As usual, they had dinner at Wanmin Restaurant, though they went a bit earlier this time.
Xia Zhi first tasted Xiangling's new dishes and offered some appropriate suggestions from his perspective. After dinner, he came to the kitchen entrance: "Miss Xiangling, our specialty beverage shop will open tomorrow. If you have time, you, Chef Mao, and Guoba are welcome to visit our shop."
"Sure, we'll definitely come!" Xiangling nodded with a smile. "Mr. Xia is such an amazing person, the drinks you personally make must be delicious. I'm looking forward to it."
Xia Zhi smiled and said, "I won't disappoint you."
Zhu Zi nodded vigorously beside him and declared confidently, "Really! The drinks in our shop are incredibly tasty! I'm not lying!"
Chef Mao overheard this, and a thoughtful gleam flashed in his eyes.
Personally made by Mr. Xia?
Wouldn't that mean drinks made by an adeptus?
Could it be the legendary nectar of the gods?
He definitely had to try it tomorrow!
Guoba, who was tending the stove fire, lifted his head with an expectant expression.
After leaving Wanmin Restaurant, Xia Zhi and Zhu Zi went to the harbor area and asked several shops before finding Liu's Fish Shop.
Brother Liu had just finished closing up and was washing various utensils when he heard someone calling him at the door. He quickly responded and came out to see them, his face breaking into a smile: "Oh, it's young Mr. Xia! And this is?"
Xia Zhi smiled and said, "This is my friend, Zhu Zi."
Zhu Zi politely greeted him: "Hello, Boss Liu."
Brother Liu waved his hand and laughed, "What's with the 'boss' formality? I'm just a fish seller. You can call me Old Liu or Brother Liu."
Brother Liu had a good personality and made friends easily.
Xia Zhi looked at him and said, "Brother Liu, it's like this. I plan to open a specialty beverage shop in Liyue..."
Brother Liu clapped his hands and laughed: "You want me to recommend a location? No problem! I know both Chihu Rock and the harbor area well!"
Xia Zhi shook his head and said, "No, I'm planning to open it in Feiyun Slope..."
Brother Liu frowned: "Feiyun Slope? I don't know many people there, and the rent is very expensive. You should think it through carefully, or you might not break even."
"Brother Liu, I've actually already found a place..."
"Then I must check it out for you. Your eyes can't see, so it's easy to get cheated. Some real estate agents can be really unscrupulous."
"Is that so?"
"You're from out of town, you don't understand. The real estate business is very complicated. Some houses are haunted – they look good and the price isn't expensive, but strange things happen once people move in. How much is your place?"
"It's quite cheap, only 500..."
"Ah! There's no place on Feiyun Slope that's just 500 Mora per month!"
"No, Brother Liu, it's 500,000 Mora."
"?"
"It's like this, Brother Liu. I've already bought the house, right next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Miss Yanfei helped with all the contract procedures, and the renovations, signage, and equipment are all ready. I'm planning to open tomorrow, so I came to let you know. Whenever you're free, please come by my shop, and I'll treat you to a few drinks."
Brother Liu was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Oh, okay, alright, I understand."
Xia Zhi smiled and said, "Then I'll head back now, Brother Liu. Don't let me keep you from your work."
After watching them walk away, Brother Liu suddenly came to his senses, his expression becoming uncertain: "Next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Isn't that house haunted?..."
On the way, Zhu Zi quietly laughed, "That Brother Liu is really kind-hearted."
Xia Zhi nodded and said, "Brother Liu is indeed a good person."
After all, the Rainbow Juice they planned to sell in the shop came from the iron chest he got from Brother Liu, so treating him to as many drinks as he wanted was only right.
"Boss, where are we going next?"
"Yanfei's Legal Consultancy Office."
After asking directions from several more shops, Xia Zhi and Zhu Zi arrived at the office.
The door was closed.
Xia Zhi walked up and gently knocked on the door.
No response.
Xia Zhi called out again through the door: "Miss Yanfei? Miss Yanfei?"
Still no response.
It seemed Miss Yanfei wasn't at the office.
Perhaps she had already left for the day.
Or maybe she was working overtime somewhere.
Next door was a shop selling crafts from various nations, run by a beautiful mature lady who still maintained her charm.
Xia Zhi casually bought an Inazuman tanuki figurine from the shop, then politely asked her to pass on a message to Miss Yanfei that he had stopped by.
The lady looked at him with a playful gaze and giggled: "Don't worry, I'll tell Yanfei, little brother."
It felt like he was being teased.
Xia Zhi nodded, not particularly bothered: "Thank you then."
Leaving the shop, Xia Zhi was playing with the small figurine when he noticed Zhu Zi staring intently at it.
"Zhu Zi, do you think it's cute?"
"Yes, it is!"
"Do you like tanuki?"
"I do!"
Xia Zhi then handed the tanuki figurine to Zhu Zi.
"Boss?"
"It's yours now."
"Eh? Boss doesn't like it?"
"I wouldn't say I like it. I just bought it randomly to have the shopkeeper pass on my message. It would just collect dust in a corner if I took it home, so it's better to give it to you."
"I see. Well, thank you, Boss!"
"No problem."
Zhu Zi took the tanuki figurine, a bright smile spreading across their face.
"Boss, do you know the story of the grateful tanuki?"
"I only know about the grateful fox – where a little fox is saved by someone and later transforms into human form at night to repay the kindness."
"Oh? It's not the same... though the meaning is similar..."
Zhu Zi's face quickly turned red.
"Boss, where else do we need to go?"
"Let's go to Mingxing Jewelry. We'll skip Bubu Pharmacy since we already told Qiqi this morning we'd come tomorrow."
"Mingxing Jewelry sells jewelry, right?"
"That's right."
"Even though you just came to Liyue like me, Boss knows so many amazing people."
"That's what having money does."
Zhu Zi took a critical hit and silently lowered their head, looking at the tanuki figurine without saying anything more.
From the harbor district, they climbed the great stairs to Feiyun Slope and found Master Xingxi busy promoting new exhibits at Mingxing Jewelry.
Xia Zhi didn't disturb her much, only telling her that his shop would open tomorrow before taking his leave.
Returning to their shop, Zhu Zi went to open the door.
However, Xia Zhi noticed a tall figure standing under the eaves next door, seemingly gazing at the distant ocean scenery.
It was Zhongli, the mysterious consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Xia Zhi's heart suddenly quickened, but he stood still, pretending not to notice anything. When Zhu Zi opened the door, he casually walked into the shop.
Zhongli seemed completely unaware of this.
He just quietly gazed in the direction of Guyun Stone Forest.
His eyes were deep and serene, as if reminiscing about something.