Yelan took two steps back, her high heels clicking twice against the stone pavement.
Though she smiled, she was utterly astonished inside.
She had absolute confidence in her own speed and stealth.
Ordinary people simply could not have reacted in time.
Yet even when caught in a sneak attack, he had promptly raised his crossbow and aimed it at her lower abdomen.
She could have cut his throat in time as well, but a result where both sides were injured was not what she wanted.
She had originally wanted to find someone to assist her.
Who would have thought that Liyue would produce someone like this?
But this was good too.
On one hand, he was strong, making her investigation into the Fatui much easier.
On the other hand, she could take this opportunity to see exactly what Bai Ye's background was and whether he posed any threat to Liyue Harbor.
Thus,
facing Bai Ye's question, she shrugged and withdrew her weapon.
"I have a rather good job here. If you cooperate with me, I'm willing to provide you with some Floating Stone as payment."
Yelan said to Bai Ye.
At that moment, Bai Ye was looking up at Yelan, still shaken by the close call.
Good thing it was Yelan—ruthless in her methods, but still kind-hearted.
Otherwise...
the defensive mechanism hidden within his collar would have activated.
If that happened,
then one of his trump cards would be exposed before his next encounter with an enemy.
He carefully examined Yelan.
Though he had not pulled her in the game in his previous life, he was still familiar with her character art.
Short hair, leather jacket, tight pants, a cool and glamorous mature beauty with long legs.
Now that she had become three-dimensional,
she was even more alluring than she had been in two dimensions.
That slender figure was truly tempting.
And when he heard that Yelan intended to pay him with Floating Stone, Bai Ye immediately said,
"Then, miss, shall we find somewhere to discuss the job properly? By the way, how should I address you?"
He needed Floating Stone,
and he could also use Yelan to get in touch with the Seven Stars.
But he had to be careful.
He was not supposed to know Yelan yet, and he had to remember that. Others might not matter, but Yelan was a highly suspicious woman. He could not easily reveal anything.
"My name is Yelan."
Yelan narrowed her eyes at Bai Ye.
In that instant, she felt that Bai Ye's gaze had changed slightly.
Did he know who she was?
Yelan believed her actions were secretive enough. Few people knew her identity.
Bai Ye definitely should not have been among them.
How had he known?
With that curiosity in mind, Yelan followed Bai Ye.
As they walked down the street,
everything was fine at first,
but after a little while,
she began to notice the strange looks from the people around them.
It was as if everyone was looking at her like she was some kind of pervert.
What was going on?
Listening closely, she heard the murmurs reach her ears.
"Do you think we should notify the Millelith?"
"No way, right?"
"Why not? We're not young anymore. These days, not only do girls need to watch out for lechers when they go out, men need to be even more careful. Female lechers are scarier than male ones."
Even Yelan was somewhat speechless upon hearing those remarks.
Usually, she was the one who gained the upper hand in verbal sparring.
But Bai Ye was not only young—he was exceptionally handsome too.
They passed through several street corridors.
They arrived at the entrance of a restaurant.
The signboard read Wanmin Restaurant.
From the entrance, they could see the stove. Beside it, a pretty short-haired cook in an apron was tossing food in a wok, with Guoba at her side.
"The Mint Meat Rolls are ready. Please enjoy."
The cook, Xiangling, deftly scooped the dishes out of the wok and served them piping hot to the customers who had ordered them.
Only after delivering the food did Xiangling turn and spot Bai Ye stepping into Wanmin Restaurant.
Seeing him, a happy expression appeared on Xiangling's face.
"I was just wondering why you hadn't come by tonight, and here you are."
"Didn't I round up a few more today and send them all to the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"
"How many Treasure Hoarders have you sent to the Ministry of Civil Affairs this month? You should be more careful. What if you run into danger?"
Hearing Bai Ye mention where he had been, Xiangling shot him a slightly displeased look.
"Haha, they're just a few Treasure Hoarders. It would be strange if they could hurt me!"
Bai Ye reassured Xiangling a few times.
When Guoba saw Bai Ye, he first jumped back, then revealed a puzzled expression.
Bai Ye knew what he was confused about.
His teacher had said that her aura was extremely well concealed, and even gods could not detect it. But in Guoba's case, he might still have some instincts.
Bai Ye had also asked his teacher whether she had known Guoba before.
But her answer to Bai Ye was that she did not know.
Too much of her memory had been eroded.
Bai Ye could only feel helpless about that.
Xiangling tidied up the stove and said to Bai Ye, "So what will it be today? One dish and one bowl of rice again? Seeing how much you've contributed to Liyue Harbor, this meal is on me."
This was Bai Ye's usual habit.
Why bother cooking for one person when he could come to Wanmin Restaurant and casually eat Xiangling's cooking?
"No, no. I'm improving my meals today."
Bai Ye waved his hand.
"Have you changed?"
Xiangling was stunned.
She knew Bai Ye very well.
Though he had money, he absolutely did not spend it recklessly. He put almost all of it toward buying Floating Stone.
The regular diners at the restaurant were also surprised.
Was this stingy fellow going to change his ways?
"No, someone else is treating."
Bai Ye looked at Yelan behind him.
It was not often he got the chance to eat on someone else's dime, so naturally he had to eat more.
Unfortunately,
Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion required reservations, and it was inconvenient to arrange one so late at night.
"Hm?"
Xiangling and Guoba tilted their heads together, looking puzzled.
"Who is she?"
Xiangling lowered her voice as she asked Bai Ye.
"Oh, she's the employer who wants to hire me."
Bai Ye turned to look at Yelan.
"As the employer who wants to hire me, surely you won't refuse to treat me to one meal?"
"That much is fine."
Yelan said indifferently.
Before she obtained the conclusion she wanted, this little bit of scheming did not matter at all.
She swiftly ordered several of Wanmin Restaurant's most expensive dishes.
Bai Ye was delighted.
He was finally improving his meals.
After eating and drinking their fill,
Yelan settled the bill.
Well, she presented Ministry of Civil Affairs paperwork and told Xiangling to seek reimbursement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Watching Yelan's actions,
Bai Ye thought for a moment,
then walked over to Xiangling and whispered a few words in her ear.
Xiangling blushed and vigorously shook her head several times.
Bai Ye walked back helplessly.
Only then did he and Yelan leave Wanmin Restaurant together.
Once they reached an unpopulated stretch of road,
"What did you say to that little cook from Wanmin Restaurant just now?"
"Oh, I just told Xiangling to claim a little extra from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so I could get a few more free meals later."
Unfortunately, Xiangling was an honest girl and refused.
Yelan narrowed her eyes at Bai Ye. "You're quite honest, telling me to my face that you want to swindle more money from me."
"That's the Ministry of Civil Affairs' money. Besides, you didn't use your own name on the paperwork—you used someone else's. No matter how you look at it, that money can't be counted as coming from you."
Bai Ye looked at Yelan with an expression that said they were all the same.
The two exchanged a glance.
Yelan then said,
"Fine. Let's talk about the job now. What do you think of the Fatui?"
Before you continue