The two tasks planned for today were completed.
At the Northland Bank, Xia Zhi transferred two hours' worth of consultation fees to Miss Yanfei, and also helped Shenhe open a bank card, noting down her card number.
"Miss Shenhe, I'll transfer your monthly salary to this card from now on. You can withdraw money whenever you need it."
"Alright."
"You have 150,000 Mora with you. If you don't need it immediately, you can deposit it into this card and earn some interest."
"Alright."
Following his suggestion, Shenhe deposited 140,000 Mora into the card, keeping 10,000 Mora for daily use.
Leaving Northland Bank, Yanfei bid farewell to the two and returned to her law office.
Xia Zhi turned and said, "Miss Shenhe, I need to visit a friend. You can go to the market first to buy some personal items like bedding and pillows."
Shenhe looked at him and said, "I'll go with you."
"Miss Shenhe doesn't need to accompany me all the time."
"It's not safe for you to walk alone."
"This is Liyue Harbor, it's quite safe."
"Your eyes can't see, it's inconvenient."
"I'm actually quite used to it."
"I promised my master I would take care of you."
"...Alright then, let's go together."
Xia Zhi nodded resignedly and led Shenhe toward Bubu Pharmacy.
Passing through the lotus pool, they arrived outside the pharmacy to see many patients seeking medical attention.
There were both locals and foreigners.
Xia Zhi observed the crowd and noticed that most people seemed to be in good health, probably only suffering from minor ailments. He estimated that a single [Healing Spell] would probably cure them.
Shenhe remained silent, following him like a dutiful bodyguard.
Entering Bubu Pharmacy, Xia Zhi queued up according to the rules, while using his detection ability to observe.
Besides Gui dispensing medicine and the patients, there was an elegant man sitting in the hall.
He had long green hair, wore half-rimmed glasses, had a white snake wrapped around his neck, and wore a Dendro Vision at his waist.
This was the renowned Dr. Baizhu.
Xia Zhi "glanced" at the silver progress bar hanging above him, then turned his attention to his eyes.
Strangely, Dr. Baizhu's pupils were different from normal people's, appearing vertical.
Xia Zhi then "looked" at the white snake around his neck.
Oddly, this white snake's pupils were also different from normal snakes', appearing round.
The scene was as if Baizhu and the white snake had exchanged eyes.
Xia Zhi discreetly withdrew his detecting gaze, feeling that Bubu Pharmacy held deeper mysteries than it appeared.
After waiting for a while, the previous patient finished, and it was his turn.
Xia Zhi stepped forward and said, "Good day, Doctor. I'm here to get some medicine."
"Do you have a prescription?"
"Qingxin, Glaze Lily, and Silk Flower, one jin of each."
Standing behind him, Shenhe's expression changed slightly—these were exactly what she used to consume regularly.
Gui was surprised: "What kind of prescription is this? It's like eating medicine as food..."
Baizhu also frowned slightly: "Did you get this folk remedy from somewhere? Medicine shouldn't be taken carelessly."
"Don't worry, Doctor. I'm only using them to make some external-use ointments."
"I see."
Baizhu nodded, and Gui brought the medicines as requested and handed them to Xia Zhi.
After paying, Xia Zhi didn't leave immediately but asked, "Is Miss Qiqi currently at the pharmacy?"
Baizhu looked at him, smiling: "Oh? You know Qiqi?"
Xia Zhi smiled and said, "I've met Miss Qiqi several times, and we're friends. Since I came to Bubu Pharmacy to buy medicine today, I thought I'd visit her."
Baizhu nodded and said softly, "Qiqi is resting at the back of the pharmacy. You should be able to find her there."
"Thank you, Doctor."
"You're welcome."
With permission granted, Xia Zhi and Shenhe walked toward the back of the pharmacy.
Baizhu watched their retreating figures, pondered for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and smiled, saying, "Gui, let the next patient in."
Bubu Pharmacy was quite large, with many rooms storing medicinal herbs. As Xia Zhi walked through, he could smell various medicinal scents.
Passing through the corridor, they arrived at the residential area in the back courtyard, where a small figure was sitting under a large tree.
Qiqi heard footsteps and turned around.
"Mr. Xia!"
"Miss Qiqi."
"Why did you come?"
"I came to buy medicine."
"Are you sick, Mr. Xia?"
"No, the medicine is for other purposes."
"Where's Miss Zhu Zi?"
"She went out to play. This is Miss Shenhe, and like Miss Zhu Zi, she'll be joining our shop. Miss Shenhe, this is Miss Qiqi, an apprentice at Bubu Pharmacy and my friend."
Shenhe and Qiqi looked at each other.
"Hello, Miss Shenhe."
"Hello, Miss Qiqi."
Both were Cryo Vision holders, and both had expressionless, cold faces.
Shenhe's gaze lingered on the talisman on Qiqi's forehead, seeming to analyze it. After a moment, she asked, "Miss Qiqi is a jiangshi?"
"Mm."
"Who controls you?"
"No one."
"No one? Strange, usually jiangshi need to follow the commands of the person who awakened them..."
"I don't know either, but I can give orders to myself."
Shenhe fell silent, as this situation clearly deviated from her understanding.
Qiqi looked at her and suddenly asked, "Is Miss Shenhe an adeptus?"
"No."
"Then has Miss Shenhe seen other jiangshi?"
"No."
"Oh."
Qiqi's expression seemed somewhat disappointed.
The two ran out of topics, and silence fell.
Xia Zhi smiled and spoke up: "Miss Qiqi, why haven't you come to our shop to play these past few days?"
Qiqi lowered her head and said softly, "I went the day before yesterday, but saw too many customers outside, so I came back."
"It's alright, Miss Qiqi can just come in directly next time. The back room of the shop is usually empty and quiet. Miss Qiqi can sit there alone without worrying about disturbing others."
"Okay."
"Did Miss Qiqi go herb gathering again last night?"
"Mm, how did Mr. Xia know?"
"Miss Qiqi has the fresh scent of grass on her."
"Oh."
"Have you used up that incense?"
"Still have lots."
"Haven't used it much these days?"
"I want to use it slowly."
"Miss Qiqi doesn't need to be reluctant to use it. When it's finished, I'll give you more."
"Okay."
"Our shop is closed tomorrow."
"I know."
"Oh?"
"I saw it last night, the notice on the door."
"I see. Does Miss Qiqi usually stay here alone?"
"Mm."
"What do you do?"
"Watch the finches in the tree."
"Finches?"
"Mm, tiny little balls, very cute."
Xia Zhi fell silent for a moment, suddenly feeling a bit sad.
He raised his head toward the large tree before him, hearing the chirping of birds.
"Does Miss Qiqi like finches?"
"Like them."
Xia Zhi nodded and raised his hand toward the treetop.
The two usually timid finches actually flew down and landed in his palm.
Qiqi's eyes widened adorably: "Finches!"
Xia Zhi smiled as he stroked their feathers, letting Qiqi look her fill before releasing them back to the tree.
"If Miss Qiqi is free tomorrow, why not come play at our shop?"
"Okay."
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