Honkai, But I Have Too Many Mods

"Guinaifen's streams are something else... you can't use that one as a reference."

Liu Bai pulled Guinaifen behind him.

"Normally... Hmm, no, instead of explaining, let's just watch."

Liu Bai operated his wristband, and a screen projected into the air from a device on his wrist.

"A wristband, huh..."

"My sister gave it to me," Liu Bai explained casually.

This thing was quite high-tech, only sold by Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.

As Liu Bai operated it, the screen quickly switched to someone else's live stream.

A melodious song flowed from the screen.

"Her fundamental skills are quite good, but this is... a cover?" Eden commented and pondered for a moment before pointing at the screen, "And what's with this... little 2D paper figure?"

"What did we, the little 2D paper figures, ever do to you!"

"That... is called a virtual avatar. It's very friendly for people who don't want to show their faces,"

Liu Bai explained patiently.

"Their profession, strictly speaking, is called 'singers'... to put it bluntly, they are amateur singers who upload their work on video websites."

While Liu Bai was explaining, the singing in the stream stopped, and the "little 2D paper figure" began chatting casually with the audience.

"Mhm, mhm, the next step is to ask for donations," Guinaifen said, acting like an old hand.

"Shut up, you brat," Liu Bai lightly tapped Guinaifen's head. "How is it, Eden? Is this stage presentable enough? No matter how much the seniors in the industry dislike you, they won't stoop to attacking a 'little 2D paper person', right?"

Doing so would be a fundamental loss from the start.

The "amateur" status of singers was the best shield.

Besides, amateurs only became professionals, while professionals, even if they stopped singing, were still "former professionals."

"...I must admit, I'm tempted," Eden said, showing a hint of interest, having understood his meaning. "But does it have to be a live stream? I'm still not too fond of this format."

Eden wasn't socially anxious, but she disliked meaningless social interactions, especially those that were overly fawning.

"Begging for food on your knees isn't shameful!"

"If you interrupt again, you won't get dinner today," Liu Bai issued an ultimatum to Guinaifen.

"Well, besides live streaming, uploading videos is also an option—but there has to be something in the video, right? I don't think anyone would enjoy watching a black screen while someone sings."

Liu Bai's main goal was to recruit Eden, so he wasn't strict about the details.

Even if it didn't work out, he'd just have one more person to support. Would Eden really bankrupt him?

Moreover, Eden had the qualifications to earn her own way.

"First, accumulate popularity through virtual avatars and videos, then at the right time, do a face-reveal live stream and become famous overnight—how does this plan sound?"

"It sounds too simple—but for me, there aren't many other options," Eden nodded. "However, I can't guarantee that your investment will be recouped."

Eden was well aware of her own flaws.

Arrogant.

She disliked singing pop songs and was fixated on "outdated" classical music.

Because of this, she was often told during interviews that she lacked the ability to generate income through music.

She also knew that such seemingly simple plans often required more investment and operation, and it was only after becoming famous overnight that the real investment in packaging would be needed.

"I definitely won't lose money—just like you will definitely become a star in the future," Liu Bai said something Eden found very familiar.

"...That's something I say to encourage myself, not for Mr. Liu Bai to use to pressure me."

[Eden's Favorability: 2025]

Chapter 43: Yelan and Raven's Information Exchange

"However, regarding the rental situation, I still need to inspect it myself."

After reaching an agreement, Eden changed the subject.

Although this wasn't a permanent residence, if Liu Bai's apartment wasn't good, Eden would find another place herself.

She might be penniless, but she wasn't without parents.

She hadn't been able to ask before, but now that the need arose, Eden wouldn't hesitate.

"Of course, we can go now?"

"Wait a moment, I need to grab some pepper spray," Eden said, half-jokingly, as she opened a drawer.

Liu Bai: "..."

Well, it was good for a girl to have some vigilance.

"3, small, take the money."

"……You bastard, did you cheat?! How are you winning so much?"

Inside the room, Natasha and Yelan were sitting on the sofa playing dice.

"……Isn't this gambling?" Liu Bai, who had just entered, saw the two of them and his expression stiffened.

They're sitting together playing dice, and this is what you call a so-so relationship?

"Are you going to say that when you only bet fifty cents at a time?" Yelan stretched, "Gambling is a game where you lose nine out of ten times—though that probably doesn't apply to you."

Yelan had a look on her face that said, I did cheat, try and catch me if you can.

Still, Yelan had never seen someone bet only fifty cents at a time before.

"Oh, isn't this Mr. Liu Bai? You're back? I've finished assembling and installing the equipment for you. Shall I show you? Or would you like to play a few rounds and test your luck?"

"Uh, no, Ms. Yelan, you continue playing."

Liu Bai decided not to get involved in their affairs.

Seriously, Yelan already said you lose nine out of ten times, why would I be stubborn about it?

Anyway, I don't gamble on this stuff.

"Your brother is much clearer-headed than you," Yelan complained to Natasha.

"If you ask me, that kid is the real gambler." Natasha still remembered the scene where Liu Bai volunteered to be Mobius's guinea pig.

If Mobius had Jackal's personality, Liu Bai would be wishing he was dead by now.

"Mhm, I prefer to call it adventurous spirit."

Yelan understood what Natasha meant, but she didn't mind. In fact, she was even more expectant.

It was precisely because of this that she thought highly of Liu Bai.

"Want to exchange information?"

Yelan pushed a stack of fifty-cent chips in front of her towards Natasha.

"Tell me more? Give me something useful," Natasha raised an eyebrow, "Keep your voice down, that guy brought a stranger with him."

"The person went downstairs," Yelan glanced at the door, "There are rumors that the leader of the Inazuma Group is gravely ill."

"Can you die if you call their leader 'leader' or 'General'?" Natasha complained, "When did this happen? I remember a few days ago, that General still took action and cut down a group of Honkai Beasts with one strike?"

"Heaven knows, but there is such a rumor, and Anti-Entropy has also been looking for doctors recently, even entrusting their connections to our trade guild. Anti-Entropy and the Inazuma Group have always been close, and they even have business dealings in manga and novels. Their recent actions are quite unusual."

Yelan rolled the dice, talking to herself.

"The strongest doctor in the world right now should be your Serpent's Master."

"My Honored Master hasn't been a doctor for a long time."

"It's not that he can't do it," Yelan said while listening to the crisp clatter of the dice, "Your turn."

"You dare to bring up such vague information… about Liu Bai?"

Natasha was not the one responsible for intelligence within World Serpent.

World Serpent's division of labor was very clear: Gray Serpent was responsible for intelligence and diplomacy.

Natasha was responsible for diplomacy and combat.

Jackal was responsible for various research and development—though she had a penchant for being a strategist.

There was also Night Owl outside, who was solely responsible for combat.

If it were a normal information exchange, Yelan wouldn't have come to her.

As for abnormal information exchange… there was only Liu Bai.

"No mistake, Ningguang is very interested in aliens—or rather, perhaps there isn't an organization in the world that isn't interested in aliens. It's just that they're far away now, or their interest hasn't reached the point where they'd act."

"He's someone my Honored Master values."

Natasha showed a displeased expression.

"……Forget it, since that's the case, I'll tell you something."

"I'm all ears."

"Don't look at Liu Bai like that…"

"Mm."

"He's actually…"

"If you drag this out any longer, I'll hit you."

"Okay, okay—he's actually a man."

A hint of mockery appeared on Natasha's face.

"……Hey, Raven, are you deliberately looking for a fight?" Even Yelan, who always appeared flippant, turned pale after being toyed with like this.

"Wouldn't you say you're specifically asking me something that puts me in a difficult position?" Natasha showed no fear.

Selling out Liu Bai?

Impossible.

Setting aside her duties, Natasha wasn't the type of person to betray a friend.

"...So that's how it is."

Yelan's face darkened, but seeing Natasha's expression, she suddenly laughed again.

It was as if her darkened face earlier had just been an illusion.

"As expected, that Serpent's Master of yours values Mr. Liu Bai greatly... but doesn't seem to control him at all."

"...What do you want?" Natasha immediately became wary.

"I don't want anything; this piece of information is already worth it." Yelan's expression turned cheerful. "As I thought, trading information with you was the right choice. That guy Gray Serpent wouldn't say so much."

Damn it...

Natasha genuinely felt a murderous impulse for a moment – this annoying person was really asking for it.

But this wasn't the place to make a move.

If she had the impulse to lash out, wouldn't Yelan be on guard?

"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer." Yelan knew she couldn't stay in this place, so she immediately got up, ready to make a quick exit. "Oh, right. Although what I just said was a rumor – sometimes, rumors are more reliable than actual intelligence."

What the hell was that woman up to...

And Liu Bai, letting him run wild like this was bound to cause problems, wasn't it?

Natasha watched Yelan leave, her brow furrowed deeply.

"Are you satisfied with the layout?"

"Very satisfied."