"Hey, wake up! It's all your fault, Stelle, for saying that even the trash from the Xianzhou is top-tier and tricking him into eating it!"
"I didn't think he'd actually eat it."
Jiang Ge had a dream.
He dreamed he was sitting in a chair on the Astral Express, with March 7th vigorously shaking his body, trying to wake him up.
Looking at March 7th, who was still shaking his shoulders, and Stelle scratching her head sheepishly nearby, Jiang Ge covered his face.
Perhaps the scene before him was too realistic, making it hard for Jiang Ge to distinguish.
Could it be that Rian's dessert really sent him all the way to Honkai: Star Rail?
"Am I dreaming?"
"You're awake! But this really is a dream."
Seeing he was awake, March 7th put her hands on her hips and said with a laugh.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ge was taken aback.
"Am I in Penacony?"
"No, this is just your dream. Or perhaps a dream before death?" The standing Stelle spoke up, her expression blank. "You ate too much of Rina's dessert and went into shock. It's that simple."
"Then who are you two?"
"Hmm, perhaps we shouldn't be cosplaying anymore. It's time to get straight to the point," March 7th said, picking up a camera and taking a picture of Jiang Ge. "Master, you haven't forgotten about me, your system, have you?"
"So it's you..." Jiang Ge sighed, but then laughed. "You know, hearing you call me 'Master' in March 7th's tone actually feels pretty good."
"Really? As long as you're happy, Master, but now is not the time for jokes," the Stelle beside him shook her head helplessly. "To prevent you from dying outright from the unbearable stomach pain, we isolated your consciousness into this dream."
"However, Master's body has completed the initial self-recovery, so the pain should have lessened considerably," March 7th continued, taking over from Stelle. "Therefore, it's time to execute the forced logout procedure for you."
"Forced logout procedure?"
Jiang Ge frowned. That term didn't sound very promising. Why did even his dream require a forced logout?
"Yes, please rest assured, no violent methods will be used."
"Such as?"
"Such as this bench-warming Jing Yuan, the character you once nurtured with the most care."
March 7th pointed to the left. Following her gesture, Jiang Ge saw Jing Yuan sitting on a bench, waving and smiling at him. For some reason, the phrases [Shenjun 10] and [Turn 0] flashed through his mind. His head jerked back, and he almost passed out – but only almost.
"Is that still not enough?" Stelle looked at the still-conscious Jiang Ge.
Jiang Ge was still in the dream, so Stelle pointed towards the right. "How about looking over there?"
Jiang Ge looked in the direction she pointed and saw a small mountain made of piled clothes. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "What is that?"
"Those are your Relics that rolled the wrong sub-stats."
Jiang Ge's legs went weak, his whole spirit deflated, but he still didn't log out of the dream.
"Still not enough? No other way, Master, look."
As she spoke, Stelle put on her hat, ran to the middle of the train carriage, and gestured for Jiang Ge to look.
Jiang Ge looked over and saw that Ruan Mei and Gallagher had now appeared beside Stelle.
"What is this?"
"This is the Super Break team. This is Gallagher, this is Ruan Mei, and I'm Stelle."
"Then... where's Firefly?"
"Firefly is in the pool."
With that, Jiang Ge finally logged out completely.
"Mr. Jiang Ge! Are you alright?"
"Corin will get water for Mr. Jiang Ge right away!"
When Jiang Ge jolted awake, ten minutes had passed since he fell unconscious.
Lying on the sofa, he opened his eyes and let out a faint murmur. Lycaon and Corin immediately rushed over to check on him.
After some effort, and following Jiang Ge's gestures, Lycaon and Corin supported him on either side, helping him sit up.
Jiang Ge was still dizzy at this stage, seeing double images of everything around him and experiencing some tinnitus. So, he waved a hand towards the anxiously waiting Lycaon and Corin beside him, indicating he needed a moment of quiet.
What a terrifying nightmare.
Jiang Ge vigorously patted his forehead. After about five minutes, he gradually began to recover. The deeply worried Corin, seeing Jiang Ge in this state, couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward to offer the warm water in her hand.
"Mr. Jiang Ge, here's some water for you..."
"Thank you, little Corin."
Jiang Ge would never refuse anything offered by Corin. He took the water and drank it in one go. Corin then crouched down, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat from his cheeks.
Seeing the deep concern for him reflected in Corin's eyes, Jiang Ge instantly felt as if he had been given a shot of adrenaline, his spirits greatly lifting.
Feeling refreshed, he glanced around the shop. Besides Lycaon, he noticed that even Ellen wasn't dozing off and was silently watching him too. Finally, Jiang Ge fixed his gaze on Rina, who was avoiding eye contact and looked utterly ashamed.
"Rina."
"Yes, Mr. Jiang Ge..."
Rian slightly lowered her head, her eyes occasionally darting glances at Jiang Ge, steeling herself for the scolding that was sure to come. However—
"It was absolutely delicious!" Jiang Ge suddenly raised both thumbs, showering her with unprompted praise and laughing heartily, "My apologies, I fainted because it was just too good!"
"Huh?"
Rian never expected Jiang Ge's response to be praise. She stared at him in a daze, wondering if she had misheard.
Lycaon, standing beside Jiang Ge, found it even harder to believe. Though somewhat rude, for a brief moment, he wondered if Rian's desserts had somehow evolved to the point of being able to control people's brain nerves.
Corin and Ellen were also baffled. While Jiang Ge, as their employer, occasionally had his... eccentric moments, he wasn't foolish.
"I'm truly sorry, Rian," Jiang Ge continued, paying no mind
to the bewildered looks from the others, stood up, and gazed regretfully at the dessert on the table that had been crushed by his face.
"It's my first time having the privilege of tasting something like this, yet I carelessly ruined it."
"N-Not at all... Did you really like it, Mr. Jiang Ge?"
Faced with Jiang Ge, who was even apologizing to her, Rian was momentarily flustered, forgetting the elegance expected of a maid, and cautiously asked him.
Because, although no one had said it outright, Lycaon had accidentally let slip the words "Mr. Jiang Ge went into shock after eating Rian's dessert" while Jiang Ge was unconscious.
"Absolutely! I liked it so much I fainted, could that be fake? If you don't believe me, ask Corin. I'm always straightforward about things I like."
As he spoke, Jiang Ge pointed at Corin. Corin, caught off guard by being suddenly brought into the conversation, looked at Jiang Ge, who blinked at her. Then she looked at Rina, who seemed quite downcast. Finally, Corin could only nod repeatedly, indicating that Jiang Ge was telling the truth.
"Is that... really so?" Rian was still half in doubt, but seeing Jiang Ge's radiant smile, she set aside her unease and said with a laugh, "It's alright that these desserts got crushed. Since you like them so much, Mr. Jiang Ge, I will just make new ones for you next time! I just happen to have some new recipes I want to try!"
"Uh... S-Sure, no problem at all, haha..."
This time, Lycaon could tell. Even though Jiang Ge was still smiling, his body had noticeably stiffened when he agreed.
However, seeing Rian happy and beaming face, Jiang Ge finally relaxed. But then Lycaon approached and whispered in his ear, asking to have a quiet word with him aside.
Jiang Ge said it was fine and then walked with Lycaon to a corner of the bookstore.
"What is it, Lycaon?"
"I know you meant well, Mr. Jiang Ge, not wanting to see Miss Rian upset, but..."
Lycaon glanced over at Rian, who was asking Corin and Ellen if they would like to taste the desserts she makes next time, frightening them into shaking their heads repeatedly. She wasn't paying attention to them.
"But what?"
"But Miss Rian isn't someone who gets discouraged so easily. She'll quickly use this as motivation to make even better desserts and refine her skills."
"Why didn't you say so earlier? Am I doomed then?"
"I wanted to, but you didn't give me a chance."
Lycaon said helplessly. Watching Jiang Ge, who was covering his face in regret, he sighed softly, feeling somewhat concerned about his future.
Lycaon originally intended to comfort Jiang Ge, but he didn't expect Jiang Ge to suddenly laugh in the next moment. It wasn't an ordinary laugh, but a very mischievous, sly grin.
"Mr. Jiang Ge?"
Thinking something might be wrong with his mind, Lycaon asked with concern, but Jiang Ge just waved him off.
"I'm fine, Lycaon. I just thought of two friends. I think if I use a little scheme, they'll be more than happy to solve this for me."
"Uh... As long as you're alright."
Looking at Jiang Ge's sly grin, Lycaon couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Being Jiang Ge's friend is truly dangerous.
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon. Set up for my web novel will be 2 chapters for every book a day and if you go to my patreon you'll see the set up there.
patreon.com/deadlygoober