Chapter 63

After having breakfast at a shop in Yaoguang Shoal, the two of them walked back.

Zhu Zi wore flat shoes today, making her footsteps less crisp than yesterday but more nimble.

Xia Zhi looked up slightly, thinking of Qi Qi.

She hadn't come to the shop this morning.

Perhaps she saw that his shop had started operating and worried that sitting in the shop would affect business.

Or maybe because he had given her incense, she had already eaten at the pharmacy.

"Boss, let's hurry back, many people are waiting!"

"Mm, don't rush, it's not good for the stomach to exercise vigorously right after eating."

"Boss, I think our shop's tables can't accommodate so many customers."

"Indeed, but we can't help it, our room is only so big. Like Wanmin Restaurant, customers who come late also need to wait patiently.

However, since we're selling juice, we could consider doing takeout."

"Takeout?"

"That means selling the cup to customers so they can hold it and drink while walking around shopping."

"Boss, our shop's glass cups are so expensive!"

"We can switch to fresh bamboo tubes. There are many bamboo trees growing in Qingce Village, and there are also lots of reeds in Dihua Marsh that we can use to make straws."

"Where are Qingce Village and Dihua Marsh?"

"They're two places north of Liyue."

"Is it far from here?"

"Quite far, but don't worry, it's just an idea for now. At noon we'll go to the Adventurers' Guild to post a commission, first get some bamboo tubes and reeds to see how it works before making further plans."

"Okay! Boss!"

Returning to the shop, they opened for business.

Another busy morning passed.

At noon, they went to eat at Wanmin Restaurant, then visited the Adventurers' Guild across from it. They found Katheryne and posted a commission to collect bamboo and reeds. 

The quantity needed wasn't very large, so it should be possible to collect around Liyue Harbor.

Once they confirmed this idea was feasible, they would need to contact people from Qingce Village and Dihua Marsh for stable long-term large-scale supply.

Back at the shop, the two sat together resting and drinking tea.

"Mr. Xia!"

A familiar mischievous voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"Director Hu."

Xia Zhi raised his head, smiling as he greeted her while discreetly glancing at the tall, otherworldly male figure behind her.

"I've come to support your business again!"

"Thank you."

"I've brought Consultant Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with me. I told him about your shop's rainbow juice that he absolutely hasn't tried before, but he didn't believe me!"

"Is that so?"

Xia Zhi thought to himself, he's a deity who has probably wandered around Teyvat for who knows how long - what hasn't he seen?

It's actually quite normal that he wouldn't believe it.

"Yes! Are you on break now?"

"It's fine, Director Hu is a friend, different from regular customers. I'll make it for you right away."

"Hehe, Mr. Xia is such a straightforward person. Here's 200 Mora."

"Director Hu, it's still half price today."

"Really?"

"Really."

"That's great."

Zhongli merely greeted them in a calm tone: "Good afternoon to you both."

"No need to be so formal, Consultant Zhongli, please have a seat."

Xia Zhi walked behind the counter, took out cups, and began preparing the juice.

Soon after, Xia Zhi brought over a tray with two rainbow juices and placed them before Hu Tao and Zhongli.

Zhongli looked at the seven-colored liquid in the cup, his eyes flickering slightly.

He really had never seen such a beautiful drink before.

Zhongli picked up the cup, took a small sip, and carefully savored it.

Hu Tao watched him eagerly and asked, "How is it?"

Zhongli put down the cup and said slowly, "Indeed, it's a drink I've never had before. Very unique, though the taste is a bit mild."

Hu Tao found it strange: "Mild?"

Zhongli nodded and said, "Yes."

Hu Tao picked up her own cup, took a sip of the juice - it had a different dreamy taste from yesterday.

"I don't feel like the taste is mild at all?"

"It's just mild for me personally. For you all, the taste should be just right."

"Really? I didn't expect Zhongli to prefer strong flavors."

"..."

Zhongli shook his head helplessly and picked up the cup again, silently drinking the juice.

Xia Zhi thought for a moment, stood up and said softly, "Since Consultant Zhongli finds the taste a bit mild, why don't I make you a new one?"

Zhongli paused with his cup and said, "Oh? Then I'll trouble Mr. Xia."

Xia Zhi smiled and said, "It's no trouble."

A moment later, Xia Zhi brought over three new cups of juice.

From the outside, they looked no different from the previous juice, all beautifully seven-colored, but the fruit fragrance wafting from the cups was much more intense.

Xia Zhi placed the three cups in front of Zhongli one by one and said, "Please enjoy."

Zhongli nodded, picked up the first cup, and took a sip.

"How does Consultant Zhongli find it?"

"The taste is still a bit mild."

"Please try the second cup... how is it?"

"This cup's taste is suitable, I quite like it."

"Then try the third cup."

"This cup's taste is a bit too strong."

Xia Zhi said very seriously, "I understand. Then if Consultant Zhongli visits our shop again in the future, I'll prepare it according to the second cup's specifications just for you."

Zhongli gave him a meaningful look and nodded, saying, "Then I thank Mr. Xia."

Hu Tao's gaze moved back and forth between the three new cups of juice on the table, and she suddenly said, "Mr. Xia, I also feel this juice tastes a bit mild!"

Hearing this, both Xia Zhi and Zhongli's faces showed a hint of helplessness.

"Director Hu, you just said..."

"But why does his juice smell so much more fragrant than mine!"

"Because the concentration is higher."

"I want to drink that kind too!"

"Well, it's not that I'm unwilling to make it for Director Hu, but juice that's too concentrated isn't good for Director Hu's health when consumed."

"There's such a saying?"

"Yes."

Hu Tao couldn't help but look at Zhongli and asked suspiciously, "Then why is Zhongli fine after drinking it?"

"Consultant Zhongli's constitution seems to be rather special."

"Is that so?"

Zhongli nodded and said, "This juice contains large amounts of unusual life energy. Although this life energy is beneficial to humans, by universal reasoning, if the concentration is too high, it can become harmful instead. The Director had better not try it."

"Oh."

Hu Tao seemed to have great faith in Zhongli. Hearing him say this, she sighed with disappointment and gave up her original idea.

Afterward, everyone sat together chatting about various topics for a while.

Xia Zhi found that this Consultant Zhongli was actually very easy to get along with, and had a very gentle personality. He just didn't like showing emotions, always maintaining a calm and peaceful appearance, like a knowledgeable elderly gentleman.

Completely different from the being he had once seen in the void.

At 2 PM, the shop prepared to open for business.

Hu Tao and Zhongli stood up to bid farewell.

"See you!"

"Welcome back anytime."

Xia Zhi looked at the shimmering diamond progress bar on Zhongli's body, which had now reached [15%].

[4%] of the progress came from "feeding" him juice.

The remaining [11%] was obtained through chatting and interaction.

Originally, Xia Zhi had no thoughts about the progress on this unfamiliar deity, only planning to maintain a respectful distance.

But now their relationship had suddenly become familiar, and they were neighbors who would often exchange greetings when meeting daily. The second diamond chest would probably be filled quite soon.

Director Hu really is a good person.