At 5 PM, the shop closed for the day. After the customers had all left, Zhu Zi locked the door.
The girls began cleaning the shop.
Baishi stood alone by the door to the back room, listening to the faint and unusual sounds coming from inside, her expression slightly uneasy.
What was going on with Lady Ningguang...
The girls, who were used to such things, laughed and said, "Don't worry, that's just how massages are."
Baishi's face turned red, and she nodded. "Oh."
---
Inside the back room.
Ningguang lay on a small bed while Xia Zhi gently pressed her shoulders with his hands.
"Your shoulder joints are a bit stiff. It's similar to Miss Ganyu's situation—it's from sitting for too long."
"There's nothing I can do. We have too much work to handle every day."
"And yet you still find time to visit my shop for juice every day?"
"I carve out half an hour each afternoon to slack off. I make up for it by working overtime at night."
"How late do you usually work at night?"
"Until around nine or ten."
"Staying up late isn't good for your skin, especially for women."
"Is that so?"
"Look at this… huh, why do you have a scar on your arm?"
Xia Zhi's fingers lightly traced a mark on Ningguang's forearm.
Ningguang, eyes half-closed in comfort, replied casually, "An old injury."
"This shape—it looks like a knife wound?"
"It is."
"How did it happen?"
"Someone tried to kill me."
"Tried to kill you?"
"I wasn't born the Tianquan Star. I climbed my way up from Yaoguang Shoal step by step. Back then, I faced many dangers in the shadows and the light."
"You've been through a lot."
"Yes, it hasn't been easy."
Ningguang sighed and turned her head to look at him.
"It's a pity I didn't meet you back then. With your help, things would've been much easier for me."
"How could I have helped?"
"In so many ways..."
"Even if I could've helped, I wouldn't have gotten involved in such trouble easily."
"How heartless..."
"Raise your arm a bit."
"Hiss, that hurts..."
"Bear with it. Remember to stand up and move around after sitting for long periods."
"Mm... Mr. Xia, your hands are quite beautiful—no wonder you can carve such exquisite Glaze Lilies."
"I didn't carve that accessory."
"Yes, you did."
"I really didn't… believe what you will. You're quite extravagant to spend 30 million Mora to buy it."
"Just pocket change. I like it."
"30 million is pocket change? By the way, Miss Ningguang, how much money do you have?"
"That's a secret."
A smile appeared in Ningguang's eyes.
"Why do you ask, Mr. Xia?"
"Just curious."
"I thought you were short on money. If so, I could give you some..."
"No need. I don't have much to spend on. I haven't even gone to Liyue Bank to withdraw the one million Mora you gave me last time. There's no deadline for it, right?"
"No, you can withdraw it anytime."
"Alright. When I pass by Liyue Bank someday, I'll withdraw it and deposit it in the Northland Bank."
"...Why must it go to the Northland Bank?"
"That's where I opened an account."
"You could also open an account at Liyue Bank."
"Too much hassle."
"I can arrange for Liyue Bank to give you the best perks and make you a VIP client."
"No need..."
"Do you dislike Liyue Bank that much?"
"Not dislike… it's just that if I travel abroad in the future, withdrawing money would be more convenient with the Northland Bank."
"...I see."
Ningguang sighed softly.
"That's one area where Liyue Bank can't compare to the Northland Bank."
"Is something troubling you, Miss Ningguang?"
"Yes. The Northland Bank has been restless recently. It's been driving many of Liyue's small banks out of business. But they're playing by the rules, so we can't openly retaliate. If this continues..."
"This kind of issue, huh..."
"What's your opinion, Mr. Xia?"
Xia Zhi pressed on her soft calf, smiling. "I don't really understand such matters, so I don't have any good ideas. Turn over, and I'll massage your back."
"Sigh..."
Ningguang sighed again and turned over silently.
The scene in front was indescribable, making one worry if it would get squished.
The atmosphere in the back room grew quieter.
Xia Zhi gave Ningguang a simple body relaxation massage, much like his first session with Ganyu.
"All done. How do you feel now, Miss Ningguang?"
"My body feels great."
Ningguang sat up on the small bed, stretched lazily, and glanced at the incense burner emitting a faint fragrance.
"The incense smells lovely too."
Xia Zhi nodded. "As long as you're satisfied, Miss Ningguang."
"How much do I owe you?"
"I said this is to thank you, and I don't charge for first-time massages anyway."
"Oh?"
"It's a rule of mine."
"Interesting rule. Can I come again tomorrow?"
"You're always welcome."
Ningguang sat calmly on the bed, tidying her slightly disheveled clothes.
"Are you going to cook now, Mr. Xia?"
"Yes. If you're not in a rush to leave, you're welcome to stay for dinner."
"Then I'll trouble you."
"It's no trouble—just a few extra plates and chopsticks… Zhu Zi! Have you started cooking?"
"Not yet, boss!"
"Cook a bit more tonight. Miss Ningguang and Miss Baishi are staying for dinner."
"Got it!"
---
After dinner, Ningguang and Baishi bid farewell.
The black iron progress bar on Baishi was gone, replaced by a Black Iron Treasure Chest in Xia Zhi's inventory.
He chose to open it immediately.
A small box appeared before him.
[Nail Polish]
- Quality: Black Iron
- Type: Cosmetic
- Attributes: None
- Effect: Applied to nails, it provides some nourishment and protection.
- Hidden Effect: Edible, improves mood slightly.
Edible nail polish? What a great item.
---
That night, as Xia Zhi worked on his routine tasks, he suddenly thought of Ningguang's concerns during the massage.
The conflict between the Northland Bank and Liyue Bank...
While he wasn't particularly interested in inter-state disputes, he had a fondness for Liyue, a nation reminiscent of his homeland.
Moreover, his previous discovery of the Fatui's poisoning plot at the Northland Bank had soured his impression of Snezhnaya.
After some thought, Xia Zhi opened the [Shop] and found a simple item he had seen long ago:
[A Set of Economic Writings], Price: 1 Point.
Xia Zhi spent 1 point to buy it, retrieving a large stack of books from the Store and placing them on the table.
Titles included The Wealth of Nations, Tableau Économique, Principles of Population, Das Kapital, and The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money, among others.
He skimmed through and picked out titles like The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money and Currency Wars.
---
After entering his dream world, Xia Zhi let Shenhe play games while he sat nearby, diligently studying the economic texts.
Thanks to his [Commerce Mastery] skill, he quickly understood the material and made numerous notes in Liyuean on paper.
He stored these notes in his inventory afterward.
Tomorrow, it seemed, Miss Ningguang would get a small shock from economic theory.