Wanjie Game Hall, I sent Kiana to Silent Hill

Compared to the original negotiation venue, which looked somewhat presentable, the place Feicui chose was much more casual. She didn't seem to have any particular requirements for the environment, simply sending a few guards around to prevent unauthorized people from approaching.

"I heard you don't like formalities, so I'll get straight to the point."

After everyone sat down, Feicui started the conversation.

"No matter what happens with Pinocchio, the company must enter this galaxy. That's the bottom line," she said. "If we can't reach a consensus on this, then there's no point in continuing the conversation."

"There's nothing wrong with win-win cooperation." Wang Xuanqiao nodded and motioned for Feicui to continue.

"Cooperation is a win-win situation. That's right, and that's the outcome we sincerely hope to achieve. But people always have conflicts over the distribution of benefits. Just like the family that has run Pinocchio for so many Amber Ages, they probably won't be willing to give up their profits."

Feicui focused her attention entirely on Wang Xuanqiao and continued.

"Giving up profits is for greater profitability," Wang Xuanqiao replied directly. "Since the company is moving in, it will undoubtedly have to invest in Pinocchio to drive its development. By then, if we can double our overall profits, there won't be any question of whether to give up profits or not."

"That's right. After the company enters the Asdena galaxy, it will of course increase its efforts on Pinoconi. Although the family's holdings have decreased, it does not mean that the profit has decreased. This is business." Emerald smiled slightly, but immediately changed the subject.

"However, even if everyone reaches a consensus, there will still be arguments over how to distribute the profits. The family may only be willing to give up 10% or even less, but in that case, the company will find it difficult to obtain sufficient benefits."

"As the actual operating force at Pinocchio, the family naturally holds the majority stake," Wang Xuanqiao said. "But considering that none of the five family branches are capable of self-regulation, it's best to give up any stake outside of the main body."

Then, he added, "Since Shajin has provided you with information, I will directly tell you my plan. The interests of the Asdena system will be divided into three parts. The family will take the majority, and the rest will be divided equally between the company and a third party."

"Excuse me, what is this third-party force?" Jade showed her interest without hiding it.

"Of course, they are the local residents who live in this galaxy but are not members of the family." Wang Xuanqiao raised the corner of his mouth. "Although these people are still scattered, everyone knows that in the not-too-distant past, an unknown person united them into a complete force."

Upon hearing this, Jade's expression changed slightly, while Topa's expression was more obvious.

"Don't be so nervous, it's just for stability." Wang Xuanqiao finally laughed. "Only when everyone is in a balance that can check and balance each other can we create profits safely and steadily, instead of seeking profits for others."

"You guys are in business, so you guys shouldn't be unaware of this, right?"

Ji Zi, who was listening quietly at the side, joined in the conversation and added something.

"If necessary, the Star Train can serve as a third-party guarantee. Our predecessors once stayed here, paving the way for the residents of Pinocchio. As the younger generation, we are willing to once again trust those who once walked with them."

Jade's expression finally returned to its original gentleness.

"I'm sorry. I'm a little surprised to hear that you're handing over the profits to someone outside the table," she said. "But since Star Train is willing to guarantee it, I'm willing to trust its credibility."

"If there's nothing else, I think we're on the same page now, right?"

"You could think of it that way," Wang Xuanqiao nodded. "However, my opinion is for reference only and doesn't guarantee anything. After all, in business, the most important thing is everyone's sincere acceptance. It's best not to resort to methods other than communication."

Emerald suddenly let out a chuckle.

"I understand. Then, I'll probably have to trouble you two to attend the negotiations between the company and the family. Is that convenient?"

"As long as the Star Train stops at Pinocchio, I can attend." Jizi replied.

"I'll see. If I don't have time, I won't come." Wang Xuanqiao did not give a definite answer.

"It seems we should settle these things as soon as possible." Emerald smiled, stood up and said goodbye to the two with Topa.

After Wang Xuanqiao and Ji Zi left, Feicui looked at their backs, especially Wang Xuanqiao's, with her eyes full of interest.

"Alas, the Starry Sky Train has found an extraordinary person."

After the two of them walked away, Topa couldn't help but sigh.

"Little Yelina, this gentleman isn't just a guest of the Star Train," Emerald suddenly said to Topa, "he should also be a distinguished guest of the company."

"Huh?" Topa was a little surprised for a moment.

"Win-win cooperation, haha—when it comes to who in the entire universe is most capable of 'win-win cooperation,' there's bound to be only one answer."

——The author has something to say——

I saw a comment in the book review section saying that Aqiao is too much of a nanny.

Emmmmm, babysitter? Especially in the early and middle stages of the Pinocchio story, the core has always been Liuying's self-transformation. Aqiao only came in the later stages to make up the difference, to prevent [fate] from messing around, just like when he was in the Sanbengzi.

Speaking of this, we have to mention the person who roamed around the book review section twice. You said you found it boring and wanted to leave, so why did you suddenly come back after a few days to criticize it again?

And this person made accusations, saying how can playing games still lead to such a bad outcome? I just want to say that Aqiao was just playing games with others, so why is it that you are the one who is being treated like a traitor? Does this mean that people with gaming experience are cheating?

Volume 142: : Silver Wolf, Please Turn Around

After the conversation, Wang Xuanqiao went to see Huangquan.

Huang Quan came to Pinocchio to return a relic from a sea-patrol knight. As a ferryman on the River Styx, she would occasionally guide lost souls back to their homeland.

Although Tiernan's homeland was found, there was still one relic that was too late to return. Because it was not only Tiernan's personal relic, but also a treasure that belonged to the entire Sea Patrol Rangers.

Huang Quan called himself the Sea Patrol Ranger in the hope that he could take this opportunity to meet the real Sea Patrol Ranger and hand the relic to them.

So she wouldn't leave Pinocchio for the time being, at least not until she thought there were no opportunities here.

Even among the scattered guest rooms, the aura of the underworld was particularly palpable. She was a flower from the other shore, the only sign of life blooming amidst the dead silence. Wang Xuanqiao effortlessly found her, sitting quietly in her room.

"It's you."

Huang Quan turned his head and stood up after finding that it was Wang Xuanqiao.

"I was asked to come here to discuss something, and after that I came to see you." Wang Xuanqiao walked into the room. "Why didn't you go out for a walk? I heard that the Twelve Hours have been repaired."

"The dream just reopened a short time ago, and it's still a bit chaotic. I just want to stay quietly in the room for a while."

Huang Quan replied.

"I once thought about going to your place, but I was worried about becoming dependent on it. You might not know this, but my sense of taste has become... more reliant on memory. But my memory is also becoming fuzzy. Only those colors that are strong enough can still leave some trace."

She held up the knife in her hand and whispered, as if remembering or mourning.

"With you, I feel the coolness and sweetness again. Even the memories of you have never been blurred. So I began to worry that one day even such a clear window would fog up, and I would not be able to see the things inside, but only a hazy haze."

Huang Quan sighed softly, with a hint of sadness lingering around him.

Wang Xuanqiao was happy.

"If that day ever comes, it will mean that everything has come to an end." After a soft laugh, he continued, "When that day comes, I will definitely come to you and take you back home."

Huang Quan stared at Wang Xuanqiao for a while. The silence was long enough for most people to start scratching their heads.

Wang Xuanqiao couldn't help scratching his head.

"For me, this is a very precious promise." Huang Quan finally spoke again, "I understand your intentions, and I believe you have that kind of strength. But, I still want to ask again——"

"When my existence comes to an end, will you come to me and take me back to my hometown?"

Huang Quan looked at Wang Xuanqiao quietly, but in the depths of his eyes it seemed as if there was a rain that would never stop. The raindrops kept hitting the calm surface of the deep mountain pool, causing ripples again and again.

Wang Xuanqiao responded to her gaze calmly and nodded slightly.

"I will," he said in a calm voice, "even if I have to cross the chasm between nothingness and existence, I will definitely find you and send you home."

Although he'd made a promise out of nowhere, Wang Xuanqiao didn't think it was a big deal. After all, life is full of separations and deaths. No matter who they were, their final destination would be on a monument, their entire life summed up in a single sentence, or even a few words.

"Then let's go to your place." Huang Quan smiled faintly and took out the membership card of the game hall.

"You go ahead, there's someone in the store," Wang Xuanqiao said. "I'm going to check on another member. I just heard she wants to break up peacefully with her former employer, so I want to hear what her former employer has to say."

"Okay." Huang Quan nodded, walked out of the hotel room with his membership card, and his figure disappeared the moment he passed the door frame.

This was the first time Wang Xuanqiao saw a member arrive at the game hall from his own world, but the form of travel was nothing new, it could even be said to be ordinary.

Huang Quan heard a faint "hmm" as she entered the arcade, the sound full of confusion. She looked up and saw a girl with long, curly blond hair standing behind the counter. Not only was she pretty, but she also looked... familiar?

But it was Bianca who asked the question first: "Are you...Raiden Mei?"

Huang Quan widened his eyes slightly.

How does she know my name?

------

Liuying saw the Silver Wolf, or rather the projection of the Silver Wolf, in the place where she sneaked into the memory realm.

"Long time no see, you look like you've changed a lot." Silver Wolf looked Liuying up and down. "Even the entropy loss disease has been cured? You actually came to see me in your original form."

"Yes, entropy loss is a thing of the past for me." Liuying said with a smile, "Also, I came here this time to..."

"Goodbye, I knew that a long time ago." Silver Wolf's tone was indeed not surprised. "Shortly after you set off for Pinocchio, everyone suddenly received a message from Elio. He said you might not come back. Tsk, you were so vague, I almost thought you were really going to die here, you scared me."

Liuying burst into laughter.

"Anyway, everyone can guess where you can and will go. The Starry Sky Train, right? It's actually no different there than being in the Star Core Hunter. At least I can visit whenever I want." Silver Wolf said, putting his hands on his hips.

"In other words, Elio actually already knew that I would leave? But the script..." Liuying was about to mention the script, but Yinlang shook his head.

"Forget about the script. Some things aren't working anymore, and we're still adjusting internally. And without you, everyone's somewhat lacking in their fiery enthusiasm."

As Silver Wolf was speaking, a man suddenly fell from the sky and scared her.

"What are you doing!? Can't you see that this is a private conversation between girls? You have no tact!" Silver Wolf wanted to fight back directly, but when he found that Liuying did not move, he gave up the idea and chose to launch a verbal offensive.

"I have good hearing. Actually, I heard everything from the moment I came to visit." Wang Xuanqiao shrugged. "Since you guys are almost done talking, I decided to come out and say hello."

"Silver Wolf, this is the store manager." Liuying took the opportunity to introduce Wang Xuanqiao to Silver Wolf. "When I first arrived in Asdena, he took care of me. You could say that my ability to get rid of my entropy was largely due to..."

"Don't. You earned the seeds of heroism, and you also watered it yourself. I can't share the credit." Wang Xuanqiao quickly raised his hand to interrupt Liuying's "credit-sharing" behavior.

"Hero's Seed? What is that?" Silver Wolf was quite surprised. "Is there really such a thing as a superhero ability that doesn't require reasoning?"

"That's right, that's how the idealistic kingly way works." Wang Xuanqiao nodded. "And I have plenty of these unreasonable abilities."

"Oh my god, I've run into a wholesaler of cheats." Silver Wolf immediately raised an eyebrow, "Boss, do you have any cheats to prevent account bans? Give me a few more, the price is negotiable."

Huh! Are you still thinking about the dozens of accounts that were wiped out by the Black Tower? Wang Xuanqiao laughed, but could only shake his head.

"I'm not sure if I have that ability," he said. "Why don't you come find me one day and go into the store and take a look yourself."

"What? You want to open my box?" Silver Wolf rolled his eyes at Wang Xuanqiao. "I still don't believe there's a place in the universe that only my original form can go to. You can't open a store in a place with no internet access."

"The manager's shop is in another world." Liuying reminded kindly.

Silver Wolf fell silent.

After a moment, she spoke again: "Awesome! I finally understand why Elio said that. It turns out there's a source of interference. However, I have a question that I'm not sure if I should mention."

Silver Wolf turned and looked at Wang Xuanqiao.

"Since you asked that, of course you shouldn't talk about it." Wang Xuanqiao shrugged and replied.

"Stop talking. I'll say hello next time." Silver Wolf turned around and looked like he was about to leave.

"The manager runs a game hall." Liuying suddenly added.

The silver wolf turned back in an instant.

"An arcade in another world? Explain in detail!"

——The author has something to say——

You are great too! Please be more confident!

Volume 143: : There is another main line!

The Silver Wolf was like a person who had been hungry for three days and suddenly smelled the aroma of hot oil and dried chilies. His feet seemed to be rooted to the ground and he couldn't move at all.

An arcade in another world? How could anyone possibly handle this? Liuying had already done it, so what was there to worry about?

Seeing that Silver Wolf had taken the bait, Wang Xuanqiao didn't bother to keep her in suspense. He briefly introduced his equipment and then waited for the young gaming prodigy from Punk Lord to come visit him in person.

However, Silver Wolf did not intend to wait.

"Okay, I accept this challenge. Isn't it just the company fleet and family security? No big deal. Watch me blitz Pinocchio and clear your game in one day."

The projection of the Silver Wolf waved his hand and disappeared on the spot.

At the same time, on a civilized planet in another star field.

"Going to Pinocchio?" Kafka looked at Silver Wolf with amusement. "So suddenly?"

"Aren't you curious about why the script didn't work? Wait until I get a ticket and you'll know everything when I come back."

Silver Wolf's eyes were filled with virtual screens, and her fingers were rapidly moving across each one. Soon, all the screens lit up green, and then Silver Wolf reached out and cast a mark beside her, disappearing into thin air.

Before leaving, she left a message.

"I'll be back soon, probably just the time it takes to smoke a cigarette."