Brother Han? Why have you been coming here so often lately?"

"Oh? You knew each other before?" Ningguang seemed quite curious, after all, Han Fulai was clearly not someone who would be interested in porcelain.

"Haha...it's kind of a coincidence." Han Fulai chuckled dryly, admitting that he was too embarrassed to say that he had accompanied Ying'er to drive around and gather information.

Ying'er, on the other hand, looked aggrieved and pouted, "Why are you being so distant, Brother Han? I gave you my most precious things back then. Your attitude is called 'heartless,' you know?"

"Looks like you're in a good mood today." Ningguang was obviously very familiar with Ying'er's routine, completely ignoring the car wheel that was running over Ying'er's face, which made Han Fulai breathe a sigh of relief and secretly praise the older sister for her high level of skill.

"Hehe. Same as usual, nothing special, but seeing the two of you has really cheered me up." Ying'er smiled, straightened her clothes, and finally became serious. "Let's put the jokes aside for now, is there anything I can do for you today?"

“I told you about the custom chess pieces before, do you remember?” Ningguang asked.

"Of course." Ying'er nodded, looking Han Fulai up and down. "Could it be that Miss Ningguang brought me the prototype of the character model today?"

"Hey, hey, don't talk about character modeling in front of the prototype, okay?!" Han Fulai roared inwardly.

"And also, I'd like to ask you to take care of the clothes as well," Ningguang continued.

"Clothes...? Wait, isn't Boss Ying'er in the porcelain business?" Han Fulai's eyes widened.

"Oh dear," Ying'er giggled, covering her mouth. "Before discussing my profession, I was a young girl. Like when you asked me how to make perfume, that wasn't my job. Is it strange that a young girl cherishes her youth and is skilled in tailoring?"

No, no, Boss Ying'er, your age can hardly be described as "young girl"... Han Fulai decided to keep these words to himself.

Ningguang smiled and twirled halfway around, showing Han Fulai the dress she was wearing: "Miss Ying'er's craftsmanship in this area is even comparable to many famous Liyue tailors. I have commissioned her many times."

“Ah… could it be your personal tailor…” Han Fulai finally understood why Ningguang had brought him to “Chunxiang Kiln”.

Ningguang nodded. "It is indeed Miss Ying'er. I brought you here so that Miss Ying'er could take her measurements again and see if there are any alterations needed for that new outfit."

“Uh… let Miss Ying’er take my measurements…” Han Fulai suddenly felt a chill run down his spine when he recalled Ying’er’s method of grinding the perfume.

"Ah, I understand!" Ying'er clapped her hands, pretending to suddenly realize something. "Brother Han is right. It's my fault for being so stupid that I didn't understand the implied meaning. The tools are all inside the room. Please feel free to use them. I, who am 'doing the porcelain business,' will stay obediently outside."

"Eh? You want me to come...?" Ningguang looked at Ying'er, her wine-red eyes filled with surprise.

"Isn't this what Brother Han wanted?" Ying'er said with a smile.

"Please don't translate it with any extra meaning..." Han Fulai complained helplessly.

"Hahaha, it was just a joke, why take it so seriously?" Ying'er laughed heartily. "I just thought you two were a perfect match, and I couldn't resist teasing you a little."

Without saying a word, Ying'er pulled Han Fulai into the shop, "Come on, I want to take a good look at your body."

The feeling of being measured by Ying'er with a leather scale... well, it made Han Fulai feel like he had lost something important. Since he had no more virginity to lose, what he probably lost was something like a sense of shame...

After Ying'er obtained the data, she took out a black, fitted swallowtail coat in the style of Fontainebleau from the inner room and asked Han Fu to try it on.

The result of trying it on was that the tuxedo fit Han Fulai's body shape quite well, as if it were tailor-made for him—the problem is that Ying'er had just obtained his body data.

Facing Han Fulai's questioning gaze, Ying'er adjusted his bow tie while casually explaining, "Miss Ningguang asked me a while ago to make you a dress using the same fabric as hers. As for your figure, I can tell by looking at it that I'm pretty much right."

"So you were just taking my measurements for fun...?" Han Fulai asked with a wry smile.

Ying'er blinked innocently, "Oh dear, what a rare opportunity to get so close to Brother Han! How could I possibly let it slip by? If you need any clothes made in the future, feel free to come to me. Oh, and remember these numbers!"

Ying'er whispered all of Han Fulai's measurements in his ear, and Han Fulai realized what important thing he had just lost was his privacy.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and gold makes the Buddha. Wearing this exquisite tailcoat, Han Fulai's entire demeanor seemed to change, gaining a touch of maturity and resembling a debonair and successful gentleman from Fontainebleau. Ying'er even applied some hair wax to his hair and styled it, giving Han Fulai the illusion that he had undergone a complete transformation after visiting a beauty salon.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Han Fulai realized that he actually looked quite stylish when he dressed up, and felt a little smug.

When Ying'er proudly presented Han Fulai through the door, Ningguang was equally satisfied with Han Fulai's appearance.

"Now all the preparations for the banquet are complete."

At this moment, Ying'er seized the opportunity to add, "Are you two satisfied with this couple's outfit?"

Han Fulai's lips twitched, and he was speechless for a moment. Ningguang covered her face and sighed.

"Sigh... If I hear any strange rumors on the street later, you'll be the first person I suspect."

"Then I don't know if Lady Ningguang is referring to Brother Han or the chess piece." Ying'er still had a smile on her face.

"You're not allowed to say anything carelessly." Ningguang narrowed her eyes.

Ying'er shrugged, revealing a seemingly indifferent smile. "Don't worry, I understand that nothing is a joke. A 'secret' has its own flavor precisely because it's a 'secret'."

"Stop using misleading language." Ningguang seemed helpless with this Liyue racing god, and sighed in frustration. "Sigh, never mind, Han, let's go."

Ningguang took the chess piece model diagram that Ying'er handed over, while Han Fulai temporarily left his clothes with Ying'er. After agreeing to pick them up the next day, he and Ningguang left "Chunxiang Kiln".

This time, as he walked down the street with Ningguang, no one who didn't know him would recognize him at all. There would likely be many rumors circulating in the future that "Lady Ningguang has found a Fontaine boyfriend." Of course, this wasn't something Han Fulai needed to worry about.

"Shall we go to the Liuli Pavilion for the banquet now?" Han Fulai asked.

“No, we need to go to Star Studio first,” Ningguang replied.

The two arrived at Starry Pavilion, where the owner, Starry Sky Inn, was surprised by their attire: "Oh my, what brings Lady Ningguang here today? And this gentleman is... is he Vice Minister Han?"

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Boss Xingxi." Han Fulai nodded.

"You two are dressed up for the occasion today, you must have something important to do, right?" Xingxi also put on a serious expression.

"No, you misunderstood. I just came to pick up something today." Ningguang smiled. "I told you about the custom chess pieces before. The model is finished now, so we can start working on it, right?"

"Wait a minute, let me check..."

Boss Xingxi took Ningguang's model drawing and examined it carefully.

"Yes, no problem, the data is complete. I'll contact the craftsman in a bit."

“Yes, just like I said before, all materials must be the best,” Ningguang said.

“Since it is Lady Ningguang’s request, we will do our best to fulfill it. However…” Xingxi’s words contained a hint of worry.

“If you have any difficulties, please feel free to speak,” Ningguang said.

"...However, from a friend's perspective, I still want to say that based on the original price of the chess pieces, it wouldn't even cover the cost. It's not just a matter of manufacturing cost; good raw materials usually require waiting, which would lengthen the production period and reduce output."

Ningguang calmly shook her head. "It's alright. It wasn't originally made for profit. In the previous chess games, I had some considerations regarding commercial aspects and promotion, but for this set, I think its commemorative value is more important."

In order to remember history... Han Fulai recalled what Ningguang had said before.

“Look, the chess piece samples for Qunyu Pavilion have been in production for a long time, and I haven’t really urged them to speed up the process.”

"Huh? Is Qunyu Pavilion in this set of chess pieces?" Han Fulai thought that making the characters appear as chess piece models was already quite thoughtful, but he didn't expect Ningguang's pursuit to go far beyond that.

Ningguang nodded and said, "Yes, just like the chess piece representing you, the Jade Pavilion will also appear as a chess piece, and it will also be made in a certain proportion."

"A proportional replica of the Jade Pavilion..." Han Fulai understood Xingxi's concerns. A board game made so exquisitely must have cost a fortune.

To be honest, he'd also be very willing to collect the Liyue space battleship... ah, no, the model of the Jade Pavilion. That's a man's romance!

“Sigh, ‘not for profit’ doesn’t sound like something Ningguang would say.” Xingxi sighed as well; this was the first time she’d seen Ningguang so determined to do a losing business.

Ningguang simply smiled. "Whenever you talk about doing business, you can't avoid the topic of profit and loss, and you have to be able to make rational judgments at any time—that's called 'shrewdness.' But being too shrewd can be seen as heartless by others, as someone who only knows how to make money and has no human touch. While this is understandable, I have still encountered a lot of obstacles in actual transactions."

"Resistance?" Han Fulai asked curiously.

“For example, under the same trading conditions, the owner of the goods might sell them to someone else because of their dislike for me. Or, when investing, even though I offered better terms, it still aroused the other party's distrust. ‘That Ningguang, she must be plotting something, I can't let her succeed.’” Ningguang’s face was full of self-deprecation.

"So that's how it is..." Xingxi's expression also turned somewhat somber.

“However, this situation became much less frequent after the Battle of Oser, and I haven’t encountered it since the Battle of Bache.” Ningguang looked at Han Fulai with a smile.