Mu Yang was a hands-off boss, leaving the first floor entirely to Zhiruo to manage.
After all, it was filled with regular customers who hadn't abandoned the place even under the previous shady owner's management.
Now that Mu Yang had taken over, the liquor had become even better. The patrons were practically grateful beyond words, so they weren't likely to cause trouble.
The hands-off boss was busy pursuing new business deals.
Mu Yang rarely took on commissions these days.
Though he was wealthy, he wasn't one to sit back and let his fortune dwindle.
Besides, when in the commercial capital, one must adapt to local customs. Having taken over such a large establishment,
not earning some Mora would be inexcusable.
Moreover, he had plans to boost his popularity.
In front of Chunxiang Kiln,
Ying'er came out to greet him. "Oh my, this is the first time I've seen such a dashing customer~"
"Come into Chunxiang Kiln and take a look. I guarantee it'll be unforgettable~"
Ying'er's demeanor and suggestive wording,
if Mu Yang didn't know this was a private kiln for crafting porcelain, he might've mistaken it for some special service industry.
"I'd like to commission a batch of porcelain."
Ying'er became slightly more serious, though not by much.
"Oh, don't be in such a rush. Come inside and take a look first."
Her eyes were flirtatious. "Compared to what's inside, I'm just plain and ordinary."
Mu Yang's heart remained unmoved, giving no reaction to Ying'er's teasing.
Five hundred years of grinding monsters in Chenyu Vale, his heart sealed in the sword pool. (Mist)
Seeing this, Ying'er tactfully led him inside without further chatter.
Mu Yang examined the finished porcelain products at Chunxiang Kiln. They were indeed impressive.
"Customer, do you like them? Look at the delicate parts, graceful like floating willows, and the fuller parts, round and lustrous like pearls…"
Ying'er ran her hand over a porcelain vase, with its round base and slender neck. Her description wasn't wrong.
"These finished pieces are proof of your skill. I want to commission a batch of porcelain cups."
Mu Yang sketched the dimensions on paper. "Like this, fifty per day."
"Only fifty a day? No problem at all."
"Fifty, yes, but I have additional requirements."
Ying'er's interest was piqued. "Please go ahead, customer."
Mu Yang drew out his requirements.
He designed seven types of cups, each corresponding to one of the seven elements.
In addition to the elemental symbols, he included various details to enrich the cups' designs.
"Your designs are exquisite. I'll have the team make a batch first for you to review."
Mu Yang paid the deposit and left.
Two days later, he returned to inspect the finished products.
Chunxiang Kiln did not disappoint.
Mu Yang immediately signed a contract with Ying'er…
A few days later, the small shop next to [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] reopened as well.
This shop was originally a tasteless whim of the old owner, De Gui.
He had filled it with all sorts of exquisite collectibles and even hired someone to entice passersby to "take a look."
But if you actually took a look and happened to fancy an item,
you'd be mocked by the employee when you inquired about the price.
They'd tell you the boss wasn't short on money, that the items were just for display, and you actually dared to ask?
Mu Yang, of course, had torn down this distasteful setup.
He transformed it into a small milk tea shop.
The shop sold only two types of milk tea:
[Fruity Fairy Cream] and [Double Fruit Clear Dew], both crafted by Cloud Retainer's milk tea mechanism.
The designs were inspired by her two beloved disciples, Ganyu and Shenhe.
Early in the morning, just as the shop opened, curious onlookers came by.
"Little miss, give me a cup."
The shop assistant smiled. "Ten thousand Mora, numbers 1 to 50. Which number cup would you like?"
"How much?" The man thought he'd misheard.
"Ten thousand Mora," the assistant repeated.
The man was instantly furious. He thought he was supporting a new business for its grand opening, only to find it was a rip-off shop?
"Ten thousand Mora! Why don't you just rob me?!"
"Because our legal consultant said robbery is illegal."
The assistant maintained her friendly demeanor, gesturing for potential buyers to read the sign first.
The crowd then turned to the notice board nearby…
It displayed seven types of cups, all exquisitely crafted porcelain.
Honestly, the cup designs alone were worth the price.
Further down, the details were explained.
In short:
The shop sold only fifty cups of milk tea per day.
Each person was limited to one purchase.
You'd blindly choose a cup, then select the flavor.
Why blind selection? Because the distribution of elemental designs varied.
The Cryo element design was the most intricate and thus the rarest, with only one available daily.
Next was the Geo element, equally detailed, with three available daily.
The probabilities for the remaining elements varied and were publicly disclosed.
Collecting all seven elemental cups allowed you to redeem items at the shop, such as wooden carvings, ice sculptures, or plush toys of Rex Lapis.
Note: All cups sold by this shop bear a special mark. Those attempting to game the system are welcome to test the law.
For any questions, please visit the address below and consult our legal advisor—Yae Miko.
After reading the notice, the assistant tactfully stepped aside
to let the crowd see the redeemable prizes behind her.
"Hiss—this design of the Geo Archon?"
"This level of wooden carving? Seventy thousand isn't even that expensive."
"You're good at math, huh? One element per day, no repeats, right?"
While the crowd was still admiring and discussing, one person couldn't hold back any longer.
If none of you are buying, I will!
"Number 20 cup, Fruity Fairy Cream."
"Understood, Lady Yuheng."
The purple cat-eared girl instantly recognized Mu Yang's handiwork in these items.
She already had two Geo Archon wooden carvings at her bedside, gifts from Mu Yang.
She really wanted these new items from the shop too…
Mu Yang, oh Mu Yang, why can't you just sell the finished products directly? Why make it so complicated?
An auction would've worked too!
Mu Yang's response: Watching Lady Yuheng line up for milk tea every day is so much fun. I'm not short on money.
Keqing chose number 20, her birthday.
In times like these, you pick numbers with personal significance.
Better to believe in luck than not, so please, let it work!
The assistant picked up the number 20 cup and said happily, "It's a Geo element cup. Looks like Lady Yuheng's luck is excellent today."
Keqing remained calm on the surface, but inside, she was bouncing with joy.
Nice!
Though Cryo was the rarest, a Geo cup was still great.
And Geo represented the Geo Archon—how lucky was that!
The people behind her realized the stakes. One Geo cup was already gone—if you wanted one, you'd better hurry and queue!
The fifty cups sold out in no time…
Keqing, with her drink in hand, returned to the Yuehai Pavilion.
Taking a sip, the pale-colored drink, a refreshing slush, carried faint traces of ethereal fruitiness.
It made one think of the celestial clouds floating above Qingyun Peak…
"Why do these clouds feel so light and fluffy, almost like… Ganyu?"
"What's that, Keqing?"
Keqing, lost in the sensory illusion of the taste, snapped her eyes open.
Feigning composure, she said, "Nothing, just thought it's about time you delivered those documents."
"They're right here. I'll take my leave then."
Ganyu placed the documents down and, before leaving, glanced at the cup on Keqing's desk.
"New purchase? This design… feels familiar."
"It's from Mu Yang's new shop, selling milk tea. Want a sip?"
Ganyu blushed slightly. "That… doesn't feel quite right…"
Keqing didn't press, and the two began chatting about Mu Yang and his shop…