Li Lin understood perfectly why Sora had become a member of Penguin Logistics.
More precisely, as a transmigrator, Li Lin knew a great many things—both what he should know and what he really should not. He had never once considered inserting himself into someone else's "two-person dance." That was simply too terrifying.
At the end of the day, so long as the savior continued to run along the predetermined track, an anomaly like him was best left out of it. Living well—within his means—during the remaining time before the coming "new world," that was what Li Lin wanted.
He understood deeply that this land was not something he could change just because he wished it so. And he understood just as deeply the fact that, in truth, he was powerless.
So from beginning to end, Li Lin's objective had always been simple: to live a little better.
And, very obviously, beautiful women were one of the most important components of that objective.
Someone like Sora, who was strongly bound to Penguin Logistics, was not necessarily a problem. She had no grand ambitions—only that her orientation was Texas, and Texas alone.
But that did not mean Sora had to be kept at arm's length. On the contrary, a route map that could carry Li Lin farther forward formed almost instantly in his mind.
Texas and Exusiai were indeed the kind of characters he could not "攻略"—but what about all the women who had never even been mentioned?
Terra was a place where beauties were as common as clouds. Everyone knew that as long as you were Sarkaz, even if you were starving and freezing, you would still be tall, striking, and irresistibly charismatic.
And the Lupo—Terra's "canonically" high-visual-appeal race—were even more so.
Therefore, given: Sora was a currently top idol.
And thus, it followed: between Sora and himself, there could be a closer coworker relationship. Even if Texas had misunderstood, she was still, in her own way, helping him.
Romance was impossible—Li Lin had no intention of forcibly changing anyone's preferences. The women of Penguin Logistics were essentially "locked in" already, and he had no designs on them. Not to mention, certain warning messages were frankly terrifying.
But the idea of using Sora and Penguin Logistics' introductions to find other good women?
He absolutely had that idea.
And he had a lot of nerve.
The victory equation had already been written.
Terra's people were also famously insensitive about these matters, so his intentions would not be misunderstood.
After all, this was a world where, once familiar, people didn't even care about changing clothes around one another; where, on the street, you either showed off your waistline or wore semi-transparent clothing. What could possibly go wrong?
Perfect.
It sounded a little disgusting when stated plainly, but Li Lin felt that it was truly fortunate his intelligence could be applied in this domain.
"In any case, I'll be relying on you next, Texas. Thank you—truly. Later, I'll make a few moves and drop a few hints. Can you catch them?"
"…Mm."
"Then thank you. You're always the person I trust most. It's really wonderful that I met you."
After patting Texas on the shoulder, Li Lin quickly put on an openly warm, sincere smile and returned to the bar.
"Ah, Miss Sora! We're finished talking—hopefully we didn't spoil your mood."
"Huh? Mm, I'm fine!"
The idol, who had been clumsily experimenting with cocktail mixing at the counter, shuddered and, a bit embarrassed, shielded her drink as she smiled.
"It's okay! I've always been looking forward to this. And the drinks here are really delicious—I truly like this place!"
"Of course. Although Penguin Logistics is a logistics company, we always put employee safety and employee opinions first. In a sense, these delicious drinks are part of the employee welfare—as long as you don't get caught red-handed by the boss."
Standing in front of Sora, Li Lin rubbed his hands together enthusiastically.
"Actually, we all believe that even though you're doing crossover activities right now, you should still familiarize yourself with—and respect—our profession. As your senior, I'll assist you in completing an external delivery assignment, so you can get a feel for our life. Texas, you agree, right?"
"Is that so?"
"?"
Under Li Lin's intense gaze, Texas met his eyes calmly for a moment, then lowered her head. Her ears drooped as she silently nodded.
"Mm."
Sora's eyes lit up immediately.
"Th-then, Texas-senpai—!"
"Ah—Texas has her own work to do. What I was just telling her was exactly this. There's an order that's a bit thorny."
Li Lin smoothly cut in and intercepted Sora before she could continue talking to Texas.
"Or do you think it would be safer if Miss Texas dropped her work and accompanied you? I personally have no objection—it mainly depends on Texas. Oh, and Texas, you'd better bring Exusiai with you for that order. It may be dangerous."
"…I'll head out first. You two talk."
Texas did not say much—she simply nodded casually and left the bar, with no intention of lingering. Sora's expression immediately took on a faintly disappointed look.
Watching Texas' departing back, Li Lin sincerely thanked fate that his coworker was a considerate, understanding beauty.
Li Lin had snatched a timing gap.
He knew Emperor had no time to handle so many details right now—he was busy agonizing over what had gone wrong with his vinyl records. The most basic "interview" was likely done by Texas; and when Sora first met her "spiritual anchor," Sora certainly wouldn't have revealed everything she was thinking.
Why could Li Lin judge that so confidently?
Simple: Texas had brought him along.
Texas was a kind, gentle person. She had a history, and her nature was a little cold—but to her own people, she was indeed gentle and friendly. She would never, ever hand someone who liked her—especially another girl—over to some man.
So Texas necessarily did not know.
Of course, Li Lin had no intention of stealing Sora away. He simply wanted to find a small profit point for himself inside this situation.
"Please come this way. Actually, Penguin Logistics' work is quite simple. You take the order, pack the goods, then deliver them. Sometimes we travel across city sectors, but generally specialists handle that. We even have cross-border business."
"Um… Senior Li Lin? There's something I want to ask you."
"Of course. What would you like to ask?"
Seated in the vehicle, Li Lin looked at Sora outside the car door. Ever since Texas had left, she had been clenching her hands, visibly nervous. Li Lin offered her a friendly smile.
"I'll answer anything I can—except certain private matters."
"Then I'll just say it directly."
Sora took a deep breath and looked at Li Lin in the driver's seat with a solemn expression.
"You… you think I'm only going to stay at Penguin Logistics for a short time and then leave, right? That's why you're like this… You seem friendly, but also distant."
"Hahaha, no such thing. Actually, I'm like this with everyone… Mm, yes, that's it. Although we're destined for a short, not-very-fun courier life, working with an idol like you still makes my heart race, Miss Sora. Even if you're only here for a brief experience, it would be an enormous honor if I could become a source of inspiration for your new song."
"No—that's not it! I didn't come here on a whim!"
"Oh? That's genuinely surprising."
This was a lie.
Li Lin knew perfectly well Sora hadn't joined Penguin Logistics because she suddenly "lost her mind."
To Sora, meeting Texas was more like an honest fate—an encounter hard to explain in words, one that made everything inside her come alive.
But there was clearly no room for Li Lin to operate inside that story—Texas' help wouldn't change that. So what was foresight for, if not this? Use information asymmetry to apply pressure—and extract benefit for yourself.
"I just can't imagine any reason you'd give up a wonderful idol life to come here and suffer. The only way I can understand it is: you're collecting material. Or rather—wasn't that what you came for? If not, what else could it be?"
Sitting in the driver's seat that still carried a trace of Texas' warmth, Li Lin looked at the anxious Sora and shrugged naturally.
"If you truly intend to join, then even if Emperor agrees, I'll oppose it. Even if Texas agrees, I'll still oppose it. What you're showing right now looks more like a spoiled child who suddenly saw a different landscape and impulsively followed along to take a look. That's bad for Penguin Logistics, bad for your agent, and bad for the fans who trust you. If the top idol Miss Sora has an accident here, no one can bear that responsibility."
"N-no, that's not it!"
Blushing red from being pinned by "correct reasoning," Sora stared at Li Lin for a moment in silence—then looked up with determined eyes.
"Li… Senior Li Lin. Can I trust you?"
"Of course. You can trust me to the same degree you trust your producer."
"Actually… there's a reason I came to Penguin Logistics."
"It sounds like a long reason. Would you mind getting in the car so we can talk? You can also familiarize yourself with your work."
Seeing Sora look as if she were about to "self-destruct" with a confession, Li Lin pointed to the passenger seat and offered a gentle smile.
-------
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