"Using Elemental Reactions as the power source—now that was quite an ingenious idea."
Zhongli nodded approvingly as Hu Tao told him about the power source Bai Ye had designed for the vehicle.
"Right? I also thought what Bai Ye did was incredibly ingenious."
Hearing Zhongli say that, Hu Tao smiled so broadly that her eyes narrowed into crescents.
She looked as happy as a child who had found a good friend, then told the elders at home about it and received their praise as well.
"Mm, it truly is ingenious."
Zhongli echoed Hu Tao's words.
In truth, Bai Ye had installed anti-inspection measures on the vehicle.
To continue examining its structure, one would have to dismantle the entire vehicle.
Naturally, Zhongli would not do such a thing.
Still, he remembered the name Bai Ye.
A young man on good terms with his hall master, whose Art of Automata was quite impressive.
After handing the vehicle over to Hu Tao, Bai Ye walked home.
When he passed Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling was still stir-frying. Bai Ye packed a portion of food and headed home.
"Finally, I can get some proper rest."
He was rather excited.
"Mhm, exactly."
In his mind, Hagintos kept agreeing with Bai Ye.
Along the way, she had remained curious about everything around her, wanting to see more of present-day Liyue.
After going back and forth all day, her energy was nearly spent as well.
Pushing open the door, Bai Ye was about to head straight for his room.
But the moment he entered, a black shadow darted out from inside.
Someone broke in?
Elemental power flashed in Bai Ye's hand, and a Handheld Crossbow appeared in his grasp.
Just as he was about to fire, he stopped.
"Big Sister Yelan, I only just got back. Aren't you here a little early?"
Bai Ye spoke to the figure.
There was a faint note of reproach in his voice.
After all, no one wanted to see their room broken into.
"Hah, I just wanted to see the stunned look on your face when you came back and found me already waiting in your room."
After landing on the ground, Yelan let out a breath, several beads of sweat dripping from her forehead.
The danger she had faced in that room just now had been no less than fighting a group of Fatui.
"Who would have thought your room would be so dangerous..."
She had only wanted to say a few words, but when she saw Bai Ye's displeased expression, she knew he was unhappy.
Yelan knew she was in the wrong. Whenever she entered someone else's place before, she had always barged straight in.
This time, she had entered Bai Ye's home and simply wandered inside.
That truly had been rather rude.
Fortunately,
Yelan had a way to placate Bai Ye.
She took a Floating Stone from her clothes and handed it to Bai Ye.
The moment Bai Ye saw the Floating Stone, his face immediately brightened.
"Thank you, Big Sister Yelan. To stop thieves from breaking in after I leave, my home is equipped with defensive devices whenever I'm away. Next time you come, just knock at the door."
Bai Ye said to Yelan.
He was also making his boundary clear to her.
Don't do this again next time.
Otherwise, he would not be so easygoing about it.
"Fine."
"So, Big Sister Yelan, what did you come to see me about this time?"
Bai Ye opened the door while disabling all the traps he had set up earlier.
Leading Yelan inside, Bai Ye picked up the kettle and poured her a cup of plain water.
Bai Ye was so stingy that, to him, even buying cheap tea leaves to brew was a waste.
Yelan took the cup and had a sip before speaking to Bai Ye.
"I came to see you about two matters. One is good news, and one is bad news."
"Hm? Two matters?"
"Yes. First, the Fatui have set their sights on you."
Yelan spoke to Bai Ye.
"We just discovered a mole within the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Before we caught him, he communicated with those captured Fatui. They'll probably trace things back to you before long. You ruined their plans, so they may retaliate against you."
"Is that so?" After hearing Yelan's words, Bai Ye lowered his head and began calculating.
Yelan watched Bai Ye, wanting to take out her token.
As long as he joined the Ministry of Civil Affairs, anything involving him would naturally come to Yelan first.
Just as she was about to speak, Bai Ye said to her,
"Thank you for telling me this good news, Big Sister Yelan. Could you spread the word a little more? That way, I can catch a few more Fatui and settle the payment with you all at once."
Yelan silently put her token away.
"Aren't you afraid of trouble?"
"Why would I be? They're coming to deliver money to me. I can't welcome them fast enough."
Bai Ye said enthusiastically.
Back on Earth, he had gone after Fatui plenty of times for just ten Primogems. What he could earn now was far more than that.
Yelan lightly pressed a hand to her forehead.
This little money-grubber...
She cursed inwardly.
Yelan reminded Bai Ye, "Make money if you want, but don't do anything that sells yourself."
"Don't worry, don't worry. I definitely won't do something like borrowing usurious loans, then stripping naked and taking pictures with a Kamera to use as collateral."
Bai Ye said to Yelan.
"The fact that you could even come up with that is already deeply unhealthy!"
Yelan finally could not resist commenting.
Rubbing her forehead, she said weakly,
"Fine, let's put that matter behind us. I mainly came for the second matter."
"What's the bad news?"
Bai Ye continued pressing Yelan.
"The bad news is..." Yelan unconsciously followed Bai Ye's wording.
"Wait, this one is good news. Ningguang of the Seven Stars wants to meet you. She probably noticed the vehicles you've been making lately and wants to cooperate with you. This could make you a great deal of money."
As she said this,
Yelan leaned close to Bai Ye, brought her mouth to his ear, and whispered,
"Besides the Floating Stones that keep the Jade Chamber aloft, she has quite a few other collectibles in her hands."
After saying that, Yelan sat back down and gave Bai Ye a look that said, You understand.
Bai Ye immediately got the message.
Got it.
When dealing with a filthy rich tycoon, ask for a higher price.
"Alright."
Bai Ye said to Yelan.
"Mm, I'll come find you again tomorrow."
After saying that, Yelan left.
After watching her go, Hagintos's voice sounded again.
"Bai Ye, what terrifying thing were you talking about just now? I will not allow you to sell your body for money."
"Don't worry, Teacher, I won't. Even if I need Mora, I'll only make inventions or go on adventures and such."
"That's more like it."
Only then was Hagintos satisfied.
Then,
she continued asking Bai Ye,
"So, are you planning to cooperate with the person called Ningguang next?"
Before you continue