After the food and drink had been cleared away and the mess tidied up, everyone gathered again to rest and chat.
A shaft of golden sunlight spilled through the door, hinting at the beautiful weather outside.
Kirara lay sprawled across the table, eyes half-closed like a sleepy cat, her face glowing with contentment.
Xia Zhen walked over and gently poked her with a finger. "Falling asleep?"
Kirara opened her eyes and blinked at her, curiosity sparkling in her gaze. "Meow?"
Cute.
Xia Zhen smiled. "Kirara, I heard you know Lady Yae Miko of the Grand Narukami Shrine in Inazuma?"
"I do! She was the one who helped me get this delivery job I have now."
"Perfect."
"Meow?"
"Well, I'm actually kind of an old acquaintance of Lady Yae myself. It's just… we haven't seen each other in years. I was wondering if you could help me deliver a little something to her."
"Sure thing!"
"And just treat it like an official Komaniya Express delivery."
"You really don't have to! We're friends—I'll be heading back to Inazuma soon anyway. I can take it directly, save you the shipping fee!"
"Haha, no need to save me money. Think of it as a little boost to your performance stats."
Xia Zhen handed over a neatly sealed small box.
"There's a mini voice recorder and a few photos inside. Just make sure it doesn't get soaked when you're crossing by boat."
"Got it! No worries!"
After giving her the instructions, Xia Zhen returned to sit beside Xia Ci, visibly pleased with herself.
Now all she had to do was wait for the little fox to get the package and arrange a meet-up with Ei. Then, from here, she could use the telescope to watch them.
And maybe have Yae give Ei a little heads-up so she wouldn't be too shocked when they met.
Xia Ci leaned on one hand, cheek in her palm, still watching Ganyu.
Xia Zhen waved her hand in front of her face. "What's up?"
"Nothing."
"So, what are you looking at?"
"Entertainment."
"What entertainment?"
Xia Ci glanced at her.
"Someone's feelings have shifted."
"…?"
Xia Zhen blinked innocently. "Have they?"
"Heh…"
And so, the two besties sat side by side, watching Ganyu.
Ganyu held a warm teacup between her hands, gazing at Xia Zhi through the rising steam, her expression oddly complicated.
Of course she'd noticed the change in herself.
For centuries, the bloodline of a half-Adeptus had kept her trapped at a bottleneck. One that she thought she might never overcome.
And yet now, that impossible wall had crumbled as easily as lifting a spoon to her lips.
Becoming an Adeptus was the lifelong goal of countless beings—harder than reaching the heavens. But with Mr. Xia, it was as easy as having lunch.
The sensation of her body brimming with power was… incredible.
She shifted her gaze to Shenhe.
Her junior, so much younger than her, had reached the realm of the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti before her. Clearly, Mr. Xia had been secretly giving Shenhe all kinds of extra help.
Ganyu couldn't help recalling that night during the New Year.
She'd stayed over at the shop and shared a bed with Shenhe. Near midnight, her junior had claimed she was hungry and gone downstairs to fetch a snack. But when she came back, her hair was messy, her face radiant, and she was practically bathed in Mr. Xia's warm, distinctive scent.
That was just one night together. Who knew what happened when Shenhe stayed over alone?
Ganyu's cheeks flushed slightly.
She lifted her teacup and took a sip, pushing away the chaos in her mind—and suddenly thought of her master.
Her master had lost her cultivation and was no longer an Adeptus. And yet both her disciples had reached that status.
Knowing how prideful her master was, Ganyu wondered what kind of face she would make when she found out.
It would probably be pretty funny.
The corners of her eyes crinkled in amusement.
Thinking of her master brought her back to the reason Shenhe had descended the mountain last year—on her orders, both to gain worldly experience and to repay the debt owed to Mr. Xia for saving her life.
But judging by these past few months, it wasn't Shenhe looking after Mr. Xia—it was the other way around.
And she'd offered her entire self in gratitude. That should count as settling the life-debt.
Ganyu had once thought of repaying Mr. Xia herself.
But honestly, she hadn't really done much.
And now she'd received yet another kindness.
Just this one meal alone—how could she repay it?
She was a divine beast. Even if Mr. Xia didn't expect anything, she couldn't accept it without a burden on her conscience.
Ganyu's gaze turned a little conflicted.
---
Meanwhile, Xia Ci and Xia Zhen continued to whisper conspiratorially.
"Pretty cute, right?"
"Kinda adorable."
"That's called awakening feelings."
"You actually get this stuff."
"You see how the God of Wisdom is holding herself back? And over there—that's Yelan. Even her eyes have completely changed."
"Tch. Cousin's got way more charm than I gave him credit for."
"Right?"
"What do I do? I think I might be falling for—"
"Bah. That's not love. You're just obsessed with his cooking."
"Like you're so pure?"
"I'm not. I want it too."
"Heh…"
---
Elsewhere—
Xia Zhi was seated with Zhongli, Ningguang, and the others, casually chatting.
Keqing said, "The school should be finished in a couple of days. Mr. Xia, you mentioned establishing a commemorative monument. I've already prepared the stone monolith. Once the names are finalized, we can carve and erect it."
Xia Zhi nodded. "Thank you, Miss Keqing—and you as well, Mr. Zhongli, for overseeing the project these past two months."
Ningguang added, "The Liyue Newspaper Agency has also been doing its best to promote the school. Teachers and textbooks are all in place. I've sent out all the invitations for the inauguration ceremony."
"I've also invited Miss Yun Jin," Xia Zhi said. "She agreed to have the Yun-Han Opera Troupe perform a new play for the school's opening."
Zhongli nodded. "With such grandeur, we shall await the results in silence."
They went over a few more logistical details before wrapping up.
As the group began to disperse, Zhongli turned to Xia Zhi and quietly said, "Mr. Xia, I have a personal request."
"Please, Vice Principal. I'll help if I can."
"It's about Xiao."
"The Great Conqueror of Demons?"
"Yes. He has defended Guili Plains for centuries, destroying countless evils, and has accumulated significant karmic debt. He's nearing his limit. I was hoping to ask—do you perhaps have a solution?"
"Karmic debt, huh…"
Xia Zhi stroked his chin in thought.
"That kind of minor ailment? I can treat it."
Minor ailment…
Zhongli fell briefly silent.
Alright then, Principal. You win.
Showing off before mortals was one thing—but showing off before gods?
That hit different.
Xia Zhi stood up solemnly. "Have him come inside."
Zhongli nodded. "Very well."
Xia Zhi stepped into the back room.
Zhongli turned around and started to call out, "Xiao, you—"
But before he could finish, Hu Tao cut in with a scolding look.
"Zhongli! How could you call the Great Conqueror of Demons by name like that? That's disrespectful to an Adeptus! You should say 'Lord Xiao'!"
Zhongli fell silent again.
Alright then, Director. You win too…
He cleared his throat and corrected himself. "Lord Xiao, Mr. Xia is asking for you. Please go in."
Xiao felt a mysterious chill run down his spine. He put down his teacup and rose without changing expression. "Alright."
"Go on, then."
---
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