The evening of the 18th.
Xia Zhi was giving Ningguang a massage.
"Miss Ningguang hasn't been able to stop by these past couple of days. Seems you've been busy."
"Mm. Too much going on, I really couldn't find the time."
"Is everything going smoothly?"
"Smooth enough. But I'm still a little concerned about the Fatui."
"Oh?"
"This time, the Northland Bank got completely caught off guard by the Liyue Bank. With no Harbinger stationed here, their reaction was slow. But now that they've lost so many clients, I'm sure their people are scrambling behind the scenes."
"Miss Ningguang is worried they might resort to something... off the books?"
"Yes. The Fatui have always been ruthless in their methods. Without a Harbinger holding the reins, their subordinates might get reckless. If they lose their sense of limits, things could spiral. I've already tightened security and asked Yelan to assign more people to monitor them..."
"That still sounds like a reactive position."
"No need to worry, Mr. Xia. As long as the Northland Bank still wants to do business in Liyue, they won't dare go too far. At worst, they'll pull some nasty little stunts."
Xia Zhi nodded.
The battlefield of commerce was no less brutal than war. For someone like Ningguang to have risen to where she was now, she must have fought through countless commercial battles. If anyone could weather this storm, it was her.
"I do have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Please, go ahead."
Miss Ningguang didn't even ask what it was—she agreed without hesitation.
"It's not anything difficult. Just a matter concerning the Summer Shop."
"Oh?"
"You're aware of our travel plans, yes?"
"I am."
"My original plan was to close the shop while we're away, but I imagine the regulars would be disappointed. So..."
"So Mr. Xia is hoping I can help manage the shop during that time?"
"Mm. I don't know many people here, and only you and Master Xingqiu came to mind. If it's too much trouble—"
"What trouble? Leave it to me, Mr. Xia. I'll take good care of the Summer Shop."
"Then I'll be counting on you, Miss Ningguang."
"No need for thanks."
"Of course, I wouldn't ask you to do it for free. All the shop's profits during that time—"
"Please, with our relationship, there's no need for such formalities. I don't need the money. I'll just deposit everything into the Liyue Bank for you and manage your finances properly."
"That works too."
"Or, we could use it to set up another scholarship at the school?"
"I'd be fine with that."
"If business gets too good... can I expand the shop?"
"Go ahead."
Miss Ningguang, clearly pleased, started enthusiastically discussing plans for the store's future.
She genuinely seemed to care more about the little Summer Shop than the affairs of the Liyue Bank.
…
Once the massage was done, Ningguang sat up, wrapped herself in a large towel, and said with a soft smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Xia. I'll take good care of the house."
The house?
"Mm..."
"Oh right, Mr. Xia."
Miss Ningguang seemed to recall something.
"Hmm?"
"Liyue's proximity to the sea makes the first half of the year especially humid. If no one stays in the rooms for too long, they're liable to get moldy. If you don't mind, you should probably give me the key to the upstairs rooms as well. I can have someone keep them clean."
"Sure."
Xia Zhi watched as Miss Ningguang left, looking quite satisfied. Though her words sounded perfectly reasonable, something about them gave him pause.
She wouldn't... sneak into his bedroom while no one was home to sleep in his bed, would she?
No way, right?
Xia Zhi fell into quiet contemplation.
Just then, Miss Yelan walked over, also wrapped in a towel.
"Mr. Xia, sorry to trouble you again."
"It's no trouble. How's your body feeling these past couple of days?"
"Stronger and quicker in my responses. Though my body's still adjusting."
"Then let's skip the elixir tonight."
"It's fine. I've been training hard since I got back. I've more or less adapted."
"Good."
"Mr. Xia, that miraculous elixir of yours... it must be rare, right?"
"Not especially. I've got a bottle that produces a small batch every day."
"You're joking again."
"Haha. Don't overthink it, Miss Yelan. It's just an elixir. If I run out, I'll just make more."
Yelan fell silent, then sighed softly. "You're always so good to me, Mr. Xia..."
Xia Zhi grinned. "You going to tell me you owe me a huge favor too?"
"A huge favor? Too?"
"Miss Ganyu said the same thing."
"...Well, I do owe you a huge favor."
"Doesn't matter. We've got plenty of time ahead. You can repay me slowly. Once you become the next Tianshu, who knows—I might be the one clinging to your coattails."
Clinging to her... coattails?
Yelan's face flushed as some mental image flashed through her mind. Then she smiled. "True enough."
"I heard from Miss Ningguang you've been monitoring the Northland Bank these past couple of days?"
"Yes."
"Any movement from their side?"
"Not yet. But every day, more and more merchants line up to withdraw their funds and deposit them into the Liyue Bank instead. They can't possibly ignore such a massive loss of clientele—I'll keep watching."
Xia Zhi nodded, then added casually, "There might be a surprise over there tonight."
"A surprise?"
"I divined it earlier. Should be a good thing. No need for your people to get too worked up."
"...Understood. I'll let them know."
Yelan nodded thoughtfully.
After dinner, once Miss Ningguang and Miss Yelan had taken their leave, Xia Zhi sat in his chair and slowly sipped a cup of tea.
Then he said, "Cousin."
Xia Zhen looked up, puzzled. "Hm?"
"You free tonight?"
"Yup!"
"Come with me for a bit."
"Sure!"
Xia Ci's eyes widened. She pointed to herself. "Cousin! What about me?"
"You? You stay home and read."
"! Why?!"
"What do you mean why?"
"I want to go too!"
"You can't."
"I've got nothing else to do!"
"You still can't."
"Favoritism!"
"It's not favoritism. This task suits your cousin better. Be good."
"I won't be good!"
"I'll bring you next time."
"I don't want a next time!"
Xia Zhi sighed and pulled out a small bottle, shaking it lightly.
Xia Ci's eyes immediately zeroed in on the [Essence of Sun and Moon] inside.
"If you stay put and behave, I'll give this to you when I get back."
"I've always been well-behaved!"
Xia Ci instantly straightened up, wearing the most obedient expression she could manage.
"Cousin, Cousin—be careful out there. Come back soon!"
Xia Zhen was speechless.
This looked way too much like a parent bribing their child with candy.
Xia Zhi put away the bottle and stood. "Let's go, Cousin."
"Okay!"
"No need to worry, everyone. I'll be back in about an hour."
"Got it, Boss!"
Shenhe watched Xia Zhi leave, utterly unbothered.
After all, the boss was a god. As long as he didn't go around bullying others, he'd be fine in Liyue.
Her only concern was Xia Zhen.
The former Electro Archon.
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