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The video titled Director Hu Tao Teases Employee Zhongli began to play on the monitors. The scene opened with Mr. Zhongli sitting calmly on a toilet, flipping through a classic book with an air of scholarly focus. Suddenly, the bathroom light flickered. Off, then on. Off, then on again. Zhongli looked up toward the ceiling with a weary, helpless expression, as if he were quite used to this ordeal.
The camera panned outside the door to reveal Hu Tao herself, flicking the light switch with a chaotic, rhythmic energy. The beat was catchy and fast-paced, matching her frantic clicking. Watching one character so full of mischievous joy while the other sat helplessly trapped made both Hu Tao and Childe burst into laughter. Zhongli, however, let out a long, heavy sigh. He was genuinely puzzled as to why Li Mo would possess a video that portrayed him in such an undignified manner.
Zhongli's expression is so priceless! He looks so completely done with life!
Hu Tao laughed wantonly, her eyes sparkling with delight. She had decided she loved this thing called a video. Seeing the majestic consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—her very own employee—squatting in a bathroom while she messed with the lights was the funniest thing she had seen in ages. She started wondering why she hadn't thought of doing this in real life, before remembering that the Funeral Parlor didn't actually have electric lights.
Childe wanted to laugh out loud as well, but since he was still trying to maintain a respectful rapport with Zhongli, he bit his lip and settled for a muffled chuckle. However, the plot of the video suddenly took a sharp, dramatic turn.
A thunderous, ominous gurgle echoed from the speakers. In the video, Hu Tao's stomach had sounded an alarm. Her smug expression vanished, replaced by a livid, pale face as she clutched her midsection. Disaster had struck: a sudden case of diarrhea. To make matters worse, the video established that there was only one toilet in the parlor, and it was currently occupied by Mr. Zhongli.
Oh, no!
The digital Hu Tao groaned, covering her backside with one hand while pounding on the door with the other. The background music shifted to a familiar pop beat. Bang, bang! You've been hit by! Bang, bang! You've been struck by! A Smooth Criminal!
The video cut to a montage of Hu Tao knocking on the door with a dancing posture that seemed possessed by the spirit of a legendary performer from another world. Inside, Zhongli simply continued to read his book, acting as if he couldn't hear the frantic rhythmic pounding outside. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, the Hu Tao in the video turned into a frozen image of a girl with her mouth wide open and her eyes squeezed shut in absolute despair.
The video ended right there, leaving a lingering, silent punchline.
The real Hu Tao sat in stunned silence, but the rest of the internet cafe erupted into a roar of laughter. The other players who had been watching along on their own screens were practically falling out of their chairs.
I'm dying! The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is way too much fun!
My stomach hurts from laughing! Director Hu really played herself in the end!
This video stuff is amazing! It's way better than going to the opera.
Wait, why do I feel like I can actually smell something now?
As the crowd continued to jeer and laugh, Childe finally lost his composure and collapsed onto his desk, howling with delight. Even Zhongli's lips curled into a faint, subtle smile; he had to admit the irony of the situation was well-crafted. Unfortunately for the Director, she was the only one not laughing. Her face was as black as the bottom of a charred cooking pot. She had expected a video of her pulling a prank, not a video where she ended up as the butt of the joke.
Li Mo, I'll kill you, you jerk!
Hu Tao jumped up from her seat, her Pyro energy flaring—though suppressed by the shop's field—giving her an aura of pure menace. She lunged toward the counter, a spectral crow manifesting briefly as she leaped toward Li Mo. The force of the movement knocked him straight off his chair and onto the floor.
Since she couldn't summon her Staff of Homa inside the shop, she grabbed a small fork from a nearby snack tray and brandished it like a deadly dagger, pinning Li Mo down.
You'd better explain yourself to this Hall Master! Why would you use something like this to ruin my prestigious image?
Li Mo gently moved the fork away from his face with one finger, maintaining a calm, teasing smile despite being pinned to the floor. If I told you the content of the video was randomly generated by the magic of the other world, would you believe me?
Hu Tao poked his cheek with the fork. Do you think I'm an idiot? Hurry up and delete that broken video right now!
Li Mo sighed. Even he knew that random generation sounded like a poor excuse, even if it happened to be true. He realized he needed to offer a peace treaty if he wanted to keep his landlord from burning the building down.
Look, I can't delete it—it's a matter of professional principle. But as compensation, how about this: from now on, Director Hu Tao plays for free. No more internet fees, ever. How does that sound?
Hu Tao paused, the fork hovering mid-air. She considered the offer. While 100 Mora an hour was pocket change to her, the idea of a lifetime VIP status was quite enticing. More importantly, she liked the fact that Li Mo was willing to admit his mistake and offer a bribe to stay on her good side.
Hmph. Fine. You're lucky you're smart.
With a faint blush of lingering embarrassment on her face, she climbed off him and marched back to her seat. She was satisfied with the deal, though as she sat back down, she had a nagging feeling that she had somehow been tricked into staying and playing even more.
The internet cafe remained a place of chaotic joy, even if it was at the expense of a certain funeral parlor director's dignity. Outside, the sun continued to shine over Liyue, blissfully unaware of the digital revolution happening within Li Mo's walls. Customers kept lining up, lured by the promise of games they didn't understand and videos that made them laugh until they cried.
As for Li Mo, he picked himself up from the floor and straightened his coat. Being a pioneer in Teyvat was a dangerous business, but as long as he had a few modern tricks up his sleeve—and perhaps some free internet for his landlord—he figured he would survive just fine. He glanced at the system interface, noting the steady climb of emotional points. The next upgrade wouldn't be far off, and he could only imagine what kind of chaos the next set of videos would bring to the harbor. For now, he just sat back and enjoyed the show. He watched as the fifty computers hummed with activity, each screen a portal to a world far beyond the borders of Liyue.
The atmosphere in the shop was a unique blend of high-tech wonder and the earthy, vibrant culture of Teyvat. Even Childe, usually so focused on his missions, seemed to have forgotten his duties for a moment, lost in the ridiculousness of the video. Zhongli had returned to his game, his fingers moving with a deliberate grace that mirrored his movements in real life. It was a strange, beautiful sight—a god, a warrior, and a prankster, all brought together by the magic of a few thousand lines of code and a bit of luck. Li Mo smiled, knowing that this was only the beginning. There were so many more worlds to explore, so many more stories to tell, and he was the one holding the keys to it all. He looked forward to the challenges ahead, confident that he could handle whatever Teyvat—or his system—threw at him next.
The evening eventually rolled around, and the bustle of the day began to wind down. The three-hour limit had kept the flow of customers steady, and the emotional points were pouring in at an unprecedented rate. Li Mo took a moment to check his totals, feeling a sense of satisfaction at how far the shop had come in such a short time. The expansion had been a success, and the new content was clearly a hit. He thought about the Jade Chamber banquet and the conversation with Ningguang, wondering what other powerful figures would soon find their way into his shop.
As the last few customers began to log off, the quiet returned to the cafe. The hum of the computers was a soothing background noise as Li Mo began his nightly routine of cleaning and checking the machines. He looked over at the station where Hu Tao had been playing, a small smile appearing on his face as he remembered her dramatic reaction. She was definitely a handful, but she brought a life and energy to the shop that was irreplaceable.
Tomorrow would be another busy day, and he needed to be ready for it. With the emotional points he had earned, he could afford to invest in even more content, perhaps even a major game that would keep people coming back for weeks. The possibilities were endless. He finally shut down the main server, the screens flickering off one by one, and stepped out into the cool Liyue night. The stars were bright overhead, reflecting in the calm waters of the harbor. It was a beautiful world, and he was glad to be a part of it. He walked down the street, the sound of his footsteps echoing on the cobblestones, heading toward a well-earned rest.
The internet cafe was more than just a business to him now; it was a bridge between his old life and his new one. It was a place where stories collided and new ones were born. And as long as he had the drive to keep it going, he knew it would continue to grow and thrive. The future was bright, and he couldn't wait to see what it held. He reached his lodgings, the familiar scent of incense and old paper greeting him as he entered. He took one last look at the harbor before closing his door, feeling a deep sense of peace. The journey of the Teyvat Internet Cafe was only just starting, and he was ready for every step of the way.
The next morning, the sun rose over the mountains, casting a golden light over the city. Li Mo was up early, energized and ready for the day. He arrived at the shop and began the process of opening up, feeling a sense of excitement as he saw the first few customers already waiting outside. The news of the cafe was spreading fast, and it wouldn't be long before everyone in Liyue knew about it. He pulled open the doors, welcoming the first wave of guests with a smile. It was going to be a good day.
The computers whirred back to life, and the shop was soon filled with the familiar sounds of clicking mice and excited chatter. Li Mo took his place behind the counter, watching as people dove back into their favorite games. It was a sight that never got old, and it reminded him of why he had started the shop in the first place. He was bringing joy and wonder to a world that had never seen anything like it, and that was a reward in itself. He looked over the crowd, seeing faces old and new, and felt a profound sense of belonging. This was his home now, and he was going to make the most of it.
As the day progressed, the emotional points continued to climb, and Li Mo began to plan his next moves. There was so much potential here, and he was only just scratching the surface. He thought about the different regions of Teyvat and the unique opportunities they offered. Perhaps he would one day open a branch in Mondstadt, or even in the distant lands of Inazuma. The thought was exhilarating, and it drove him to work even harder.
The internet cafe was more than just a shop; it was a beacon of change in a world that was constantly evolving. And at the center of it all was Li Mo, a traveler from another world who had found his purpose in a place he never expected. He smiled, feeling a deep sense of contentment as he watched the digital world unfold before his eyes. The story was far from over, and he was looking forward to every single chapter.