Yujing Terrace
Yaoyao was in her room, packing her belongings.
Madame Ping walked in and spotted the pile of new clothes on her bed.
"Went shopping again today?"
"Sister Shenhe bought them for me. My old clothes are too small now."
"You're growing too fast."
Madame Ping shook her head and began helping her pack.
As she sifted through the clothes, she came across several smaller-sized undergarments.
"This is…"
"Those too—Sister Shenhe said they're good for my body."
"…I suppose so."
Madame Ping looked at the innocent young girl in front of her, expression a bit helpless.
"I really don't know if this is a good thing or not."
"Of course it is! This counts as a fateful bond with an adeptus, right?"
"You… I was planning to send you to school…"
"I want to visit Auntie Cloud Retainer!"
"You mean you want to go play."
"No I don't!"
"Then once we're done at Mt. Aocang, I'll bring you back."
"Nooo! Master…"
"You're too old to act spoiled."
"But Master, don't you want to eat big brother's cooking every day?"
Madame Ping really wanted to retort, "I can live without it."
But her honest, elderly body betrayed her. She couldn't say it.
"Alright, alright, stop shaking me—my old bones… I'll go with you."
"Thank you, Master!"
Not that Madame Ping needed Xia Zhi's cooking—she just didn't want to stay behind with those two freeloader geezers constantly complaining about the food.
She patted Yaoyao's head and smiled with genuine affection, recalling some teaching methods she'd recently picked up from the school staff.
"You can go on this little trip—but your studies won't pause. Every time we reach a new place, you'll write me a travel essay. Minimum 800 words each."
"!!!"
---
February 10th, Wednesday.
Summer Shop.
Packing things, making canned food.
---
February 11th, Thursday.
Yuehai Pavilion.
"Lady Ningguang, this is a document submitted by Secretary Ganyu. It requires your approval."
"What kind of official business is it?"
"None, actually. It's just a leave request."
"..."
---
At the same time.
Ganyu locked the door to her home and made her way alone to the Summer Shop.
"Junior Sister."
"Senior Sister, did you bring everything you need?"
"Yes, I've packed everything and already submitted my leave request."
"That's good."
Shenhe smiled faintly.
"The boss is in the kitchen frying potato chips. Senior Sister, have a seat first."
Ganyu nodded, glanced toward the kitchen, and sat down at the table.
Charlotte and Mona were already there and greeted her.
"Miss Ganyu, are you coming with us too?"
"Yes, what about you two?"
"I was already planning to go to Mondstadt to find someone, so I'll be traveling with everyone."
"I'm going to Mondstadt to gather material for the Windblume Festival. The newspaper is planning to launch a travel edition, and I'll be contributing to it."
"Astrology, food, travel—that makes three different weekly editions already."
"Actually, no, it's four."
"And the fourth one is?"
"Folklore—all sorts of fantastical and eerie legends. I just finalized it, and Miss Chi Yu will be contributing."
"Is that so..."
Ganyu glanced at Chi Yu, who was smiling with evident delight not far away.
She thought to herself, It's probably all ghost stories, isn't it?
---
Lady Ningguang brought all three of her secretaries with her today.
Since Ganyu is vegetarian, Xia Zhi specially prepared Fried Drumstick Mushrooms for her.
Everyone ate to their heart's content.
This would likely be the last Crazy Thursday they'd enjoy this year.
At least, that was the case for Ningguang.
She licked the corner of her lips, where a bit of red ketchup had smudged.
The taste was sweet and tangy.
How wonderful it would be to enjoy such delicious snacks every day.
Unfortunately, as one of the Qixing, she couldn't take long leaves as casually as Ganyu.
At most, she could arrange for a little reporter to tag along and send back plenty of photos to ease her loneliness at night.
---
After the meal, Xia Zhi took out several spatial rings.
"These rings are imbued with the power of the Outer World. They contain a small pocket dimension. Xiangling and I have prepared a lot of canned food over the past couple of days, all stored inside. I've prepared one for each of you. As for Miss Yelan's, Miss Yanfei's, and the Vigilant Yaksha's, I'd appreciate it if Lady Ningguang could pass them along."
"Understood."
"These are for Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver. Yaoyao, take them back for them tonight."
"Got it!"
"And these are for Dr. Baizhu and Mr. Zhongli. Director Hu, could you help deliver them?"
"No problem!"
"Though the canned food is delicious, don't overindulge at once. Be careful not to gain weight, or you'll have to work it off yourselves."
"!!!"
The girls' expressions froze.
Especially Yun Jin, who looked particularly troubled.
She was about to return to those "restrained" days of not eating her fill for fear of ruining her figure.
---
Because of Xia Zhi's warning, everyone felt a sense of urgency, as if this would be their last chance to enjoy a massage.
So today, they received their treatments with unusual abandon, all opting for the highest-tier full-body massage package.
Though, from Xia Zhi's God's Eye, it wasn't much different from before.
Except for Hu Tao.
Her starting point had been so low that her room for improvement was enormous. In just a few days, her "feel"—no, her figure—had undergone a dramatic transformation.
This is more like it.
The dignified Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor finally has some presence now.
Though with these newfound "burdens," Xia Zhi couldn't help but wonder if it would affect Director Hu's spear techniques...
---
Of course, there was also an unexpected development.
Namely, Ganyu.
The unique, coconut-milk-like fragrance emanating from her had grown even stronger than last time.
Xia Zhi had read the [Encyclopedia of Spirit Beasts] and understood what this meant.
It signaled that Miss Ganyu's body was now fully prepared for… something.
Through his god's eye, Xia Zhi studied Ganyu's eyes.
She was looking straight at him, her gaze burning bright.
Clearly, the special herbs he'd hidden in the [Fried Drumstick Mushrooms] had failed yet again.
In the quiet room, Ganyu suddenly called out softly, "Mr. Xia..."
"Hmm?"
"I feel a little... uncomfortable..."
"Did I use too much strength?"
"No, I just feel... really thirsty..."
"Then have some water."
"I don't want water..."
"How about juice?"
"Mr. Xia..."
Her voice took on a faintly aggrieved tone.
"You know what I mean..."
The air fell silent for a few seconds.
Xia Zhi slowly leaned down.
Ganyu instinctively closed her eyes.
A moment later.
Xia Zhi lifted his head and asked softly, "Still thirsty?"
Ganyu's face was flushed as she whispered, "No... but I feel a little dizzy..."
Silly girl, you're supposed to breathe in between.
"It's fine. We'll just have to practice more in the future."
"Mmm..."
The coconut-milk fragrance in the air seemed to grow even richer.
---
Evening.
Yaoyao returned home.
"Uncle Mountain Shaper! Uncle Moon Carver! Big Brother asked me to give these to you!"
"Oh?"
The two Adepti took the rings and peered inside.
Packed to the brim with canned food.
It was like stumbling upon a treasure trove.
Xia Zhi is definitely someone worth keeping around!
The two Adepti's faces lit up with joy as they exchanged glances.
"Mr. Xia is truly thoughtful."
"Indeed, to prepare so many gifts for us."
"But it doesn't feel right to accept them just like that."
"We should properly express our thanks, perhaps with a gift in return."
"Though it seems Mr. Xia lacks for nothing."
The two Adepti frowned in thought.
Mountain Shaper pondered for a moment before leaning in and whispering, "I heard Mr. Xia plans to visit Cloud Retainer this time. Didn't you once divine her romantic prospects?"
"I did no such thing! Don't spread rumors!"
"You mean you've secretly divined Cloud Retainer's fate?"
"Never! I only did one for Madame Ping."
"Then let's go with Madame Ping. Isn't she accompanying Yaoyao on this trip? Given what the divination showed, something might unfold between her and Mr. Xia during the journey."
"You're suggesting..."
"Mr. Xia doesn't know Madame Ping well, and given her personality, she's unlikely to take the initiative. I think we should provide Mr. Xia with some... insights about her."
"Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
"Madame Ping is too clever—that kind of personality often leads to setbacks in matters of the heart."
"True... So?"
"We're actually helping her."
Mountain Shaper glanced at the house behind them.
"Streetward Rambler? Look at her now—where's the spirit she once had? Her zither? Ever since Guizhong's passing, she's acted like an old woman. Watching her like this all these years has been painful. If fate has ordained this bond, we shouldn't delay it. Besides, Cloud Retainer will probably tell Mr. Xia everything anyway—she knows even more than we do."
Moon Carver fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"What do you think?"
"We've been freeloading meals here for months. It's time we did something useful."
"Agreed."