Chapter 186: Aurum Alley's Hustle and Bustle 『 Part One 』
「 After resolving a whole series of incidents,Stelle could at last indulge in a leisurely tour of the Xianzhou. Just as she was fretting over the lack of a guide, she happened upon Bailu by the roadside. The two hit it off instantly, deciding on the spot to head to Aurum Alley and tear into a massive feast.
Aurum Alley was once hailed as the "Prime Night Market of the Luofu." However, as Stelle strolled down the thoroughfare, she found the reality did not quite align with the legends. The title of "Prime" seemed, to say the least, somewhat unearned amidst the visible decline.
As they passed a small snack stall, the owner, Auntie Gao, noticed Stelle's attire—distinctly different from the local Xianzhou style—and immediately beamed, stepping forward to greet her. "Oho! This guest must be an Outworlder tourist, yes? May I ask, how do you like our Aurum Alley?"
The question left Stelle, a complete newcomer, momentarily scratching her head. "I just got here. I can't really say I like it yet."
"Then I simply must treat you well… Please don't mind my rambling, dear guest, but since you come from the worlds beyond, do you know of the Interastral Peace Corporation? Is their reputation good?"
Stelle only recalled that the advertisements featuring that treasure-hunting mascot were somewhat annoying, but beyond that, her knowledge was scarce… Seeing that Stelle couldn't offer much insight, Auntie Gao realized she had asked the wrong person. After gifting Stelle a few snacks, she returned to her work, hawking her wares to the street.
The duo wandered through Aurum Alley, eating and strolling, losing track of time. But as they walked, they suddenly noticed a large crowd gathering near the docks. It appeared that representatives from the Interastral Peace Corporation were in a heated dispute with the dock workers.
Just as they drew near, a vibrant, powerful female voice cut through the noise: "Speak respectfully! Don't you dare bully people—"
"Hey, where did this wild brat pop out from? What business is it of yours?" The IPC representative sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"As a Cloud Knight, how could I possibly sit idly by when conflict erupts on the docks? Furthermore, I am not 'hey,' and I am certainly not a wild brat! My name is Sushang!"
"Miss, perhaps you should let the Aurum Alley Merchant Guild handle this?" A woman who appeared to be a secretary squeezed through the crowd, addressing Sushang.
"You handle it? That's rich!" Skottdeliberately raised his voice, his tone laced with passive-aggressive venom. "Everyone watching here, count them one by one—who doesn't know that the Aurum Alley Merchant Guild is inept in management and incompetent in operation? Now that the dock rent is overdue and unpaid, who do you think is to blame?"
"—This is all the fault of your Merchant Guild!"
"…" The secretary took a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she forced out the words: "…I do not deny that."
"Then say it louder! Say, 'The Merchant Guild has failed everyone! We botched the dock operations! The people of the Merchant Guild are all trash!' And then, for the exact figure of the overdue rent, give me a loud, ringing kowtow and apologize to me, the representative of the Company!" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Gintama World〜
"Oi, oi, what is this? Why do they have dramas about corporate exploitation even on the Xianzhou Luofu?"
Sakata Gintoki dug into his nose, lying lazily on the sofa of the Yorozuya, his eyes half-closed as he watched the Lightscreen.
"Exactly, uh-huh! This old geezer looks even grosser than Gin-chan's hair after three days of not washing it!"
Kagura sat cross-legged on the floor, stuffing vinegar kelp into her mouth while mumbling her critique.
"Oi! My hair isn't that gross! And I just washed it yesterday, okay?!"
Gintoki protested with dissatisfaction, his hand unconsciously touching his naturally permed silver hair.
Shinpachi pushed up his reflecting glasses.
"The company this guy represents is actually called 'Interastral Peace'… That's as absurd as calling a killer whale a 'Love Dolphin'."
"No, no, Shinpachi-kun."
Gintoki suddenly turned serious.
"In the dictionary of such companies, 'Peace' just means 'be a good boy and let me eat you'."
Seeing Skott on the screen still rambling with his biting sarcasm, Shinpachi, unable to endure it any longer, suddenly shot up.
"Gin-san! Even though we can't help the secretary lady on the Luofu, we can at least…"
"?"
"We can at least offer some moral support!"
Shinpachi looked up at the Lightscreen and shouted,
"Miss Secretary! Miss Sushang! Don't lose to a bastard like that!"
Kagura also jumped onto the sofa, waving her umbrella.
"Go get him! Have Sushang summon that giant chicken to peck his eyes out! Or crush him with its butt!"
These two guys…
Gintoki sighed.
"Oi, oi, shouting at the Lightscreen like that… in other people's eyes, you look no different than old hags cheering for the main character in a soap opera…"
—
「 If only this man displayed a visible HP bar, Stelle would have already initiated combat.
…Her fist clenched, hardening with intent.
"Hey, your attitude is way too arrogant! Can't we discuss the overdue rent civilly?" Sushang stepped forward, hands on her hips as she reprimanded him.
Skottsuddenly lowered his voice. "I'm not bullying anyone. I'm just offering a friendly reminder. May I ask, can the Company recover its rent?"
The little secretary lowered her head in embarrassment. "…Not right now."
"The Company subleased the operating rights of this dock to your Guild, hoping Aurum Alley would rise to prominence… But look at you. Such a prime cargo dock, all—wasted!"
Skottspoke with heartbreaking sorrow, yet his exaggerated body language was maximized for mockery.
"Who says the Guild definitely can't pay it back? What… what if they can?" After being talked down to by Skott, even Sushang's voice lacked confidence.
"Oh my, I dare not even imagine it." Skottfeigned a trembling, wretched demeanor.
Sushang truly wanted to punch him.
"How about this? Let's make a bet. If the Guild can pay back the Company's rent, I will bow my head and apologize in front of the elders and folks of Aurum Alley…"
"Not only that, I will shout, 'I am a blind fool! I know not the immensity of heaven and earth, only how to bark madly!' And then, I will have no choice but to bark like a dog in front of you. How about it?"
"Deal!" Sushang agreed on the spot. The thought of making such a villain bark like a dog was incredibly relieving!
However, after agreeing, realization dawned on her, and she lowered her voice, her confidence wavering. "What if… I lost the bet?"
"Simple. You will also apologize to me in front of the elders and folks, and bark like a dog in front of me." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Honkai: Impact 3rd World〜
Schicksal Headquarters—
Rita crossed her legs elegantly, a mischievous light flickering in her wine-red eyes. She rested her chin on one hand, watching the "Sushang" on the Lightscreen, confronting Skott with great interest.
"…So, it turns out you enjoy accepting such wagers?"
Li Sushang felt her temples throbbing violently.
"That is an isomorph… It's not me!"
"Oh?"
Rita tilted her head slightly, examining the Li Sushang beside her with amusement.
"But even the tone of voice is quite similar."
The Sushang on the Lightscreen, whose strategy was purely "charge forward," had already accepted the bet, declaring without hesitation: 'It's a promise!'
In reality, Li Sushang silently buried her face in her hands.
"Speaking of which…"
Rita suddenly leaned in, carrying a faint, elusive fragrance.
"Shall we make a bet as well?"
"No betting."
Sushang took a wary half-step back, turning as if to leave.
"Every time you make that face, nothing good happens."
Rita leisurely held up three fingers.
"Three boxes of limited-edition Osmanthus Cake."
Sushang's ears twitched.
"Plus my private reserve black tea."
Her eyelashes fluttered.
"Deal!"
Her cravings instantly ignited, Sushang spun around, but the moment she saw Rita's triumphant smile, she realized—this scenario seemed a bit too familiar…
"Wait… what if I lose…"
"Mmhmm~"
Rita smiled without speaking, merely glancing pointedly at the Lightscreen.
"You wouldn't…"
Sushang's face slowly turned crimson.
"Want me to…"
"Rest assured, it won't be barking like a dog~"
Rita chuckled softly, looking down at her own maid outfit.
"I am simply very curious to see how you would look wearing this uniform, serving me tea in my room~"
—