Chapter 94

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Shenhe raised her head and glanced towards the back hall door partially hidden by a curtain.

Massage...

Shenhe actually knew some massage techniques, but they were limited to bone-setting and meridian manipulation. If combined with medicinal wine, they could indeed help stimulate blood circulation and relieve fatigue.

She had read in books that in Sumeru, there was apparently a prevalent therapeutic secret technique that used various flower petal essential oils during massages. Some pleasure-seeking nobles even kept specialized massage maids in their households.

Shenhe's long eyelashes flickered, and she withdrew her gaze, continuing to drink her fruit juice.

The voice of Miss Zhu nearby hadn't disappeared, gradually becoming intermittent, sometimes interspersed with trembling sounds that were hard to tell whether they were from pain or pleasure.

Is the boss being too forceful?

Miss Zhu was an ordinary person, and a young girl at that. Her physique might not be able to handle it...

But the boss had always been steady in temperament. She probably didn't need to worry about these things.

Shenhe shook her head and slowly finished the fruit juice in her cup.

Setting down the cup, she gently licked her lips, savoring for a moment that dreamy flavor that made one want to indulge.

Then she stood up, picked up the cup Zhu had just finished drinking, placed it to the side, and took a cloth to carefully clean the table.

By the time she completed these tasks, the sounds from the back hall hadn't stopped.

The two were still not done.

Shenhe sat down and began to stare blankly.

In the back hall.

Xia Zhi straightened up, removing his hand from Zhu Zi's leg.

"Alright."

"Ah?"

Zhu Zi's expression looked somewhat dazed, as if she hadn't completely returned from a certain pleasant state.

"Boss? What did you just say?"

"How are you feeling now?"

"Pretty good."

"Are your legs still sore?"

"Not sore anymore."

"Hmm, let's stop here."

"Thank you, boss!"

Xia Zhi nodded, turning to walk to the back of the shop to wash his hands.

A bit of young girl's sweat was no big deal. Mainly, it was almost lunchtime, and he wanted to maintain the good habit of washing hands before meals.

After Xia Zhi left, Zhu Zi sat up from the small bed, picked up the black stockings she had taken off, blushing as she began to put them back on.

After putting on her shoes, she jumped down from the bed, her body swaying slightly.

Her legs weren't sore now, but they felt inexplicably weak.

Zhu Zi hurriedly reached out one hand to support herself on the small bed, using the other to gently pat her leg, her mind replaying that irresistibly pleasant feeling from moments ago.

The boss's massage skills were truly excellent.

Pity that this time she hadn't been able to fully experience the boss's massage service.

Just like last time, he only massaged her calves and stopped without touching anywhere higher.

Sigh.

Zhu Zi couldn't help but bite her lip.

Once her legs had strength, she went to the back to wash her hands, and casually washed her slightly heated face.

Then the three of them went out together, locked the shop door, and headed towards Wanmin Hall.

On the way, Zhu Zi's steps were light and her complexion energetic, showing no trace of the fatigue from when she was sitting and resting earlier.

Shenhe glanced at her, feeling that the boss's massage service was indeed very effective.

If it were her giving Miss Zhu a massage, she definitely couldn't achieve this level.

The boss must be using some special technique.

The incense the boss lit for Qiqi yesterday also had a very special fragrance, with a strange effect of calming the mind. As Zhu mentioned, this incense was self-made by the boss.

The boss was also very good at cooking, making dishes more delicious than the chefs at Liuli Pavilion and Wanmin Hall.

With so many skills, and being so young, one wondered where he learned all these things.

Are people from another world all as excellent as the boss?

Shenhe thought this, her face still showing no expression, making her inner thoughts impossible to discern.

At Wanmin Hall, Xiangling served a food for Xia Zhi to taste.

The flavor was slightly better than yesterday's, though it still hadn't "lit up". However, if taken to the culinary competition the day after tomorrow, securing a ranking should be quite easy.

But Xiangling was not satisfied. Having tasted the food made by Xia Zhi, she now had a clear comparison in her mind and knew she was still far behind, so she was full of enthusiasm to surpass him.

Xia Zhi greatly appreciated her tenacious character.

Perhaps this was why she had obtained a Vision and earned an adeptus's appreciation.

However, the fact that Zhu Zi dared to cross the great sea alone, with such great courage and determination, combined with her strong desire to see the outside world, had never attracted the gods' attention to grant her a Vision. This made Xia Zhi feel somewhat strange.

The gods of this world seem to be...

But then again, if Zhu Zi had a Vision, becoming an adventurer would be easy. She wouldn't be so hard up that she had no money for lodging or meals, forcing her to run over and apply for a job in his shop. And he would have one less service worker who was both capable and pleasant to look at.

Looking at it this way, he should thank these gods.

Xia Zhi put down his chopsticks and offered Xiangling some cooking advice.

Xiangling listened carefully.

"Master Xia, I'll make another serving for you tonight!"

"Good."

After enjoying a free lunch, the three left Wanmin Hall.

"Boss, are we returning to the shop?"

"No, we're going to Heyu Tea House."

"But it's already one o'clock, and we start work at two."

"It's fine. The tea house is in Feiyun Slope, close to our shop. We'll have time for tea."

"Alright."

Zhu's tone sounded slightly helpless.

Xia Zhi smiled. Zhu always seemed to care more about the shop's business. By the end of the month, he'd find a reason to give her and Shenhe a bonus.

They went upstairs and arrived at Heyu Tea House, finding a quiet corner table and ordering a pot of tea for 100 mora, as usual.

A storyteller was performing on the stage, his voice rising and falling dramatically.

After a while, the tea was served. Zhu Zi thoughtfully stood to help pour and introduce the tea: "Miss Shenhe, they say these tea leaves are picked from the mountains of Jueyun Karst, infused with immortal qi."

Shenhe lifted the teacup to her lips, took a sip, and slightly furrowed her brow. "No."

Zhu was stunned, whispering dissatisfaction: "Ah? So it's not? And they're selling it for so expensive."

Shenhe put down her cup and stood up coldly: "I'll go get our money back."

Xia Zhi quickly reached out to stop her: "Wait!"

Shenhe looked at him, her eyes seemingly uncomprehending: "Boss?"

Xia Zhi was somewhat helpless: "How do you know it's not?"

Shenhe replied matter-of-factly: "It tastes different from the tea I usually drink."

"Where do your tea leaves come from?"

"Picked from the mountains of Jueyun Karst."

"Wild tea?"

"Mm."

"Jueyun Karst is huge. Tea leaves from different areas will naturally taste different. Don't be so nitpicky. It's only 100 mora anyway."

Shenhe's expression was serious: "100 mora can buy a rainbow fruit juice."

"..."

Xia Zhi was momentarily stunned, then laughed and nodded.

"That's true. But this time it's my treat, so just sit. We won't order this kind of tea next time."

Shenhe sat down, but her brow was still slightly furrowed.

"This shop is deceiving people."

"Actually, it's not quite deception. If it were truly immortal tea, it couldn't possibly be sold for just 100 mora. Customers know it's just a gimmick."

"This isn't good."

"But this is how business works, to attract customers."

"Our shop isn't like this."

"That's why our shop's business is so special, even though we've only been open for a few days."

Shenhe heard this and seemed to ponder.

"Bringing you out for tea today was also a gain," Xia Zhi looked at her and smiled lightly.

"This is the mortal world, after all."

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