Lin Yi had just returned to Liyue Harbor from the Development New District. Going back to the Jade Chamber to change into something nicer would have cost him quite a bit of time.
He might as well keep wearing these slightly dirty clothes. He did not mind.
"Sorry, everyone. I'm a little late."
Lin Yi smiled as he greeted the guests seated there.
Every last one of them, however, was decked out in glittering jewels and lavish, extravagant clothing.
Even a single button from their outfits might have cost far more than Lin Yi's entire casual ensemble.
The stark contrast left the gunpowder merchants looking surprised and baffled.
Some even questioned themselves: Was this fellow really Liyue's Geo Archon? Why did he look so shabby?
Sometimes, first impressions were crucial to how outsiders judged someone.
These merchants normally socialized at the very top of the pyramid. Every meeting, even a brief exchange of pleasantries, was a clash of wealth and a contest of extravagance.
They had assumed that Liyue's Rex Lapis would be the same sort of person they had imagined.
Then, naturally, they would get along.
But now that they had seen him, Lin Yi was clearly the upright, incorruptible sort.
Deep down, the merchants naturally felt some aversion toward him.
Sure enough, several of them huddled together and began whispering.
"Hey, hey, what the hell is going on? Is that kid over there really Rex Lapis?"
"Exactly. We could call plain clothes a sign of modesty, but they're covered in mud and water stains too. Showing up like that makes it pretty clear he doesn't think much of us, doesn't it?"
Naturally, Lin Yi noticed their muttering.
He had expected something like this. If a so-called first impression really could affect the discussions that followed, then these