Yaqing shook the pale, tender hand, veins faintly visible beneath the skin, and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Himeko. My name is Yaqing Schariac. I hope we can spend a pleasant afternoon together."
Watching his wife and brother-in-law get taken away, Ziegfried stood there in a daze for quite a while before asking blankly, "Wait, what about me? You're just leaving me here?"
The driver promptly added, "Mr. Ziegfried, would you like to head to the hotel early?"
"No! I! Would! Not!" Ziegfried gritted out.
"That is St. Freya Academy's most famous teaching building. It covers nearly six thousand square meters, and its nine floors are high enough for students to gaze into the distance. That way is St. Freya Academy's clock tower, which has a history of more than four hundred years. Over there..." Himeko introduced everything in a measured manner, so practiced that it seemed she had rehearsed it countless times.
Yaqing merely responded with a smile, looking rather uninterested.
The clock tower rang at just the right moment. Its deep, weighty chimes echoed through St. Freya Academy's academic district, signaling the end of class. Female students in uniforms passed by the two of them, and everywhere he looked was a sea of pale thighs.
Quite a few people looked curiously at Yaqing. Their gazes held shyness, curiosity, confusion, and even longing.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's a boy! What a rare sight. Is St. Freya planning to admit male students now?"
"Idiot, one look at that bearing tells you he isn't a student. Look, even Ms. Himeko is walking beside him so respectfully. He's obviously someone sent from above to inspect the place."
"Ah! I love that kind of presence. So gentlemanly. It would be even better with a bit more refined scoundrel energy."
On the third floor of the teaching building, a female student in a black uniform curiously glanced downstairs as well. She had purple hair and purple eyes, a gentle temperament, and the air of a traditional Yamato nadeshiko.
"Mei, Mei, I'm talking to you. Why are you ignoring me?" the white-haired little ball said angrily.
"Ah, sorry, Kiana. I got distracted just now," Raiden Mei apologized.
"Mei, are you curious about that inspector?" The one who spoke was the girl seated behind Raiden Mei. Her silver-gray spiral curls were tied into a high ponytail, her figure was slender, and her impressive chest was enough to make ninety-nine percent of the world's girls jealous.
"Bronya, you don't call me Sister Mei anymore?" Raiden Mei pretended to look hurt.
"Mei... Sister." Bronya's face flushed slightly. She tapped her phone a few times and pulled up a profile. "Bronya... cough, I hacked into Destiny's server and found that man's information."
Kiana bit on a handkerchief and stared jealously at Bronya's chest. She could not understand how this little pudding had gone from being as flat as a tablet to surpassing her after only three years.
Apparently sensing Kiana's gaze, Bronya proudly puffed out her chest.
"Let me see." A gray-haired, red-eyed beauty appeared from nowhere. Her legs were long, her looks stunning, and her only flaw was her somewhat flat chest. She took the phone and said in surprise, "Isn't this Yaqing?! He came to Changkong City without saying a word. He didn't even tell me or Old Antique!"
"Yaqing?!" Kiana cried out, making Mei feel a little jealous.
She did not understand why Kiana would react so strongly to a man's name.
Bronya seemed to see through her and explained for Kiana, "Sister Mei, according to the information, Yaqing Schariac is Kiana's mother Cecilia Schariac's younger brother. In other words, he is Kiana's uncle."
"Uncle?!" Mei looked at Kiana in astonishment, then glanced downstairs again.
Fuhua Shishi had already run off toward Fu Hua.
"Old Antique, Old Antique! Yaqing came to Changkong City and didn't even tell us. Isn't that looking down on our friendship a little too much?"
"I didn't know." Fu Hua looked blank, feeling somewhat hurt as well. At that moment, her phone began beeping. When she took it out, she found that Elysia had tagged everyone in the Golden Courtyard group chat.
Miss Pink Elf?: "@Everyone, Yaqing is back today, and he'll be living here long-term. Everyone, make time to come back tonight, okay~?"
COOL~: "Mei and I will both rush back tonight."
Ⅸ Dark Night☆Dawn: "Uh..."
Canned Food Is Not Canned Food: "Amo means that if the teacher doesn't drag class out, he'll definitely rush back. Oh right, Sister Elysia, is there anything you need me to bring back?"
Miss Pink Elf?: "No need, little Pardo. I've already asked my dear Aponia to bring everything we're missing."
Nun: "I will, Elysia. The children have been a little too lively lately, so I entrusted a friend to look after them. I'll be back at the courtyard before four."
Golden Fairy Lady?: "Elysia, I'll go back."
Miss Pink Elf?: "Mm-hm, Eden, my dear Eden. ?(^?^*)"
Green Serpent Lady?: "So he's back. What's the big deal? What a nuisance. And Elysia, did you change my username again?!"
Miss Pink Elf?: "Oh my, Mobius, what are you talking about? Elysia has no idea~?"
Mad Scientist: "Elysia, you gained weight again."
Miss Pink Elf?: "Dr. Mobius, even I would get angry if you said that to a pretty girl like me~?"
Mad Scientist: "Heh."
Scar of Severance: "Sorry, sorry. Blanca and I are touring North America with Griseo, so we can't make it back tonight."
Kalpas: "Hmph. I'll go back."
Sakura-Colored Flower: "If I don't have to work overtime today, I'll pick Ling up and head back together. We might be a little late."
A Healer's Kind Heart: "There are no surgeries today. I took leave early and am preparing to head back, Elysia. Is there anything I can help with?"
Miss Pink Elf?: "Su is as proactive as ever. Let me think... Just tidy up the living room. It hasn't been swept in three days."
A Healer's Kind Heart: "Okay."
The Greatest Magician of This Century (Ad Space for Rent): "Tonight, the greatest magician of this century shall present you with the most spectacular magic trick!!!"
Fu Hua looked at everyone popping up in the group chat and burst out laughing.
"Old Antique, what are you laughing at?" Fuhua Shishi leaned over.
At the same time, as Yaqing listened to Himeko's introduction, he took out his phone and looked through the group chat records, unable to stop himself from smiling.
Destiny Far East Entertainment
Himeko diligently introduced the academy until the sun rose to its highest point and lunchtime arrived. She led Yaqing to the principal's office, where Theresa, Cecilia, and Ziegfried were already chatting and laughing together.
Himeko led Yaqing to the door and knocked.
Theresa, who had been fooling around with Cecilia, instantly came to her senses. She coughed a few times to clear her throat and put on the dignity of an academy principal.
"Come in."
Himeko pushed open the door and smiled. "Principal Theresa, my task is complete."
"Thanks for the effort, Himeko."
Yaqing politely said, "I look forward to seeing you again, Ms. Himeko."
"Alright." Himeko left the office and casually shut the door behind her.
The moment Himeko left the office, Yaqing stopped acting. He half-reclined on the reception sofa, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and played with his flaxen short hair. His whole demeanor changed on the spot.
"Go on, then. Why did you stop acting?" Theresa asked with a half-smile.
"Hehe, Theresa, how long have we known each other? You practically watched me grow up," Yaqing said with a smile.
"Shut up!!!" Theresa shouted, her little face turning red.
"Pfft, hahahaha." Cecilia and Ziegfried could not help laughing.
"You, you two, you... Ah! Cecilia, even you are bullying me!" Theresa launched herself into Cecilia's arms with a mighty headbutt, rubbing herself back and forth against Cecilia's ample chest.
That mighty headbutt hurt Cecilia's chest a little. She lightly furrowed her brows and reached out to gently pinch Ziegfried, who was still laughing wildly, signaling him to restrain himself.
Yaqing took a sip of the slightly cooled tea and said seriously, "Alright, Theresa, it's time to discuss business. I came to the Far East this time for two reasons. First, to inspect the region. Second, I'm preparing to establish a Destiny branch company here."
"Huh?" Theresa raised her head in confusion. She could understand every word individually, but put together, none of it made sense.
You're here to establish a Destiny Far East Branch, so what does that make this place? Could Grandpa be pulling his investment? Is he cutting off my allowance?!
Theresa immediately grew anxious.
Yaqing explained, "The president isn't withdrawing his investment. He's planning to turn it into an equity investment, allowing St. Freya Academy to become a purely educational institution rather than a subsidiary company of Destiny."
Theresa's tiny head was filled with massive confusion.
She did not understand a single sentence, but as long as Grandpa was still giving her an allowance, that was fine.
"So, Theresa, I'm preparing to establish a Destiny branch in Changkong. You know the president handed the third sector to me, and I've already decided what I'm going to do."
The three of them immediately grew curious upon hearing that. They had long known that Otto had entrusted the entire third sector to Yaqing, but none of them knew what he intended to do with it.
For example, the first sector under Theresa focused on education, the second sector under the Kaslana family focused on innovation, while no one had known what the third sector under Yaqing would focus on.
Theresa curiously asked, "So what are you planning to do?"
Yaqing smiled. "I'll be in charge of the entertainment sector."
"You're planning to compete with Anti-Entropy Group?" Theresa asked in surprise.
"Not entirely. Anti-Entropy's focus is more on live-action special effects productions, while mine will focus on virtual animation. There may be some overlap, but we aren't competing on the same track."
Cecilia asked, "Virtual animation? Have you already thought of a script, little brother?"
Cecilia understood Yaqing very well. She knew that unless he was absolutely certain, he would never make a decision so firmly.
"More or less."
Yaqing activated his phone's projection function, casting an image onto the white wall.
"Honkai is a natural disaster that develops alongside civilization. It gives birth to monsters called Honkai Beasts, while those with compatibility for Honkai energy who become infected by it turn into Dead Soldiers. Once Honkai energy reaches a certain level, Herrschers are born, and every Herrscher possesses corresponding powers."
Ziegfried nodded and said, "It does have something of a zombie feel to it, but the term Honkai is quite novel."
"Little brother, that's amazing." Cecilia gave him plenty of support with an enthusiastic round of applause.
Yaqing gave the three of them a broad introduction to the setting, though he still kept some mystery and did not reveal the character profiles.
After lunch, Cecilia and Ziegfried went to see Kiana. Ignoring Theresa's attempts to "keep" him there, Yaqing left St. Freya Academy and had the driver take him to the company address in the western district.
It was a prosperous area, the only place in Changkong City that could barely be mentioned in the same breath as St. Freya Academy. Skyscrapers stood everywhere, and countless office workers came and went.
The central skyscraper rose several stories higher than the surrounding buildings. Viewed from above, the other towers seemed to be paying homage to it.
Looking at the woman waiting for him downstairs, Yaqing could not help feeling a headache coming on.
At the entrance stood a woman in professional office wear that accentuated her alluring figure. Her gray-gold bangs covered her left eye, while her wine-red eye looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile. A beauty mark at the corner of her eye added even more charm as she walked toward Yaqing on long legs wrapped in black stockings.
"Lord Yaqing."
Yaqing rubbed his forehead. "Ah, Rita. Why did you come to the Far East?"
Rita looked at Yaqing and replied with a smile that did not reach her eyes, "What do you think, Lord Yaqing?"
Yaqing immediately recalled how, one week earlier, the president had summoned him to the top floor.
"My old friend, have you truly decided?"
"Of course, my dear president. Don't you want to defeat those Anti-Entropy friends of ours in the sector they excel at most?"
"Mm~, no." Otto saw that Yaqing was not surprised in the slightest and immediately found it boring. Smiling, he said, "Alright, alright, I admit I do have the slightest thought of that in my heart. Go ahead and do it. I'll arrange for someone capable to assist you."
"Thank you, my dear president. You have my sincerest gratitude."
"Destiny will always stand behind you, for Saintess Fantasy!"
Otto seemed possessed. Usually unshakable in any situation, he became exceptionally excited whenever Saintess Fantasy was mentioned.
"Otto, what are you doing again?" A clear, pleasant female voice filled with confusion came from the office doorway.
Following the voice, Yaqing saw a woman leaning against the doorframe. She had the face of a celestial maiden, a seductively graceful figure, white hair, blue eyes, and a long braid hanging down her back. She wore white sleeves and a short skirt, immaculate white stockings wrapped around her long legs, and a broad black trench coat.
"Oh, little Yaqing is here too!"
"Kallen, Aun—"
Before Yaqing could finish his form of address, Kallen's azure eyes suddenly turned cold.
"Kallen, Sister," Yaqing promptly corrected himself and stepped forward to take the shopping bags from her hands.
"Good boy." Kallen stood on tiptoe and ruffled Yaqing's hair as though petting a puppy.
"Kallen, you're back?" Otto stood up.
"I spent the whole day shopping. I'm exhausted. Sakura finally came to Europe, and she practically wanted to tour every inch of the continent."
Kallen sat down in Otto's seat, while Otto consciously stood behind her. The true controller of the Destiny conglomerate spanning three continents gently massaged Kallen's delicate shoulders.
The recollection ended. Yaqing vaguely remembered Otto saying that he would send someone capable to assist him, but he had never expected it to be Rita?!
"I didn't expect the president to send you, Rita. I thought it would be Shigure Kira," Yaqing said as he walked toward the company.
Rita walked beside Yaqing at roughly an arm's length away and said in feigned grievance, "Could it be that, in Lord Yaqing's heart, Rita truly cannot compare to Senior Shigure Kira?"
Before you continue