At Summar Shop
"We're back!"
"Waaah!"
Zhu Zi pulled out the key and unlocked the door, pushing it open.
"Home sweet home! So warm!"
"Senior Shenhe's talismans really are long-lasting!"
"There's dust on the table!"
"Well, no one's been in the shop for half a month."
"Let's clean up a bit!"
"Mm!"
The girls, well-behaved as ever, got to work immediately. Even Guoba pitched in to help.
On the way back, Xiangling had brought some leftover ingredients from the construction site's canteen. That night, they threw together a simple hot pot meal.
"Tomorrow's the Lantern Rite. Let's all head to bed early."
"Got it, boss!"
---
Wangshu Inn.
A lone Yaksha stood, head tilted toward the moon.
He stared at it in silence for a long time.
At some point, as if sensing something, he gripped his polearm and turned to disappear into the shadows.
---
The Fifteenth. Morning.
Fontaine.
Furina sat up in bed, her silvery-white hair cascading smoothly over her shoulders.
She rubbed her eyes, then walked over to her vanity, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved a notebook.
She flipped it open slowly.
Inside, page after page was filled with handwritten dates in numerals, like a strange, hand-drawn calendar.
Then, on a certain page—
She paused, picked up her pen, and found today's date.
Next to it, she wrote: [Liyue's Lantern Rite].
After capping the pen, she gazed at the dwindling number of remaining entries in the notebook, a soft smile curving her lips.
"Almost there. Almost…"
She closed the notebook.
A torn piece of newspaper slipped out and fluttered onto the desk.
The headline read: [Sinthe in Liyue].
It was an article reporting how Fontaine citizens had used Rainbow Juice to overcome their addictions to Sinthe.
Furina's movements stilled for a moment.
Then she picked up the newspaper clipping with a faint, knowing smile and read through the article again, word for word, before tucking it back inside the notebook.
She returned the notebook to the drawer and shut it.
Standing up, she stretched with catlike grace, slipped off her nightgown, and stepped into the bathroom.
The soft patter of water followed, accompanied by light, melodic singing.
Before long, the girl emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.
She paused in front of a tall, full-length mirror, staring at the reflection that looked just slightly different from herself.
"Focalors."
"Hm?"
"Liyue must be lively today, huh?"
"I'd imagine so."
"Really wish I could see it."
"Maybe next year."
"Mm."
Furina held a brief conversation with her mirror-self, then walked over to the desk.
She picked up a cup with her left hand and snapped her fingers with her right.
Hydro energy flowed through the air and formed into a stream, filling her cup perfectly.
A small bottle appeared in her right hand.
Inside swirled a radiant, multicolored liquid.
She carefully tipped it over the cup, letting a single drop fall.
Drip…
A ripple spread across the surface of the water.
Moments later, the entire cup of water transformed—infused with all the colors of a rainbow and exuding a rich, fruity aroma.
Furina took a sip, a blissful expression blooming on her face.
"Five hundred years… and every day, it's a new flavor. It really is the best."
Just like a seasoned wine taster, she slowly and elegantly finished the rainbow-hued drink—right as a knock came from the door.
"Lady Furina, it's time for breakfast."
"Alright…"
She responded lazily and dropped the towel.
"Eat when it's time to eat, drink when it's time to drink. No use bottling up troubles…"
She hummed as she got dressed in her daily outfit, then stood before the mirror again.
"Time to go."
"Time to go."
"Put on your mask properly."
"Put on your mask properly."
"Stop mimicking me."
"I'll mimic if I want."
"…"
Furina chuckled.
"Eat when it's time to eat, drink when it's time to drink. And if all else fails, call your friend…"
"Not yet. Doesn't work if it's not time."
Another knock sounded from outside.
"Lady Furina, are you up?"
"I'm coming."
She turned and walked to the door.
And the moment she opened it—
Her expression, her entire demeanor, transformed.
Like an actress stepping onto the stage, she slid seamlessly into character.
---
Liyue, the construction site.
Two Adepti lifted their heads, watching the pale white light rise on the horizon.
"Daybreak."
"Yeah. It's dawn."
"You hungry?"
"What do you think?"
"Hold on a bit longer."
"I know."
"Let's go wash up. We're filthy."
"True."
As they turned to leave, they spotted Xiao quietly watching them from a short distance away.
"Xiao?"
"When did you get here?"
"Just now."
"Oh."
"You're pretty early."
"Was worried you wouldn't show."
"You go find the Geo Archon. We need to clean up first."
Xiao looked at the two dust-covered figures and gave a silent nod.
His small frame shimmered and vanished.
The two Adepti turned to head back.
"Even someone like Xiao can't resist Gods' Temptation, huh?"
"I bet even the Geo Archon himself couldn't."
"It's rare for everyone to gather like this… what a shame Cloud Retainer isn't here. She loved gourmet food the most. Missing out on this is a real pity."
"Yeah. A real shame."
---
Early in the morning, Zhu Zi and Diona had gone out to buy groceries.
When they returned, Zhu Zi brought back a newspaper, and Diona was all smiles.
"Boss! Boss Liu gave us a few more big fish!"
"Oh?"
"He said he's just bought a house on Yujing Terrace!"
"Nice."
"He said he's had great luck fishing lately—all thanks to the weather forecasts in the paper!"
"Forecasts?"
"Yeah! That astrology column that predicts the weather for the week!"
"Oh, that column by Miss Mona."
"That's the one!"
"Diona, how do you want your fish cooked?"
"Braised!"
"Alright. I'll make it for lunch."
"Thanks, boss!"
"Go check if everyone's up for breakfast."
"Got it!"
After breakfast and a short break—
Guoba tugged at Xia Zhi's sleeve with his gloved paw.
"Wuuu!"
Xia Zhi looked down, puzzled.
"What's up, Guoba?"
"Wuuu!"
Xiangling quickly translated. "Master, Guoba says he wants to help in the kitchen today too."
"Really?"
Well, why not? Guoba had been pretty handy since he got those enchanted gloves. At the construction site, he'd been helping out in the kitchen regularly—and doing a solid job.
There was just one issue…
Today's dish was Gods' Temptation.
Xia Zhi was a bit worried Guoba might not be able to resist… and sneak a bite.
"You can't sneak any."
"Wuuu!"
"He promises he won't."
Xia Ci grinned. "Xiangling, make him say: 'Liyue people don't lie to Liyue people.'"
"Huh?"
"Wuuuwuuuwuuuwuuu!"
"He said it."
"Alright then. Right, cousin?"
"…Yeah."
"Wuuu!"
Guoba's eyes sparkled with excitement.
After a bit of rest, Xia Zhi headed to the kitchen to start on lunch.
Friends began trickling in.
First was Yun Jin, dazzling in a brand-new outfit.
"You're back from the construction site?"
"Got back yesterday afternoon!"
"No wonder. I passed by the shop yesterday morning and saw the door was still closed. Was it fun over there?"
"Super fun! Xia Ci made a hovercraft, and Yaoyao's telescope can really see far."
"How far?"
"All the way to Inazuma's Sacred Sakura Tree."
"! That far?"
"Mhmm!"
"You can even see the House of Daena in Sumeru."
"Impressive."
Next came Madame Ping and Yaoyao.
The little girl politely greeted everyone.
Ying'er, helping to receive guests, leaned in and whispered, "Yaoyao, didn't the two Adepti come with you?"
Yaoyao chirped, "Uncle Mountain Shaper and Uncle Moon Carver didn't come back yesterday."
"They didn't?"
"Yup! I checked with my telescope—they were still working at the construction site last night."
"…Ah."
Everyone fell quiet for a moment.
As expected of immortals.
Their dedication was truly admirable.
Madame Ping shook her head. "Ignore those two old geezers. They'll show up eventually."
Next were Ganyu and Ningguang, along with three secretaries and Charlotte.
"Senior Sister Ganyu."
"Junior Sister."
Ganyu took a seat.
When she heard the room buzzing with talk about the Gods' Temptation dish, a subtle look of yearning appeared on her face.
So unfair…
To have a divine dish set right in front of her, yet be unable to eat it because of her constitution…
Ganyu sighed softly.
Shenhe noticed. "Sister, is something bothering you?"
Ganyu shook her head. "I'm fine."
Shenhe seemed to understand anyway. She smiled quietly but didn't mention that the boss was preparing a special vegetarian dish just for Ganyu.
Let it be a surprise.
Later, Yelan arrived.
"Miss Yelan!"
"Hello, everyone."
Yelan glanced around at the room full of girls, her eyes flickering before a small smile formed on her lips.
She walked over and took a seat beside Ningguang.
"All the intel is sorted?"
"All done. Nothing urgent."
"Good."
Eventually, the two Adepti arrived with Xiao, followed by Zhongli and Keqing. At the door, they ran into Baizhu coming from the other side.
The Adepti stared at Baizhu. Baizhu stared at them. For a moment, no one spoke.
"Doctor Baizhu, you look… utterly exhausted."
"Ahem… I've been doing free consultations non-stop lately. It's just fatigue. What about you two? Why the dark circles? You look dead on your feet."
"Well… we were working all night at the construction site, so we're a bit… overworked."
"Ah, I see. You've had it rough!"
"No, no. You save lives, Doctor Baizhu. That's far more important. Be sure to eat more at lunch to replenish your strength."
Zhongli, watching their little compliment war, didn't bother cutting in. He quietly walked into the shop.
Keqing and Xiao followed in silence.
Changsheng, the white snake draped around Baizhu's neck, looked awkward. "Baizhu, let's go in."
"Mm. After you, Lord."
"Doctor Baizhu, wait—did you bring the medicine?"
"Of course."
"Good!"
Then came Yanfei, Hu Tao, Chef Mao, and Kirara.
The shop was getting livelier by the minute.
Until—
Zhongli once again heard that subtle, crisp sound of a lid being lifted.
Then, a rich, indescribably mouthwatering aroma wafted out from the kitchen.
Xiao instinctively swallowed.
Kirara let out a startled "meow!"
Everyone else was similarly entranced.
The bustling room fell silent, as if someone had hit mute.
All eyes turned to the kitchen in perfect unison.
Yelan stared blankly, finally understanding why everyone had hyped up Gods' Temptation so much.
There was nothing to say.
Her husband was amazing.
Then—
A tragic "Wuuuuu!" wailed from the kitchen.
The next moment, Guoba was flung out by Xiangling.
"Bad Guoba! Stay outside like a good boy! No coming in!"
Guoba lay sprawled on the floor, clutching his head with both paws, face full of remorse and guilt.
He didn't mean to sneak a bite… it was just… his body acted on its own…
Madame Ping smiled kindly and waved at him. "Guoba, come here."
Guoba shook his head frantically. "Wuu!"
Madame Ping's face turned stern. "Come here. Now."
Guoba flinched, then obediently padded over. "Wuu…"
Yaoyao stuck out her tongue nervously.
The two Adepti exchanged secretive glances.
Mountain Shaper muttered, "No wonder she's still single with that temper. Who would dare marry her?"
Moon Carver nodded. "Right? Cloud Retainer was way better."
---
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