Honkai, But I Have Too Many Mods

Stalemate is completely unnecessary; the goal is to find a plausible excuse to retreat.

Snap.

Rita moved as if she had been displaced, instantly grabbing Liu Bai's hand.

"Sir, you are an adult now. You can't just blindly obey your so-called 'sister' in everything."

Rita couldn't just ignore Raven's words.

Liu Bai: "..."

Do you two have to drag me into your bickering?

But this kind of love-triangle-esque feeling is... really exhilarating.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rita, Rita Rossweisse. And you are?"

Hearing Rita's introduction, Liu Bai turned and glanced at Raven.

How should I respond? Is it okay to just state my name?

"My younger brother, Liu Bai—that's how he does things."

Raven stopped in her tracks and once again stood in front of Liu Bai.

(She's really a siscon. Liu Bai's glance back just now, plus the deliberate emphasis on "that's how he does things." Rita already believes their sibling relationship with 70% certainty. Especially the emphasis, does that mean marriage is legal? You brought this brother in with impure intentions, didn't you! What are you thinking with that smile on your face, Rita?)

She had plenty of experience dealing with problematic children like Rita.

Raven was also helpless. This was a classic case of telling one lie and having to use countless others to cover it up. But Rita had witnessed her and Liu Bai together, and now she had no room to back down. She had to find a way to distance Liu Bai—it was obvious even with her eyes closed that Rita would try to investigate Liu Bai's identity once she got back.

"I'll say it again, my brother isn't interested in women of unknown origin..."

"Sis, why don't we hear what Miss Rita has to say?"

Liu Bai patted Raven's shoulder from behind.

The "two women fighting over one man" situation was starting to attract the attention of others. Moreover, Liu Bai could tell that the two of them continuing to argue was just a stalemate.

One wouldn't give up on herself, and the other wouldn't give up on information within reach. Continuing this stalemate would only lead to one side compromising or running out of patience.

"...Since my brother says so, I'll listen for now."

"Then wait for me for a moment. I need to buy a few books. Little Gui, come with me."

This guy is actually enjoying the show.

"You got it!"

Guinaifen stood up and followed Liu Bai. After they walked away, Guinaifen's cheerful expression instantly changed.

"Boss, I'm increasingly wanting to write a play called 'Liu Bai's Earthly Travels' to be staged on the Luofu—I think it would be a massive hit."

"Am I finally the protagonist?"

"You're too much of a protagonist. Compared to you, I, Little Gui, am just a mere bystander," Guinaifen said sincerely. "The troubles never stop, and the beautiful girls never stop coming. It's definitely the kind of plot that audiences love—but is it really okay to leave those two there?"

"It's fine. Neither of them has a strong desire to fight."

"You damn bastard, you crossed the line."

When Liu Bai had just left, Raven was still a bit stunned. But after a few seconds, she realized this was an excellent opportunity to negotiate.

Did Liu Bai anticipate this?

...Is that guy actually a strategist?

However, regardless, Raven, having realized the situation, glared at Rita with killing intent and warned her.

"It's you who surprised me with your cold words," Rita said, completely unfazed by the killing intent. "The man I fell in love with at first sight is the enemy's brother. This level of absurdity is practically Romeo and Juliet for me."

"What a blatant lie. Are all women in Schicksal like you, who lie as easily as eating and drinking?"

"Likewise."

Rita responded with a smile.

As soon as she said that, Raven immediately became vigilant.

She knows? Should I act?

Raven tensed up.

"Look, you haven't told Mr. Liu Bai about your own affairs either, have you? If your brother knew that his sister was actually a cold-blooded killer who doesn't blink an eye when killing..."

Rita misunderstood the change in Raven's demeanor.

"But Mr. Liu Bai is also very smart, perhaps he already realized something? What do you think?"

A meaningful smile appeared on Rita's face.

When she first met Liu Bai, his words made Rita feel that he definitely knew something, which was the basis for Rita's pursuit—though she had encountered a surprise now.

As for the outsider, Rita hadn't thought about it in that direction at all—would a normal person leave a hard-won outsider to fend for themselves on the streets?

From the beginning, this option didn't exist in Rita's mind; her logic was still "break through the serpent's nest and find traces of the outsider."

"Please rest assured, I have no ill intentions towards Mr. Liu Bai... I just have one question, the jar, you took it, didn't you?" The smile on Rita's face disappeared, and her stern gaze fixed on Raven.

"Yes, after I wiped it, a genie appeared. No, I should call it a jar spirit. It said I freed him and would grant me three wishes."

"The outsider?" Rita wasn't interested in Raven's nonsense—though she was curious what kind of alien could live in a jar.

"No comment."

Chapter 21: Are You Two on a Date?

"I'm back, sister. Did you and Miss Rita have a good chat?"

After five minutes, Liu Bai and Guinaifen returned. The atmosphere between Rita and Raven, which had been tense before, was now visibly stiff—even though it hadn't been great before.

These two were typical examples of people who just didn't click.

As they chatted, they started subtly mocking each other due to the ideological conflict between World Serpent and Schicksal. It was only because they were in a library; if this were a secluded alley, these two would be drawing knives and fighting by now.

"Tell me what you don't like, and I can change it."

"It's been a pleasure chatting with your sister."

Raven looked displeased, while Rita was relatively more composed—if one ignored the twitching vein on Rita's forehead.

These two were evenly matched in their verbal sparring.

"It's getting late. If you two don't mind, how about I treat the three of you to lunch?"

Rita let out a sigh and extended the invitation to Liu Bai.

Raven glanced at Liu Bai—after realizing Liu Bai might be a strategic talent, she decided to listen to his thoughts.

After all, Liu Bai was the key to this "confrontation."

"It's better to accept your kind offer than to refuse."

"You... have pretty good taste."

Upon entering the family restaurant before them, Raven, uncharacteristically, complimented Rita.

This was a restaurant she and Xiao Kong often visited.

"I thought you would choose something like a bar."

"What do you think, Mr. Liu Bai?" Rita completely ignored Raven, looking at Liu Bai with a smile.

"Miss Rita, you've gone to a lot of trouble."

Liu Bai replied with a standard politeness, but Rita didn't seem dissatisfied. Under the guidance of a waiter, the four found a table and sat down.

And then...

Guinaifen: "..."

One table, two benches.

The current ratio was 3:1.

Opposite them: Rita, Liu Bai, Raven.

On this side: Guinaifen, alone.

"Emmm..."

The family restaurant's long benches were designed for two people, but it was a bit cramped with three.

My boss is such a popular handsome man~

Although the current situation is definitely not just about popularity.

Guinaifen leisurely watched the three people squeezed together opposite her.

More material for my songs has been added.

"Do you really have to squeeze next to someone else's brother? Have you no shame?"

"We're all adults, you shouldn't feel ashamed just for sitting together, right?"

(The boss has a really pleased expression... I get it, I get it.

Under Guinaifen's gaze, Liu Bai reached out his hand.

"?"

"Ticket money."

"Huh? Isn't it voluntary to give a tip?!"

"...Right, who is this young lady?"

Rita Rossweisse suddenly shifted her gaze with some curiosity towards the lively and cheerful girl opposite them.

This girl didn't give off the impression of being part of the "Serpent."

"Just a friend," Liu Bai replied, turning his head. He then nudged Raven with his elbow, "Sis, you need to make things easier for me too."

I'll handle the situation.

Today's situation is definitely not a problem, there's no reason for a fight to break out—but if Raven and Rita keep bickering, that's another story.

It's especially easy to let something slip when one isn't thinking clearly.

Liu Bai picked up the menu, asked for everyone's input, and then ordered a few dishes. He then looked at Rita, "By the way, Miss Rita, are you a maid for the Merchant Association?"

"Yes, I was just transferred from headquarters a few days ago."

Rita had already shown her side as a warrior when she was with the Merchant Association, but she couldn't directly reveal her identity as a Schicksal Valkyrie, so she could only go along with Liu Bai's words.

Rita had already anticipated Liu Bai's next question—

"You know my sister? Where did you meet her?" Liu Bai continued to press.

"Of course, it was through work. You know, the Merchant Association is always doing business. As for our relationship, well... in my personal opinion, it's fine? I just can't imagine that she has such a handsome younger brother."