[player] Is this the place?
[-] I look up at the old, three-story building in front of me. An unassuming plaque hanging above the door frame reads "Magical Dream." The handwriting might be from some famous person. The brush strokes are disjointed, yet the meaning flows with grace and grandeur.
[-] Just as I'm about to push open the door...
[Male Voice] Ahhhh!
[player] Whoa!
[-] With a shriek, someone comes rushing out of the teahouse and nearly collides with me.
[???] Careful, friend!
[player] Whew... Thanks. Huh? Yuan Feng?
[Yuan Feng] The Twelve Astrological Stars are in "Minor Loss" today, meaning that minor mishaps are unavoidable. Take care out there today, my friend.
[player] It would have been more than a "minor mishap" if it weren't for you.
[-] I look with trepidation at the brawny man who just came rushing out. With his upside-down triangle figure, he looks like a small walking mountain, and his fists look as big as stoneware bowls as he gesticulates and shouts. I might as well have nearly been hit by a dump truck!
[player] What's going on h--
[Youth A] Ahhhh!
[Youth B] Aieeee!
[-] Before I can ask Yuan Feng about the situation, two more figures fly out from the door with a "whoosh"--and that's no exaggeration!
[???] That's what you get for thinking you can throw your weight around in Magical Dream.
[-] A girl of about 16 or 17 wearing a qipao comes out the door, twirling her wrists. My gaze drifts from her clenched fists to the faces of the three people opposite her. Hm... they're all the same shape and size.
[Brawny Man] D-Don't be so cocky, you cow! We're getting our boss over here, then you'll really be sorry!
[Youth A] (whisper) But boss, aren't you the boss?
[Brawny Man] ...Shut up!
[Youth B] (whisper) Idiot, this is all part of the boss's plan! Right, boss?
[Brawny Man] Right, m-my plan. Anyway, j-j-just you wait, miss!
[Girl in Qipao] Ooh, aren't you the gentleman now! I thought I was a "cow?"
[player] Wow... Nothing like intimidation to make people mind their manners.
[Girl in Qipao] Oh, a customer! Sorry you had to see that. Oh? Here for some tea as well, Mr. Yuan? Are you two here together?
[Yuan Feng] Yes and no. Allow me to introduce you. This is PLAYER, my best--and I mean best--friend in One Han City.
[Yuan Feng] This is Miss Yuan Xiao, Magical Dream's server... and, uh, part-time security guard?
[Yuan Xiao] Sigh.... the boss isn't even paying me extra for that.
[-] Yuan Xiao places her hands on her hips with a resigned sigh.
[Yuan Xiao] This is the third time today, in fact. The boss left this morning saying that if there were any troublemakers, I could show them the door. I wasn't sure what he was talking about then, but now... Sigh--I've been so hard at work.
[player] Evidently. Speaking of trouble, what brought those guys here?
[Yuan Xiao] Sigh... It all started when Bamboo Cloud announced out of nowhere that we'd be partnering with them for this year's anniversary celebration. Things have been crazy here ever since.
[player] ...
[-] Bamboo Cloud, huh...
[Fuuka Minami] I've chosen Magical Dream as our tea supplier for this year's banquet. Go and discuss the details with them on my behalf.
[Fuuka Minami] I'm confident that you'll reach a satisfactory arrangement with them, hm?
[player] I'm afraid that I'm here representing Bamboo Cloud. Here's my card.
[Yuan Xiao] Huh?!
[Yuan Feng] Cutting straight to the chase?
[-] Yuan Xiao glances at my card before solemnly returning it to me.
[Yuan Feng] Mr. Yuan is one of our regulars here, so as his friend, you may come in for tea. However, we will not be discussing any partnership.
[player] Why?
[Yuan Xiao] What do you mean by "why?" The boss made a point of saying we wouldn't be working with Bamboo Cloud before he took off. And what the boss says, goes.
[player] Fair enough... but--
[Yuan Feng] It's a scorcher out here today. Why don't we continue this conversation inside over some tea?
[-] Cutting me off, Yuan Feng suddenly folds his fan and pats my shoulder with a chuckle. I shoot him a questioning look, to which he almost indiscernibly shakes his head.
[Yuan Feng] Miss Yuan, would you please find us a quiet place to sit and recommend some tea for my friend here to try?
[Yuan Xiao] Hmm... If it's just for tea, then fine. Right this way.
[-] I barely take two steps following Yuan Xiao when she stops, spins around, and gives me a sharp look, firmly repeating her earlier point.
[Yuan Xiao] Tea only, no business!
[player] H-Hahaha...
[player] Sigh... What my boss says, goes too. Now what do I do...?
[-] After taking a seat and watching as Yuan Xiao leaves to prepare the tea, I slump down in my chair.
[Yuan Feng] My friend, I've just read your fortune. Care to hear it?
[player] Yes, please!
[Yuan Feng] This business matter of yours is going to look up... perhaps very soon.
[player] ...Could you be a little more specific?
[Yuan Feng] Haha, patience! Enjoy your tea and take it as it comes. If I speak too plainly, it could influence your behavior and backfire on you.
[-] A moment later
[Yuan Xiao] Here you go! Enjoy!
[Yuan Feng] I'm not sure what kind of tea you prefer. These are all Magical Dream's top teas, which would you like to try?
[-] Yuan Xiao sets a tray down before me on the table. There are three cups of tea on it.
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