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The air in Liyue Harbor crackled with the festive pop and bang of firecrackers. On a busy street corner, a new store had officially opened its doors. To the local residents, the storefront looked quite peculiar, perhaps even a bit eyesore-inducing compared to the traditional architecture of the harbor.
A glowing signboard hung prominently above the entrance, displaying bold letters that read: Teyvat Internet Cafe, Liyue Branch.
What exactly was an internet cafe? The curious onlookers gathering around the entrance whispered among themselves, admitting they had never heard of such a thing. Standing at the door was the shop's owner, a young man whose height and striking appearance made him stand out even in a crowd of stylish vision-holders.
He wore a long, black leather trench coat that swayed slightly in the breeze. His dark, mid-length hair was styled with bangs that just barely brushed against his eyes, giving him a mysterious, modern aura.
The young man's name was Li Mo. As one might guess from his ability to open an internet cafe in the heart of Teyvat, he was a traveler from another world. Back in his original home, he had also been an internet cafe owner. When he arrived in this world, he brought with him a specialized system tailored to his profession.
This Golden Finger allowed him to earn emotional points whenever customers played games or watched videos in his shop. These points could then be used for a lucky draw to gain more items and powers.
When Li Mo first arrived in Teyvat a few days ago, he had materialized in the wilderness near Liyue Harbor. Fortunately, the system provided him with a one-day absolute defense buff as a newcomer guarantee. Without that protection, he likely would have been pummeled into the dirt by the wandering Hilichurls on the outskirts of the city.
During his initial wandering, he happened to cross paths with Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, who was out on her usual business rounds. Through a series of chaotic events, he ended up forming a business relationship with her.
The shop space itself was actually rented from Director Hu Tao. It seemed the rumors were true: the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was indeed a powerhouse of industry with a history spanning a millennium. Hu Tao's family background and financial resources were much more formidable than most people imagined. It made sense when one thought about it; if the family's foundations weren't rock-solid, she wouldn't be able to spend her days causing such a ruckus along the streets of Liyue.
Once the firecrackers finished their noisy display, the internet cafe was officially open for business. Li Mo took his seat behind the service counter, waiting for his first customers to arrive. The unusual storefront naturally piqued the curiosity of many passersby, who began to wander in to explore.
The interior was decorated in a sleek, 21st-century style that felt entirely alien to the people of Liyue. With twenty high-tech computer stations capable of virtual immersion, the guests felt like country folk visiting a royal palace for the first time.
Even though most visitors didn't understand the purpose of the machines, they were immediately intimidated by the price list. A charge of 100 Mora per hour was a significant expense for the common citizens of the harbor. In this world, a single Mora carried the purchasing power of a standard unit of currency, often divided into denominations of ten and one hundred for convenience. Spending 100 Mora for a single hour of entertainment was a luxury many had to consider carefully.
Oh, so this is the shop you were talking about. Things from another world certainly look trendy, don't they?
Director Hu Tao arrived before Li Mo could even think about sending out invitations. She skipped into the store with her usual boundless energy. Following closely behind her was a consultant often seen in her company, a man of refined posture and calm demeanor. Zhongli gave Li Mo a polite nod and offered his well-wishes. Boss Li Mo, I wish you a prosperous opening and good business.
Li Mo stood up quickly to greet them both. Director Hu Tao, Mr. Zhongli, thank you both for coming by.
He was well aware of his situation. One was his landlord, and the other was a man who possessed the aura of a hidden sovereign. While Li Mo was technically invincible as long as he stayed inside his shop, he knew he had to stay on Hu Tao's good side if he wanted to survive outside the front door.
Zhongli scanned the room with a calm, observant gaze. He could tell immediately that these machines were technological creations from a different world. Whether such devices would bring prosperity or trouble to the harbor remained to be seen.
Hu Tao couldn't wait any longer and demanded to know what the internet cafe actually offered. Seizing the opportunity, Li Mo began to explain the shop's features to her and the crowd of curious onlookers who had followed her inside.
He pointed toward the twenty computer stations, explaining that they could be operated using a keyboard and mouse or through a high-tech virtual mode by wearing a specialized headset.
The virtual mode provides an advanced, immersive experience that makes you feel like you're actually inside the world of the machine. However, since the shop just opened, our selection is a bit limited for now. At the moment, we only have two programs available: a game called Silent Hill: PT and another titled Dig to Ascend.
Li Mo felt a bit sheepish about the catalog. Even the small, shady internet cafes he had visited back in elementary school had more variety than this. To make matters worse, both of the available titles were notorious for testing a player's patience and mental fortitude.
Hu Tao looked at the machines with a hint of skepticism after hearing the description. Even if this technology is from another world, 100 Mora an hour is a bit steep, don't you think?
She knew the local economy well. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor typically earned only a few thousand Mora for a standard funeral ritual. If this internet cafe kept all twenty seats filled, it could bring in 2,000 Mora every hour. If the shop stayed open for ten hours a day, that would be 20,000 Mora. For a small storefront, that kind of daily income was staggering.
Li Mo simply smiled at her concern. The fee isn't expensive at all once you see what it can do. In fact, Director, why don't you try it for yourself? I think you'll find it's worth every coin.
Hu Tao's curiosity was finally sparked. She marched over to one of the stations and plopped down onto the comfortable gaming chair. Come on then, show me how to work this thing. I want to see exactly what kind of tricks your internet cafe is hiding.
Li Mo leaned over to help her get started, preparing her for her first journey into a digital world. As he adjusted the settings, he noticed the crowd leaning in, eager to see if the lively Director of the funeral parlor would find her match in a machine from another world. The journey of the Teyvat Internet Cafe had truly begun.