I Play Stat-Sticks in Honkai: Star Rail

Located in Aurum Alley, there's a restaurant called Moonsea Pavilion.

Honestly, the moment Liuge saw the restaurant's name, he felt a jolt run through him.

For a brief instant, Liuge thought he had transmigrated again, ending up in a game by the same developer, "Genshin Impact."

But then he remembered, Moonsea Pavilion isn't a restaurant!

That's when he snapped back to reality, relieved he hadn't transmigrated again.

"This restaurant's name is quite something!"

Liuge looked at the three characters, "Moonsea Pavilion," on the sign and slowly spoke.

"I wonder if there's a Cocogoat working as a waitress in here!"

"Cocogoat?"

Tingyun found it a bit strange.

Did such a race exist in this universe?

"It's nothing, just talking to myself."

Liuge smiled and walked in first.

Seeing this, Tingyun pondered for a moment before following him.

The interior decor was a bit old-fashioned but exuded a strong ancient charm, giving off an elegant and comforting vibe at first glance.

"Welcome, is it two?"

A Foxian girl wearing an apron approached them.

"Yes!"

Liuge nodded.

"Do you have private rooms?"

"Yes, yes."

The girl nodded and led Liuge and Tingyun to a booth in the back.

After a quick look at the menu, Liuge handed it to Tingyun.

"Tingyun, you order. I don't know what's good here yet."

"If that's the case, I'll do it then."

Tingyun took the menu, glanced at it briefly, and then skillfully recited the dish names.

After the Foxian girl left, Liuge and Tingyun began to chat.

For a while, the two talked about everything under the sun, enjoying a lively conversation!

Meanwhile, at the General of the Xianzhou Mansion.

Jing Yuan looked at a message he had just received, his brow furrowed.

It was a communication from the Construction Commission.

It detailed how, in the past few days, many of the mechanical puppets in the Construction Commission had begun to act as if they had gained life, consciously attacking artisans.

At first, they thought it was due to some malfunction, but as time went on.

More and more of these mechanical puppets began to exhibit abnormalities.

Until today, after the Mara-Struck incident in the Dan Ding Division, the Construction Commission also experienced a large-scale riot of mechanical puppets.

However, thanks to the contingency plans left by the artisans, these mechanical puppets were temporarily shut down.

But this situation, by all accounts, felt wrong. Thus, they sent a message to Jing Yuan, requesting him to dispatch some Cloud Knights as a precaution.

Looking at the message in his hand, a hint of doubt flashed in Jing Yuan's eyes.

The Xianzhou was indeed having problems lately.

First, there was Lord of Ruin: Phantylia, then the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus causing people to fall to Mara-Struck, and now the mechanical puppets in the Construction Commission were also showing abnormalities, as if they had been imbued with life and consciousness.

Putting aside everything else, the mere fact of being imbued with life seemed peculiar.

"These changes... could it be..."

As if realizing something, Jing Yuan immediately stood up and waved his right hand.

"Transmit my oral order: immediately conduct thorough searches in all districts. Do not let any suspicious individuals slip through!"

"Yes!"

The next moment, a Cloud Knight received the order and retreated to relay the message.

Jing Yuan rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

If his suspicions were correct, the Xianzhou was facing a very troublesome situation this time.

"What's wrong, General?"

Yanqing asked curiously, observing Jing Yuan's demeanor.

"It's fine, you can go. Let me be alone for a bit..."

"Understood!"

Yanqing blinked in surprise and immediately left the area.

Watching Yanqing's retreating back, Jing Yuan let out a long sigh.

At this moment, aboard the Astral Express, everyone had gathered in the observation car.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Pom-Pom's voice echoed over the broadcast. "We're about to jump, so please find a secure spot to avoid falling! Also, passenger March 7th, please stop standing there challenging yourself, Pom!"

"Hehe, brave March fears no difficulty!"

052 -- I've lived a fulfilling life!

After finishing dinner with Tingyun, they stood at the entrance of the Moonsea Pavilion, chatting as they walked.

However, it seemed the Xianzhou had reached nighttime, as the sky had grown somewhat dim.

"Liuge, by the way, do you remember where you used to live on the Xianzhou?"

Tingyun suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Liuge was taken aback.

That's right, he'd been running around all day.

He hadn't thought about that at all.

"No, I don't."

Liuge shook his head and then smiled.

"It's okay, I can just stay at an inn. I'm sure I'll remember eventually."

"Is that so?"

Tingyun nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Um, why don't you come to my place? My home is quite large, and I have plenty of guest rooms. You can move in right away when we get there."

"Huh?"

Liuge was stunned, and his gaze towards Tingyun became somewhat bewildered.

"Don't... don't misunderstand. It's just that I'm often busy with the merchant guild, and I rarely go home, which is why I'm asking you."

Tingyun quickly explained.

She seemed afraid that if she didn't explain quickly enough, Liuge might develop some wrong ideas.

"Oh, I see!"

Liuge pondered for a moment after hearing her explanation, but something felt off. Just as he was about to speak, "Liuge, you're here?!"

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from not too far away.

A petite girl holding a skewer of grilled meat walked towards them.

The satisfied smile on her face turned joyful the moment she saw Liuge.

It was Qingque!

All day, Qingque had been unaware of what had happened at the Dan Ding Division. She had been closely monitored by Fu Xuan with her work and had only just finished her shift.

Now, as soon as she was off work, she came to Aurum Alley to find something to eat.

Tingyun frowned slightly upon seeing Qingque arrive.

She had already found out today.

The person who had reported Liuge missing to the Cloud Knights a month ago was this young girl from the Divination Commission standing before her.

She guessed that Qingque and Liuge might have some kind of relationship, but it was only a guess. Perhaps they were just neighbors.

"Oh, it's Qingque. You're here to eat too!"

The moment Liuge saw Qingque, the memory of playing Diyuan Qiongyu with her earlier that day flashed through his mind, and he almost put on a pained expression again.

"Hmm? Isn't this Lady Tingyun? What, you know Liuge too?"

At this moment, Qingque also noticed Tingyun standing beside Liuge, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Hehe, this humble one received a favor from young master Liuge when the merchant ship returned. Speaking of which, young master Liuge is my benefactor!"

As she said this, Tingyun cast her gaze towards Liuge.

"You can say that, can't you, benefactor~"

Hearing Tingyun call him benefactor made Liuge feel a tingle all over.

What is the meaning of life!

Liuge could now clearly tell you that the meaning of life is to hear Tingyun call you benefactor with your own ears!

-- I've lived a fulfilling life!

Qingque watched Liuge tremble all over and poked him with a playful jab.

"Hey, hey, Liuge, you don't have to be like that! It's just a name, don't act like you've lost your soul!"

"Wha... what do you mean, lost my soul? Don't go around slandering me!"

Liuge instantly straightened up as if a nerve had been struck, declaring righteously.

Seeing Liuge like this, Qingque pouted.

Meanwhile, Tingyun, standing nearby, was finding it hard to contain herself.

Liuge was just too amusing!

Yes, in Tingyun's eyes, Liuge's current dopey appearance was truly entertaining.

As for Qingque, Tingyun felt she was rather an eyesore here.

"Benefactor is truly interesting!"

Tingyun opened her Six-Ribbed Folding Fan, partially concealing her face, but her smile was undeniable.

"Oh right, what were you guys talking about just now?"

Qingque, eating the grilled meat in her hand, changed the subject.

"Oh! It's like this, I just returned to Xianzhou, and because I lost a period of memory, I forgot where my home is!"

Upon hearing this, Liuge immediately explained to Qingque.

"Then Miss Tingyun said that she often works overtime at the merchant guild and doesn't go home often, and if I don't mind, she'd let me stay at her place!"

Hearing this, Qingque's gaze fixed on Tingyun.

The look made Tingyun's body stiffen slightly, and the smile on her face also retracted a bit.

"Ho ho, often working overtime and not going home, eh~"