Chapter 70: Theresa: Su Mu, Take My Supplementary Gold Card and Have Some Fun
"A life matter? A life matter?"
Kiana was utterly bewildered. Theresa's sudden pronouncement caught even her off guard. Theresa cleared her throat, looked at Su Mu, and asked, "When do you think is the best time to hold the wedding?"
Su Mu had initially thought the "big deal" might be related to Kiana's health... Wait, a wedding is indeed a major life event! But... marriage? Kiana and who?
Su Mu suddenly realized that Theresa's gaze was fixed on him with a very subtle, evaluating intensity. Wait? Me and Kiana getting married? For real?
Su Mu turned to Kiana and asked, "President Kiana, is this a request of yours?"
Kiana's face turned beet red in an instant. "Impossible! This is the first I'm hearing of this! Auntie, why did you suddenly call us here for this? What are you trying to do?!" She knew just as little as Su Mu. Theresa's words were completely out of left field; heaven knew what she was planning.
"Hmm?" Theresa's expression shifted to one of confusion. "Literally what I said. Kiana, aren't you and Su Mu dating? As your elder, I naturally have to ask about your plans for the wedding."
"Auntie, where on earth did you hear that?" Kiana nearly spit blood. "I didn't even know this was happening!"
A look of suspicion crossed Theresa's face. "You aren't intentionally hiding the fact that you're dating from me because you don't want your Auntie to know, are you?"
Su Mu realized it was time for him to speak. "Ms. Theresa, if I may ask, why do you assume Kiana and I are dating?"
Theresa listed her reasons: "First, as a fresh graduate with only one interview, you were hired directly as the Game Director of miHoYo—that defies common logic. Second, in such a short tenure, you have taken control of most of the company's power and even became a shareholder."
Su Mu had a moment of clarity. He understood why Theresa would suspect something was going on between them. Indeed, a fresh graduate being hired as a Director with zero seniority was practically ascending to heaven in a single step. Furthermore, taking over all company affairs so quickly... to an outsider, it was hard not to suspect a "special relationship" with the boss.
But Su Mu was helpless. To this day, he didn't understand why Kiana had hired him as Director on the spot. He could explain his later rise—after Getting Over It was a success, his ability was proven, granting him the authority to manage more affairs. Plus, given Kiana's personality and her lack of management skills, delegating help was only natural.
"Of course, I understand... my niece's situation is a bit different from others. Those first two points aren't enough to be definitive proof..." Theresa sighed.
Su Mu blinked. It seemed Theresa knew exactly what kind of person Kiana was. For a girl who acted on whims, doing something illogical was standard procedure. Since Theresa understood that, Su Mu didn't need to explain further.
"But—" Theresa's voice rose an octave, her tone sharp. "The decisive evidence lies in the project you are responsible for—Honkai Impact 3rd!"
Kiana was even more lost. "Auntie, what are you talking about? What does that have to do with our game?"
Theresa huffed, looking rather proud of her detective work. "My foolish niece, don't you find it strange? Assuming you and Su Mu were strangers before the interview, why would he know your personality and social circle so intimately? Not only that, but the personalities of everyone around you—Siegfried, Cecilia, Rita, and even the big boss of Schicksal, President Otto... How could a stranger know them so well!"
Theresa's analysis was surprisingly coherent. Su Mu listened and thought it actually made quite a bit of sense. Hold on, Theresa, you shouldn't possess such earth-shattering wisdom! It seemed she hadn't just grown in height (supposedly), but in brains as well. Truly, an elder in the house is like a treasure.
"There is only one truth!" Theresa pointed her index finger, mimicking a certain pint-sized detective. "Su Mu, you have had a secret crush on Kiana for a long time! To get close to her, you went to great lengths to investigate her social circle. You even made Kiana the heroine of Honkai Impact 3rd with a clear goal: using that game as a love letter to Kiana! That's right! Honkai Impact 3rd is a love letter written by you, Su Mu, to your beloved—Kiana Kaslana!!"
Silence. Dead silence.
Theresa had a smug, "I've seen through everything" smile on her face, hands on her hips. But she noticed that the expressions of Su Mu and her niece went from shock to calm, and finally settled on... the look one gives a complete idiot.
"Auntie, if you're going to call me for such nonsense next time, don't bother. Su Mu and I are busy."
"Your marital happiness is 'nonsense'? Auntie doted on you for nothing!"
"Instead of worrying about things that don't exist, don't you have more important things to do? As the next President of Schicksal, you should be handling work, not using your niece for entertainment..."
"Waaaah! Kiana, you heartless little brat! Now that you've made something of yourself, you're scolding your Auntie!"
"Hey, hey, hey! You're a grown woman! Aren't you embarrassed to fake cry like that?"
"I don't care! I don't care! You heartless little brat, bullying your Auntie!"
Seeing Theresa on the verge of rolling on the floor, Su Mu found the scene both cute and hilarious. It was clear that Theresa and Kiana were very close; otherwise, they wouldn't interact this way.
"Fine, fine, stop it already. Su Mu is watching."
"Nephew-in-law, look at her! She has no respect for her elders! You must educate her properly when you get back!"
"You... you're never going to stop, are you! I told you there's nothing between Su Mu and me!"
Kiana and Theresa began to scuffle. Seeing their rowdy behavior, Su Mu knew this wouldn't end anytime soon, so he simply sat back down on the sofa. A few minutes later, the two panting, disheveled women finally separated.
"Not bad... it seems you haven't slacked on your Kaslana Gun Fu training lately..." "Of course! This lady can go all day!"
Looking at the two white-haired idiots headbutting each other, Su Mu couldn't help but chuckle. After the chaos, Theresa took some sodas from the fridge. Kiana took two, placing one on the coffee table in front of Su Mu and opening the other for a large gulp.
"Alright, if there's actual business, say it quickly."
Theresa took a sip of bitter melon juice and sat back down. "Nothing much. I just wanted to meet him and maybe set a trap to see if I could catch a nephew-in-law. Too bad you're so useless, sigh!"
Kiana rolled her eyes. "Why am I being lectured by an old woman who's still single..."
Theresa turned to Su Mu. "My apologies, Mr. Su Mu. I've let you see something embarrassing."
Su Mu knew her temperament, but he kept his manners. "You are Kiana's elder; you can just call me Su Mu."
Theresa thought for a moment. "In that case, you should call me 'Little Aunt' (Auntie)."
Su Mu's expression turned odd. Auntie? That's quite a...
Kiana protested: "Hey! Auntie? Why not just call her 'Big Aunt' (Grand-Aunt)?"
Theresa argued righteously: "'Little Aunt' sounds so much better! 'Big Aunt' makes people think I'm old!" "But you're not..." "Kiana, do you want to be crushed by Judah?!" "Anyway, Su Mu, you can just call her Ms. Theresa!"
Theresa looked at Su Mu. Though she smiled, her tone became serious. "Su Mu, I'll get straight to the point. I called you both here today, first, to confirm your relationship. Of course, those earlier words were just to test you. If I offended you, I apologize."
Su Mu was impressed. He hadn't expected Theresa to have such a serious side. But it made sense; someone chosen as the next President of Schicksal couldn't be simple. Even if he and Kiana weren't lovers, they were close, and Theresa likely saw that, choosing to show her playful side to a "trusted" friend of her niece.
"And then, I want to solemnly thank you." Theresa stood up and pushed a check toward Su Mu. Su Mu looked at the numbers and was quite surprised. But he didn't speak immediately, knowing there was more to come.
"Don't be in a hurry to refuse. Let me finish first. This isn't just from me; it's from Kiana's parents, Siegfried and Cecilia. Since Kiana took over miHoYo, the success she has achieved is obvious to the entire industry. All of Schicksal is shaking because of miHoYo. For the Kaslana family, this is a matter of great pride. Kiana is finally no longer that 'salty fish' who just lazes around at home. Siegfried was so relieved he actually cried in front of me; he finally feels a great weight has been lifted from his heart..."
At this point, Theresa wiped a corner of her eye. "As her Aunt, I'm also relieved. It's not easy for my idiot niece to finally build a career..."
Kiana's face was dark. "Just what kind of image do you guys have of me..."
Theresa ignored her. "In short! Kiana's success is thanks to your help! This is our thanks, and our investment!"
Kiana snatched the check. "I get it now. You called Su Mu here to give him money. If that's the case, why not just give it to me? So much talking! How annoying!"
"Not meeting in person to say thanks would be rude. Do you not even have basic manners, Kiana?" "Couldn't you have just had me pass it to him?" "Who knows if you'd secretly keep it for yourself!" "You... what kind of person do you take me for?!"
Su Mu smiled and nodded to Theresa. "Give the money to Kiana. I trust she will use it for company operations."
Su Mu had planned this from the start. Even if the money were given to him, he would have handed it to Kiana. For one, he didn't need that much money, and for another, such money usually comes with strings attached. There is no such thing as a free lunch; taking that money would essentially tie him to the Schicksal machine. While he worked for Kiana, it was of his own free will. He just wanted to follow his heart, and joining miHoYo to make Honkai 3rd was simply what he wanted to do.
"I see..." Theresa wasn't actually an idiot; she understood the implication in Su Mu's words. "Su Mu, please look after Kiana in the future. This child... she's always a handful."
"You're too kind. President Kiana looks after me quite a lot..."
"Hehe, Auntie, see! Su Mu knows how to talk! You should learn from him!"
Looking at the smug Kiana, the corners of Theresa's mouth curled up. She suddenly leaned in close to Su Mu and grabbed his right arm. Su Mu felt his arm sink into a startling softness—it was indeed the "Lunar Vow" level of physique!
"Kiana, you were right about one thing. I don't have experience and can't educate you... But since you and Su Mu aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, that means I have a chance to pursue him too, right?"
She even pulled out a gold card. "This is my supplementary gold card. Take it and go have some fun!"
Kiana was horrified. "Auntie! Let go of him right now!" She hadn't expected the old woman to pull a move like this! Was she kidding? Su Mu was her cash cow! Her treasure chest! Trying to snatch Su Mu away was like cutting off her financial future! Kiana lunged forward aggressively. "If you dare make a joke like that, I won't let you off even if you are my Aunt!"
Theresa looked playful. "Didn't you just say you weren't in that kind of relationship? Why are you so anxious now?"
Kiana forcibly separated the two of them, shielding Su Mu behind her like a bristling cat. "None of your business! Stay away from him!"
Theresa gave them both a meaningful look. "I'm just teasing you. Don't you guys have things to do? I won't keep you for dinner." She added, "Su Mu, my business card is in your jacket pocket. Call me anytime you want to go out!"
Su Mu felt his pocket and sure enough, there was Theresa's card. She must have slipped it in earlier.
"He won't call you! You stinky Auntie!" Kiana huffed and pulled Su Mu toward the door.
Theresa's smile lingered until the two left, then it vanished completely. "Rita, what do you think?"
The door opened again, and Rita Rossweisse appeared. She had clearly heard the entire conversation. "That man, Mr. Su Mu, is indeed not simple. Most people would have had their heads turned by a check of that size..." As a former high-level executive, Rita had seen many people, but someone like Su Mu was rare. "Capable, smart, hardworking, humble, and not easily swayed by wealth or beauty..."
If he were a seasoned veteran of the corporate world, it wouldn't be as surprising. The key was that Su Mu was so young. Having such a mindset at his age was far beyond what most could achieve. "No wonder he could create a game that changed the industry."
Theresa's meeting hadn't been just to "see" him. Confirming the relationship between Su Mu and Kiana was one thing, but more importantly, she was extending an olive branch. She needed talent like Su Mu.
"Lord Otto has designated you as the next President, but there is no lack of opposition within the consortium... If you only use the team Lord Otto left behind, those people won't be silenced..." Rita understood Theresa's current predicament. "You need to build your own team... Su Mu is the talent you need."
Theresa sighed. "Rita... although you're annoying sometimes, I have to admit you're sharp."
Rita added with concern, "However, Su Mu is no ordinary man. Can such a person truly be used by you?"
Theresa thought for a moment. "You have a point. In that case, you go and join miHoYo tomorrow."
Rita: "..." Rita: "Eh?"
Theresa: "Go apply as Su Mu's assistant. That way, you'll know every move he makes." Rita: "Lord Theresa, does it have to be me?" Theresa put on a pitiful face. "It has to be you, Rita! Only you have that kind of ability. Please, do it for me!"
Rita knew exactly what Theresa was up to, but she was powerless to refuse a "pitiful" Lord Theresa. "F-Fine then—"
After Rita left to prepare for her "hiring" at miHoYo, Theresa finally burst out laughing. "Hahahaha!! I'm a genius! I finally got rid of that big pervert Rita!" The more she thought about it, the happier she got. She launched Honkai Impact 3rd to pull for an SSS-rank Valkyrie to celebrate! "Su Mu, Su Mu, you really are my lucky star! I'll support you by spending some more!"
Building a team? Testing Su Mu? Come on, did people really believe that? Did they really think she, Theresa, had such a profound and strategic mind! It was all her grand plan to escape Rita! Suckers!
END OF CHAPTER
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