Chapter 56

"Boss, one Rainbow Juice, please."

"Coming right up."

Xia Zhi took out a clean glass and skillfully prepared the juice, placing it on a tray before sliding it forward.

Zhu Zi picked up the tray, walked to the table, and gently set down the juice. She displayed a service smile she had practiced many times alone in her room at night.

"Here's your juice. Please enjoy. That will be 50 Mora."

Hu Tao took out her wallet and promptly paid the 50 Mora, then lifted the glass for a sip.

As soon as the juice touched her lips, Hu Tao immediately sensed something different. Her expression changed from startled to surprised. She looked up to see Zhu Zi, who hadn't left after collecting the payment and was standing by the table with a knowing smile.

Hu Tao couldn't help but ask, "Why does this juice taste different from the one I had earlier?"

Zhu Zi had been waiting for this question. She straightened up proudly and answered with an air of 'you've struck gold': "Customer, that's the special feature of our shop's juice. Every glass has its own unique flavor."

"So every drink is a surprise?"

"Exactly."

Satisfied with her response, Zhu Zi walked away.

It was thrilling to show off and make a quick exit.

Hu Tao looked down at the impossibly beautiful rainbow juice in her hand and muttered, "How is this only selling for 100 Mora..."

Qiqi gave her a strange look upon hearing this, thinking how fickle she was, considering she had previously complained that 50 Mora per glass was expensive.

Besides, what was so different about the juice? She came to the shop every morning and had already had three glasses. Didn't they all just taste cool, similar to coconut milk?

Hu Tao caught Qiqi's glance and sensed her silent criticism.

Well, zombies can't taste anything anyway, so there's no point in discussing it with her.

There were two books on the table. Hu Tao reached for one and looked at the title on the cover.

"The Fox in the Dandelion Sea."

It seemed to be a fairy tale from Mondstadt, but it didn't matter – it was just something to read for relaxation and to pass the time.

Hu Tao casually opened the book and slowly read while sipping her juice.

Qiqi continued watching the incense burner. She didn't need to rush back to Bubu Pharmacy with her collected herbs today, so she could stay at the shop.

After a while, their first real customer of the day entered the shop.

He was a young man wearing Mondstadt attire, carrying an elegant wine flask – likely a traveler here to enjoy Liyue's festival celebrations.

He was drawn in by Miss Zhu Zi's charm, unconsciously walking into the shop.

Upon entering, he caught the scent of the incense, and his mind instantly became peaceful.

Such a comforting feeling, just like being at home.

This naturally gave him a good impression of the shop.

He glanced at the poster on the wall and smiled, "100 Mora per glass? Your shop's special juice is quite expensive. But since it's half-price today, I'll have one."

Zhu Zi once again displayed her service smile and said, "Of course. Please choose your preferred seat, and I'll bring it to you shortly. Feel free to browse the books on the table."

He nodded, feeling that the shop's style was somewhat similar to Mondstadt's taverns, but with traditional Liyue decorations – a familiar yet novel experience.

He chose a window seat and picked up a book.

"A Thousand Nights Story Collection"

It appeared to be a collection of stories from Sumeru. How interesting to read a foreign book in another foreign shop.

He casually opened the book, but before he could finish the first story, Miss Zhu Zi arrived with a tray, placing a dreamlike rainbow-colored drink before him.

"Is this your shop's special drink?"

"Yes, customer. Please enjoy. That will be 50 Mora."

He paid and admired the juice in the glass cup, which looked like a work of art, then carefully took a sip.

"This incredible taste... it's even more enchanting than Mondstadt's finest wine..."

An expression of pure enjoyment crossed his face.

Soon, he finished the glass.

He waved to Zhu Zi: "Beautiful miss, please bring me another glass of juice!"

"Certainly, please wait a moment."

Shortly after.

"Here you are, customer."

"The taste is different from the previous glass?"

"Customer, that's the special feature of our shop's juice. Every glass has its own unique flavor."

"By the Anemo Archon!"

Soon, the second glass was empty too.

"Beautiful miss!"

"I apologize, customer, but there's a limit of two glasses per person."

"I can pay more!"

"I'm sorry, but it's not about the money. Please come back tomorrow."

"Very well."

He left the shop with visible disappointment. After walking for a while, he took out his wine flask and took a sip.

The previously delicious wine now seemed tasteless.

He laughed helplessly: "This is quite an unfortunate fortune... I'll come earlier tomorrow..."

The shop grew increasingly crowded, soon filling all the tables.

Like the customer from Mondstadt, every patron ordered a second glass of juice, expressed amazement twice, and offered to pay more for a third glass.

Zhu Zi had to repeatedly decline these willing offerings of Mora.

It felt both satisfying and painful.

She looked back at the boss behind the counter, whose face remained impassive, completely unmoved by the customers' various praises.

She felt instant admiration – truly worthy of being the boss.

As noon approached, the shop closed for lunch.

The customers who had been sitting, reading books, and chatting gradually left to get their midday meals.

Zhu Zi collected the empty glasses from the tables, sat down in a chair, and let out a long sigh.

Xia Zhi walked up to her and asked with a smile, "Zhu Zi, are you tired?"

"It's fine. Seeing the customers praise our shop's juice so much makes me happy."

Zhu Zi stretched her legs and gently massaged her fists against them.

"Just standing for so long makes my legs ache a bit."

Zhu Zi had beautiful legs, slim and straight, made more alluring by her black stockings.

Xia Zhi thought for a moment and asked, "Would you like me to give you a massage?"

Hu Tao couldn't help but look up from her book, giving him a strange look.

Zhu Zi's face immediately turned red as she shook her head, "No need, boss."

Xia Zhi nodded and said, "Alright then, take a rest first. We'll go to Wanmin Restaurant for lunch later."

He truly hadn't intended to touch Zhu Zi's legs; he mainly wanted to use his master massage techniques to help her relax her muscles so she'd feel better in the afternoon.

But since Zhu Zi was shy and uncomfortable with the idea, he dropped it.

Xia Zhi turned to look at Qiqi, and whether it was his imagination or not, he felt her complexion wasn't as pale as before.

He asked, "Would Miss Qiqi like to join us for lunch?"

Qiqi shook her head and said softly, "Thank you, but I'm already full."

The incense in the burner had been burning for almost four hours and was almost finished. During this time, Qiqi had stayed by the burner without moving, which was equivalent to continuous feeding.

Already full after just four hours?

Was she really this easy to maintain?

That female ghost could eat from evening until dawn, so her appetite was much bigger than Qiqi's.

Did that mean she was much more powerful than Qiqi?

But Qiqi had a treasure chest, so why didn't she?

Xia Zhi couldn't figure out the conditions for treasure chest appearances. He looked at Hu Tao and asked, "What about Director Hu? Would you like to join us for lunch?"

"Sure!"

Hu Tao closed her book and looked at him expectantly.

"Oh right, Mr. Xia, about that incense..."

"Don't worry, it's in my room upstairs. I'll go get it for you now."

"Great!"

Qiqi seemed to want to say something but held back.

Xia Zhi smiled, turned around, and went upstairs to his room.

He took out all the incense from his inventory.

A large pile of ordinary incense, plus the last quarter piece of [Perfect Calming Incense].

Without doubt, what Hu Tao wanted was the calming incense used in the shop's burner today.

Qiqi's expression earlier suggested she wanted some too, but didn't speak up, perhaps thinking it would seem too greedy to ask.

Xia Zhi shook his head and took out the [Blazing Incense Burner], making a new piece of [Perfect Calming Incense].

Then, he grabbed a handful of ordinary incense from the large pile and mixed in that quarter piece of [Perfect Calming Incense].

Returning downstairs, he handed these to Hu Tao.

"So many?"

"I make them when I have nothing else to do anyway. Since Director Hu likes them, they're yours."

"Mr. Xia is really a good person. If you ever encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

"Mm."

Xia Zhi nodded with a smile.

"Well then, shall we go for lunch? Miss Qiqi..."

Qiqi looked at him and said softly, "I'll watch the shop for you."

"Thank you for your help then, Miss Qiqi."