Once Zhu Zi was done, Rii came in.
She looked nervous at first.
But under Xia Zhi's calm guidance, she soon relaxed just like Zhu Zi had—completely lost in the Massage's bliss.
Xia Zhi also confirmed something.
Appearance-wise, Rii and Zhu Zi looked almost identical. But their bodies weren't exactly the same.
Rii was only mimicking Zhu Zi's shape, and even then, she was copying Zhu Zi from a year ago.
A year wasn't a long time for a normal human.
But Zhu Zi wasn't normal. Her meals had been way too good this past year.
And later, once she got lucky enough to taste the Sunsettia Soup from Hu Tao, her body had filled out beautifully compared to when she first came to the shop.
For Xia Zhi, the difference was obvious through touch alone.
"Rii."
"Mm?"
"You need to eat more from now on."
"Okay."
She agreed instantly, obedient as ever.
---
After Rii left, Yae Miko came in.
The fox spirit walked in practically buzzing. "Mr. Xia, hurry…"
"Hurry what?"
"Hurry and say it!"
"…?"
"It's been a whole day since I heard you say my name!"
Xia Zhi placed a hand on her pink hair to stop her from leaning in, switched to Celestial Fox's Voice, and called softly, "Miko."
She melted immediately. "Mm."
The moment he spoke in that voice, the seductive aura around her thickened noticeably.
"Lie down."
"Mm."
Whenever he used Celestial Fox's Voice with her, all her slyness vanished. What remained was a soft, spoiled fox.
Much easier to manage.
But the effect didn't last as long as the first time. After a bit of Massage, she started up again.
"Mr. Xia."
"Mm?"
"Want me to help you win over that little Naganohara girl?"
"You mean Yoimiya?"
"Yep. I feel like you're pretty into her."
"We just exchanged notes on fireworks."
"Oh… so, want my help winning her over?"
"No."
"Fine, then how about Rii?"
"You finally get a break and this is what fills your mind? Can you think about something normal?"
"This is a major matter! It's for Inazuma's development!"
"…"
"Or do you think they're too immature? Do you prefer someone like me? If it's for Inazuma's future, I don't mind sacrificing..."
Xia Zhi let out a quiet breath and switched his voice again.
"Miko."
"Mm…"
Finally, blessed quiet.
--
Ping rested her arms on the edge of the bath, staring into nothing.
She was still stuck on her problem.
It was so hard to find a proper excuse.
Watching everyone else come and go from the bath, she sighed.
Staying here wasn't helping.
She got out, left the Serenitea Pot, and returned to her room.
Yaoyao and Klee had gone out to play.
She was alone.
And when she was in a bad mood, she always wanted someone to talk to.
She definitely couldn't tell Cloud Retainer about something like this.
Which left only one other friend.
Ping thought for a moment, pulled out her phone, found Fujin, and sent her a message:
[Are you there?]
---
Chenyu Vale.
Fujin had already finished absorbing the bottle of Essence of Sun and Moon Cloud Retainer had given her.
Her strength was nearly restored, and she was no longer constrained by water. She could freely move between land and sea.
Tonight's moonlight was beautiful.
She was sitting on the ancient tea tree, admiring the moon when Ping's message popped up.
[Ping: Are you there?]
Fujin wasn't surprised.
They often chatted when bored—her, Cloud Retainer, and Ping.
[Fujin: I'm here. What's wrong?]
[Ping: Nothing big. I just wanted to talk.]
[Fujin: Are you upset?]
[Ping: Kind of.]
[Fujin: Did you argue with Cloud Retainer again?]
[Ping: No.]
[Fujin: Then what's the reason?]
[Ping: It's nothing.]
[Fujin: Fine, forget it. Look at the moon here. It's gorgeous.]
Fujin sent a few photos of the moon.
They talked about the moon, then about old times.
[Fujin: Feeling better?]
[Ping: A little.]
[Fujin: Then what's bothering you? Come on, tell me. I'll help you think it through!]
[Ping: It's actually… about Yaoyao.]
[Fujin: ?]
[Ping: I noticed she's been secretly reading romance novels.]
[Fujin: That's it? That's harmless. Let her read.]
[Ping: Last night she even talked in her sleep. She said she liked some big brother.]
Fujin looked at her phone, her expression twisting.
Mr. Xia really was irresistible.
She hadn't met Xia Zhi in person yet, but she'd seen plenty of photos of him in the group chat.
Photos didn't fully capture the real thing, though.
[Fujin: I… can't really help with that. I have zero experience.]
[Ping: I know you don't.]
For some reason, Fujin felt like she'd just been insulted as a single dog.
[Ping: If you liked someone—like Mr. Xia—what would you do?]
Fujin froze.
She thought seriously… and still had no answer.
[Fujin: I don't know.]
--
Ping lowered her phone and shook her head.
Asking her was pointless.
She'd have to figure this out herself.
Even though she'd lived in Liyue for thousands of years, she'd only ever watched the world quietly from the side.
She'd felt sympathy for the joys and sorrows of mortals—but only as an observer.
She hadn't really lived.
All she'd done was run away.
Ping turned around, tidied her bed, and pulled a book out from under her pillow.
A romance novel…
She hadn't lied to Fujin. Yaoyao really had been reading romance novels lately.
But this one wasn't Yaoyao's. That girl was clever; all her books were tucked safely inside her Space Ring.
This one was a copy Zhu Zi had gifted everyone. Ping had never bothered to read it.
She'd had no interest.
But now…
She hesitated, then opened the book and continued from where she left off last night.
----
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