Starting from the Collapse World, I became the behind-the-scenes boss

During her three years of wandering, almost everyone she met was someone she only saw a few times before never seeing again.

During her long journey, she was like a rootless duckweed, drifting with the currents of the Honkai Impact 3rd to all corners of the world, without a clear direction.

But today, she met someone again and made her the first old friend on her journey.

"I'm sorry, Kiana, I should have replied to you much earlier, but... something happened in the middle."

Looking at the smiling white-haired girl in front of him, Shihen lowered his head and said in a voice full of apology.

In fact, Kiana had already arrived in Shenzhou a month ago, and sent an email to Shihen on her very first day there.

But... at that time, the boy was still immersed in Alicia's memories.

Moreover, the Paradise of the Past is almost completely isolated from the world, with no network signal connecting it to the outside world at all.

Alicia has deeply misled me!

Looking at the seven emails in his inbox, one from each day for a week, Shihen could feel the girl's cautious yet irrepressible joy, even through the screen.

After a week of silence, the girl's patience and passion were finally exhausted, and the mailbox fell into a long period of calm, just like her gradually cooling heart.

Therefore, after attending the World Serpent's cadre meeting and arranging all matters related to the organization, Shihen responded to Kiana's call in a seemingly hurried manner.

He's destined to become the world's ultimate boss; he shouldn't lack even this much patience.

Although his encounter with Kiana was accidental, this identity could become the best entry point for his other plan, so Shihen would naturally not treat it lightly.

This is the professional quality of a behind-the-scenes boss.

"No, it's my fault. I didn't understand your difficulties."

Upon hearing the boy's words, Kiana quickly shook her head.

Although it was hard to imagine what could have made the boy take a month to finally reply to her, she was never the kind of girl who was unreasonable.

Since the boy has apologized to her and responded to her call, Kiana naturally chooses to forgive him.

What did you do wrong?

Shihen shook his head with a wry smile.

Perhaps because they have been in the darkness for too long, they will try their best to grasp even the slightest glimmer of light.

Kiana's tolerance for the marks of time was incredibly high, as she made a promise to meet someone again for the first time during her long journey and actually kept it.

If it were Shihen who had been stood up for a month, he would have had to revive at least seventeen or eighteen plans.

As a World Snake executive, he is by no means some noble and righteous partner.

Just like Durandal, because of her adoptive father Otto's terrible behavior, Shihen has already made a big fuss about it in his little notebook, and he will beat her up whenever he gets the chance, and he will even draw little turtles on the girl's face.

He can't do anything about Otto, so surely he can handle a little girl who hasn't leveled up yet?

The identity of 【Walter White】is destined to become Durandal's lifelong enemy.

And the identity he now uses will surely make him Kiana's lifelong best friend.

Thinking this, Shihen looked at the girl and smiled, saying, "Anyway, let's not talk about this for now."

Although it may be a bit late for you, I still have to say it...

Kiana, welcome to Shenzhou.

As he spoke, the boy extended one palm.

Staring blankly at the clean, broad palm in front of her, Kiana was momentarily dazed.

During her long journey, the girl heard many people tell her that she was welcome to a certain place.

But many of those people were restaurant or shop staff, although quite a few eventually became her friends.

But now, on her very first day in Chengdu, someone welcomed her as a pure friend.

Breaking free from her reverie, Kiana grasped the warm, strong hand in front of her, a smile involuntarily spreading across her face: "Yes! Shenzhou, I've arrived!"

Chapter Sixty-Six: The Best Food in China

"...I see. So many things happened afterward."

Walking through the streets of Jinguan, listening to Kiana recount the interesting stories from her journey, Shihen couldn't help but sigh.

Riding camels in the desert, galloping across the grasslands, watching magic shows on the streets of India... Although the journey was full of hardships, Kiana's journey was indeed wonderful.

Of course, whether these beautiful views are worth it compared to the sand and dust along the way is a question only the girl herself can answer.

Even though Shihen had also traveled to many places, he was still cheating.

Since last year, I've joined the World Serpent and encountered Raven, and I've been living a pretty comfortable life.

"And you, Hen, don't you have anything interesting to share with me?"

Holding her backpack in one hand, Kiana smiled as she looked at the boy beside her.

Although she could guess that the other person's life wasn't as full of surprises and risks as her own, as the saying goes, a simple life is the best, and it's nice to listen to their daily life occasionally.

"Me..." Shihen hesitated for a moment, then said, "I haven't been to as many places as you, nor have as many experiences."

The girl's smile visibly froze, so Shihen immediately changed his tune: "However, if you'd like to hear it, I can talk to you about it."

Kiana immediately smiled happily.

Looking around, Shihen pointed to a red-decorated shop not far away and said, "But since we've walked for so long, let's find a place to sit down and chat."

I promised you I'd treat you to the best food in China.

They had been walking on the streets for nearly two hours after leaving the train station.

It has to be said that Kiana's stamina is really strong. She carried a big backpack for so long without breaking a sweat, and she was completely unfazed.

As for Shihen... he was empty-handed.

At the beginning of the walk, he felt he should show some manliness by carrying the girl's bag, but then... in order to maintain his persona, Shihen returned the bag to Kiana five minutes later.

I have no idea what this guy had in his bag.

Looking at Kiana's bulging backpack, Shihen couldn't help but speculate.

Upon hearing Shihen's words, Kiana subconsciously licked her lips and chuckled, "Then I won't be polite."

As she walked along, smelling the aromas wafting from the street, her stomach had actually been growling for a while.

However, it wasn't mealtime yet, and the boy was still around, so Kiana had no choice but to endure it.

"Let's go."

Seeing the girl's expectant look, Shihen nodded and took the initiative to lead the way.

Before long, the two arrived at their destination.

As soon as she pushed open the shop door, the strong aroma of spices hit her, causing the girl to sneeze loudly.

Shihen looked at the girl.

"I... I'm just not used to it."

Noticing the teasing look in the boy's eyes, Kiana blushed slightly and explained.

"This is how it is the first time you come." Shihen nodded knowingly, then asked, "Do you eat spicy food?"

The hot pot he treated Kiana to was, of course, a dish with distinctive Chengdu characteristics.

"I..." Kiana hesitated, smelling the intense spiciness in the air, but when she saw the other customers enjoying their food, she quickly made up her mind, "I can eat spicy food."

She didn't want to ruin the boy's dining experience because of herself.

"Okay." Shihen nodded, then called over the waiter, "One hot pot with two broths."

He still knows how to see through other people's pretenses, especially with a girl like Kiana who isn't very guarded around her.

The two found a corner spot to sit down.

"China has a wide variety of delicious foods, and the culinary characteristics of different regions vary."

But if I had to choose the best food in China, it would definitely be hot pot.

Shihen explained.

If he were to prepare a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast... while it would save face, it wouldn't fit his current persona, and Kiana probably wouldn't accept it.

This girl may be carefree, but she's not without brains.

The value of a plate of seafood noodles is far greater than that of a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast; even if she were greedy, she wouldn't take advantage of such a bargain.

"Yes, I did see a lot of delicious food during my trip across China, and I feel like I've gained quite a bit of weight."

Kiana nodded in deep agreement.

The prosperity of the Central Plains was something she had never seen before, and the variety of delicious food was dazzling, making her wish she had more bellies.

Of course, being attracted by delicious food often results in the girl's wallet running out of money.

The funds she used to accept Shihen's invitation to the event were money she had painstakingly saved up.

"Really? I think you've lost even more weight since the last time we met."

Shihen's eyes were filled with suspicion.

Having endured a tumultuous journey, Kiana not only had to work to earn money while also chasing after traces of the Honkai, it was impossible for her to gain weight.

"Of course it's true, you'll see if you don't believe me."

As she spoke, the girl lifted her shirt and pinched her tummy.

Shi Hen: “…”

He only saw a slender waist.

This is a tiny waist.

Immediately, seemingly realizing that such behavior was too intimate, Kiana hurriedly put down her clothes and said, "Compared to when I first came to Shenzhou, I have indeed gained some weight."

"I see." Shihen nodded gently, then sighed, "Kiana, you must have suffered a lot on the journey from Sicily to Shenzhou, right?"

Even though it's 2013, Kiana is still only a fifteen-year-old girl.

A sudden word of concern brought tears to Kiana's eyes, but she managed to hold back her embarrassment in front of her friend.

"I am Kiana Kaslana, and I'm quite powerful!"

She quickly wiped her eyes and said with a proud smile.

"Yes, yes, Miss Kiana is the best." Shihen smiled and agreed, then took the initiative to cook a piece of mutton for the girl. "Now, enjoy the food."

"To be eaten by such a powerful woman as Kiana, this sheep would be pleased even in the afterlife."

"How could such a thing happen?"

Amused by the boy, Kiana shook her head with a smile, put the mutton in her bowl into her mouth, and then...

"Water, water, water..."

She called out hastily, and Kiana's face instantly turned as red as if it were on fire.

Shihen quietly offered her a glass of lemonade.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention..."

Shihen said sincerely.

He would never admit that he did it on purpose, that his aim was to see the girl's face turn bright red from the spiciness.

He's Kiana's best friend in life, would he do something so childish?

"N-nothing, I...I've recovered..."

Sticking out her tongue and blowing air, Kiana was so spicy that snot and tears streamed down her face.

"That's good." Shifting his gaze away from the girl's embarrassment, Shihen pointed to the clear broth pot on the other side. "Although spicy is the most authentic way to eat hot pot, a milder hot pot also has its own unique flavor."

"Yes, really..."

Still shaken, Kiana slowly reached for the clear broth pot with her chopsticks, and then...

A smile immediately bloomed on the girl's face.