"Herta?"
Su Chen sucked in a sharp breath.
He felt like he had stumbled upon something crucial!
It seemed that in this world, the appearances of Honkai: Star Rail characters followed certain patterns.
Based on their in-game backgrounds, there were corresponding connections.
For example, Firefly, Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Yingxing (Blade) were unsurprisingly together.
This was an important reference.
Now, back to the topic.
The landlord was Asta?
But the property deed was under Herta's name—could that be interpreted this way?
Wait a minute—
Couldn't he place the system-provided settings here?
This area had to be at least several hundred acres, more than enough to build an entire "Herta Space Station."
Su Chen snapped his fingers excitedly. "Nice!"
"Uh… Brother Su? Can you let go of me now?"
"My bad!" Su Chen released Arlan's arm.
"Brother Arlan, I have a favor to ask. I'd like to meet your young lady—and Madam Herta."
Arlan studied Su Chen carefully. "What do you want with them?"
"Isn't this place scheduled for demolition and reconstruction? I have a perfect proposal!"
...
——
Meanwhile, back in the café, March 7th quietly picked up the script again and started flipping through it.
"Who would've thought my character and Dan Heng would have so much screen time!"
"Indeed. The character design perfectly matches your usual personality. It seems you just need to act naturally!"
"Huh?!" March 7th jolted in surprise, nearly dropping the script. "Kafka! Geez, what are you doing?! You scared me, suddenly speaking like that!"
"March is as adorable as ever." Kafka chuckled and gently pinched March 7th's cheek. "I wanted to ask—what do you think of Su Chen?"
March 7th blinked a few times. "Him? He's pretty nice! And he's kinda good-looking too!"
"He is quite handsome." Kafka maintained her usual smile. "But don't you think it's strange? The character names in the script are identical to ours, down to every single character.
What's even more puzzling is that the personalities of these characters perfectly match how we behave in real life."
"Isn't that great? It saves us a ton of effort! We don't have to force a persona—just act like ourselves!"
Hearing March 7th's answer, Kafka lowered her head and laughed softly.
"I see, March. By the way, where did Wedding Tomato and Silver Wolf go?"
"They went with Su Chen to meet the landlord, Asta. Probably won't be back for a while." March 7th paused before continuing,
"Kafka, I know you're wary of our future boss, but… I think he's really putting in the effort. He handed over the script without hesitation, and now he's actively sorting out our living situation.
He solved two major problems as soon as he arrived, so…"
Before March 7th could finish, the café's glass door swung open.
Kafka instinctively pulled March 7th behind her.
Standing before them was a man wearing round sunglasses.
She recognized him—his name was Scott.
He was the one who had represented Tenghua when they signed the contract.
"My apologies, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting!" Scott made himself at home on the sofa, clutching a few sheets of A4 paper.
"Is Miss Himeko not here?"
"She's out on business. To what do we owe the pleasure, Mr. Scott?"
"Well, Miss Himeko has been hounding me day and night to finish the script, hasn't she?
But the company's been swamped with a new project these past few days—no time at all!
So, though I'm no great talent, I've read a few books in my time, and I managed to whip up a script for you.
Consider this my official delivery. Please, take a look!"
March 7th's lips twitched as she picked up the three-page "script" and read it carefully.
"Story Synopsis: On Blue Star, there exists a mystical cube called the Mahjong Tile.
If one collects all 13 pieces, they can summon the Mahjong God and have any wish granted!
However, once the wish is fulfilled, the Mahjong Tiles scatter across the universe.
Thus, the protagonists embark on a journey to gather them and fulfill their desires."
March 7th flipped through the pages several times.
Despite containing barely over a hundred words, the font had been enlarged to forcibly fill three whole sheets!
"Hahaha!" Scott laughed smugly. "So? How's my story?"
"Do you really think audiences are idiots? This is just Dragon Balls!
And this isn't even a script—it's just a rough outline!"
"Now, now, that's not fair. I've given you the core premise—isn't that enough?
Ah, actors… not like us writers, who have to consider so much more!"
In the next instant, Scott's expression darkened.
"Let's not forget—the contract clearly states that Tenghua has no explicit obligation to provide a script.
Now that I've gone out of my way to deliver one, you have the nerve to complain?
Where's the justice? Where's the law?
You have three days left. If you don't deliver the pilot, you'll owe us compensation—
and you'll all become Tenghua's property! Who knows? I might even be your superior by then!"
"You—!" March 7th shot up, ready to teach Scott a lesson, but Kafka stopped her.
Kafka sighed helplessly. She'd met plenty of stupid people, but this was her first time encountering someone this insane.
"Mr. Scott, let's not pretend. The contract was signed two weeks ago, and now there are only three days left.
You showing up today is just to cover your own back—to say, 'Look, I did what you asked!'
As for the script, we've already found a solution. The episode will be completed on time in three days.
You can rest assured. Now, if there's nothing else, we won't keep you—
after all, these seats are reserved for guests."
"Hmph! If you don't want it, I'll just keep it myself—"
——
At that very moment, Himeko, Su Chen, and the others arrived outside the door.
"Wait… why do I hear a man's voice? It sounds familiar…" Himeko paused just before entering.
"Eh?" Su Chen leaned closer to the door and listened carefully. "Sounds like a dog barking… or maybe a pig? There's a hint of human speech in there.
Oh! I get it now!"
With a creak, Su Chen pushed the door open and saw Scott carefully tucking away his "three-page script," the product of his immense mental labor.
At the same time, Scott muttered under his breath, "This world's gone mad…"
"I knew that voice was familiar—so it's you, you absolute menace!"