Backstage Suspicions

Backstage Suspicions is a quest in .
==Steps==
# Catch up with Shiyun and Boyi
# Listen in on Shiyun and Boyi's conversation
# Follow Shiyun and Boyi
#* This activates Stealth mode for the Traveler.
#* Do not check in with Yun Jin. Choosing this option fails the Stealth mission.
#* Stay hidden for now and check in with Yun Jin. Continue with the quest to Ending: And Few Friends You Shall Find.
# Report back to Yun Jin
#* Failing the previous Stealth mission completes the quest at this step with Ending: A Shame That the Road is Rocky.
# Give to Shiyun
# Go back to Heyu Tea House to confront Boyi
==Dialogue==
===Suspicious Trails===
;(Talk to Yun Jin again, optional)
: Yun Jin: They must have . Let me know if you find anything out.
;(Go to downstairs)
: Shiyun: I just, ugh... How can you be so cruel to Ms. Yun!?
: Boyi: Shh! Keep your voice down. Whatever you've got to say, it can wait until we're out of earshot. We'll both be in hot water if Yun Jin finds out!
----
;(If you are too far)
::
::
:;(Proceed to Suspicious Trails (Continuation))
;(If you are too close)
:: Boyi: Eh? Who're you... Oh, the one with Yun Jin just now.
:: Boyi: So you've been lying in ambush for us, huh... Hey, c'mon! Scram!
:: Shiyun: Uh, okay... okay!
::
::
::
:;(Proceed to Suspicious Trails (Continuation))
;(Follow Shiyun and Boyi)
: Boyi: *sigh* What is wrong with you? Why can't you get it into your head?
: Boyi: Quit asking dull questions and start thinking about how to win over our readers. Do I make myself clear?
: Boyi: I don't think you realize what a golden opportunity you have here. How many journalists would give anything they had to trade places with you right now, huh? Ever think about that?
: Shiyun: You... You just don't get it! Ms. Yun has put her heart and soul into—
: Boyi: Enough! Stop yelling in public! Or do you want Ms. Yun to hear about all the lies you're spreading about her?
: Shiyun: Me!? You're the one making everything up...
: Boyi: Huh, well you sure seemed pretty happy chatting to her, so don't act like you ain't a part of this. And don't forget the contract you signed...
: Boyi: Come. We'll continue our little chat over there. You need to listen and learn, young lady!
: Shiyun: I... I...
;(Proceed to A Strict Contract)
===A Strict Contract===
: Boyi: Are you ready to stop whining now? Do you have any idea how rare an opportunity like this is for a small-time paper like ours!?
: Boyi: Just think of the sales if we can get an exclusive... Hehehe, we'd have enough to cover your salary for two lifetimes!
: Shiyun: B—But... what about us pretending to be from The Steambird? Aren't you worried she'll find out?
: Boyi: Hmph. You really think she still would've talked to you if I hadn't told that little white lie? Besides, what have you got to be afraid of?
: Boyi: As long as we make it sound like an eyewitness account, how will she be able to refute it? Heck, if she actually presses the issue, I'll probably have to thank her for keeping it current for me! Hehehe...
: Shiyun: This is horrible! I will not let you treat Ms. Yun like this!
: Boyi: Pff. I don't know who she thinks she is, anyway. "Ooh, I sang a couple of shows, so now I'm a national superstar!" Gimme a break.
: Boyi: No one wants to read about your sopranos or your falsettos. We give the readers what they want! That's how this business works.
: Boyi: Hmph, case in point — that seemed to be getting along pretty well with Yun Jin. There's definitely a story there, even if there isn't...
: Shiyun: That's enough! I'm reporting you to the Millelith!
: Boyi: Report me? What for? Libel? Identity theft? Good luck with that. I haven't written anything! Where's your proof?
: Shiyun: I... I...
: Boyi: You'd better tread carefully, Missy! First you neglect your own duties, and now you're trying to get in the way of mine?
: Boyi: You signed the contract, you know full well the consequences. If you sabotage this interview, I'll make sure you lose everything you have. I will ruin you, you understand!?
: Shiyun: ...Why oh why did I sign that contract...
: (No need to check in with Yun Jin. This ends now!)
:;(Proceed to Alerting the Quarry)
: (I should stay hidden for now and check in with Yun Jin.)
:;(Proceed to Long-Term Planning)
===Pre-Ending: A Shame That the Road is Rocky===
====Suspicious Trails (Continuation)====
;(Talk to Yun Jin)
: Yun Jin: Did you find anything out?
;(If you were too far)
:: I couldn't catch up with them...
::
:: Yun Jin: I see... Well, don't worry, it's okay.
;(If you were too close)
:: They got away...
::
:: Yun Jin: I see... Well, it's not unexpected.
;(Proceed to Ending: A Shame That the Road is Rocky)
====Alerting the Quarry====
: (No need to check in with Yun Jin. This ends now!)
: Boyi: Who's there!?
: Boyi: Oh... it's you? What do you want? ...I'm warning you, don't do anything stupid, or, or I'll...
: Boyi: I'll spread a lovely little story about you and Yun Jin throughout all of Liyue!
: Shiyun: Wait a second! I was so focused on Ms. Yun earlier that I didn't notice who it was...
: Boyi: Huh? What are you talking about?
: Shiyun: 's the Traveler! You know? The one who even the Qixing will listen to!
: Boyi: What the... What have I gotten myself into...
: Boyi: Ahem... Uh, hehe, no need to get all worked up here, wh—wh—what we meant was, was...
: No more lies.
: Stop playing dirty.
: Boyi: Ahem! Um... Yes! Quite right, you're quite right. I'm disappearing into thin air as we speak...
: Boyi: (Ugh, just my luck...)
: Shiyun: I'm so, so sorry... I had no idea it was going to turn out like this.
: I heard everything. It's not your fault.
: Shiyun: But I'm so ashamed... I don't know how I could face Ms. Yun now.
: Shiyun: So please, please pass on my apologies to her.
;(Talk to Yun Jin)
: Yun Jin: Did you find anything out?
: Shiyun asked me to apologize on her behalf...
:
: Yun Jin: I see... Well, it's not unexpected.
;(Proceed to Ending: A Shame That the Road is Rocky)
====Ending: A Shame That the Road is Rocky====
: Yun Jin: It's just a bit of a shame that I didn't get to talk with Shiyun for longer.
: Yun Jin: She genuinely understands opera, and has a passion for it. That's not something you can act.
: Yun Jin: If I had the chance to talk with her more in-depth, it could well provide me with some fresh inspiration.
: I didn't know that this is what you had in mind.
: Yunning: Yun Jin, Yun Jin...
: Yunning: Did you agree to another interview without notifying me?
: I don't think they're coming back...
: She didn't say anything to give cause for concern...
: Yunning: These tabloid types are total scumbags, all of them. Who knows what innocent detail he might end up turning into the next big scandal?
: Yunning: Sure, nothing might have come of it today. But who knows where it'll go tomorrow.
: Yunning: Short of catching them all in their lair in one fell swoop... Who knows when this is going to end.
: Yun Jin: *sigh*... I'm sorry, I was careless on this occasion.
: Yunning: Well, wallowing isn't gonna solve anything. C'mon, go tell everyone in the troupe to be extra cautious during this time.
: Yunning: Geo Lord bless us! Spare us any more offstage drama...
===Long-Term Planning===
: (I should stay hidden for now and check in with Yun Jin.)
: Boyi: Hmph, well think very carefully about what you're going to do. This is a rare opportunity. Now, I need to think how to phrase these interview questions...
: Shiyun: You... Hey! Wait!
----
;(If you approach them instead)
: Boyi: Eh? Who're you... Oh, the one with Yun Jin just now.
: Boyi: So you've been lying in ambush for us, huh... Hey, c'mon! Scram!
: Shiyun: Uh, okay... okay!
:Hangout Event Ended: You do not know where the two have gone...
----
;(Talk to Yun Jin)
: Yun Jin: Did you find anything out?
: Well...
:
: Yun Jin: I see. I knew there was something fishy about that editor-in-chief, but this is a bigger plot twist than I expected...
: Should we report it to the Millelith?
: Yun Jin: Not yet. All he's done so far is ask a few questions, there's nothing in print yet. The Millelith wouldn't be able to do anything even if we got them involved.
: Yun Jin: Besides, if we rush to report him now, it's only going to give him more material to write about.
: It can't be the first time they've done this...
: There has to be some evidence at their base of operations...
: Yun Jin: You're right. But tabloids like theirs never have permanent offices and printing presses.
: Yun Jin: The moment they hear anything, they'll disappear without a trace, and you've got no chance of catching them.
: Yun Jin: I'm... actually more concerned about another detail you told me...
: Yun Jin: , would you be willing to do me another favor? I want to send a letter... to that journalist.
: Sure, leave it to me.
: Yun Jin: Great. Thank you.
:
: Yun Jin: Phew... The editor should be here soon, so I'll stay here to deal with him. I'll have to rely on you to deliver the letter.
: Yun Jin: If everything goes well, we should be able to get some breathing room for a while.
:;(Obtain )
;(Talk to Yun Jin, optional)
: Yun Jin: Thanks for your help. I'll try to keep him occupied and buy us more time.
----
;(At the location)
: Boyi: I've had it with you! Do you think contracts are just bits of paper?
: Boyi: If we weren't on a tight deadline, you'd better believe I'd fire you right here on the spot!
: Boyi: You will stay here and reflect on your actions if you know what's good for you. Sorry, but I'm not babysitting you anymore today.
: Shiyun: Ohh... What am I going to do...
:
: Shiyun: Ah! You're, you're...
: Shiyun: ...The one who was with Ms. Yun earlier?
: Yun Jin wrote this letter for you.
: Shiyun: Really? Ms. Yun wrote me a letter? ...I'll read it right away!
: Shiyun: Hmm... hmm... Wow. Really? I can't believe this!
: What does the letter say?
: Shiyun: Ms. Yun says that under Liyue law, any penalty charge I have to pay may not substantially exceed the amount of my salary.
: Shiyun: You can't have a labor contract that would completely bankrupt the employee in the event of a breach. It's not legally binding.
: Shiyun: So not only can he not get any money off of me, I can take this contract to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and blow the whistle on him!
: Shiyun: I didn't think about any of this when I was job hunting... I just signed the contract without a second thought...
: Shiyun: I always thought Ms. Yun was all about opera... who would have thought she was such a legal expert, too?
: This is quite the solution she came up with.
: She is quite amazing.
: Shiyun: *sigh* If only I hadn't gone out of my way to get Ms. Yun's attention in the first place, none of this would have happened...
: Shiyun: I didn't expect it to end up with Ms. Yun helping fix my life problems...
: Can you lead me to their base of operations?
: Can you provide more evidence?
: Shiyun: Well... Mr. Boyi says I'm still on probation, so he won't tell me where their work location is...
: Shiyun: Plus, I give all my draft articles straight to him, so I don't have anything in the way of evidence...
: Maybe he's planning to fire you once your probation period ends?
:: Shiyun: I... wouldn't put it past him.
: What a calculating and conniving guy.
: Shiyun: But the letter says that my statement and the contract are enough to get the Millelith looking into it!
: Shiyun: If says so, I'm sure she must be right! Let's go right now.
----
;(Confront Boyi)
: Yun Jin: ...Okay, I think I've covered this topic pretty thoroughly now. Unless you had any more questions?
: Boyi: Haha... What can I say Ms. Yun, you have so many wonderful qualities. Let's not quit while the ball's rolling, huh? Otherwise, I'll think of something I didn't ask later, and by then it'll be too late.
: Boyi: So, uh... Hey, where's that, uh, friend of yours who was here earlier? You guys seemed pretty close?
: Boyi: Not intentionally avoiding the interview, surely? Hehehe...
: I'm right here.
: Yun Jin: , you're finally back. This poor gentleman's been waiting for you.
: Boyi: You... you're with Shiyun? Hey, what's going on here? Hey, Shiyun, don't forget the contract you signed!
: Funny, that contract's just what we came to discuss.
: Shiyun: The Traveler clued me in! This contract you made me sign? It isn't worth the paper it's written on!
: Boyi: Isn't worth the paper it's written on? Don't be ridiculous. It's all there, clear as day. Don't you think I did my research?
: Yun Jin: Research? Oh, so you're a news editor, but you also have an interest in law?
: Boyi: Heh... hehe, she's new, and she's making a fool of herself. She doesn't get how this all works. My apologies, now, back to our interview...
: Yun Jin: No, it's okay. In fact, I've found myself delving into some legal texts myself recently. It's all so intricate and complicated that it's very difficult to take it all in.
: Yun Jin: The contracts of our opera troupe are a case in point. I'd finally finished reading through the relevant documentation from the Yuehai Pavilion when suddenly the Qixing announced a new interpretation...
: Yun Jin: So I'm just curious — how can you be completely sure that you didn't miss anything when you were researching this?
: Boyi: Uh... I... I'm pretty sure I read everything relevant...
: Shiyun: Under current legislation, the penalty terms in my labor contract are unreasonable and exploitative. I could report you to the Millelith for extortion!
: Boyi: N—Nonsense! That's ridiculous...
: Yun Jin: My goodness... Sir, it seems that we should probably bring this interview to a close here.
: Boyi: Don't listen to her! I run a legitimate business, everything we do's aboveboard...
: Yun Jin: Oh, I have no doubt about that at all, Sir. But this reminds of a case I read about not long ago. Once you get reported and the Millelith start scrutinizing your business, well...
: Yun Jin: Not only do they look into every license you have and every work you've ever published, but everything down to your fire safety policy will come under their magnifying glass, as well...
: Yun Jin: So if you don't get back now and start preparing for their arrival...
: Yun Jin: Well... I mean, I don't mind continuing the interview at all. But I'd hate to take up too much of your precious time if there's any aspect of your business you want to double-check from a legal standpoint.
: Boyi: Ugh... You... I won't forget this!
: Shiyun: Hey, where do you think you're going!
:
: Shiyun: Ms. Yun, why did you stop me?
: Are we really just going to let him go?
: He'll destroy all the evidence the moment he gets back.
: Shiyun: Right! And the contract I have is enough to get him arrested... Isn't it?
: Yun Jin: Hehe...
: Yun Jin: I'm not a legal expert. I haven't the faintest idea.
: Yun Jin: All that was just an act, aimed at getting him to show us the way.
: Shiyun: An act? Show us the way to what?
: Yunning: Yun Jin, the Millelith are after him. Based on his movements, it looks like Boyi is heading back to his headquarters.
: Yunning: *sigh* I really hope they teach these tabloids a lesson they won't forget. It'd sure make my life a lot easier...
: Ah, I see what's going on.
: Yun Jin: Yes, I had Yunning report to the Millelith while you were delivering the letter for me.
: Yun Jin: The penalty terms in Shiyun's contract are too severe. Even if they don't violate the law, I'm sure he must be taking advantage of some loopholes.
: Yun Jin: Anyone who works like that is sure to have a guilty conscience. So all I had to do was put on a little show, starring the editor-in-chief of The Steambird...
: Yun Jin: And now, he is sure to lead us to the solid evidence.
: I can't believe you even kept us in the dark...
: Yun Jin: Hmm-hmm, well, acting has to be authentic to be believable.
: Yunning: Their little publication will go out of business in no time. Good riddance, I say.
: Yunning: I hope this gets the other tabloids to rein in their antics, too... Hey, here's a thought — maybe we could get him to rat on some of his rival publications?
: Shiyun: Ah... I only just realized what this means...
: Shiyun: I'm... I'm going to be out of a job, aren't I?
: Yun Jin: Hmm... Well, would you still be interested in submitting an article to The Steambird — but the real one, this time?
: Shiyun: Y—Yes, of course! But... would they really accept an article from me...?
: Yun Jin: Yunning, when can we arrange the next interview for?
: Yunning: Oh, so NOW you're asking me? Two days from now. Morning. Work for you?
: Yun Jin: Okay. Shiyun, let's continue our discussion about tonight's play two days from now.
: Shiyun: Does this mean... I get to do a full feature interview with you?
: Shiyun: Okay... I think I know what I want to write about! Thank you, Ms. Yun!
: Yun Jin: Don't mention it. I'm sure it will be a source of inspiration for both of us.
====Ending: And Few Friends You Shall Find====
==Other Languages==
==Change History==