In the morning, Xiangling and Keqing arrived together from the construction site.
"How's the school coming along?"
"Already halfway done."
"That fast?"
"It's all thanks to Xiangling!"
"Xiangling?"
"Yup! Ever since Xiangling took charge of cooking at the site, the workers' energy levels have shot up. They've been working harder and faster, so the construction speed picked up a lot."
"I see."
Xia Zhi knew the real reason behind it.
He had previously given Xiangling a set of cooking equipment — gear that had the set bonus [Longevity]. Dishes made with it contained [Vitality], which naturally benefited the workers' health when consumed.
"By the way, Xiangling, how's your new recipe development coming?"
Upon hearing Xia Zhi's question, Keqing's expression stiffened ever so slightly.
Xiangling, however, replied excitedly, "Master! I've already developed two new dishes!"
"How's the feedback?"
"Everyone at the site says they're delicious!"
"Then let's have you cook them today for everyone to try."
"Okay!"
"Miss Keqing, please take a seat — I'll head into the kitchen."
"Go ahead, Mr. Xia."
Keqing walked over to the table and was about to pick up a novel to read when she noticed a newspaper partially hidden underneath it.
"This is…?"
She hadn't been paying much attention to the newly launched Liyue newspaper due to her work at the construction site.
Keqing pulled the paper out and glanced at it.
"Ningguang started a newspaper?"
Curious, she flipped through it — and soon came upon the gossip piece in the entertainment section.
Keqing frowned slightly.
They really dared to write about Ningguang and Mr. Xia like this?
How bold were these reporters, exactly?
To write stuff like this about their own boss…
Wait a second…
Keqing's mind suddenly shifted gears.
By all logic, the newspaper staff wouldn't dare fabricate such things — unless they had received tacit approval from above.
Which meant Ningguang herself had intentionally allowed the paper to stir up the gossip for publicity.
As one of the Qixing, Ningguang held immense authority and was a natural subject of public fascination.
Add to that her rags-to-riches legend, immense wealth, and stunning beauty…
Even someone like Keqing, a fellow Qixing, couldn't compete with her popularity.
What's more, Ningguang had always maintained a spotless reputation — no rumors, no entanglements with any suitors.
So the sudden appearance of a romantic scandal was the perfect way to spark mass curiosity and quickly boost public interest in the newspaper.
But…
Others might not know — Keqing did know. Ningguang seemed genuinely interested in Mr. Xia.
She recalled the time she and Ningguang had visited the shop together.
While they were walking, Ningguang had said something that had stuck in Keqing's mind ever since.
"Keqing, you probably wouldn't understand."
The image of Ningguang saying those words — that smug, slightly triumphant look on her face, that strange glow of happiness…
Now that she thought about it, it was exactly the look of a woman bragging to her bestie about her boyfriend.
So what Ningguang coveted… was it really just Xia Zhi's cooking and massages?
Keqing looked down at the newspaper in her hand, staring at Ningguang's photo, and fell into thought.
Until more guests arrived, pulling her back to reality.
"Miss Yanfei, Miss Yun Jin."
"Hello, everyone."
"Please, have a seat. My cousin is busy at the moment, so he won't be able to greet you — hope you don't mind."
"No worries, we're not guests or anything."
"Miss Yun Jin, I saw in the paper that your new opera script is finished?"
"Yes, it's all written."
"When's the first rehearsal?"
"Not yet. I plan to ask Mr. Xia for his thoughts first."
"Oh! Let us know when the first run happens!"
"Mm, I will."
A short while later, Ningguang, Baizhu, and Madame Ping also arrived.
Keqing glanced at the composed Ningguang and gave her a slightly odd look.
Hu Tao popped over from next door, heading straight for Ningguang: "Lady Tianquan, I heard your newspaper still has ad slots available?"
"No, I don't plan on renting ad space at the moment. It's only being used for in-house products. Why do you ask, Director Hu?"
"I want to advertise the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in the paper. So many people read it daily — even just a casual mention would be better than slapping up flyers everywhere."
"That's easy enough. I'll tell the editorial team to include a promo for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Thanks! And the ad fee…"
"No need for that, Director Hu."
"That won't do…"
"If you insist, then how about you treat me to one massage session today?"
"Deal! I'll get you the best package!"
Keqing glanced at Ningguang again and got a weird sense that she was watching a construction site foreman negotiating over drinks in a hostess club.
Right then, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Zhongli walked in together.
After a while, Ningguang got up and walked to their table with a polite smile.
"Pardon the interruption, honored Adepti."
"Lady Tianquan Star, is something the matter?"
"I have a small personal request and would like to consult Moon Carver on it."
Moon Carver was taken aback, looking at her.
"What matter would that be?"
Ningguang spoke with calm grace, "I've long heard of your skill in divination, and I'd like to ask you to divine my fortune for the coming year."
Moon Carver nodded slightly, clearly about to agree — until Ningguang added breezily:
"[And also… my romantic fate.]"
Romantic fate?
Moon Carver's expression froze for a second.
He was well aware.
He'd been reading the newspapers too these past few days.
He'd also heard all the tea from the Feiyun Tea House — everyone was gossiping about Ningguang and Mr. Xia.
And from Yaoyao, he'd learned that Ningguang practically visited Mr. Xia every single day — not just for juice, as the public thought, but… for massages.
Yaoyao had even complained to him: Big Brother won't give her massages — says she has to grow up first.
What kind of massage was this that only adults could receive?
The implications were clear.
In the past, if he hadn't known any better, he might've just casually done the reading.
But now… after losing face several times with Mr. Xia already… Moon Carver genuinely didn't dare anymore.
A misread fortune was fine, but offending Mr. Xia with a glimpse too deep — that he wouldn't risk.
After all, even the former Dendro Archon could only be a "cousin" in Mr. Xia's orbit.
"Lord?"
"Ah?"
"Why do you remain silent?"
"It's just…"
"Are you unwilling to divine for me?"
"It's not that… just… a bit inconvenient…"
"Inconvenient?"
"Yes, apologies — I've decided not to divine for anyone this year…"
"Then I won't trouble you."
A hint of regret flickered across Ningguang's face.
"Mr. Xia read my fortune a few days ago. He said he and lord had delightful conversations, so I thought I'd see if your reading would match his."
"…Huh?"
Moon Carver was startled again.
"You say Mr. Xia divined for you?"
"Yes."
"And what did he say?"
"He said: [Both wealth and romance will flourish.]"
"..."
Moon Carver fell silent for a long moment, then suddenly reached into his sleeve and took out his treasured Mora.
"If it was Mr. Xia who said it, then… I suppose I can break the rule, just this once."
"Thank you, Lord."
He tossed the Mora onto the table.
It landed with a soft clink.
"Lord, what does it say?"
Moon Carver glanced at the coin — and was surprised to see that it wasn't a null reading. It was a perfectly normal sign of prosperity and good fortune.
Nothing about romantic entanglements.
Could it be that Mr. Xia had read it wrong? Or… did he say that on purpose?
Moon Carver's expression became serious as he declared:
"Congratulations, Lady Tianquan Star — next year, you shall indeed enjoy both wealth and love."
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