"It's not a hint or anything…"
"My original idea was to design a set of Bridal costumes for every Valkyrie."
"This kind of attire would best highlight their holy and beautiful sides."
"But in the end… I considered the possible misunderstandings—and your feelings—so I never put them in the game."
"Then, not long ago, Himeko complained that her Valkyrie armor wasn't pretty enough, so I decided to bring this design back up."
After listening to Mo Li's explanation, Rita only found it more unbelievable.
Up to now, when had the game ever released wedding dress–type outfits?
If players bought those, wouldn't that basically mean they were "marrying" the characters?
Just thinking about that made Rita shudder.
Gross…
"That excuse sounds… convincing—but not quite reasonable."
Seeing that Rita still didn't believe him, Mo Li could only sigh helplessly.
"Alright then, what'll it take to make you believe me?"
Rita tilted her head. "Boss, you just said you designed bridal-style outfits for every Valkyrie?"
Mo Li nodded.
"Then… could you let me see those designs~?"
As she spoke, a faint smile curved her lips.
But no matter how Mo Li looked at her, he felt that dangerous "Taizi vibe" from her—like that slightly teasing, predatory aura in-game.
Still, the request itself was simple enough.
"No problem~"
After transferring all the outfit designs to the computer, he pushed it toward her.
Elysia immediately leaned in as well.
The moment she saw those pristine, pure-white dresses on screen, she couldn't help exclaiming.
"Waa~ so beautiful! As expected of Mei~ Rita's is gorgeous too!"
Even Rita had to admit—the white costumes were stunning.
Mei's [Pure Eternity].
Rita's [Vow of the Rose].
Fu Hua's [Court of the Bluebird].
Himeko's [Kiss of the Rose].
Yae Sakura's [Dream of Silk and Blossoms].
Durandal's [Oath of the Cross Star].
Even Theresa had one—but strangely, there were no designs for Bronya or Kiana.
That detail finally convinced Rita that Mo Li had been telling the truth.
After scrolling through the designs, she calmly pushed the computer back to him.
"I see. Sorry, boss, I misunderstood you just now~"
Mo Li waved it off. "No harm done~ as long as that's cleared up."
Then Rita hesitated for a moment, looking like she wanted to say something.
"What is it, Rita?"
She shook her head with a small smile. "Nothing…"
After a pause, she added softly,
"I just think… while we probably shouldn't sell these in-game, I have to admit they're really beautiful. Maybe you could… ask everyone else what they think?"
Mo Li immediately caught her meaning—Rita clearly liked them too.
Though they had a bridal touch, it wasn't overwhelming.
"Alright~ go ahead and ask. If everyone wants them, I'll contact Ningguang and have her make them."
Just then, Elysia picked up Himeko's [Kiss of the Rose] outfit.
"Boss, can I unwrap this and take a look inside?"
Mo Li waved a hand. "If you're that curious, take it to Himeko and open it with her~"
Since it was Himeko's design, Elysia didn't just tear the package open.
She nodded cheerfully, hugged the bundle, and ran off to find Himeko.
Meanwhile, Rita took the laptop and gathered the rest of the girls.
Moments later, exclamations rang out from that side of the room—Hu Tao and Kiana among the loudest.
"Waa~ so pretty!"
"Eh? Miko's outfit is the best! The white mixed with that touch of pink—so elegant~"
"Mei!! Mei, could you put yours on for me? Please, Mei~~"
"Kiana… this outfit… isn't exactly practical for work…"
"Fu Hua's looks so ethereal! Like a fairy bride~"
"I… don't think it suits me very well…"
"No way! Fu Hua-sis would look so feminine in this~"
"I can't tell if that's a compliment or a jab…"
"Hehe~ no malice, I swear. Hu Tao's in the same boat~"
"I'm still young, okay!? I've got time to grow!"
"As expected of Durandal—even dressed so elegantly, she still looks so cool and strong…"
"Isn't this the outfit for the Immortal Star Spear? Wow, the character's not even released yet, and she's already got a—uh, 'bridal' costume?"
…
Listening to the lively chatter, Mo Li finally exhaled in relief.
Thankfully, none of the girls seemed to have any wrong ideas—otherwise, no amount of explaining could've saved his reputation.
In the end, egged on by Hu Tao and Kiana, the girls decided to have the costumes custom-made after all.
Mo Li gladly agreed and called Ningguang's workshop.
This time, though, it was Keqing who answered.
"What's this? You calling to invite me to your wedding now?"
Mo Li nearly choked.
"No… I just sent Ningguang some outfit designs. Could you help have them made?"
"New designs again? That was fast!" Keqing's surprised voice came through the receiver.
Mo Li chuckled. "Might disappoint you though—these are one-offs. Just for the girls here. Not for sale, and they won't appear in the game."
Hearing that, Keqing lost interest… until she opened the file.
The instant she saw those design sketches and their modeled renderings, two words burst from her mouth:
"Scumbag!!"
Mo Li: "???"
"Keqing, hey, don't throw that word around! How am I a scumbag?"
"Hmph~ fine, maybe not scumbag—how about playboy!?"
Before Mo Li could reply, she fumed, "Unbelievable… so many amazing, beautiful girls—and you plan to marry them all!? Unforgivable~!"
Mo Li coughed. "Ahem… I mean, sure, I wish something like that could happen, but… they're not wedding dresses! They just look similar, that's all."
"And I'm not planning to marry everyone at once…"
"Oh yeah? Wait—what was that? You wish it could happen!? Keep dreaming, playboy!"
"Hey, now, that's unfair. Let's be honest—what man wouldn't dream of something like that? Anyone who says no is either gay, dumb, or lying!"
"Hmph~" Keqing snorted coldly.
"Fine, fine, you've got a point… but still! Just imagining it irritates me. Ugh, so frustrating!"
Mo Li laughed. "You sound genuinely mad. What, do I look like the kind of playboy who's trying to marry you now?"
"Dream on! I'd marry Otto before I'd marry you!"
"…Wait, aren't I Otto? Ohhh…"
Mo Li's tone turned teasing. "Keqing, no need to be so shy. You can just confess directly, you know~"
"You—! You—! Aghhh, you infuriating—!"
Mo Li couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Hahaha—alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you. These outfits are just something the girls wanted to make for themselves, nothing more."
"I'm not nearly charming enough to attract everyone like that."
"Hmph. At least you know your limits." Keqing huffed. "Alright, anything else? Say it fast—I'm done talking to you."
Trying not to laugh, Mo Li replied, "Same as always. Use the best materials, and let the girls handle the crafting."
"Fine! Bye!"
When the call ended, Mo Li was still smiling faintly.
He didn't know why, but teasing Keqing was oddly satisfying.
Maybe this was why Rita and Himeko had always liked teasing him too.
He shut off his computer and went to pour himself some water.
But the moment he turned around, he froze.
A whole group of girls was standing behind him, looking at him with… very complicated expressions.
Mo Li blinked. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
The girls: "…"
After a long silence, Bronya finally said in her monotone voice, "Boss Mo Li… quite the appetite you've got there~"
Yae Miko chuckled behind her hand. "So greedy—planning to marry all of us? Can you handle that, boss~?"
"Cough…" Durandal cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's probably… just a joke. Let's not take it too seriously."
"I wouldn't be so sure~" Rita's eyes narrowed playfully. "After all, that is every man's dream, isn't it?"
"Didn't the boss say something like that before~?"
Mo Li: "…"
At this point, he felt socially dead.
Teasing Rita or Himeko was one thing—but now, seeing Ganyu, Mei, and Ayaka blushing and glancing at him shyly…
This was just awkward.
Thankfully, Elysia and Himeko chose that exact moment to appear.
Seeing the group crowded around Mo Li, they both looked puzzled.
"What's going on? Why's everyone surrounding the boss?"
"Ehehe~ could it be he's about to crossdress?"
That broke the tension immediately.
Hu Tao and Kiana turned around—then both gasped aloud.
"Waa~~!"
"So beautiful!!"
Himeko stood there wearing her [Kiss of the Rose].
Even among close friends, she looked uncharacteristically shy.
If it were her actual wedding day, she'd wear it with full confidence.
But right now, suddenly stepping out in such a dress… was mortifying.
At least holding the Flame-Chaser Greatsword gave her some small sense of grounding.
Mo Li couldn't help but take her in with his eyes.
That pure white, holy gown against her fiery red hair—it was breathtaking.
Even the sword in her hand seemed to have softened its killing intent.
With Elysia holding her hand, she truly looked like a warrior leaving the battlefield to step into a chapel.
Even Fu Hua found herself staring a bit too long.
"Cough, cough…"
Bronya nudged Mo Li with her elbow.
"Boss… you might want to wipe your drool."
Mo Li: "…"
Which eye of yours saw me drooling!?
Rita glanced at him with a teasing smile.
"Quite the sight, isn't it~?"
Seeing all the sparkling eyes around her, Elysia giggled and hugged Himeko tightly.
"If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have shown this off~ You all should thank me~"
"Elysia, stop moving… the skirt's too short…"
That single line made Mo Li's expression freeze again.
Short skirt? …What, was she guarding against him now?
Himeko noticed his awkward look and quickly tried to explain, flustered.
"No—I didn't mean that, boss! It's just… a little drafty, that's all…"
But the moment she said it, her face turned even redder.
She didn't even know why she felt the need to explain.
Thankfully, Kiana's chaotic energy saved the day again.
She jumped right in front of Mo Li and covered his eyes.
"Don't look! You're not allowed to look!"
Mo Li: "…"
"I wasn't looking at you, Kiana. What's your problem?"
"Himeko's my sister too!"
"Oh yeah? Then I'm gonna look—and take photos while I'm at it~"
"Don't you dare! I'm mad now!"
"Himeko doesn't mind, does she~?"
"Don't let him take any, Himeko! Hu Tao, help me hold him down!"
With Kiana causing chaos again, the awkwardness dissolved completely.
Laughter filled the room, and Himeko relaxed a little.
Watching Mo Li and Kiana chase each other around, she suddenly had an idea.
"Right, didn't we say before that we'd all put on our Valkyrie armor for a group photo?"
"How about we do that now?"
Her suggestion instantly lit up Hu Tao and Elysia's faces.
Durandal and the others had no objections either.
Kiana stopped struggling and immediately dragged Hu Tao off to change.
Meanwhile, Mo Li glanced down at his phone.
"Not bad~"
The photo wasn't of Himeko—it was a burst of shots of Kiana lunging at him, her expression switching wildly from anger to laughter.
Silly, yet adorable.
"Maybe I'll print these out later and hang them in the studio~"
He chuckled to himself.
He could already imagine the look on Kiana's face when she saw them.
———
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