[Kaeya]: Impossible. No way. I know exactly what kind of person Cao Zhong is.
Venti: Fake. Definitely fake. That guy can't even walk properly when he sees a beautiful woman—I don't believe this.
In the chat, Venti and Kaeya strongly denied everything.
They had known Cao Zhong for too long.
They knew him too well.
He could trick pocket money out of kids, tease passing girls, and even mess with stray animals.
Barbara: So because you've suffered, you want to drag others down too?
Amber: I believe Cao Zhong isn't like that.
[Eula]: Rise again, my love!
[Ayato]: You're afraid your friend suffers, but also afraid he succeeds. What "friendship."
[Bennett]: Venti, Kaeya… you've changed. You used to be cheerful. Now I don't even recognize you.
[Hu Tao]: Didn't expect Cao Zhong to be respected for once.
[Xingqiu]: @Cao Zhong, say something!
[Paimon]: What does that even mean?
At Wan Shi House—
Cao Zhong looked at the chat, almost in tears.
"This isn't a video… it's a death sentence…"
He just wanted to laugh at Kaeya—
Now he got dragged in too.
"No… I need a plan."
As long as the "PR" was done well, even bad things could be turned around.
The video continued.
Dottore didn't expect Cao Zhong to resist temptation so easily.
But he wasn't worried.
He had come prepared.
"Don't rush to refuse. I have something else you might like."
He pulled away a black cloth.
The room filled with golden light.
Stacks of Mora—at least hundreds of millions.
Dottore smiled.
"Work with us, and you'll have wealth and beauty."
Cao Zhong hesitated.
Then—
He suddenly smiled.
"Heh… you really know how to judge people."
He leaned forward without hesitation.
At Wan Shi House—
Cao Zhong felt a chill run down his spine.
"I'm dead… I'm definitely dead…"
But he forced himself to stay calm.
Whoever controlled the narrative—
Controlled everything.
Cao Zhong: @Tartaglia, how dare the Fatui frame me like this?!
[Tartaglia]: I didn't! Don't accuse me!
[Xingqiu]: That word choice was… interesting.
[Ayato]: He really knows how to flip the story.
Cao Zhong: Why are my eyes always full of tears? Because I love Mondstadt deeply!
[Kaeya]: Don't lie to yourself.
Barbara: Why are you still alive?
Amber: @Cao Zhong, what does she have that I don't?
[Eula]: @Cao Zhong, if Amber doesn't have it, do I not have it either? I'll remember this.
[Hu Tao]: The entertainment value is incredible.
Venti: @Cao Zhong, I just want to ask… was it nice?
[Bennett]: I just realized—the same people praising him earlier are now criticizing him.
Jean: @Bennett, be quiet.
Amber: @Bennett, don't you have something better to do?
[Eula]: @Bennett, found any treasure lately?
Barbara: @Bennett, no one asked you.
[Bennett]: This is too much…
Cao Zhong watched as the chat suddenly turned against Bennett.
He was almost moved to tears.
"Bennett… you're my true brother!"
Cao Zhong: This is too much! Bennett is such a good person—how can you treat him like this?!
[Bennett]: @Cao Zhong (moved)
[Bennett]: Brother! I still remember when we drank together at sunset…
[Bennett]: Today I swear—anyone who wants to harm Cao Zhong must go through me first!
[Kaeya]: We don't want to harm Cao Zhong—you do.
Cao Zhong: @Bennett, I treated you like a brother… why are you trying to destroy me?! 😄