5 All according to Keikaku

After Xiangling recalled what happened, Igarashi fell silent for a while. He didn't know how to respond to this kind of thing; after all, he just wanted to sell a book. But who would have thought that it would bring such a... Emotional impact on the reader? 'Now that I've thought about it, there's not much of a love story like this in Teyvat... The most common novels are the action-types and the Archon-type stories depicting the legends of each nation's archons...'

Igarashi still vaguely remembers when he was playing Genshin Impact, there was one dialogue that caught his attention involving a map of the game that still hasn't been opened to the public: Fontaine. 'If I remember correctly, Xingqiu's book called [Legend of Sword] is famous in both Inazuma and Fontaine...'

It was also highly theorized that Fontaine is themed after Paris in the 1920s, based on the clothing and speech of the people on Liyue that came from Fontaine. Not to mention that it was mentioned several times that Fontaine is a hub for literature and arts.

Anyways, back to the topic, Igarashi was still trying to calm the sobbing Xiangling. It took a few minutes of comforting until she finally stopped. "B-Boss, you have to tell me... They got together in the end, right?!"

A single sweat bead fell down Igrashi's face. 'What should I do? Should I tell her that they did? But if I did, she'll suspect that there's a sequel... I don't want to draw another series! I don't even remember [Weathering with you] that much!'

After a few seconds of contemplating, an idea flashed through Igarashi's mind. 'Wait... This idea... Yeah, this can work!'

A small smirk formed on Igarashi's face, and he soon spoke to Xiangling: "Although I can't directly answer your question... How about we make a deal? A contract of sorts."

Hearing Igarashi's offer, Xiangling was a bit confused and asked, "What deal...?"

"You help me sell these..." Igarashi went back inside the building and came back out holding four books, he then continued speaking "If you can sell all of these, then I can give you an answer that will surely satisfy you."

Since Igarashi just came to Liyue, he does not have that much of a connection. If he wants to sell his work, he needs someone who has been here for a long time and knows a lot of people.

"How about it? If you accept this... Umm... Contract, then it's a win for both of us. I can sell my books and you will have your answers." Igarashi said as he held four thick books in his right hand.

Xiangling went silent for a bit and pondered in her mind. She touched her chin as she assumed a thinking pose while Gouba copied her movements. After a moment, Xiangling raised her thumb and said, "I accept!"

Hearing her reply, Igarashi was satisfied with the result. He wasn't worried that Xiangling would try to do something else with the books as the people of Liyue value contracts and won't dare to breach any contracts they have. Especially since Igarashi still hasn't heard any news regarding Rex Lapis' death meaning that he's still behind canon.

He handed her the books and said: "Be careful with these, it took me a lot of time to make them."

'Oh yeah, hey system, how much should I sell these books for?' Igarashi asked.

[20,000 Mora is sufficient.] The system replied.

'Isn't that... A bit too expensive?' Igarashi asked again.

[It is a fair price.] Replied the system, but much more firm.

'Well... You're the boss, I guess...' Igarashi gave in to the price. I mean, why wouldn't he? He's been starving since morning and he really needs some comfortable furniture to sleep on.

"Oh yeah, their prices are 20,000 Mora each," Igarashi said to Xiangling who was amazed at the plastic-covered books in her hand.

Hearing Igarashi's demand for the price, Xiangling didn't react that much and just said: "Hmm... I guess the price is fair, add the fact that your work is amazing, boss."

She then continued, "Here in Liyue, people are willing to pay large sums of money for something they like. Either if it's for business or simply for the elegance of the thing they want. I even know someone that likes to buy elegantly-made antiques. He's a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Igarashi listened to her and silently nodded. He doesn't even need to guess who that consultant is. He already knows that that person is the personification of <In terms of Mora, I have no Mora.>

Xiangling accepted the books and prepared to leave. But she suddenly stopped and took out a notepad. "Oh yeah, I have to do this for formalities..."

She then leaned toward the wall and took out a pen she had and started writing some things. Igarashi leaned a bit and peeked at what she was writing. 'She's writing a... Contract?'

Finishing her writing, she gave the paper to Igarashi, and the latter accepted it. "This is for our formal contract. Since this is a deal, our transaction history has to be written... If not, then Miss Yanfei might scold me..."

'Ah. Because contracts are part of the law in Liyue when dealing business...' Igarashi thought. He shrugged and just gave a small nod.

After that, Xiangling left to sell the books. "Don't worry, Boss Yunru, I'll make sure that my friends— no, everyone in Liyue will know of your work!"

Igarashi just nodded and waved at her departing figure. 'I guess that solves my problem of selling the mangas...'

He believes that he will surely profit this time. The reason? Well, according to Xiangling's lore, she's close to Hu Tao. And Hu Tao is REALLY close to Xingqiu. If Xiangling were to give the book to Hu Tao and the latter spread the information to Xingqiu, a bonafide book lover, and the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, then he would surely profit.

'Now, all I have to do is wait for the dominoes to fall in place...' Igarashi thought. At this moment, he feels like that character with a white coat and glasses from an anime he watched. 'I can't wait to say "All according to plan" haha...'

He stopped his shenanigans and went to enter inside again. Just as he was about to enter inside again, he was suddenly called out. "Hey, kid! Umm... Yunru, was it? Do you mind if I talk to you for a bit?"

Igarashi turned his head to the side and saw a rather tall person with dark hair and a firm expression. He instantly recognized him as 1) He was inside Wanmin Restaurant and 2) Igarashi frequently sees him when he needs to restock some food in Genshin Impact.

It was Chef Mao. The supportive father and a chef that does not have a discerning eye toward the Li or Yue cooking styles, stating that food exists to feed the hungry. 'And a rather confident Chef that states that if one were to try his cooking, they would become an instant regular.'

Igarashi stopped walking and went to Wanmin Restaurant's front. "What is it, sir?"

Chef Mao crossed his arms and spoke: "You're the author of that book that my Little Ling is reading, right?"

"Yes, what seems to be the problem?" Igarashi replied. Though, he was a bit nervous and thought 'Why does he sound like he's angry... Or is it just my imagination?'

Chef Mao lifted a finger and gestures that Igarashi should enter. "Come in."

"Sir? But—"

"Come in." This time, Chef Mao's time was firmer.

"Yes sir." Igarashi replied as he entered Wanmin Restaurant. 'If I'm not so weak right now, I could have at least put up a fight... I'm pathetic...'

Chef Mao lifted a knife which startled Igarashi, but to his relief, he was just gonna cut some eggplant.

"You know, I love my daughter. Ever since she was little, I had passed on my knowledge of cooking to her in hopes of making her, my successor." Chef Mao started speaking as he chops the eggplant.

Chef Mao continued. "But when I found out that she obtained a vision, I couldn't just pin her down to this restaurant. As such, I had given her the freedom to roam Teyvat."

He then stopped chopping and looked at Igarashi who was sitting down on a chair listening to him. "But that book of yours, just what is it? My little Ling is a strong girl that wouldn't cry just because of some book."

He then placed the knife on a rack and took out a bowl from one of the cabinets. "So then I thought, 'What if I read that book?'. To tell the truth, I am curious about the work you picked. There's not much business in Liyue that deals with Literature with the Wanwen Bookhouse as an exception. Even then, they are pretty well-known."

He then stopped doing what he was doing and looked at Igarashi. "I'd very much like to buy one copy. And I wish you good luck with your work."

After a few seconds, he handed a bowl of soup to Igarashi and said: "That's on the house. But next time, pay."

Igarashi nodded silently and took the bowl of soup. After a few exchanges of words, Igarashi left Wanmin restaurant and entered his shop once more. He just stood by the door and muttered: "Weird..."

'So far, I only have 50,000 Mora, and that's given from the system... I really hope Xiangling goes according to my plan...'