Yelan left after finishing her two glasses of juice.
As she left, she gave Xia Zhi a meaningful glance.
Xia Zhi watched Yelan's retreating figure; the silver progress bar on her was only at [4%].
But it didn't matter. Their next meeting might be in her dream, where he could slowly increase it.
After lunch, when Yaoyao arrived, the girls went out together to pick up their previously ordered uniforms from the tailor shop.
Xia Zhi closed the shop door and had tea with Miss Chi Yu while chatting.
Thinking that they probably wouldn't get any high-quality customers today due to the rain, he used [Skill Steal] on Miss Chi Yu.
"Successfully used [Skill Steal], learned skill [Guide to Afterlife] from target."
"[Guide to Afterlife]: When used on the deceased, can help them rest in peace."
Good, he'd stolen the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's signature skill. Now he could open branch parlors in other countries.
"Miss Chi Yu, how come I haven't seen Director Hu Tao at the shop these days?"
"She took a job a few days ago and went out. She hasn't returned yet."
"I see."
"By the way, Boss, there's something I need to tell you."
"Oh?"
"These past couple of nights, I've noticed some strangers lurking around suspiciously, like they're scoping the place out."
"Thieves have their eye on us?"
"I think they might be trying to steal the juice formula."
"That's possible. The shop's doing too well, easy to attract jealousy. Miss Chi Yu, please keep an eye on the situation at night."
"Don't worry, Boss."
After a while, the girls returned.
Yaoyao, Qiqi, and Diona were now wearing their new uniforms.
The three were about the same height, and wearing identical clothes, they looked very eye-catching and cute.
Zhu Zi, Shenhe, and Qiqi came over and handed him the bags they were carrying.
"Boss! This is for you!"
"What is it?"
"We bought you a gift!"
"Thank you, this is... clothes?"
"Yes! We ordered it from the same clothes shop where Miss Ganyu bought us clothes last time!"
Xia Zhi tried it on and found it fit well.
Zhu Zi and Shenhe helped him wash his clothes every day, so they knew his measurements very well.
"What made you think of buying me clothes?"
Zhu Zi looked serious: "Well, we got paid, and I wanted to properly thank you, Boss. If you hadn't kindly taken me in, I don't know where I'd be or what I'd be doing now."
Xia Zhi smiled: "Zhu Zi, you're very capable. Even if you hadn't met me then, you definitely would have found another good job."
Shenhe said softly: "I saw the weather was getting colder, and Boss, you just came to Liyue, so you probably didn't bring many things. That's why I wanted to buy you some thicker clothes."
Xia Zhi nodded: "Shenhe really helped a lot. If I went to buy clothes myself, it would be hard to choose."
Qiqi said quietly: "That's what I thought too."
Xia Zhi smiled: "That's thoughtful of you, Qiqi."
Watching this scene, Yaoyao felt a bit down. That morning she had been practicing with her spear at home and missed going with her sisters to pick out the gift.
She leaned close to Diona's cat ears and whispered: "Next time, let's go buy Boss a gift too."
Feeling the warm breath tickle her ears, Diona's ears twitched slightly, and her face turned red: "Okay..."
Shenhe naturally took the clothes back from Xia Zhi's hands and said: "Boss, I'll put these clothes away for you, and when the weather clears up, I'll wash them."
Xia Zhi nodded and smiled: "Alright, thank you for the trouble."
Zhu Zi looked a bit frustrated, feeling she had just missed an opportunity to show her consideration.
Miss Shenhe was so cunning!
At six in the afternoon, when business ended, it had already grown dark outside.
This was partly due to the rainy weather, and partly due to the changing season.
In a few more days, when winter came, it would get dark even earlier.
Xia Zhi thought for a moment, then had Shenhe bring paper and pen. He wrote a new notice changing the shop's business hours to 9 AM to 5 PM.
"Zhu Zi, go get some leftover rice from the kitchen and paste this paper over the original notice."
"Boss, are we going to close at five from now on?"
"Yes, the weather's getting colder, so it's better to close earlier. But everyone's wages will stay the same, they won't be reduced."
"!"
"I'm going to make fried chicken. Someone help me with the fire."
Miss Chi Yu immediately responded: "I'll help! Zhu Zi, you go outside and post the notice."
Zhu Zi stared at Miss Chi Yu with wide eyes, feeling she was being cunning too.
Soon, the fried chicken, french fries, and fried dried fish were ready.
Diona ate with tears in her eyes, feeling that all the fried dried fish she had eaten before weren't real fried dried fish.
She made up her mind! Besides learning the Boss's rainbow juice recipe, she also had to learn his fried dried fish method!
Diona's eyes flashed with determination as she continued eating the dried fish.
Zhu Zi looked at the pile of chicken bones on the table, licked her lips, hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't resist taking another fried chicken leg.
Later that night, after she had heated the water, she came to secretly tell Xia Zhi: "Boss, I feel like I've gained some weight recently."
"Really?"
"Yes, when I put on clothes in the morning, I feel a bit short of breath."
"...I see. Well, go order two larger uniforms tomorrow, the shop will cover it."
"Ah? No, Boss, I mean, I want to ask you for a massage."
"Massage..."
"The one you mentioned before! The massage technique that can effectively help lose weight!"
"Oh, that one. It needs to be a full-body massage."
"That's fine!"
"You really want it?"
"Mm!"
"Alright, I'll give you a massage later."
"Thank you, Boss! How much does it cost? I have money now!"
"Money doesn't matter..."
"I want to pay!"
"Then I'll give you an employee discount, 800 Mora."
"Okay!"
"Go take a bath first, I'll prepare."
"Mm!"
Zhu Zi ran off to take a bath, blushing.
Xia Zhi washed his hands and went to the back hall, laid towels on the small bed, and lit a piece of [Calming Incense] in the incense burner.
Then, Qiqi and Chi Yu were attracted by the fragrance.
Xia Zhi smiled and said: "I'm going to give Zhu Zi a massage in a bit, you two should go out first. If you want some incense, there's more in that cabinet, feel free to take some."
"Okay."
Chi Yu's eyes lit up. She had wanted to take some yesterday, but since no one else was taking any, she felt awkward about being the first. Now that the Boss had given permission, she could take some with peace of mind.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard Qiqi's voice.
"Boss, I want a massage too."
"Hmm?"
"I do flexibility exercises every night, otherwise my body becomes stiff," Qiqi explained quietly. "Massage can relax muscles, so I want to try it."
"Oh, I see. Alright, after I finish Zhu Zi's massage, I'll give you one too."
"Thank you, Boss."
"No problem."
Miss Chi Yu silently walked back and looked at Xia Zhi.
"Boss, can I get an advance on my wages?"
"Huh?"
"I want a massage too."
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