A few hours later, after finishing all the purchase procedures, quickly hiring a renovation crew, and paying material fees and the first construction installment—
Yichen stared at his Northland Bank black card balance, now reduced to mere hundreds of thousands of Mora, completely stunned.
He counted on his fingers again and again.
"F… fifty million Mora…"
His voice trembled.
"Gone… in two days?!"
"When did Mondstadt get this expensive?! Damn it!"
The joy of owning a mansion vanished instantly.
He turned gray on the spot, like a Whopperflower ravaged by a storm.
Just as he crouched on the roadside clutching his head, seriously considering working at Angel's Share—
That familiar, sharp-tongued loli voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding—! Detecting structural financial crisis. Initiating emergency poverty alleviation—ah no—sustainable development task!]
[New Task: Teach a Man to Fish]
[Task Description: Living off savings is for fools. Sustainable exploitation is the true way! Immediately proceed to the commercial capital—Liyue—and learn at least one sustainable method of making money (scams prohibited! …Unless you don't get caught).]
[Objective: Reach Liyue Harbor and obtain clues or skills related to "income generation."]
[Reward: 1,000,000 Mora, one gacha draw]
"Liyue, huh…"
Yichen stroked his chin, worry replaced by contemplation.
The timing was perfect.
He vaguely recalled seeing a document while helping Jean—something about a Knights delegation visiting Liyue for diplomatic exchange.
Leader was… Kaeya?
And with renovations starting, his house would be unlivable anyway.
If he could hitch a ride with the Knights on official business—ahem, a work trip—he'd save money, complete the task, and escape construction noise.
Triple win!
"Done!"
He sprang up energetically, brushing off dust and flashing his signature scheming grin.
"Making money… Liyue…"
"They say Mora grows on trees there. This trip—I must learn how to turn stone into gold!"
And hey, a million Mora reward was still meat—even if it was mosquito meat.
Best of all—travel and food might be reimbursed!
His steps turned light as he hummed toward Knight Headquarters.
Now—how to convince Jean?
Easy.
Ten Minutes Later — Acting Grand Master's Office
Yichen casually circled behind Jean, smiling so sweetly it would make Kaeya gag.
He placed his hands—awkward but gentle—on her shoulders.
Jean, focused on a report, startled slightly.
"D-Dear~ Acting~ Grand~ Master~ Jean~"
He dragged the words shamelessly.
Jean's quill paused. She fought a smile—and a blush.
"Y-Yichen? It's working hours. What is it now?"
"Ah, my hardworking Grand Master! So diligent, so devoted!"
He kneaded enthusiastically.
"These shoulders are stiff as stone! I'm just helping you relax! I learned this from a—uh—a reclusive massage master!"
Jean snorted, quickly covering it with a cough.
Reclusive master… your technique wouldn't relax a wooden post.
"Enough," she sighed, though her body relaxed anyway.
"Just tell me. What trouble did you cause?"
"This time it's serious business!"
He leaned close, whispering conspiratorially.
"I recently bought a house. Funds are… tight. As they say, poverty breeds change! I realized I lack sustainable income!"
Jean raised an eyebrow.
"So! For Mondstadt's economy! For the Knights! I've decided to go to Liyue—the commercial capital—for in-depth, rigorous, extremely difficult study!"
"There's a delegation going, right? Could you maybe bring along this proactive, hardworking assistant?"
Jean fell silent.
She knew full well he wanted to dodge renovation noise and get a free trip.
Yet… imagining him gone for a while felt oddly unpleasant.
And his clumsy flattery…
She smiled softly and tapped his hand.
"Alright."
"Yes, there is a delegation. Kaeya is leading."
"And since you're so… 'motivated'…"
She nodded.
"I'll approve it under 'business inspection.' Ellie will handle the paperwork."
"YES! Acting Grand Master Jean, you're brilliant! Mondstadt's best boss!"
"Not so fast," Jean said, feigning sternness.
"Conditions. One—follow Kaeya's orders. Two—write to me every day. Or at least every two days. Three…"
She leaned closer, eyes sharp yet caring.
"No flirting in Liyue."
Yichen saluted dramatically.
"Understood! My heart holds only work—and you! Even Liyue's finest flowers can't compare to a single strand of your hair!"
She waved him off, smiling.
"Go prepare. Stop bothering me."
"Yes, ma'am!"
He bounced out happily.
Jean watched him go, then laughed softly.
Her quill hovered uselessly over the page.
She brushed the shoulder he'd massaged.
"…Liyue, huh. Safe travels, Yichen."
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