Chapter 520: 2.3 Main·Pinokangni (191)

I suddenly became curious, Topa: in your view, is Pinokangni considered a high‑quality asset?

Topa nodded: "Credit is good, profit is huge, development prospects are strong; even after this calamity, it remains a top‑tier high‑quality asset in the galaxy, without a doubt."

Feicui looked meaningfully at the glittering city outside the window: "Hmm, it's obvious. But what I want to ask is, with your taste, this project is clearly a bit 'uninteresting', isn't it?"

"Heh, indeed. If Shajin hadn't pulled me into the game, I wouldn't have come here at all."

"But you trust him, the Foundation Stone that is as precious to us as life, and you are willing to entrust it to him to play a gamble."

"Aren't you the same, Ms. Feicui?" Topa sighed lightly, sounding a bit reflective: "If we don't follow suit, your Jade Stone couldn't enter so smoothly, and the desires flowing in the beautiful dream would be fully exposed, securing negotiation chips… For that, of course I'm also willing to ride the Topaz to shield you… What a grand game of chess this is."

"That child's determined purpose cannot be stopped by anyone—even fate can't. At least he's still alive now, and that's the best outcome."

——

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Undying Diamond

"Um… Zhang Zhu, what are they saying? That place looks super—awesome! Shimmering everywhere, full of things I've never seen! And there's endless Sula! How can this be called uninteresting? Then what's interesting? Like playing video games?"

Inside an Italian family restaurant, Yi Tai was slurping a big mouthful of noodles vigorously, speaking somewhat unclearly.

"Yi Tai, they're talking about a project, not Pinokangni's food, drink, and fun, right?" Zhang Zhu tried to explain in terms he could understand, "They're not coming to Pinokangni to play—it's work. Their goal is to recover the company's important assets, but Pinokangni may lack a certain… uh, 'excitement' for them."

"Isn't that Lao Aodi exciting enough?"

"Hmm… overall it's different." Zhang Zhu rubbed his chin, trying to organize his words, "If I have to put it, it's like you watching anime, Yi Tai."

Hearing "anime," Yi Tai instantly perked up with a spirited "Oh," sitting upright.

"It's like when you watch an anime for the first time, the story feels interesting, but after watching many similar ones you get the feeling you know what's going to happen without even watching, right?"

"Oh… when you put it that way, it does seem so…"

Zhang Zhu pointed with his fork loaded with meat‑sauce noodles at the two ladies in the sky dome and said, "By analogy, their job is to watch anime professionally; they've sampled enough similar shows to predict the plot—though it's their first time coming to Pinokangni for business, they're already mentally prepared for what's coming—Lao Aodi may be tricky, but they've dealt with similar troubles many times. Does that make sense, Yi Tai?"

Yi Tai widened his eyes: "Hmm! So there are jobs that specialize in watching anime in the world?! Zhang Zhu, where did you hear that?"

"So that's where your focus is?! You idiot! That's not the point, hey!!"

——

"It seems… we've drifted off topic, Ms. Feicui. Should we discuss the subsequent strategy?"

Feicui gently shook her head: "No need, I'll go in alone later. You go welcome our distinguished guests, and wait for my signal."

"Hmm, understood."

After Topa left, Feicui walked alone around the deck of the Radiant Longstone, and outside she saw a familiar figure.

"(That was… Zhigengniao? So she's also on the Radiant Longstone.)"

Feicui warmly approached and greeted her: "Ms. Zhigengniao, hello, I didn't expect to meet you on this ship."

"Ms. Feicui? Hello. The Harmonic Grand Ceremony opening has moved to the Radiant Longstone, so I came up early to make preparations. And you, have you spoken with Mr. Lao Aodi?"

Feicui smiled and nodded: "Actually, I'm about to see him. Are you familiar with him, Ms. Zhigengniao?"

"Unfortunately, I haven't met him, only from…" Zhigengniao's words halted midway, her eyes darkening, tone turning heavy and mournful, "…a few brief comments from the former Oakwood family head: Mr. Lao Aodi is a formidable businessman, but in other respects… I dare not praise him."

Zhigengniao looked up: "Just as the Radiant Longstone once halted its voyage but set sail again. I believe beautiful dreams will usher its rebirth. Tongxie needs to find a new direction; only by parting with the past can we steer toward tomorrow."

Saying that, Zhigengniao smiled at Feicui: "There are no eternal allies, nor eternal enemies. I hope we can each get what we need from this transaction."

"Of course, looking forward to your performance; we'll meet again at the ceremony."

——

Gintama.

"Wait, wait—!!"

Hearing Zhigengniao's words, Xin Ba shivered all over, his pupils trembling: "Why does this sound so familiar? Isn't this the standard 'mutually beneficial' opening line used by black‑hearted corporations during takeovers? Could it be… that seemingly harmless little bird has already been secretly cozying up with those corporate types??"

Yin Shi thickly rolled the Shonen Jump, then "thwack" knocked Xin Ba on the head, "Xin Ba, watch your words! How can you talk about 'cozying up' regarding a beautiful girl? Maybe she's the one actually orchestrating Pinokangni's maneuvers."

"And!" Yin Shi emphasized, "Not to mention Lao Aodi, the whole family has no right to dictate her thoughts; after all, if it weren't for her… that clan would still be sleeping soundly in the Great One Dream!"

"Even so, Yin Shi… aren't you curious about what she hopes to gain from this deal, Aru?"

"Hmm… probably his brother's whereabouts? The company's reach is limitless; there's no information they can't get." Although Zhigengniao's eyes only flickered with melancholy when mentioning the former Oakwood family head, it made Yin Shi's heart twitch.

Even if they lean left ideologically, this brother‑sister pair will always place each other's lives first, and nothing now seems more important than her brother's safety.

——

Feicui returned to the negotiation table, sitting opposite Lao Aodi again.

"You've waited long, Mr. Aodi. The talks can continue," Ms. Feicui smiled faintly.

"Hohoho, you already figured out a plan so quickly, Ms. Feicui? Hmm… where did Ms. Topa go?" Lao Aodi asked curiously.

"Topa has other tasks; you'll meet her later. The conversation can still continue…" Feicui's smile at the corner of her mouth remained, but the warmth in her eyes suddenly dropped to freezing point. The previously flowing gentleness instantly contracted, replaced by an intensely focused sharpness.

"…just you and me."