Hearing Felix's non-answer, Beidou was speechless.
Of course I know you opened a jar shop to sell jars. My question was why!
He answered without answering.
Forget it. If the Shopkeeper didn't want to say, she wouldn't pry.
He really was a mysterious man.
Right now, she was far more interested in the mysterious steam battleship she held in her hand.
According to Felix, once it hit the water, it would rapidly expand to its original size. She was itching to test it out.
"I'm done."
Qianyan puffed out her cheeks, staring at the Sea Ganoderma in her hand.
Spending 100,000 Mora for a mushroom she could pick off a beach? That was just unfriendly.
"Do you girls want to open any?"
Beidou smiled, turning her gaze to Furong and Huixing. "If you do, I'll spot you the cash."
"No thanks."
Huixing shook her head. "It's pure luck. You already pulled such amazing things, Captain. We don't need to push it. I feel like the odds are against us now."
Huixing believed in balance. When things were too good, a crash was inevitable.
"I agree with Huixing," Furong nodded. "We can come back in a couple of days. There's no rush."
"Alright then."
Seeing her crew decline, Beidou didn't push.
Today's haul was massive. She was satisfied. As long as they came out ahead, it was a good day.
"Let's get going then."
Beidou grinned. "Didn't we say we'd go shopping? I'll treat you girls this afternoon, buy some supplies, and then we'll head to the docks to test this steam ship."
"Mhm!"
The girls nodded enthusiastically like chicks pecking rice.
"Shopkeeper, I'll be off then."
Beidou turned back to Felix, her smile bright and open. "The Alcor welcomes you anytime as a guest. I'll be back to open more jars! Don't ban me just because I got lucky today, okay?"
She half-joked, worried that Felix might restrict her because she cleaned him out of high-value items for cheap.
These gadgets were priceless. Mora couldn't buy them anywhere else.
"You joke, Captain Beidou," Felix shook his head with a chuckle. "The Jar Shop never refuses a customer. In fact, if you bring more people, I'd be even happier."
"Just remember to read the instructions for the Steam Battleship carefully. Improper operation could be dangerous."
"Understood."
Beidou nodded seriously.
She bid farewell to Felix and led her crew out of the shop.
"Ugh."
Watching Beidou leave, Xiangling looked conflicted. She stood between the door and Hu Tao, unsure whether to follow her long-lost sailing buddy or stay and interrogate Hu Tao about her jar pulls.
"Go find Captain Beidou first."
Hu Tao saw through her friend's dilemma instantly.
She grinned mischievously. "I'm always at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. You can find me anytime. But Beidou is rarely in Liyue Harbor. Go catch up!"
"Mhm! Thanks, Hu Tao!"
Xiangling's eyes lit up. She nodded vigorously and sprinted out the door. "I'll find you later!"
"Director Hu."
Felix watched Xiangling disappear, his eyelid twitching slightly as he looked at the girl still lingering in his shop. "You have no jars left to open. Staying here is a waste of time."
"Is there really no other way?"
Hu Tao blinked her beautiful plum-blossom eyes, puffing her cheeks out in a pout. "Shopkeeper, besides opening jars, isn't there any other method?"
Her earlobes turned pink again.
"No way."
Facing her intense stare, Felix remained resolute. "There really isn't. If you want to revert to your original form, you have to hope for a specific item from a future jar. Besides, Director Hu... do you know how many people would kill for such 'benefits'?"
He was dead serious.
Drinking a bottle of milk to achieve that? Other women would go to war for it.
Hearing the rejection again, Hu Tao puffed her cheeks even more.
Felix: "..."
Staring at me won't shrink them.
He ignored her puppy-dog eyes and lay back down on his recliner.
"Sigh."
Seeing this, Hu Tao seemed to accept her fate—for now. She sat down at the small table next to him, propping her chin on her hand, staring out at the street.
Felix glanced at her speechlessly.
Is she planning to squat here?
Outside the shop.
As Beidou and her crew emerged, the crowd buzzed with excitement.
Many looked at the Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean with admiration.
"That's Captain Beidou of the Crux Fleet! She's so imposing!"
"Just watching her walk, you can feel that bold aura!"
"I wonder what she got from the shop? She looks happy."
Beidou heard the whispers and shook her head with a smile. The people of Liyue were always welcoming. She nodded and waved as she passed.
"Extra! Extra! Official Notice from the Liyue Qixing!"
A newsboy ran down the street, waving a paper.
"The cloud anomaly in the sky earlier was caused by Lady Ningguang testing a new device! Please do not panic if the clouds change shape again! For details, consult the Millelith at the city gates!"
"Notices have been posted on the bulletin boards!"
"See?"
Hearing this, pedestrians clapped their hands and laughed. "I knew it! It was Lady Ningguang! Nothing to worry about."
"Yeah! I guessed it the second time. It was too close to the Jade Chamber to be anything else."
"Amazing. Ningguang can sculpt clouds now? What kind of technique is that?"
"Who can understand the Tianquan's methods?"
The tension in the city evaporated. If it was Ningguang, they were safe.
Meanwhile, at a law firm in Liyue.
Yanfei walked in, carrying a large law book and a peculiar hat.
Inside, a man was pacing anxiously, looking distressed.
When he saw Yanfei, his face lit up. "Miss Yanfei! You're finally here! I've been waiting forever!"
He rushed over.
"Mhm."
Yanfei nodded. "I've reviewed the case details you sent. I just have one question: Are you absolutely certain that everything you've told me is the truth? No omissions?"
"No, no!"
The man shook his head violently like a rattle drum. "Why would I hide anything from you, Miss Yanfei? Absolutely not!"
"Alright then. Put this hat on."
Yanfei handed him the hat she was carrying.
"Uh."
The man took it, confused.
"Miss Yanfei... what's this for?"
"To confirm that you haven't lied to me or hidden any details."
Yanfei said calmly. "Just in case. I hate wasting time, so I need to verify your honesty. If you lied, I won't take the case."
"Huh?"
The man looked bewildered. What did a hat have to do with lying?
He hesitated, then put it on. "I take responsibility for my words. I haven't hidden anything. I haven't lied to Miss Yanfei."
SPLASH!
The moment he finished speaking, a bucket's worth of water materialized out of thin air above his head, drenching him instantly.
"Ah!"
He shrieked, jumping back, soaked to the bone.
"I won't be accepting your case. Please find someone else."
Yanfei sighed, shaking her head. "Why are people so dishonest? Do I look easy to fool?"
She picked up the wet Repentance Hat and walked away.
She was done with clients lying to her and causing embarrassing mix-ups in court. From now on, every client gets the Lie Detector Hat test.
The man stood there, dripping wet and dumbfounded.
That hat... it knew?!
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