"Are you really going to buy it?"
"Yes."
"But this is a house in Feiyun Slope, it's very expensive."
"I happen to have some money on hand."
Hu Tao wore a surprised expression. She glanced at her own Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, then at this house, and asked the property agent, "How much is this house selling for?"
"The current price is 5 million Mora... Mr. Xia, are you really going to buy it?"
"Yes, I happen to be planning to open a shop, and this location is good. The price isn't too expensive either, I'm quite satisfied."
"Then, shall we go back to sign the deed?"
"Sure."
The agent locked the door again, and Xia Zhi politely bid farewell to Hu Tao and Zhongli.
"We'll take our leave now."
Zhongli nodded slightly, giving a meaningful look at the black glasses on Xia Zhi's face. "Mm."
Hu Tao looked at him and smiled with a nod: "Go ahead with your business. Mr. Xia, right? We'll be neighbors from now on! Goodbye, Yanfei."
Yanfei also smiled and said, "Goodbye."
After walking about 20 meters out of detection range, Xia Zhi still felt like someone was staring at his back. Only after leaving that street did the feeling of being secretly watched finally disappear.
How frightening.
Thinking back to the shining diamond progress bar he had seen on that Consultant Zhongli, Xia Zhi felt his heart flutter again.
After all, the last diamond-level being he had encountered was that mysterious deity in the void. They had only exchanged a single glance from afar, but the divinity flowing from their gaze had nearly driven him mad.
Though also at the diamond level, Consultant Zhongli was certainly a deity.
Yet he released no pressure at all, instead appearing quite gentle in temperament.
His eyes seemed to have nothing special about them either, walking down the street allowing ordinary mortals to look directly at him without issue.
This situation clearly contradicted the system's warning about "not being able to look directly at gods."
Thinking of this, Xia Zhi casually asked, "Miss Yanfei, that Miss Hu Tao just now is...?"
Yanfei explained with a smile, "She's the current director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the 77th director. She has quite a lively personality - Mr. Xia will understand once you've spent more time with her."
"Oh, then what about that Mr. Zhongli beside her?"
"He's a mysterious consultant invited by the funeral parlor. He's extremely knowledgeable about all sorts of ancient ceremonies and the origins of minerals - even Liyue's old scholars can't compare to him."
"Sounds like Mr. Zhongli is quite an extraordinary person."
"Indeed. Although Hu Tao always complains about how Consultant Zhongli spends money extravagantly, charging everything to the funeral parlor's account no matter which shop he visits, she still trusts him completely."
Xia Zhi nodded. It seemed that neither Hu Tao nor Yanfei knew the true identity of Consultant Zhongli.
So, was he actually a deity who had completely concealed his divinity and divine power, merely walking among mortals and trying to blend into the secular world?
If that was true, then he probably just wanted to find some entertainment and wouldn't easily reveal his identity as a deity. There was no need to fear him.
Lost in thought, Xia Zhi arrived at the property office.
After waiting a short while, the original house owner hurriedly arrived as well.
Yanfei checked the contract and told Xia Zhi there were no issues, so he signed his name.
Afterwards, they went to the Northland Bank where Xia Zhi transferred the Mora to the original owner.
Upon receiving the money, the original owner's face showed an expression of relief, as if finally rid of a great burden. He even said he didn't want any of the original furniture in the house and would give it all to Xia Zhi.
He probably thought it was unlucky.
Xia Zhi didn't mind this and even thanked him.
He had checked the tables, chairs, and cabinets when viewing the house earlier - they were all good quality items at 90% new condition. There was no need to replace them.
Only personal items like bedding would need to be bought new.
After being busy all morning, it was about time for lunch. Xia Zhi carefully put away the deed in his hand.
"Miss Yanfei, why don't we go eat?"
"Where does Mr. Xia plan to treat me?"
"I heard the moon dishes at Xinyue Parlor are famous."
"Mr. Xia probably doesn't know, but for Xinyue Parlor you need to make reservations three months in advance to get a seat."
"Is it that popular? What about Liuli Pavilion?"
"Liuli Pavilion doesn't require reservations."
"Then let's go eat Liyue cuisine at Liuli Pavilion."
The Liuli Pavilion was crowded during meal times, but fortunately there were still seats available when Xia Zhi and Yanfei arrived.
Walking through the main hall, Xia Zhi saw servers greeting Yanfei.
"Does Miss Yanfei often eat here?"
"Yes, though most times it's others treating me, just like Mr. Xia today."
"I see."
The decorations inside Liuli Pavilion were classical and elegant, rich with Liyue style.
After sitting down, Xia Zhi handed the menu to Yanfei with a smile, "Since Miss Yanfei is a regular, please help order the dishes."
Yanfei accepted it straightforwardly and asked, "What does Mr. Xia like to eat?"
"I don't particularly dislike anything. Please order according to your preferences, Miss Yanfei. Don't worry about the price."
"Then I'll order some of Liuli Pavilion's signature dishes. The Three Fresh Delicacies of the Harbor, Dry-Pot Cured Meat... and some Minced Meat with Tofu."
"Is that enough?"
"It's enough for the two of us."
After ordering, Yanfei looked at Xia Zhi curiously and asked, "Mr. Xia, what kind of shop are you planning to open in that house?"
Xia Zhi thought for a moment and said, "I originally wanted to open a shop where people could fully relax their bodies and emotions in a peaceful and comfortable environment."
"Oh? That sounds wonderful! Can you explain more?"
"It's about using various elements like water, lighting, incense, and music in a quiet space to satisfy and relax one's body, mind, and spirit."
"How exactly do you use these elements?"
"Through various effective techniques."
"And then?"
"That's it."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Xia, but I still don't quite understand what kind of shop this is..."
Xia Zhi was silent for a moment, then said, "It's a blind massage parlor."
After hearing this, Yanfei also fell silent.
The atmosphere at the table suddenly became strange.
After a while, Yanfei finally spoke: "I didn't expect Mr. Xia to know this skill."
"Does Miss Yanfei find it surprising?"
"A little."
"There aren't many jobs blind people can do, I had to learn some skills to support myself. Besides, I don't think there's anything shameful about this work."
"No, that's not what I meant... I just, thought Mr. Xia didn't seem to be short of money."
"That's just because I've been lucky. Although I have quite a bit of money now, I can't rely on it for my whole life."
"Actually, the interest rates at the Northland Bank are quite good."
"Miss Yanfei makes a good point, but living an idle life just relying on interest would be too boring. Compared to that, I still prefer having a job in my daily life. Just like Miss Yanfei - even though you're quite wealthy now, aren't you still working hard at your legal consultancy that you love?"
Looking at the serious expression on Xia Zhi's face, Yanfei suddenly gave a light laugh.
"Mr. Xia makes a good point too."