And so, the next day.
The sun was already high in the sky. Baixiao sat down, then stood up, then sat down again at home. She paced a few steps and checked the time, her patience finally wearing thin.
"Enough of this. How can anyone be this capricious? Since Lady Ningguang assigned me here, I'll just get things done first before anything else."
Muttering this to herself, Baixiao pushed the door open and headed straight for Su Bai's shop.
Upon arrival, it was just as she had expected—the door was tightly shut, even considerately locked from the outside for her convenience.
"Really now…" Baixiao sighed in exasperation. She now strongly suspected Su Bai was doing this on purpose. After learning more about him last night, she knew that while Su Bai was known for his casual attitude, he had never been this unreasonable.
Who in the world still doesn't open their shop by eight or nine in the morning!
Clatter, clatter—the chain on the door was roughly yanked open. Baixiao tossed it behind the door without caring how much noise she made, then carefully examined the shop's interior.
The shop wasn't particularly large, just two rooms. One side housed the counter and a waiting area, where a reclining chair lay idly. Beside it was a small table with a pot of cold tea and a clean tray.
Baixiao walked over, quietly tidied them up, and casually inspected their quality.
"A Purple Gold Yuzhu Teapot?!"
As soon as she touched it, Baixiao recognized the teapot's extraordinary quality. It was simply not something a general store owner could afford. Even if his business deals were worth millions of Mora, after deducting costs, no matter how high the profit, he couldn't possibly spend like this!
She had seen a similar teapot at Ningguang's place—a special edition from the Mingxingzhai. But she also knew the base price for one like it: at least nine million Mora.
She opened the lid to check the tea leaves. Fortunately, they weren't too extravagant—just Cuiyun Tips from the Yanshang Tea House, decent but not overly expensive, about 300,000 Mora per tael.
Baixiao couldn't help but swallow hard as she carefully surveyed the surroundings. No matter how she looked at it, it was just an ordinary little shop. The prominent "General Goods Store" sign confirmed she was in the right place.
"Suddenly, the task feels much more daunting." The pressure weighed heavily on her. She had initially thought it would be a simple investigation and reporting job—she had done similar tasks before. But this time, it seemed far more challenging.
Someone who appeared so frugal and unpretentious, even eating at Chihu Rock without a care, yet owned such luxurious personal items that didn't match their status…
It was like a high-ranking official from some country deciding to wander the world…
"How… considerate." As she familiarized herself with the shop, Baixiao suddenly noticed a small booklet placed on the counter. On the cover, the words "Employee Handbook" were neatly printed in bold regular script.
However, as soon as she opened it, her expression soured.
"Rule 1: Absolutely do not disturb the boss during his morning, noon, or evening rest."
What?! She simply couldn't understand how Su Bai could be so sleepy. Resting morning, noon, and night—wouldn't someone develop problems from lying around so much?
Wait!
Baixiao suddenly recalled the intelligence Yelan had shared.
Su Bai was an outsider—a visitor from the sea of stars. Moreover, he could somehow transport goods into Teyvat through unknown means. Tens of thousands of kilograms of food had once materialized out of thin air in the North Wharf warehouse…
"Boss Su, I'm here again~" Just then, a clear, lively voice sounded at the shop entrance. Linlang stepped gracefully inside, heading toward the counter.
Immediately, surprise washed over her face.
"Miss Linlang, welcome!" Baixiao instantly shifted into work mode, greeting her with a practiced smile. "Boss Su hasn't gotten up yet. I'm temporarily minding the shop."
"Ah, Baixiao, how did you…"
Seeing Baixiao's professional yet artificial smile, Linlang was filled with astonishment and confusion.
"Don't ask. It's by the Lady's arrangement." Baixiao naturally understood what Linlang meant. After all, just yesterday, they were colleagues—one working in the open, the other in the shadows. Meeting like this today was somewhat awkward for her too.
Ahem, alright, don't just stand there. Come, help me get some business going."
Hearing the familiar tone, Linlang's lips curled into a faint smile as she lightly covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Very well, Miss Baixiao, please show me around—minerals and gemstones, if you will."
The teasing remark made Baixiao, who had just stepped out from behind the counter, clench her fists in irritation. After a moment's thought, she decided to let it go. She'd get her revenge someday!
However, this kind of banter only happened because there were no outsiders around. If even one other person were present, such a scene would never occur.
"Gemstones, let me see… Hiss, there aren't any?" Baixiao tilted her head, glanced at Linlang, and double-checked the product categories listed in the employee handbook. She confirmed there was no entry for "gemstones."
"Then look for Amethyst." Linlang was also a bit puzzled. Though she wanted to check herself, she held back, mindful that someone might suddenly appear, and could only offer a hint.
After all, aside from one piece of amethyst on the outer shelves, items like the previously traded green gems were nowhere to be seen. Otherwise, she would have helped herself.
"Amethyst… Amethyst… Found it. Uh, Miscellaneous category…" After searching for a while, Baixiao's eyebrow twitched as she read the three large characters above the amethyst.
You call this miscellaneous?!
Sigh, don't be angry, don't be angry. The boss's extravagance is none of my business. He can do whatever he wants.
After reassuring herself, Baixiao forcefully suppressed her rising OCD and led Linlang to the so-called "Miscellaneous Section."
Su Bai had rearranged these shelves—or rather, he rotated them every couple of days, ensuring each shelf had its turn being prominently displayed near the entrance.
The entire product area was on the opposite side of the shop from the counter and waiting area. There were six large shelves in total, plus two small cabinets, though those were sealed with wooden planks.
The Miscellaneous Shelf had been placed near the front a few days earlier, which was how Linlang had first noticed it. Now, it was quietly positioned at the very back.
"There, the amethyst." Baixiao spotted the amethyst on the shelf at once. Light from the window happened to fall on its edges, refracting into a spectrum of colors—truly a beautiful sight.
"This is such a fine piece. It's a shame to see it tucked away here." Linlang's eyes lit up as she stepped forward, picked it up, and examined it closely. To her surprise, it was indistinguishable from the previous one she had purchased!
The last piece she bought had been crafted by Master Wang and placed on display at Xigu Ju. In less than a morning, over a dozen finished jewelry pieces made from it had sold out. Her visit to Su Bai's shop today was purely to test her luck.
After all, even with Su Bai's considerable capabilities, items of such quality shouldn't be too plentiful. It was much like the case with the Aged Stones…
"However, the price has increased. Three million Mora per piece." Baixiao closed the handbook, pretending not to see the listed transaction price reminder of 100,000 Mora.
Linlang frowned at this but didn't loosen her grip on the amethyst. Clearly, even if she wasn't happy with the price, she was willing to accept it.
"Absolutely worth the price. How many pieces would you like, miss?" Baixiao smoothly redirected, and Linlang's attention immediately shifted.
"Several pieces? You… you have more in stock?!" Linlang was stunned for a moment before quickly catching on.
"I'll take them! As a friendly gesture, how about 2.4 million Mora per piece? I'll take as many as you have!"
If just one piece sold that quickly, even if Linlang wasn't deeply familiar with gems and jewelry, she could clearly see the bright prospects of amethyst. While there might not be massive profit margins, a 60% return was still achievable.
Baixiao smiled sweetly. If she could secure this deal, her position with Su Bai would be solid. She had thought Linlang might only want three to five pieces at most, but she hadn't expected such a large appetite.
It seemed Xigu Ju had been doing quite well recently. As expected of Lady Ningguang—her judgment of people was always precise and accurate.
Truly admirable.
"Alright then, please wait a moment while I check the inventory…" Baixiao turned back to the counter and, following the handbook's instructions, pulled out an inventory ledger.
--
100 powerstones = 1 chapter
200 powerstones = 3 chapters
300 powerstones = 5 chapters