Genshin Impact: Villain Life Sim

Pantalone?

Lucas was, of course, familiar with that name. Known as "Regrator" among the Fatui Harbingers, Pantalone was the founder of the Northland Bank and wielded control over Snezhnaya's economy. A man of unimaginable wealth, his riches rivaled even those of Liyue Qixing's Ningguang.

In the game, Pantalone's character remained a mysterious figure. However, in the real world, his presence was among the most prominent of the Fatui Harbingers.

After all, in the merchant hub of Liyue Harbor, banks played a crucial role, and the Northland Bank controlled almost half of the banking industry there. Ignoring its influence was impossible.

"I'm afraid I must meddle in this matter," Lucas said with a cold smile. "And it just so happens that I have quite the connection with Lady Yanfei. Perhaps we could ask her to review the legality of this contract?"

Of course, Lucas was bluffing. He didn't actually have any personal ties to Yanfei at the moment.

However, Yanfei and Ganyu were known to be close. Given that Lucas was now Ganyu's "fiancé," by extension, he could claim to know Yanfei.

Hearing Yanfei's name, Andrei hesitated. The Northland Bank's team of lawyers was formidable, but even combined, they weren't a match for that young legal prodigy.

"N-no need to bring her into this!" Andrei said, trying to maintain composure. "Even if we reduced the interest, could he actually repay it?"

At that, Master Mao's forehead began to sweat again. His finances were indeed stretched to the limit. Even with a reduced interest rate, repaying the debt still seemed impossible.

"What's the matter?" Andrei sneered. "Are you planning to default on the contract and run away from your debt?"

"Don't insult me!" Master Mao's fiery temperament flared. "I, Mao, always keep my word. I may not have the money to repay, but if it comes to it, I'll hand over this restaurant!"

To him, Wanmin Restaurant was incredibly important. However, nothing was more important than his wife's life.

"Excellent!" Andrei's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Such a prime location wasted on a low-end diner. The Northland Bank will convert this place into a luxury bathhouse or an upscale restaurant."

"I see now," Lucas said, narrowing his eyes. "From the beginning, you were targeting this restaurant. Pretending to offer a loan was just a ploy to seize the property."

"And what of it?" Andrei shrugged. "I've followed all the proper procedures."

"That… that won't do!" Xiangling suddenly stepped forward, holding a small piggy bank. Biting her lip, she said, "I've saved up some money. Let's use it to help pay off the debt!"

"Don't worry, Xiangling…" Master Mao said, trying to comfort her. "If it comes to it, we'll start over from scratch. In ten or twenty years, we'll rebuild Wanmin."

"What a touching family moment," Andrei sneered smugly. "Now that you've agreed to hand over the property, just sign here and—wait, where's my contract?"

"Oh, this?" Lucas said, holding the contract in his hand with a smirk. "Such a fine establishment, and you only valued it at 50 million Mora? Typical banker greed."

Andrei froze. He hadn't even seen Lucas move, yet the contract was now in his hands.

Andrei had once witnessed a Fatui Harbinger, Childe, in action, but even Childe's speed hadn't seemed this fast.

"G-give it back!" Andrei stammered. "You wouldn't dare destroy it, would you?"

"Destroy it? No," Lucas said, handing over a sleek black card. "I'm going to buy it. You know what this is, don't you?"

"That's… a Dawn Winery Limited Black Card?" Andrei's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who… who are you?"

As a banker, Andrei understood the significance of that card. But the man before him didn't look like someone wealthy.

"This is Liyue," Lucas said with a disdainful smirk. "Even the old men in slippers walking their birds might have fortunes that outclass yours. Now, leave. You're disrupting the restaurant's business."

"You—!" Andrei glared daggers at Lucas before turning to leave. "The Northland Bank won't forget this!"

Master Mao let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much for your help. I'll make sure to repay you as soon as I can."

"No need for that. Liyue can't afford to lose Wanmin Restaurant," Lucas said, handing the contract back to Master Mao. "Instead, consider the funds an investment. I'll take a share of the restaurant."

[Accumulated Virtue System activated. You have earned 1,000 Virtue Points!]

Though Lucas enjoyed maintaining his habit of doing good deeds, he wasn't running a charity. Fifty million Mora wasn't a trivial sum—even Diluc's wealth had its limits.

"Of course!" Master Mao said, his face lighting up. "As long as I can keep Wanmin running, I'll agree to anything! Xiangling, come greet your new boss!"

"Boss?" Xiangling looked bewildered.

In the blink of an eye, a customer had become the restaurant's co-owner.

To be honest, even Lucas found the situation absurd. What was supposed to be a quick breakfast had turned into him buying a restaurant—something straight out of a cheesy CEO drama.

[Capitalist Talent Activated: "Wanmin Restaurant" is now part of your assets.]

Sure enough, the system's "management" interface now displayed Wanmin alongside the forge Lucas had acquired in Mondstadt.

Incidentally, the forge's business had been thriving, thanks to a steady supply of high-quality ore from his Serenitea Pot. It had started generating a consistent daily profit.

"By the way," Lucas said, as if remembering something, "what exactly is your wife's illness? I have some medical knowledge—maybe I can help."

"Really?" Master Mao nodded quickly. "Please, follow me."

Lucas and Xiangling followed Master Mao into the bedroom. On the bed lay a middle-aged woman, her pale complexion strikingly similar to Xiangling's. Though her features were gentle and kind, she looked frail and weak.

"A few months ago, my wife suddenly fell ill. I've consulted several doctors, but none of them could find the cause," Master Mao said, his eyes filled with pain. "The doctor at Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu, is highly skilled, but he's currently in Sumeru for further studies."

Lucas nodded slightly, then began taking Lady Mao's pulse.

With the [Medical Sage] talent augmenting his skills, Lucas's medical expertise was beyond reproach. He furrowed his brows in thought before suddenly pressing several acupoints on Lady Mao's body. Moments later, the unconscious woman frowned, opened her mouth, and spat out a small, ice-blue insect.

The insect hit the floor and immediately tried to scuttle away.

Smack!

Lucas stomped on it, crushing it underfoot.

"What kind of strange insect is that?" Xiangling asked in astonishment. "I've never seen anything like it!"

As someone who often experimented with unconventional ingredients, Xiangling was familiar with most of Liyue's insects. Yet, she had never encountered one like this.

"It's an Ice Devourer," Lucas explained calmly. "A parasitic insect native to Snezhnaya. It burrows into a host's body, gradually weakening them until they die of hypothermia."

"A parasite from Snezhnaya?" Master Mao's expression darkened as realization dawned. "Could it have been… those bastards from the Northland Bank?"

"Our savior!" Master Mao exclaimed, bowing deeply to Lucas in gratitude. "How can I ever repay this kindness?"

"It was a small matter," Lucas said, gently helping him up. "There's no need for such formality."

After all, in the simulator, this man had been his father-in-law not too long ago.

"That won't do!" Master Mao said, suddenly clapping a hand on Xiangling's shoulder. "Why don't I betroth my daughter to you? Xiangling's beautiful, talented, and a fantastic cook. You'd be lucky to have her! Honestly, matchmakers practically wear out our doorstep trying to set her up!"

It wasn't just gratitude fueling his words—Lucas' medical expertise, kindness, and obvious wealth made him the perfect candidate for a son-in-law.

"Dad, stop saying such embarrassing things!" Xiangling protested, her face flushing crimson as she covered her cheeks. "I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Even as she buried her face in her hands, Xiangling couldn't resist sneaking a peek at Lucas through her fingers to gauge his reaction.

Truth be told, Master Mao wasn't wrong. Xiangling's charms lay in her approachable, girl-next-door appeal—an endearing quality compared to the lofty, unattainable beauty of someone like Ganyu or Keqing.

"Xiangling is a wonderful young lady," Lucas said with a smile. "But she's still a bit young. Let's revisit this when she's older."

"Too young?" Xiangling muttered, glancing down at herself. The sight of her toes came into view immediately, causing her cheeks to flush deeper. "I… I see. Guys must like bigger ones…"

After leaving Master Mao with some final instructions, Lucas departed from Wanmin Restaurant.

"That young man is truly remarkable," Master Mao said approvingly. "Xiangling, you'd better not let someone like him slip away!"

"I'll grow up quickly!" Xiangling declared, clenching her fists. "Today's lunch will be papaya soup!"

As Xiangling marched off determinedly, Master Mao scratched his head in confusion. "This girl… seems to have misunderstood something."

At Ganyu's Residence

"Ha!"

In the courtyard, a silver-haired woman in tight training attire practiced with a spear. Her movements were precise and powerful, sweat soaking through her black outfit and accentuating her flawless figure.

"Good morning, Shenhe," Ganyu said, yawning as she waved to her fellow adeptus. Still groggy, she added, "You're up early for training?"

As Shenhe turned to face her, Ganyu couldn't help but gulp nervously.

In the face of Shenhe's, um, "towering assets," Ganyu silently admitted defeat.

"There's time now, so I may as well train," Shenhe said, narrowing her eyes. "Come, Senior Sister. Let's spar."

Having often heard Cloud Retainer praise Ganyu's abilities, Shenhe was curious about her senior sister's true strength.

However, Shenhe hadn't realized she was underestimating not only Lucas' prowess but also Ganyu's.

Seeing Shenhe's eager expression, Ganyu hesitated briefly before nodding. "Alright… but let's keep it brief."

"Will you use a bow?" Shenhe asked. "If so, I'll step back to give you more room to work."

"No need," Ganyu said with a smile. "I'm fine like this."

"Barehanded?"

Shenhe, proud like her master Cloud Retainer, bristled at the notion of Ganyu fighting her without a weapon. Eyes narrowing, she said, "Then forgive me!"

She twirled her spear in a wide arc before bringing it down in a powerful slash aimed at Ganyu. The move, executed with her prodigious strength, roared like a tiger through the air.

Yet, Ganyu remained motionless, calmly raising two fingers to catch the spear's tip. Instantly, Shenhe felt her strength dissipate as if it had been siphoned away.

"Impressive technique, Shenhe," Ganyu praised. "You're quite skilled."

"I'm not done yet!"

Shenhe spun her spear and unleashed a flurry of lightning-fast thrusts. Despite the speed and ferocity of the assault, Ganyu evaded effortlessly, her movements fluid and unhurried.

The ease with which Ganyu avoided her attacks filled Shenhe with growing frustration—and something else.

A faint scent clung to Ganyu, emanating faintly from her lips.

It was Lucas' scent.

That liar! Shenhe thought angrily. They were supposed to pretend to be a couple, but they've already done everything?!

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