"B-Boss, I'm sorry!"
Caught by Han Feng, Barbara hurriedly put away her phone.
With her hands behind her back, she looked a little embarrassed.
It wasn't a major offense, but for a well-behaved girl like her, it was still nerve-racking.
If it had been Paimon or little Klee, they would have immediately hugged Han Feng's leg and acted cute until the matter blew over.
"Just be more careful next time."
Han Feng smiled and gave her cheek another playful pinch before closing his eyes to rest.
He hadn't minded in the first place.
He only wanted to tease the adorable girl a little.
"Okay! I'll definitely be careful next time!"
Barbara stuck out her tongue cutely.
Seeing that the boss wasn't angry, she finally relaxed.
Then she quickly resumed massaging his shoulders.
Liyue
Northland Bank
Inside Childe's office, he was currently testing the effects of the Forget-Worry Gu.
And naturally, his test subject was the bank receptionist, Ekaterina.
"Y-Young Master... are you sure this really won't cause any problems?"
Ekaterina stared at the insect in Childe's hand, her face filled with anxiety.
She unconsciously swallowed.
She had originally been working at the reception desk.
But after Childe returned, he suddenly summoned her and asked her to assist with an experiment.
She hadn't objected.
After all, similar things had happened before.
But after seeing the ugly, terrifying bug in front of her—and hearing that she was supposed to swallow it—she couldn't help but panic.
Most women had an instinctive fear of insects.
Even if the creature itself wasn't dangerous.
"Relax. This will only make you forget the memories from the last few days. It won't harm your body."
Childe smiled reassuringly.
He trusted the manga shop owner completely.
If there had been any risks, the boss would have mentioned them.
Since he hadn't, that meant the Gu only caused memory loss.
Nothing else.
"If that's the case... then let's try it."
Ekaterina sighed helplessly.
If her superior had already decided, what else could she do?
She might as well cooperate.
Taking the insect from Childe, she swallowed it.
A short while later, she felt a sudden confusion cloud her mind.
It was as though she had forgotten something important.
"How do you feel?"
Childe asked curiously as he watched her repeatedly shake her head.
"Hm? Feel what?"
Ekaterina stopped moving and looked at him blankly.
She didn't understand what he meant.
"Looks like the medicine has taken effect."
Childe stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Ekaterina wasn't an ordinary person.
She possessed some combat ability herself.
If the Gu worked on her, then perhaps it could affect Zhongli as well.
The only question was how much memory would be erased.
Childe wasn't greedy.
He only needed Zhongli to forget yesterday.
"That means I should probably increase the dosage a little."
He silently made a note to himself.
"W-Why am I here?"
Ekaterina suddenly realized something was wrong.
Wasn't she supposed to be working?
Why had she suddenly appeared in Young Master Childe's private room?
And alone with him at that?
Could it be...
Thinking of a certain possibility, her cheeks immediately turned red.
Young Master Childe was young, successful, and one of the youngest Harbingers in the Fatui.
His personality was also easygoing,
and he treated his subordinates very well.
Many employees at Northland Bank admired him.
She was no exception.
"If it's Young Master Childe... then I'm willing."
Ekaterina looked up shyly.
Her words instantly snapped Childe back to reality.
"Wait, what? How did we get to that conclusion?"
The corner of his mouth twitched.
I just asked you to help with an experiment!
And now you're eyeing my body?
Women are terrifying!
Without another word, he fled.
Much safer to deal with Zhongli.
Before conducting the experiment, he had already arranged to meet Zhongli at Liuli Pavilion.
After all, their wager had started there.
Naturally, it should also end there.
Not long afterward, Childe arrived at Liuli Pavilion.
However, he didn't immediately go meet Zhongli.
Instead, he secretly crushed several Forget-Worry Gu insects into tiny pills and handed them to the pavilion owner.
He instructed the man to mix them into the tea that would be served later.
There was no way Childe would dare do it in front of Zhongli.
He would be discovered instantly.
But preparing everything in advance was different.
Without active vigilance, it would be nearly impossible to notice.
"That should do it."
Satisfied with his preparations, Childe nodded.
Then he entered the private room and finally met the man he'd been thinking about all day.
"What prompted this sudden invitation?"
Zhongli smiled calmly as he watched Childe enter.
"I was simply curious about the progress of your statue project, Mr. Zhongli."
Childe sat down with a grin.
Though he had mainly come because of the wager, he was genuinely curious about the statue as well.
What exactly would it do once completed?
Could it actually transform into an Ultraman?
"You figured it out?"
Zhongli raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The statue was being constructed at a secret location outside Liyue Harbor.
He hadn't told anyone.
How had Childe learned about it?
Could Fatui intelligence really be that impressive?
"It wasn't the Fatui. I read a manga called Ultraman Tiga at the boss's shop and connected it with all the stone purchase records."
Childe smiled proudly.
Being able to impress the knowledgeable Geo Archon felt fantastic.
The sense of accomplishment was indescribable.
"So that's how."
Zhongli nodded.
If the information came from the manga shop, then it made sense.
Seeing Childe's interest, he didn't bother hiding the details.
Instead, he explained the statue project.
After all, Childe was technically the project's sponsor.
And once the statue was completed, Zhongli intended for the Liyue Qixing to announce it publicly.
He wanted the people of Liyue to understand:
Even if Rex Lapis was gone, as long as they held light in their hearts, they could become light themselves and protect Liyue.
"So it really can transform into Ultraman?!"
Childe's eyes widened.
Build the statue.
Infuse it with the Geo Archon's power.
Then, when faced with an overwhelming crisis, anyone who possessed a heart filled with light could transform into Ultraman.
The concept was unbelievable.
The rewards from Boss Han truly were amazing.
Fascinated, Childe enthusiastically continued discussing the topic with Zhongli.
Before long, the proprietor of Liuli Pavilion entered carrying a pot of tea.
"Mr. Zhongli, Young Master Childe, your tea has arrived!"
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