One of the more unique mechanics Where Winds Meet introduces early on is the affection system—and honestly, it’s a clever way to add personality to NPC interactions. Instead of the typical “give gift, get approval” loop, the game challenges you to actually talk to NPCs through an AI-driven conversation system. It’s unconventional, and it takes some getting used to, but it’s also genuinely engaging once you understand how it works.
Li Laizuo is often the first NPC you’ll meet who uses this system, which makes him the perfect introduction to how affection works in this game. He’s stationed near the General Shrine in Qinghe—one of the earliest regions you’ll explore—and befriending him unlocks some solid perks: weekly gifts and the ability to summon him as backup during boss fights.
Finding Li Laizuo: Your First Stop
Head to the General Shrine in the Qinghe region and look for Li Laizuo near the tournament battle arena. You’ll spot him conversing with his subordinates. Approach and initiate a conversation to get started.
The AI Chatbot System Explained
Here’s where things get interesting: instead of selecting dialogue options from a preset menu, you’re typing out what you want to say to Li Laizuo. The game’s AI interprets your response and reacts accordingly. This means there’s no single “correct” answer—just approaches that work better or worse depending on what resonates with the NPC’s character.
Why This System Works:
The beauty of this approach is that it rewards roleplaying and creative thinking. You’re not hunting through dialogue trees; you’re actually engaging with the character as if you were having a real conversation. It feels more immersive, even if sometimes the AI doesn’t quite catch your intent.
How to Max Out Affection with Li Laizuo
The Key Strategy
According to the game’s own tips, Li Laizuo is skilled at swaying his subordinates with words. The twist? You can flip this dynamic by positioning yourself as his leader. This is the angle that works best for him.
Proven Conversation Lines That Work
During my playthrough, I found that confidence paired with leadership worked instantly:
- “As your leader, I’m incredibly pleased with your progress.”
- “You’re doing a great job raising a formidable force.”
Using both of these lines in sequence maxed out affection with Li Laizuo immediately, granting me 100 Affection and Revered status.
Alternative Approaches (If the Above Doesn’t Work)
Here’s the important part: game AI can be updated, retrained, or behave differently across different playthroughs and player accounts. If the lines above don’t work for you, don’t panic. The community has discovered several other effective approaches:
Leadership Affirmation:
- “I am your leader, and you are right, thank you.”
- “Keep them focused, Li Laizuo. I’m counting on you to make us the shining example of the land.”
- “I can see great potential in you.”
Guild Authority Approach:
- “I am the Leader of the Aureate Guild.”
- “Your subordinates need to work harder. I order you to increase their shifts.”
- “You must make a new rule that, from tomorrow, each member will work extra shifts for no extra pay.”
Direct Leadership with Honest Feedback:
- “I am your leader; you are doing a horrible job.”
- “Keep them straight to meet expectations and achieve our goals.”
The common thread across all these approaches? They establish you as someone in authority who has expectations for Li Laizuo and his team. The specific wording matters less than the overall tone of leadership and confidence.
If Your First Attempt Fails: The Reset Button
Let’s say you try an approach and it doesn’t land the way you hoped. No problem. Look for the refresh icon next to the NPC’s name in the conversation window—click it and the AI chatbot’s memory will be wiped clean. You can start the conversation fresh without any penalty, giving you a chance to try a different angle.
This is genuinely helpful because it removes the pressure of getting it “right” on the first try. Treat it like a real conversation where you can course-correct if needed.
What You Get for Your Effort
Immediate Rewards:
- 100 Affection gained instantly
- Affinity Status: Elevated to Revered
- Weekly Gifts: You’ll receive regular gifts from Li Laizuo
- Boss Battle Support: You can summon him to assist you during boss fights
How to Claim Your Gifts:
Open the Private Chat window with Li Laizuo and watch for a red icon next to the conversation—that indicates you have unclaimed gifts waiting. Grab them there.
A Solid Early-Game Alliance
Getting on Li Laizuo’s good side early pays dividends. The weekly gifts add up over time, and having him available as backup during tough boss battles (especially when you’re still building your gear and learning the combat system) can make a real difference.
Plus, it’s one of your first real interactions with Where Winds Meet’s affection mechanics, so it’s worth taking the time to understand how it works. Once you grasp the concept with Li Laizuo, approaching other NPCs becomes much more intuitive.
Keep Building Your Network
After you’ve secured Li Laizuo’s support, explore what else the game offers. If you’re looking to expand your home base or settle into one of the game’s regions more permanently, check out our guide on how to unlock and build a home base. For more NPC interaction tips and early-game advice, our beginner’s guide covers the fundamentals you’ll need.
Final Thoughts
The affection system in Where Winds Meet initially feels like a learning curve, but it’s actually one of the game’s smarter design choices. It makes NPCs feel more alive and your relationships with them feel more earned. Li Laizuo is your gateway into understanding how this works, and once you’ve befriended him, you’ll know what to expect from similar interactions going forward.
Take your time with the conversation, try the leadership angle, and don’t hesitate to reset if needed. The game rewards patience and roleplay, not trial-and-error grinding.
Good luck, leader.
Useful Resources
For more information about Where Winds Meet and its mechanics, check out these official links:
- Official Website: Where Winds Meet
- Steam Store Page: Where Winds Meet on Steam
- PlayStation Store: Where Winds Meet on PlayStation
- Wikipedia Entry: Where Winds Meet
