"Progress bar has reached 100%. Platinum Treasure Chest acquired."
The system's voice echoed in Xia Zhi's mind, and the progress bar hovering over Ganyu vanished.
He glanced at his inventory. Sure enough, a platinum-colored treasure chest had appeared.
This marked the second high-return investment he'd gained from helping those around him.
Although this method was far slower than producing items and reclaiming points, it had its own unique advantages—it was a win-win.
During the process, Miss Ganyu had experienced a significant breakthrough in strength, and he had gotten himself a treasure chest.
His efforts hadn't vanished into thin air—they would continue to reside with the one he helped.
And thanks to his kindness, he'd also gained a bit of affection from her.
Just like today—while he was giving Miss Ganyu a massage, the number of times she blushed was noticeably higher than usual.
Which meant... this might not just be a win-win situation anymore...
After finishing massages for everyone, Xia Zhi took a hot bath in the back by himself and found the whole thing rather pleasant.
When he stepped out of the bathhouse, everyone was still gathered, chatting about the sky lanterns that night.
"Vacation's over. The shop will reopen tomorrow, so make sure you all get some rest."
"Got it, boss!"
Xia Zhi nodded and headed upstairs to his room.
The [Calming Incense] was nearly spent, so he took out the [Blazing Incense Burner] and refined a fresh batch.
Then, he retrieved the newly acquired Platinum Treasure Chest and selected "open."
A golden arc appeared before him.
[Golden Circlet]
Quality: Platinum
Type: Accessory
Traits: Suppression, Devotion
Effect: Binds to a target, capable of suppressing any of their abilities, provided those abilities do not exceed the item's quality tier. The longer the item is worn, the more the target's affection for you naturally increases.
Hidden Effect: Grants immunity to all mental spells of tier three or below.
Xia Zhi held the golden arc up for inspection. It felt slightly cool to the touch.
Especially the [Devotion] trait—it was a rare feature related to affection values.
An effect that could make someone's affection for him rise automatically…
As for Xia Zhi, the item wasn't immediately useful, but it was certainly worth holding onto.
After all, he wasn't exactly hurting for point returns these days.
He stowed the [Golden Circlet] away, then brought out the three [Universal Bottles].
Each was filled with a black liquid, though their shades varied.
"Forbidden Knowledge, Abyssal Aura, Demonic God Remnant…"
He looked at them thoughtfully, then opened the bottle containing the [Abyssal Aura], drawing out a thread with his fingertip and examining it carefully.
"This stuff… feels oddly familiar…"
Brows furrowed, Xia Zhi accessed his [Ancient Wisdom] and searched his memory. It didn't take long to locate the source of that strange familiarity.
It was a unique dream he'd experienced last year.
The dream's protagonist had been the lowest-ranking Harbinger of the Fatui—Childe, Tartaglia.
When Xia Zhi had entered Tartaglia's dream, the scene before him had twisted and blurred, followed by a devouring darkness filled with unspeakable malice.
That sickening sensation… was nearly identical to what this Abyssal Aura now stirred in him.
He recalled that dream: a lightless void of bottomless shadows.
Could it be that what he saw in that dream was the Abyss itself? Had Tartaglia truly set foot in the Abyss?
Interesting.
The Fatui ran deeper than he'd imagined.
Even the lowest-ranking Harbinger had experienced something so strange and twisted.
It made Xia Zhi wonder about the others ranked above Childe—surely, each was just as formidable.
He placed the thing back into the [Universal Bottle], then remembered someone else from that same dream.
A mysterious swordswoman who had fought against Tartaglia.
She had a graceful figure—definitely female.
And their exchange hadn't looked like a battle so much as a lesson, with the swordswoman teaching Tartaglia how to fight.
"A memory replayed through a dream… That means Tartaglia must have really met her in the Abyss. She might've been his mentor…"
Even in such a dire, twisted environment, there were people capable of navigating it.
Whoever that woman was, her identity and strength had to be something exceptional.
Xia Zhi chuckled at the thought, then glanced out the window at the dark sky.
"It's late. I'll think more about it tomorrow."
---
That night, Ganyu was staying over at the shop, sharing a room with her junior, Shenhe.
It was already very late.
Ganyu sat on the bed, watching her junior apply nail polish, and grew increasingly anxious at her lack of movement.
After hesitating a moment, she finally asked, "Junior Sister?"
Shenhe looked up. "Senior?"
"Are you hungry?"
"Not really. Are you?"
"I think… a little. Why don't we have a midnight snack?"
Shenhe gave her a strange look. "Didn't you say eating late wasn't good for you?"
"With Mr. Xia here, we can just get a massage. It's fine."
"Then, I'll go get something for you from downstairs?"
"Thanks, Junior Sister!"
Shenhe nodded, still in her sleepwear, and quietly left the room.
As Ganyu listened to the footsteps fade down the corridor, she exhaled in relief.
But soon after, a powerful wave of curiosity took hold of her.
Did Junior Sister really go downstairs?
Or… like during the Lantern Rite, had she snuck into the room next door?
She eyed the closed door, hesitated, then sheepishly slid over on the bed.
The bed was pushed against the wall.
Ganyu pressed her ear to the wall and listened intently.
But she didn't hear anything strange.
Huh? Mr. Xia's already asleep?
Junior Sister didn't go?
She strained her ears for another ten seconds.
Still nothing.
Ganyu sat up, a little disappointed, pulling her ear away from the wall.
Then she blushed, covering her face with her hands.
No way! What was I just doing?!
Eavesdropping through the wall—how shameful!
She flopped onto the bed, face buried in her hands, whining softly.
What kind of Adeptus does something like this…?
Suddenly, the door opened.
Shenhe stood in the doorway, staring at her senior who was now rolling across the bed like a flustered child.
"…Senior?"
"Ah?"
Ganyu froze on the spot.
"What are you doing?"
"I… nothing… nothing at all…"
Face beet red, she looked up sheepishly, and found herself staring at her junior sister—who now looked even more radiant than before.
Just like last time, her hair was a little tousled, her clothes a little wrinkled, her cheeks glowing pink…
Shenhe closed the door and walked in slowly, pulling out a box of osmanthus cakes. "Here, Senior."
"Thanks, Junior Sister."
Ganyu reached out to take it.
Their fingers brushed.
Ganyu noticed how pale and clean Shenhe's nails were.
Wait—what about the nail polish she was applying earlier?!
Realizing something, she quickly averted her gaze.
Shenhe sat beside her, naturally smoothing out the blankets Ganyu had messed up earlier with all her squirming.
Ganyu sniffed.
That scent—Mr. Xia's unique scent—was unmistakably strong on Shenhe.
Alright, fine.
Even though she hadn't heard a thing through the wall, it was obvious Junior Sister had successfully snuck off for a snack.
Ganyu took a bite of the osmanthus cake.
It should've been sweet.
But for some reason, all she could taste was sour.
---
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