Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [132]

The teahouse was surrounded by flowing streams of clear water. Though there were no visible mechanisms, the water remained crystal-clear, reflecting the vibrant lotus leaves and blooming petals that added a splash of color to the scene.

"Huh? Qingque, you won again? It’s not even ten rounds in yet!"

Chen Lin set down his phone and followed the voice, spotting a table in the corner where four people—one man and three women—sat neatly in a square. The gender imbalance was noticeable.

The speaker, a man in a pristine white long robe, scratched his head in frustration and handed the last remaining pieces of green glutinous rice balls from a box to the girl seated to his right.

Each player had some snacks in front of them. It seemed common for those playing Imperial Jade Tiles to use small treats as wagers. Gambling for money was against regulations, and playing solely for victory lacked excitement. Using inexpensive snacks as stakes added a playful touch, ensuring the games remained lighthearted.

Seeing him start to pack up, the others asked, "You’re leaving already?"

The man chuckled wryly. "Yes, I have to. The academy opens in half an hour, and I have two classes this afternoon. I haven’t even started grading the students’ assignments."

Judging by his attire and demeanor, he seemed to be a teacher from a local academy, taking a break to play cards for entertainment.

A curvaceous woman seated nearby teased, "Just don’t mark Imperial Jade Tiles patterns on their assignments."

"If I do, I might as well prepare to find a new job."

"Hahaha!"

The group burst into laughter, bidding the man farewell. Imperial Jade Tiles could accommodate four, three, or even two players, so losing a member didn’t hinder the game. However, the woman with the bold personality got up to look for someone to join them, politely asking the nearby patrons if they’d like to play.

During this brief pause, the remaining players began chatting.

"Qingque, aren’t you supposed to be working right now? How do you have time to play cards here?" asked the woman sitting opposite her. "Don’t tell me you got fired?"

Qingque, a petite young woman with a childlike appearance—standing no taller than 1.5 meters—pouted in response. Her delicate features, akin to a porcelain doll, could easily lead people to mistake her for a child. In reality, she was a seasoned office worker.

"I am working," Qingque replied with a shrug and a bitter expression. "I was peacefully reading some newly acquired miscellaneous books in the archives when the Diviner caught me slacking off and sent me out to run errands instead."

"Then how did you end up here playing cards? Aren’t you worried about getting scolded when you go back?"

"Ah, that’s where you don’t get it," Qingque grinned mischievously. "The Diviner only said I had to finish my task before the end of the day. So why rush? If I finish early, they’ll just give me more work."

"You’re a miracle for not being fired," the other woman muttered under her breath.

"Hey now, it’s all about balance. If the rope’s three feet long, you pull it just one inch short. Do that often enough, and you’ll find the perfect slack." Qingque chuckled. "Working hard doesn’t create value for employees. Only slacking off on the job creates real value for us!"

"You really know how to game the system."

"If I finish today’s work too quickly, tomorrow they’ll just pile on more. And it’s not like they’re giving me a raise. So why overwork myself?"

Munching on a soft rice ball, Qingque savored its sweet flavor and sighed wistfully. "That gentleman earlier actually bought treats from Delicacy Pavilion. Must be nice to have money."

"Academy teachers do earn a decent salary. Thinking of becoming one yourself?"

"No way! Teachers have too many responsibilities—grading, dealing with students during the day, and appeasing their bosses. Then they still have to prepare for classes at night. It sounds exhausting."

Qingque shook her head vehemently. "I’d rather have a cushy job and slack off while playing cards..."

Before she could finish, the bold woman returned with two large paper bags.

"Found someone new! And not just anyone—a very handsome guy who brought treats from Delicacy Pavilion as stakes for the game!"

"Wow! Those are the famous fruit jam rolls!" exclaimed one of the players, noticing the bags’ contents.

Delicacy Pavilion’s fruit jam rolls were a recent hit on the Changle Heaven dessert scene, known for their perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, paired with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Many considered them a must-try when visiting the Xianzhou.

But they were pricey. For most, buying just a small piece to savor was a rare indulgence, let alone purchasing in bulk like this.

"I told him simple biscuits or cookies would suffice, but he said the line at the shop was too long, so he insisted we go together and get these instead."

"It’s fine. As long as the treats are delicious, they’ll be worth it," the bold woman said.

Only then did the group notice the tall young man following behind her. His warm smile and generous gesture immediately left a positive impression.

Some women playing at nearby tables couldn’t help but regret not inviting him earlier. Particularly those whose games he had briefly observed—why hadn’t they thought to ask him to join?

Who knows? A friendly card game during the day might’ve led to... more fun at night.

Regardless, many pairs of eyes now stared at Chen Lin with undisguised interest, their gazes sharp enough to pierce through him.

Meanwhile, Qingque was still chewing on a half-eaten rice ball, her eyes fixed on the paper bags on the table, entirely oblivious to the others’ reactions.

“I’m new to the Xianzhou and have never played this game before. If I make mistakes, I hope you’ll bear with me,” Chen Lin said, breaking the silence.

Qingque finally tore her gaze from the bags, blinking in surprise. "But your Xianzhou dialect sounds so natural—there’s barely any accent!"

The other two women nodded enthusiastically.

"Maybe I just have a knack for languages. When I first arrived, I struggled, but after talking to a few locals, I picked it up quickly. Anyway, I’m ready to play." Chen Lin placed one of the fruit jam rolls on the table.

"As a newcomer, let me explain our betting rules," said the bold woman who had brought him over. "In Imperial Jade Tiles, multipliers depend on the patterns. For example, Sea Bottom is one-time, while Pure One Suit is five-times..."

Once she finished explaining, Chen Lin nodded thoughtfully. "Got it."

"Then let’s begin. What should we call you?"

"Just call me Xiao Chen—or Old Chen, if you prefer."

"Alright, Xiao Chen! This is Qingque from the Divination Commission. She’s an excellent fortune-teller. That’s Yuer; she runs a clothing shop nearby. As for me, you can call me Qing-jie—I sell handmade crafts to make a living."

While everyone arranged their tiles, Qingque couldn’t help but glance longingly at the jam rolls. Her own wager—a small box of bread rolls—suddenly seemed laughable by comparison. The others had similarly modest bets, all easily affordable snacks from the local supermarket.

Winning small treats like green rice balls didn’t faze Qingque—after all, the academy teacher’s income had been substantial. But this newcomer’s extravagant stakes made her feel guilty about winning.

Maybe I’ll let him win a round or two. That should make things fair.

The other two seemed to share her sentiment. As seasoned players, they didn’t want to scare off a new recruit. Tourists rarely took the time to learn the game, so newcomers were a rarity.

"Next time, just bring some simple cookies or bread. It’s all in good fun—no need to spend so much," Qingque said, trying to ease the mood.

As the dealer, Chen Lin drew first. Unlike the others, who spread their tiles out, he kept his hand concealed. Though an uncommon habit, it wasn’t against the rules.

While he sorted his tiles using his psionics, the other players offered advice.

"Imperial Jade Tiles requires sharp calculation skills and nerves of steel," one said. "The higher the multiplier, the harder the hand—and the greater the risk."

"Yes, and you should always think carefully before eating, pairing, or declaring Kan. Otherwise, others might deduce your hand based on your discards and the river tiles," added another.

Qingque swallowed the last of her rice ball. "It’s great mental exercise! The techniques take time to master, but the more you play, the more you’ll understand."

Chen Lin smiled. "Got it. I enjoy challenges like this. Please, if you have any tricks, share them with this newbie."

Teaching a newcomer was perfectly natural, and Chen Lin’s cooperative and humble attitude only endeared him further to the group.

He quickly organized his tiles in less than five seconds and began to draw his first tile.

Everyone eagerly awaited his first play. But just as the anticipation reached its peak, Chen Lin frowned. The others thought he might have misdrawn or miscounted his tiles, but upon closer inspection, everything seemed fine.

“What’s wrong, Old Chen? You’re the dealer—you need to play first,” Qingque reminded him.

“Uh…”

Chen Lin hesitated, then beckoned a nearby onlooker—a regular who enjoyed watching games but rarely played himself. With a sheepish expression, Chen Lin asked, “Excuse me, could you take a look and see if my hand… has already won?”

The onlooker, a seasoned player who loved to spectate, leaned in to inspect the tiles. After a moment, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed, “Good heavens! It’s a Heaven Win!”

“What?!” x3

Chen Lin revealed his tiles, and sure enough, it was a Heaven Win—not the most powerful hand, but rare due to its condition of being achieved immediately after the initial deal.

Qingque, without hesitation, handed over five small bread rolls to Chen Lin and marveled, “Old Chen, your luck is impressive! It’s my first time seeing someone pull off a Heaven Win in their first game.”

“Same here! A sign of great fortune!”

“Small biscuits, minus five.”

“I’m calling it—Old Chen’s luck is all used up. That jam roll of yours? It’s mine next round,” Qingque teased with a grin.

“Good fortune is meant to be shared,” Chen Lin replied with a smile as he began shuffling for the next round.

In Imperial Jade Tiles, a dealer’s win allows them to retain the dealer position, so Chen Lin remained the dealer for the next game.

Although Heaven Wins were rare, experienced players had encountered them occasionally. Most chalked it up to Chen Lin’s good luck.

Drawing and organizing his tiles again, Chen Lin pulled his next tile, only to frown once more. His familiar expression sent a chill down the spines of the other players.

No… It couldn’t be, right?

A few seconds later, Chen Lin carefully laid his tiles down.

“Uh… I think I won again?”

“?” x3

“Is it possible for a beginner to win a Heaven Win twice in their first two games of Imperial Jade Tiles?”

“Possible, but consider having a good meal to celebrate.”

“Old Chen, this is unreal!” Qingque exclaimed, picking up her tiles and inspecting them. As an experienced player, she could confirm there were no issues with her hand. Her gaze at Chen Lin shifted dramatically. “Even with good luck, this is too much!”

“Incredible! Two consecutive Heaven Wins—I’ve never seen this in all my time playing.”

“When I get back, I’m telling everyone about this. Witnessing this is a once-in-a-lifetime miracle!”

Just as Chen Lin was about to say something modest, the onlooker who had helped earlier returned to their table. Seeing the group’s astonished expressions, he asked, “What’s the big deal? Heaven Wins are rare, but not unheard of. Why are you all so shocked?”

Qingque responded, “This is the second one. Old Chen just won another Heaven Win right after the first.”

“What?!”

The onlooker leaned in again, saw the new set of tiles, and realized it was indeed different from the first hand. Shocked beyond words, he could only utter, “Damn.”

The next dozen rounds were far more normal. Everyone traded wins and losses, gradually recovering from the double Heaven Wins.

Chen Lin won a mix of snacks and lost a few pieces of jam roll, maintaining a balanced outcome.

“Old Chen, with your luck, help me draw my tiles while I message my boss,” Qingque said casually after one round.

By this point, the group had grown comfortable chatting with Chen Lin. He had a knack for finding interesting topics, making the atmosphere lively. Qingque, who prided herself on not being superficial, couldn’t help but admit Chen Lin’s presence was both pleasant and refreshing.

“Little Qingque, is your boss docking your pay because you’ve been slacking off?” teased Qing-jie, sitting across from Qingque.

“Not yet—it’s still early,” Qingque replied, glancing at her phone. “Oh, turns out the Diviner found my stash of snacks under my desk and wants to confiscate them.”

“Hahaha…”

“No big deal—I’ll just buy more tomorrow.” Qingque tucked her phone away and opened the hand Chen Lin had drawn for her. After a quick glance, she froze, then blurted out, “Old Chen, are you some kind of good-luck charm?”

“Oh? Feeling confident about your hand, Qingque?”

“Old Chen, draw me another tile!”

“Sure.” Chen Lin chuckled and handed her a tile.

The moment Qingque placed the tile into her hand, her face lit up with delight.

“Earth Win!”

“What?!” x2

The group’s favorite phrase echoed once again:

“What?!”

---

As the hours passed, the seasoned players had to admit they were outmatched by a complete beginner. Despite replenishing their stakes twice, they still lost almost everything to Chen Lin.

Realizing the time, Qingque stood up to leave. “Time to get back to work. See you all later. Old Chen, swing by the Divination Commission sometime, and we’ll play again.”

“I’m heading back to the shop to check inventory and cook dinner,” said Qing-jie.

“Same here.”

With that, the group dispersed, leaving only Qingque and Chen Lin. Qingque hesitated before asking, “By the way, where are you staying, Old Chen?”

Qingque had thoroughly remembered this man—not just for his striking appearance and demeanor but because he seemed destined for Imperial Jade Tiles.

An entire afternoon, and not once did Chen Lin misplay or deal a single losing tile. Even the jam rolls he lost were from self-draws by others.

If this wasn’t proof of his skill and luck, Qingque would have to reconsider her understanding of the universe.

“I’m staying at the Exquisite Fragrance Pavilion,” Chen Lin replied with a smile.

“What?! No wonder you’re willing to splurge on such expensive stakes,” Qingque exclaimed, realizing the high-end reputation of that establishment. “That place is the pinnacle of luxury! I’ve never even set foot inside…”

“I didn’t pay for it. A friend booked it for me,” Chen Lin said, still smiling.

“Your friends must be incredible. That place doesn’t just require money—it’s exclusive. There’s only one room on the fourth floor, and—wait a second.”

Her words trailed off as realization dawned. She hastily pulled out her phone to check the address the Diviner had sent her. Looking up from her phone, she met Chen Lin’s amused gaze.

The address matched. The Exquisite Fragrance Pavilion’s fourth floor had only one room. And her assigned client was standing right in front of her.

Qingque scratched her head, clasped her hands nervously in front of her, and forced an awkward but polite smile.

“H-hi there, Old Chen.”

“Hello, Divination Commission messenger Qingque. Did you enjoy Imperial Jade Tiles?”

“Yes… very much… hahaha.”

“What do you do when you sneak off to slack during work, only to find out the client you’re supposed to meet was your gaming partner all along? Urgent!”

---

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!