The Gamer who traveled to Honkai: Star Rail

The server walked away, and soon, the kitchen received the order.

Head Chef: "Huh. Strange things happen every year, but this year's been especially weird. Who the hell orders only cucumber salad for a business dinner? Trying to piss people off? I don't care! I'll just treat this as a test of my knife skills! Hmph! Today, I'll show them the true power of a master chef!"

Even if it was just cucumber salad, since this was a high-end restaurant, the dish still had to look extravagant. But no matter how fancy you make it, it was still just cucumber salad.

Meanwhile, the corporation representative was waiting in his private dining room for the merchants from Aurum Alley to arrive. As the agreed-upon time approached, the business owners began arriving one by one.

Once most of them were present, the restaurant started serving dishes.

At first, a single plate of cucumber salad was brought in, finely carved and arranged beautifully. No one thought anything of it.

But then, the representative started noticing something was off—he hadn't ordered any cucumber salad. And why did it keep coming?!

At that moment, the gathered merchants also began to get irritated.

Irritated Merchant: "What the hell is this? You invited us here just to serve cucumbers? Are you mocking us, treating us like cucumbers that can be smacked at will?"

IPC representative: "No, no, that's not what I meant! This has to be a mistake! Waiter!"

As another server set down yet another plate of cucumbers, they smiled and politely asked,

"How may I assist you, sir?"

IPC representative: "What's going on? Why are you only serving cucumbers?"

This server wasn't the same one who had spoken with Pei Guang earlier, but they had been briefed on the order. 

Maintaining a professional tone, they calmly replied, "Sir, these are the dishes you specifically ordered. You even mentioned that you wanted to host your esteemed guests with cucumber salad because, in your words, 'they're just like cucumbers—waiting to be smacked.'"

The previously calm merchants instantly exploded.

Merchant: "What did you just say? Are you saying we deserve to be beaten? That we're at your mercy?"

"No, I didn't mean—"

"Mean what? I see how it is. You people from the Interastral Peace Organization have looked down on us from the start. Moving out? Forget it!"

Initially, the merchants had been open to negotiations—if the corporation offered enough money, they might have considered relocating. But now? After being insulted like this? They had their dignity! They weren't about to let the IPC treat them like trash.

Besides, even though business under the Merchant Guild wasn't great, at least they were still making a living. But being outright humiliated? That was a deal-breaker.

Corporation representative: "Wait, I—"

Angry Merchant: "Say no more. Just based on your attitude, you never intended to have a proper discussion with us."

Spectating Merchant: "Exactly, exactly!"

The IPC representative still wanted to explain himself, but before he could, another merchant, who had been quietly observing, spoke up in frustration.

"If the IPC doesn't even see us as people, then we'll just keep working under the Merchant Guild! That Little Secretary is a good person, and I've heard they've hired some capable folks. If we work with these experts, we can bring Aurum Alley back to prosperity. As for these corporate dogs? They can go to hell!"

Other Merchants: "Yeah! Screw them!"

The merchants stormed out, leaving the IPC representative sitting there, dumbfounded, as plate after plate of cucumber salad kept arriving at his table.

"Stop! Enough! Who told you to keep bringing these out?!"

At this moment, his rage had reached its peak. He wasn't an idiot—he could tell that someone was messing with him. But the method was just too underhanded. If someone wanted to compete, they should do it openly and fairly—what kind of petty trick was this?

As for Pei Guang? He didn't care. He wasn't here to play fair; he was just a player.

But for the IPC representative, this was only the appetizer. Pei Guang, both in games and in reality, had seen plenty of highly effective business strategies.

And of course, he had arranged an even bigger "gift" for his unfortunate opponent.

Need to take a starskiff somewhere? Well, tough luck—the only ones available were the ones that took the most inefficient, roundabout routes. And once he boarded, getting off wasn't an option.

Not stopping there, he even got Silver Wolf involved. With just a few tweaks, she modified the IPC representative's credentials, causing all sorts of identity verification issues. Since the guy wanted to go head-to-head in a business war—and even made a bet against him—Pei Guang saw no reason to hold back. Within just a few hours, the poor guy had already been completely dealt with.

Meanwhile, March 7th and Bailu, who had been following him around, had gone from initial shock to gradual acceptance.

Both of them had always believed that business competition was about product quality, making profits, and running a company well. But Pei Guang had given them a whole new lesson—why improve yourself when you can just ruin your opponent?

Would anyone step in to stop him? Well, sure, if they could even figure out what was happening. But that was the thing—nobody could. His hacking style was bold and sweeping. Those who knew him well would immediately guess he was behind it, but those who didn't would never be able to find proof.

And even if someone did manage to dig something up? Well, Pei Guang had one response—no evidence, no case. And if anyone dared to falsely accuse him, he'd make sure they regretted it.

Of course, in addition to these underhanded tactics, Pei Guang also knew how to play the game properly.

With all his business tricks in motion, he decided to pay a visit to Jing Yuan.

"General Jing Yuan! How are you doing?"

Seeing Pei Guang, March 7th, and Bailu approaching, Jing Yuan greeted them with a relaxed smile.

"I'm doing well. According to the physicians, I just need a few more days of rest. Once they confirm my health is fine, I'll be back to my usual workload."

In reality, Jing Yuan could technically resume his duties now, but he intentionally wanted to give Fu Xuan some time to grow. He was well aware of why she wanted to inherit the position of General—not for power, but… to face her fate.

She had been diligently working to prove she could shoulder the responsibility, and as her senior, it was only natural for him to train such a dedicated and talented successor. What? Slacking off? How could this be called slacking off? The physicians clearly said he needed to rest!

Seeing that Jing Yuan was in good health, Pei Guang nodded in satisfaction.

"As long as you're fine. Oh right, General, I actually have a request. I recently took on a task—to revitalize Aurum Alley. At the moment, I've already dealt with my competitor, so he won't be able to cause me trouble for a few days. And as for me…"

Jing Yuan didn't interrupt because he knew Pei Guang wouldn't simply ask for help with promotion. Advertising might work for a while, but it wouldn't solve the root problem.

Even though his interactions with him had been brief, Jing Yuan had already grasped one key aspect of his character—Pei Guang always preferred to tackle the fundamental issue rather than just patching over the symptoms.

If anything, Pei Guang's usual philosophy could be summed up as: "Complete the mission perfectly."

Jing Yuan quietly waited for Pei Guang to continue. However, what he said next completely froze the smile on his face.

Pei Guang: "While we're running our simulation business in Aurum Alley, I also plan to open a little food stand to diversify the offerings. I've already got it all figured out—I'm gonna start a fried chicken shop! And General Jing Yuan, I need you to record a little commercial jingle for me. I've already written the lyrics. Here, sing along with me—

'Crazy, crazy Aurum Alley~ Fried chicken, just 99!

Crazy, crazy Aurum Alley~ Fried chicken, only 99!'

Trust me, I have loads of experience playing these kinds of business management games. You just need to lend me your voice, and I absolutely promise not to reveal who recorded this! And don't even ask me why I picked you—your voice just gives me a strangely familiar feeling! I know for sure you're the right choice."

At that moment, Jing Yuan's expression completely froze.

The jingle Pei Guang sang was just too catchy, too rhythmic—it was the kind of tune that burrowed into your brain and refused to leave. And the moment he heard it, he had a sinking feeling.

There was no escaping this.

Because… this was fate.