Chapter 109

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The morning business at the shop had ended.

Ganyu put down her book and watched Shenhe cleaning cups, a faint smile appearing on her face.

Although she worked at Yuehai Pavilion and knew many people, she had very few true friends.

Usually working overtime until late at night, she would return home alone and tired, occasionally gazing in the direction of Jueyun Karst lost in thought.

But things would be different now, because her junior sister had arrived.

Since Shenhe was planning to stay in Liyue long-term, Ganyu could come visit her often.

Free meals aside, she mainly wanted to strengthen her relationship with her junior sister.

Zhu Zi and Shenhe finished cleaning the tables and sat down to rest. Xia Zhi brought them juice, and a glass for Ganyu as well.

"Is Miss Ganyu feeling better?"

"Yes."

"Miss Ganyu doesn't need to stay in the shop with us all the time. You could go see the sea at the harbor."

"It's not much fun going alone."

"Then why not go with us tonight?"

"Alright."

After chatting and finishing their juice, the four of them went out together to Wanmin Restaurant.

To accommodate Ganyu's taste, Xia Zhi specially ordered two vegetarian dishes today, and also gave some pointers to Xiangling.

After finishing their free lunch and leaving Wanmin Restaurant, they first went to a clothing shop.

Shenhe's uniform was ready.

She tried it on.

The size fit perfectly.

The buttons on Miss Zhu Zi's uniform finally wouldn't have to bear that enormous pressure anymore.

Besides the light version of the uniform, there was also a thicker version.

After all, autumn had arrived, and winter would come soon. When the weather turns cold, employees need to stay warm.

Leaving the clothing shop, they slowly walked back toward the store.

Ganyu suddenly stopped, seeing a familiar figure flash by in the distance, surprise appearing in her eyes.

"Senior Sister Ganyu?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Ganyu withdrew her gaze, but couldn't help feeling puzzled.

That person just now should have been... Miss Yelan?

Why would she be here? Was she going to the Yanshang Teahouse? Or on a secret mission?

Back at Summer Store, everyone rested for a while before Gentleman Zhongli came from next door.

"Mr. Zhongli, the usual?"

"Yes."

Xia Zhi made him two high-concentration rainbow juices as usual, chatted briefly, and grinded some progress on his diamond progress bar.

Ganyu also greeted him: "Mr. Zhongli, we meet again."

Zhongli glanced at her, maintaining his composure as he nodded: "Yes, Miss Ganyu."

"Thank you for your help with the last Rite of Parting."

"It was my duty."

After enjoying his two glasses of juice, Zhongli stood to leave.

"Miss Zhu Zi, please put this on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab."

"Of course! Take care, Mr. Zhongli!"

Ganyu watched Zhongli's departing figure with a strange expression.

Hadn't Director Hu come to clear the tab just last night?

How was Wangsheng Funeral Parlor already running up a tab again?

Though it was only 200 Mora, not much...

After a while, Yaoyao came by.

The little girl bounced in, the bells in her hair jingling sweetly, looking absolutely adorable.

"Big Brother, Sister Ganyu, Sister Shenhe, Sister Zhu Zi, Yaoyao came to play again!"

"Hello Yaoyao, isn't Madame Ping with you?"

"Master didn't come, Yaoyao is here for juice! Here! 200 Mora!"

"It's just two glasses of juice, Yaoyao doesn't need to pay, Big Brother's treat."

"No! This is money Master gave Yaoyao! Must pay!"

The little girl was adamant.

Xia Zhi had no choice but to accept and made two glasses of juice for the little girl.

Yaoyao hugged her glass, looking completely satisfied.

"Yaoyao, tomorrow is the Fleeting Colors in Flight festival, and I'm planning to cook a feast at home. Do you and Madame Ping have time?"

"!"

Big Brother is going to cook? A whole feast?

The little girl's expression immediately became serious as she nodded her little head.

"We do!"

"Then when Yaoyao goes back, remember to tell Madame Ping to come to the shop for lunch tomorrow."

"Okay!"

After finishing her juice, Yaoyao politely said goodbye to everyone and hurried back.

After resting a while longer, at two o'clock, the shop opened for afternoon business.

Ganyu remained as a customer, ordering juice and quietly reading in the corner.

Then around three o'clock, that delicate-featured customer from the morning came back again in women's clothes.

What a juice enthusiast.

Zhu Zi recognized him and quietly asked him to leave.

Xia Zhi "watched" this scene and shook his head helplessly.

That customer kept looking back as they left, crossed the stone bridge, and entered a private room at the Yanshang Teahouse on Chihu Rock.

An elegant figure sat at the table, holding a cup of hot tea.

"Lady Yelan."

"How was it?"

"I was discovered. The server named Zhu Zi wouldn't let me in."

"Oh? Even so, that small shop wouldn't make an exception?"

"No."

"Interesting that they would turn away money brought to their doorstep. It seems the shop owner isn't in it for profit."

"Lady Yelan..."

"You may go now. Your test ends here."

"Yes."

Around four o'clock in the afternoon.

A woman with an excellent figure entered Summer Store.

She had bluish-black short hair with side-swept bangs, green eyes and red lips with purple makeup, and a tall figure clothed in a blue and white leather outfit. 

The outfit was all connected - top, bottom, and boots joined as one piece. She also wore an elegant sleeved cape.

She wore many accessories: a pearl bracelet on her left wrist, a dark jade bangle on her right, white jade and blue sapphire earrings, a beautiful die pendant at her collar, and a Hydro Vision attached to a thin leather strap on her leg.

"This way, customer."

"Alright."

The woman nodded, following Zhu Zi's guidance to an empty table.

Moments later, Zhu Zi came to the counter.

"Boss, the customer wants two glasses of juice."

"Mm."

Xia Zhi quietly withdrew his "gaze" from examining the woman. In his eyes, she had a silver progress bar above her.

[Progress: 0%]

After running the shop for over a week, finally a fish had taken the bait.

At another table, Ganyu lifted her head from her book, looking at the woman sitting nearby, her brow furrowing slightly.

She knew this woman - it was the same figure she had seen earlier on the street.

Yelan.

She was a very mysterious woman.

The Liyue Ministry of Civil Affairs' work was open and transparent, from Yujing Terrace officials down to the Eight Gates' basic employees, all had their basic information recorded in the administrative registry. 

Only Yelan, who claimed to work there, was an exception. 

Most colleagues had never heard of her, and there was no record of her in the registry.

However, as the Qixing's secretary, Ganyu knew Yelan's true identity as Ningguang's special intelligence officer.

The Ministry held a special watch list with few names, but all were capable individuals: a charismatic armed fleet leader; travelers with extraordinary abilities; even some renowned adepti who lived in seclusion...

These people could easily stir up trouble in Liyue, even if they had no such intention.

To prevent accidents, the Ministry kept a closer eye on them.

Beyond this list was another, even more classified secret intelligence list. The people on this list were truly dangerous characters who threatened Liyue.

And Yelan was the compiler of both lists.

Ganyu watched Yelan, her gaze growing more thoughtful.

Could it be that Miss Yelan's visit to the shop was to gather intelligence on Mr. Xia, to determine if his name needed to be added to those lists?

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