Ye Xi told Ying'er about his idea, and Ying'er instantly developed a keen interest in it.
"...Developing a brand, hmm~"
"It feels like it'd be quite interesting."
"If I blend in my perfume balm, along with all those cosmetic products Master mentioned, it's sure to become a smash hit among the girls."
Hearing Ying'er's words, Ye Xi used the power of the [Abyss Core] to compile the formulas in his mind into a written list.
He handed it directly to Ying'er and said, "Here's the formula—you can take a look."
Ying'er switched on the little night lamp and gave it a quick read by its light.
"Aloe... is that the plant with thorns on it? I'd never have guessed it had such effects."
"And this rare kind of mud—you can even smear this on your face? How amazing."
"Oat flour? You can even use food to wash your face?"
Looking over the formulas, Ying'er kept exclaiming how marvelous they were.
She remarked with feeling, "It seems Master has given me a great deal more pestle-gripping work again~"
"At this rate, won't I be worn out both day and night? My hands will get so sore."
Ye Xi: ???
Good grief.
What sort of dirty talk was this?
Still, these ingredients really did need to be ground up.
Might as well make some kind of grinding machine, otherwise it would truly be unbearable.
"So, are you willing to take this on?"
"Of course~"
Ying'er nodded. She'd never expected Ye Xi to suddenly take an interest in the field of women's cosmetics, and even produce such an intriguing list of ingredients.
While chatting in the hot spring that night, she had learned from the other girls about how Ye Xi doted on his wives.
No doubt Ye Xi was giving her this opportunity precisely in order to dote on her, so of course she had to seize it well.
Seeing Ying'er's interest, Ye Xi was naturally quite pleased. "Then tomorrow, you and Collei should go take a look around Sumeru's Avidya Forest. She's one of the Forest Rangers and can take you to search for ingredients."
"Going to Sumeru? It'll be my first time~"
Ying'er said with a smile, "As expected, Master, you're always giving me all sorts of first-time experiences~"
"Hiss..."
Ye Xi couldn't hold back any longer. He yanked Ying'er over and said, "Why, you little minx, still daring to tease me—looks like you're asking for trouble."
"Eh!?"
Ying'er was scared stiff and hurriedly begged for mercy, "Master, I won't do it again! I really can't take any more, it'll hurt to death!"
The next day.
In the early morning, the chirping of birds came drifting in from outside.
Gradually, the girls all woke up.
Ye Xi yawned and opened his eyes.
To be honest, he hadn't slept well last night.
However, his mental strength had already improved greatly, so even with little time to rest, he didn't feel the least bit tired.
Ying'er beside him, on the other hand, was clearly still sleeping soundly.
At this moment, an ethereal notification tone sounded in Ye Xi's mind.
[Ding~]
[Branch [Ying'er] has obtained the Dendro Eye of God!]
[Reward distribution complete. Please proceed to complete the subsequent [Scattering Leaves] task!]
Ye Xi had long grown used to it.
For Ying'er, obtaining a Dendro Eye of God was a fine thing too.
It would let her gain a deeper understanding of plants.
He didn't disturb the slumbering Ying'er, but got up on his own to wash up.
When he came down to the living room downstairs, the girls had all lazily awoken and were bustling about.
Dehya and Alusha had just returned from their morning exercise and were wiping away their sweat, while Xiangling and a few of the girls were cooking.
Seeing so many beauties, big and small, gathered in his home, Ye Xi felt a wave of sheer contentment.
Among so many girls, possessing any one of them would already be a feast for the eyes.
Let alone having so many lovely beauties—it was simply paradise on earth.
Seeing Ye Xi come downstairs without Ying'er, Dehya spread her hands and said, "Looks like Ying'er was defeated too."
Last night, everyone had high hopes for Ying'er's performance, wishing she could win one on everyone's behalf.
But if Ying'er was still asleep now, that meant she was thoroughly worn out—a complete defeat.
The girls all sighed with feeling.
"As expected, Master is just too strong."
"Who'd have thought! Even Miss Ying'er, with such skilled hands, lost."
"I used to worry about Ye Xi's body, but seeing him so energetic every day, I'm starting to doubt my own common sense."
"No way, even Lord Lesser Grass King says so?"
"Actually, I noticed long ago—anyone else would've been drained dry by now, but Master never has been. It's downright terrifying!"
"..."
Hearing the girls say this, Ye Xi was secretly smug.
Fortunately, the system gave a numerical boost to his physical strength each time, so that his physical strength kept rising.
Combined with the Adeptal Energy gathered through the Adepti Breathing Method, which constantly restored his power, he was able to keep going endlessly.
Otherwise, even a man forged of iron couldn't have withstood such exertion.
At this moment, Xiangling poked her head out, holding a spatula, and shouted toward the living room, "Time to eat, wives~"
While soaking in the hot spring last night, Xiangling had been brainwashed by Lumine.
[Who says a girl can't have wives? Ye Xi's wives are my wives~]
For Xiangling, these words were an absolute revelation.
Seeing how incredibly affectionate Lumine was with every girl, she made up her mind.
If she wanted a harmonious, close-knit family with no distance between any of the girls, then Lumine's idea was the secret!
Otherwise, as the girls grew ever more numerous, conflicts would be unavoidable.
As long as she regarded all the girls at home as her wives, then everyone would be the very best of companions!
And Xiangling's change didn't make the girls feel the least bit uncomfortable.
If Lumine calling everyone "wife" seemed a bit shameless, then Xiangling doing so had everyone's unanimous support!
After all, no girl could ever bear to give the cold shoulder to the delicacies made by master chef Xiangling.
So when Xiangling called out like this, it was met with a chorus of responses.
"Coming, Master Xiangling~"
"On our way~ We get to eat Wife Xiangling's cooking again!"
"What's for breakfast today? It smells so good!"
"Little Xiangling, is there any fried tofu?"
"..."
In an instant, the girls all headed toward the kitchen.
At this, Ye Xi was dumbfounded.
???
For a moment, he felt his position as master of the harem was in jeopardy!
Also frozen in place was Lumine.
She'd only said it casually last night, merely wanting to use her own "heretical nonsense" to draw Xiangling into her own harem and snatch away Ye Xi's little wife.
Who'd have thought Xiangling would turn the tables and take the lead instead!
Now this was awkward.
She'd shamelessly clung to Dehya, Yae Miko, and the others, only to be teased now and then.
When she sneaked into Collei's and Keqing's rooms at night, they'd shyly evade her.
Yet with a single [wife] from Xiangling, the girls showed not the slightest sign of resistance, all responding so enthusiastically.
It felt as though she herself had been replaced!
Oh no!
Seeing the dazed Lumine, Ye Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He mocked her with amusement, "Looks like your wife-stealing scheme collapsed midway, hahahaha."
As he spoke, he reached out and ruffled Lumine's hair into a fuzzy little tangle.
Then he strolled off into the kitchen to forage for food on his own, leaving a blank-faced Lumine standing there in a daze.
Today's breakfast was quite the lavish spread.
There were Liyue's flaky pastries and Sumeru's baked flatbread.
Under Xiangling's guidance, the girls' culinary skills had improved, each with a signature dish of her own.
Since they'd each made something delicious by hand, everyone wanted Ye Xi to taste it and offer his critique, which left Ye Xi stuffed full.
While everyone was busy eating away, Ye Xi noticed that Ganyu, off in the corner, hadn't touched her chopsticks.
She had her head lowered, as if enduring some kind of agony.
"Ganyu, at least eat a little something!"
Seeing her like this, Keqing couldn't help but speak up to urge her.
Nahida, beside her, chimed in as well, "Not eating can actually lead to gaining weight too, you know, so no matter what, you still need to replenish your energy properly."
The girls all cast concerned glances her way.
Ye Xi understood.
Ganyu must have been worried about gaining weight, so she was forcing herself to endure her hunger and skip breakfast.
No doubt her reluctance to spend the night in the Serenitea Pot was also because the food here was so excellent.
Suddenly, Ye Xi remembered the system's reward from last night.
That's right!
There was the [Drowsy Black Tea]!
The system had conveniently given him a large packet of it, so he could use it to run an experiment first.
So he took out a small packet from his portable space and came over before Ganyu.
At this moment, Ganyu was forcibly suppressing her appetite, swallowing her saliva at the delicacies before her.
Ye Xi placed the small tea packet in front of Ganyu and said with a smile, "Ganyu, let me introduce you to my new product."
"This tea has all sorts of wondrous effects—it can keep you from ever gaining weight!"
The moment he said this, Ganyu's head shot up, her eyes lighting up.
"Eh!? R-really!?"
Not just Ganyu—even the other girls were drawn over.
"Master, is it really that amazing?"
"This tea can actually keep someone from gaining weight!?"
"Ahem... breakfast was a bit too rich; I feel like I'd like to drink some tea....."
At this very moment, even Dehya grew a little bashful, "Master, actually.... I'd like to ask for a packet of tea on Candace's behalf!"
Hearing the excuses the girls came up with, Ye Xi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
This was just too cute.
He looked at Dehya with amusement and said with a smile, "Dehya, are you sure it's for Candace? And not for yourself?"
"Eh!?"
"Ahem, ahem, ahem.... I don't mind testing the effects for Candace first, mm!"
As Dehya spoke, she blushed and, somewhat tsundere, turned her head off to one side.
Such an unforthcoming manner was exactly like Keqing and Eula.
He reached out and gave Dehya's slender waist a pinch, saying speechlessly, "Your slim little waist is so nice—why would you drink any weight-loss tea?"
"If you get any thinner, there'll be nothing left—what would I have to hold then?"
"Ehehe...."
Hearing this praise, Dehya bashfully scratched her head.
The other girls instantly grew envious, subconsciously pinching their own little bellies, worried they weren't the type Ye Xi liked.
In truth, Ye Xi felt that each of his wives had a wonderful figure and didn't need to change a thing.
Each had her own charm, and every one of them was comfortable to hold.
But seeing everyone cast hopeful looks his way, he took out all of the [Drowsy Black Tea] and said, "Let me warn you first—after you drink this tea, you'll fall asleep immediately for half an hour."
"Don't go drinking it while you're out, or you'll end up asleep in the middle of the street."
Hearing Ye Xi's words, the girls all nodded like little chicks pecking at rice.
Ye Xi deliberately set aside a packet for Ganyu, "Ganyu, eat your breakfast first, and try out the tea's effects when noon comes around."
"Mm!"
Ganyu hurriedly nodded, then eagerly began to eat.
After breakfast, Ye Xi and Collei came outside the garden to see off Lisa, Amber, and Eula.
They were returning to Mondstadt today.
However, since Collei had already learned about the portal last night, there wasn't too much sorrow over the parting.
After all, it wouldn't be long before they could meet again!
"Well then, we'll be heading back now. Thank you, Master Ye Xi, for hosting us these past few days~ hehe."
Hearing this, Eula chimed in as well, "When you make it to Mondstadt, I'll repay the favor!"
"I'm not someone who only knows how to take advantage! When the time's right, I'll let you take a little advantage back too!"
Hearing Eula's words, Ye Xi couldn't help but wonder—which sense of [taking advantage] did she mean?
He was very intrigued!
"All right, little cuties, it's time to go."
Lisa led Amber and Eula away, leaving the Serenitea Pot.
Watching their departing figures, Collei still couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Even a brief parting left Collei feeling a sense of loss.
Ye Xi reached out and patted Collei's little head, then pulled her into his arms, "What's there to be sad about? If they're quick, they'll be back tomorrow."
"Mm!"
Collei buried her face in Ye Xi's embrace, listening to his heartbeat, utterly at ease.
That feeling of loss vanished without a trace.
She understood that Ye Xi doted on her dearly!
To be able to nestle in Ye Xi's arms, she felt nothing but happiness!
Just as they were talking, Ying'er finished packing her bag and walked out.
A moment ago she'd still been immersed in the joy of obtaining the Eye of God, unable to pull herself out of it.
But she soon remembered the promise made before bed last night!
She was to follow Collei to the Avidya Forest!
Earlier, Ye Xi had told Collei about this matter as well, and Collei too was very much looking forward to this set of skincare products!
"Master, then Collei and I will be heading off into the forest~!"
Ying'er followed Collei to the portal leading to Sumeru.
Ye Xi nodded and instructed, "Collei, you two stay safe."
"Don't worry, I'll keep Ying'er safe! And don't forget, I have healing magic too!"
Collei giggled and pulled Ying'er out the door.
Watching their backs, Ye Xi was just about to head back into the courtyard when Ningguang came out with her three little secretaries.
Evidently, the Liyue Qixing had to get to work too.
For a moment, he had the illusion that he was a kindergarten teacher.
In the morning, he had to send the children off to school, and in the evening, pick them up after class.
Only what he was dropping off and picking up weren't children, but wives.
Having too many wives really was exhausting, after all.
"Ye Xi, actually... Beidou over there probably hasn't had breakfast yet."
"That gal's probably still sleeping in. Could you take some food over to her?"
Though Ningguang was always bickering with Beidou, she actually cared a great deal deep down.
Ye Xi nodded, "Got it. I'll find some in the kitchen and take it over to her."
"Mm, leaving it to you sets my mind at ease!"
A smile appeared on Ningguang's face, and she suddenly leaned in close to Ye Xi and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Seeing this, the three little secretaries instantly blushed.
They couldn't help but whisper timidly among themselves.
"Oh my, Lady Ningguang has changed!"
"As expected, having a man really does make all the difference—she's become just like a little girl!"
"To kiss him so openly, without the slightest reserve in front of us—truly worthy of Lady Ningguang!"
After that good-morning kiss, Ningguang headed off to the Jade Chamber with a smile.
Next were Keqing and Klee.
Today's task of taking Klee out to blast through mountains and clear roads, Ye Xi entrusted to Keqing.
He had to go to Inazuma today, so he couldn't look after the kid.
Keqing was very fond of little Klee, so naturally she didn't refuse.
Klee had only just woken up at this point, holding in one hand a wrap Xiangling had made for her while rubbing her bleary, sleepy eyes with the other.
"Klee's so sleepy.... still wants to sleep...."
Keqing said with a sunny smile, "We'll go to the Yuehai Pavilion in a bit, and you can sleep some more there."
With that, she waved to Ye Xi, "Ye Xi, I'm off to work too~"
After watching the girls head off to work one by one, Ye Xi went to the kitchen and found the leftover breakfast.
Xiangling had prepared a great deal, but the girls hadn't finished it all—perfect to bring to Beidou.
After locating the door to the cruiser, he walked straight in.
However, the moment he pushed the door open, the scene in the room froze him on the spot.
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