"Th-this is Boss Han's manga shop?!"
When Xiangling and Eula arrived and saw the brand-new building, they were dumbfounded.
Last night, they had been the last to leave.
This morning, they were among the first to come.
Yet overnight, the entire shop had transformed?!
"Well, Boss Han isn't an ordinary man. We can't use common sense to measure him."
Eula quickly found her explanation.
If he could run a manga shop that granted miraculous rewards, then building an entire house overnight?
Pfft, child's play. Just a matter of having hands.
Xiangling nodded earnestly.
Yes, it must be like that.
No normal person could possibly do this.
Only a high-level expert like Boss Han could.
"Let's go in and see. Maybe there are new surprises inside."
Xiangling's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
The two of them stepped through the door, their hearts filled with curiosity.
"Welcome, Miss Eula, Miss Xiangling."
Noelle greeted them warmly with her signature smile.
"Noelle, it's only been one night, but the changes here are unbelievable!"
Eula's face was full of awe.
Not only was the space inside more expansive, able to hold more guests, but there were also new trinkets and displays everywhere.
Many seemed related to characters from the manga.
Eula found herself charmed by the atmosphere.
"Yeah! And look—I see a little figure of Liu Maoxing!"
Xiangling pointed excitedly at a corner where a figure with a kitchen knife stood proudly.
"That's called a figure. All of these were made by Boss Han."
Noelle explained.
Xiangling and Eula exchanged a glance.
Just as they suspected—it was all Boss Han's handiwork.
"Would you two like to read manga today?"
Noelle asked.
"Of course!"
They each handed over one hundred thousand Mora, then made their way to the shelves.
"Huh? Doraemon isn't here?"
Xiangling searched the shelf but couldn't find the same manga Yanfei had read last night.
Her face fell in disappointment.
She'd really hoped to get her hands on a Bamboo-Copter.
Eula felt the same.
After witnessing how effective the gadget was last night, she had been envious beyond belief.
If she had one, she could toss away her Wind Glider without hesitation!
"Doraemon is with the Honorary Knight and Paimon. If you want to read it, you'll have to wait until they're done."
Noelle explained patiently.
"Forget it then."
Eula shook her head.
No point waiting. The shop wasn't going anywhere, and the manga wouldn't sprout legs and run off.
Her urge to read manga couldn't be delayed even a second longer.
After some thought, she chose Digimon Adventure.
Barbara's little SnowAgumon had been so cute—Eula wanted to see if she might also obtain a Digimon as a pet.
"That's fine, I'll take this one."
Xiangling picked up Detective Conan.
Judging from the miraculous rewards yesterday, this manga surely held surprises as well.
"Our shop now has a Silent Reading Zone and a Discussion Zone. You can choose whichever you prefer."
Noelle explained.
Since today was the manga shop's first day in its new form, many guests would be unfamiliar with the changes, so she made sure to explain thoroughly.
"Let's go to the Silent Reading Zone."
Xiangling suggested.
She preferred to enjoy manga in peace.
They could always go to the Discussion Zone afterwards.
"Mm."
Eula nodded. She too preferred quiet— a tranquil place to fully immerse herself in the world of manga.
With that decided, the two of them headed toward the Silent Reading Zone.
"Eh? Wasn't Miss Keqing in the Silent Reading Zone? …Oops, I forgot to mention it."
Watching their retreating backs, Noelle scratched her cheek sheepishly.
It should be fine, she told herself.
They'd only bump into her, after all.
Nothing serious.
With that worry set aside, she turned to welcome a new wave of guests.
Meanwhile, in the Silent Reading Zone—As soon as Xiangling and Eula stepped in, they saw a girl in purple clothes sprawled across a sofa, back turned to them, reading intently.
From time to time, her body shook as peals of laughter burst out of her.
Sometimes she even arched her back, gasping for breath from laughing too hard.
The sight was… unusual, to say the least.
Xiangling: (⊙⊙)
Eula: (⊙⊙)
What in the world?
What could she possibly be reading that made her laugh to the point of trembling?
"Could Boss Han have released some kind of gag manga?"
Eula mused, curious.
It certainly looked like it from the girl's reaction.
"I think so t—… wait. Lady Keqing?!!"
Xiangling was about to nod when she finally caught sight of the girl's face.
She froze on the spot.
"Lady Keqing?!"
Eula, too, was stunned.
As a Knight of Favonius, she naturally recognized the leaders of their neighboring nation.
Even if she had never met her in person, she knew this had to be Yuheng Star Keqing of the Qixing.
So you're telling me… this girl laughing herself silly on the sofa was that Keqing?!
"Eh? (⊙_⊙)"
Hearing her name, the girl stiffened, laughter cut short.
Slowly, Keqing turned around.
Her amethyst eyes widened as she found herself staring at two girls, both watching her intently.
And one of them was Xiangling— someone she actually knew.
A chef of Wanmin Restaurant, from her own Liyue.
In that instant, Keqing froze like a deer in headlights.
She had been careful to maintain her composure at first.
But after seeing no other guests around, and with Tom and Jerry proving far too hilarious, her posture had slipped from dignified poise into lazy lounging.
Her laughter had gone from restrained chuckles to unabashed giggles.
And now… she had been caught red-handed.
Especially by someone she knew.
For a moment, all six eyes locked.
You look at me.
I look at you.
Countless thoughts surged in each of their minds.
Xiangling: Heavens above… This carefree, giggling girl is really Lady Keqing?! Who knew she had such a side?!
Keqing: It's over. Totally over. How could I have been so careless?! If word of this gets out, my reputation will be ruined. Should I… silence them?
Eula: So the Yuheng Star has this kind of side too… Boss Han's manga must be even more powerful than I thought. Wait… will she silence me too?
The air grew thick with awkward tension.
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