Chapter 57

Hu Tao was an enthusiastic girl who talked a lot during their walk, always initiating conversations with Xia Zhi.

Xia Zhi enjoyed her personality. Without any effort on his part, he could see her progress bar constantly rising – much simpler than with Qiqi.

"Mr. Xia, your shop is doing really well!"

"We paid respects to Rex Lapis at Yuehai Pavilion yesterday. Maybe it's his blessing."

"It's actually because your juice is so delicious. With such amazing drinks, your shop will surely become famous in Liyue soon."

"That would be nice."

"For such an auspicious opening, Mr. Xia, why don't you look particularly happy?"

"I am happy."

"If you're happy, shouldn't you be grinning non-stop? Like Zhu Zi."

Zhu Zi immediately turned around and asked, "Eh? Do I really smile like that?"

Hu Tao nodded with a grin: "Yes, you do."

Zhu Zi's cheeks turned red with embarrassment. She bit her lip and turned her head away.

Xia Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Everyone shows happiness differently. I guess I'm just more reserved."

Hu Tao frowned and said, "Being too reserved isn't good. Be careful not to become as rigid as Zhongli."

Zhongli...

A peculiar look flashed in Xia Zhi's eyes behind his glasses.

That being wasn't simply rigid – he was truly detached by nature.

Though Hu Tao wasn't wrong. If he himself became a god in the future and lived long enough to become detached from everything, he'd probably become as "rigid" as Consultant Zhongli.

"Mr. Xia."

"Hmm?"

"Have you gotten used to your new house?"

"It's not bad."

"These past few days... have you encountered anything strange?"

"Strange things? No."

Xia Zhi asked with a puzzled expression.

"What kind of strange things is Director Hu referring to?"

Hu Tao glanced at him and waved her hand: "Nothing, I was just asking."

Xia Zhi thought for a moment and smiled: "Could it be that Director Hu also believes those ghost stories?"

"I don't believe that at all! There are no such things as ghosts! People are just making things up."

"Indeed. Though thanks to those rumors, I saved quite a bit on the house."

"Mr. Xia is decisive. If you'd waited a few more days, that house might have belonged to our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"Director Hu was also interested in that house?"

"Yes, the Funeral Parlor is getting a bit cramped lately."

Cramped?

He wondered whether it was because of too many people or too many ghosts...

Xia Zhi nodded calmly: "Then I really was lucky."

Hu Tao nodded too, then complained: "It's all Zhongli's fault. He's always spending money recklessly outside. Otherwise, I would have bought it already. Feiyun Slope properties are already expensive, and it's rare to find one that's cheaper because of ghost stories, especially right next door..."

Zhu Zi, who had been secretly listening, turned around and timidly asked: "Boss, are those ghost stories you mentioned real?"

Xia Zhi casually replied: "No, they're not. Zhu Zi, you've lived there for several days now. Hasn't our house been quiet every night? There are no ghosts."

Zhu Zi thought about it and realized he was right. Her rising anxiety gradually subsided.

Still, she decided to pray earnestly to the Raiden Shogun tonight.

When they arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling was collecting payment from customers at a table.

Hu Tao tiptoed behind Xiangling and suddenly patted her back.

"Ah!"

Xiangling was caught off guard and startled. She turned around to look at Hu Tao with annoyance.

"Hu Tao, you're doing this again!"

Hu Tao hugged her shoulders and laughed: "Come on, I'll bring you more pickled plum blossoms next time."

Xiangling ignored her and looked to the others: "Mr. Xia! Miss Zhu Zi! You're here! We had to handle ingredients this morning and the restaurant was busy, so we were planning to visit your shop in the afternoon."

Xia Zhi smiled and said: "No worries, you can come anytime."

"Yes, please sit down! I came up with new recipes last night and would like Mr. Xia to try them!"

"Sure."

Hu Tao pouted: "Xiangling, why don't you ask me to taste test?"

Xiangling glanced at her and sniffed: "You've tasted so many times but never gave me any useful feedback."

Xiangling went into the kitchen, and Hu Tao pursed her lips as she sat down.

Xia Zhi looked at her and said: "Director Hu, you and Xiangling seem to be very close."

Hu Tao giggled and lowered her voice: "Mr. Xia, let me tell you, Xiangling is so much fun to tease. She jumps at the slightest touch and is easily startled. In our line of work, we love people like that. But you have to know the limits – after all, Guoba will stand up for Xiangling."

With a friend like you, Xiangling is truly blessed.

However, Xia Zhi noticed something else.

Yanfei, Hu Tao, and Xiangling all possessed Pyro Visions, and they all had outgoing, lively personalities, passionate as fire.

Qiqi's Vision was Cryo, and her personality was like ice – quiet and unexpressive.

It seemed that a Vision's element somehow represented its bearer's personality tendencies.

The probability of treasure chests appearing on Vision bearers was also frighteningly high.

So far, among the Vision bearers he had met – Yanfei, Hu Tao, Qiqi, Yun Jin, and Xiangling – only Xiangling hadn't spawned a chest. Moreover, the quality of their chests was quite good, with silver being the lowest grade.

Following this logic, if he wanted to quickly farm treasure chests, he should purposefully seek out Vision bearers.

Xia Zhi put this thought aside for now and focused on chatting with Hu Tao.

Soon, the food was served.

Hu Tao took a bite and exclaimed in surprise: "Xiangling, your cooking has gotten even better!"

Xiangling smiled happily: "It's all thanks to Mr. Xia."

Xia Zhi shook his head: "I only offered some minor suggestions. It's mainly because of Miss Xiangling's excellent culinary skills."

Hu Tao blinked, thinking these two were just trading compliments.

But the food was indeed delicious, and since she didn't have to pay for it, it tasted even better.

--

At Mt. Aozang, Cloud Retainer finally emerged from her celestial abode after several days of seclusion.

She stood in a pavilion by a clear pool, accompanied by a white-haired woman with a cold demeanor.

Though still in her crane form, she could speak again: "Shenhe, has anything important happened these past few days?"

Shenhe thought for a moment and took out a letter: "The Liyue Qixing sent Senior Sister Ganyu as an envoy to deliver updates about the recent situation in Liyue."

The letter floated up from Shenhe's hand, slowly unfolded, and hovered before her eyes.

After reading it, she contemplated for a while before speaking: "Shenhe, I plan to enter seclusion again for cultivation."

"Master, your injuries..."

"Are no longer a concern. I just need to recover my cultivation level, though this time will take longer. In a few days, it will be the Moonchase Festival, correct?"

"Yes."

"Usually, we spend it together, but this time I'll be in seclusion. It would be too lonely for you to watch the moon alone on this mountain peak."

"It's fine, Master."

"Ningguang mentioned in her letter that she plans to rebuild the Jade Chamber and needs celestial talismans. In my current state, I cannot help, but you've studied talisman preparation with me for many years and know the methods thoroughly. You can deliver them on my behalf, and you'll also get to enjoy the festival in Liyue."

"Yes..."

"Shenhe, years ago, I saw you secretly descend the mountain, only to return with a troubled expression. I knew then that Jueyun Karst would not be your final destination. I hope you can use this opportunity to rejoin human society."

"Master, I..."

"I have one more request for you when you go down the mountain. After reaching Liyue, find a young man who is blind."

Cloud Retainer gently fanned her wings, and a breeze brought forth an image of Xia Zhi in the air.

"He is my savior. As for his identity, he should be an outlander like that Traveler. He's unfamiliar with Liyue and cannot see – his life must be difficult. After you find him, please take care of him."

Shenhe looked at the image, remained silent for a moment, then nodded seriously.

"Yes, Master."