Ningguang found Mu Yang's words quite amusing.
Forget the fact that he was someone who could spend two million Mora on gift boxes.
To Ningguang, Mora was what she loved most.
Yet here was Mu Yang, openly declaring in front of her that he had no interest in Mora—and even offering this money-making opportunity to others for free.
Though this bit of profit meant little to Ningguang, the principle stood: as long as there was Mora to be made, she didn't care how much. The key was that it could be made.
"A fortune is already good, but what's wrong with earning one more Mora?"
Still, this wasn't the first time Mu Yang had done something like this. Last time he hosted an event, he had also paid out of his own pocket.
One could only say that the mindset of an Adeptus was truly a bit hard for ordinary people to follow.
This only made Ningguang even more interested in Mu Yang.
"So, you mean to offer it as a prize for the competition?"
Mu Yang explained that this was just an ordinary snack. If Xiangling and the others tried to recreate it, it wouldn't be difficult. His real intention was to spread it quickly through the reputation of the "Chef King."
Rather than monopolizing it for Mora, he'd prefer it if everyone could happily enjoy mooncakes during future Lantern Rites.
Ningguang's expression softened slightly.
Hearing such words, Mu Yang was indeed the most humane Adeptus she had ever met.
This was something she had already glimpsed from his earlier actions, like saving the fishermen.
"Understood. I'll arrange it." Ningguang glanced at the judges' list.
"Would Mu Yang be interested in serving as a judge?"
Mu Yang declined. "I have some ties with Xiangling. If I became a judge, people might gossip."
"Oh? So you have such high expectations for that little girl from Wanmin Restaurant?"
Since the regional selections were determined by audience votes, only the finals would be decided by both judges and the audience.
Thus, Mu Yang's words were practically an implicit acknowledgment that Xiangling would reach the finals.
Internally, Mu Yang scoffed: Not only will she reach the finals, she'll win.
But of course, he couldn't say that outright. Instead, he turned the question back on Ningguang.
"You've been funding Wanmin Restaurant for years. How much of that was an investment in Xiangling?"
Ningguang truly wondered where Mu Yang got all this information.
An Adeptus from Chenyu Vale, devoted to the way of the sword, yet so intimately familiar with the minute details of Liyue Harbor?
She really wanted to recruit him to work under her.
But that was just a passing thought.
She still knew too little about Mu Yang. It was better not to provoke him for now—there would be time later.
"That little girl practically wears her suspicions of me on her face," Ningguang chuckled.
"Still, she is indeed exceptionally talented. I wonder what expression she'll make when she inherits the family business and realizes it was me who's been funding her all along?"
Mu Yang didn't press further. The gifts had been delivered.
He took out two more boxes. "Please pass these on to the Yuheng and Captain Beidou."
Ningguang seemed slightly troubled. "The Yuheng is one thing, but Captain Beidou rarely comes here."
No sooner had she spoken than she was proven wrong.
Beidou knocked and entered, wearing an exaggerated look of surprise.
"Mu Yang?! What are you doing here? Long time no see—how've you been?"
Ningguang tilted her head. "If I hadn't said that, how much longer were you planning to stand outside?"
Beidou shrugged. "No idea what you're talking about. Were you badmouthing me again behind my back?"
Mu Yang watched their back-and-forth with amusement.
He had known Beidou was waiting outside, but since she hadn't come in, he could only ask Ningguang to pass the gift along.
It's not like he could just hand it to her on his way out.
Beidou unceremoniously plopped down beside Mu Yang.
"Mu Yang, when are you free? Let's grab a drink again!"
Across from them, Ningguang remarked, "Captain Beidou, so eager for a fourth straight loss?"
"Pfft, drinking and catching up isn't about winning or losing. Seems to me the Tianquan's the one still hung up on it."
Beidou turned to Mu Yang. "She hasn't been pestering you for chess games, has she?"
Mu Yang said she hadn't, though he wouldn't mind a casual match after the festival.
Then he stood to take his leave.
"I'll get going now. I won't interrupt your business discussions."
With that, he vanished.
"Wait—" Beidou's hand hung mid-air. "I still wanted to ask him something."
Ningguang picked up a mooncake and ate it elegantly.
"If you could learn to keep a bit of distance, perhaps he'd be willing to chat longer."
"Tch, as if you'd know."
Beidou reached for one, but Ningguang lightly swatted her hand away.
"That box over there is yours."
Beidou rolled her eyes. "Stingy."
But after taking a bite, she changed her tune.
Something this delicious was a limited treasure—no wonder Ningguang wasn't sharing.
After some casual chatter about Mu Yang and the mooncakes, they finally got to business.
"What did you need me for?"
Beidou answered, "Fishermen hauled up a giant boulder from the shallows. The thing's smooth and radiates some strange energy—probably something valuable inside."
"But I tried swords, blades, and even a Vision. The rock didn't budge."
"I've already had my crew move it to Yujing Terrace. Get someone to take a look."
Ningguang leaned back. "So that's what you wanted to ask Mu Yang about?"
"What else?" Beidou spread her hands.
Ningguang chuckled. "Hehehe..."
"Ugh, what's that scheming look for now...?"
———
After leaving Yujing Terrace, Mu Yang headed to the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
But he didn't find Xingqiu there.
Having never been to Chongyun's home either, he entrusted the mooncakes to the guild staff to pass on to Xingqiu and Chongyun.
"Chongyun... if Shenhe ever decides to visit his family..."
Mu Yang shook his head. "I'll cross that bridge when I get there."
Leaving the guild, he walked a while longer until he arrived at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"I'm here to see Director Hu and Consultant Zhongli."
The ferryman at the door informed him that Director Hu had left early in the morning, and Consultant Zhongli wasn't in either.
Neither of them? Luck wasn't on his side today.
"Coming, coming! Which esteemed client seeks this humble director~?"
Hu Tao's voice rang out.
"Oh! It's Mu Yang! Come in, come in, have a seat!"
Though her words were perfectly polite, Mu Yang couldn't help but feel something was off.
Hu Tao pulled Mu Yang inside and enthusiastically launched into an introduction—starting with the origins of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor...
Mu Yang sighed internally and quickly stopped her.
It's the Lantern Rite—don't treat me like a client!
Still, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor truly lived up to its 77 generations of legacy.
The place exuded solemnity and dignity.
Despite Hu Tao's usual playful, hyperactive demeanor, when it came to matters of funerals and death, she became utterly serious.
As she herself put it:
"Order governs the balance of life and death. Fate is fickle, yet death follows its own rules."
"No matter the time, place, or reason, one must never recklessly defy the concept of 'death.' Only by understanding and respecting it can one grasp the value of life."
Cutting short the history lesson, Mu Yang steered the conversation toward Hu Tao's beloved poetry and songs.
At this, Hu Tao brightened immediately.
Over mooncakes and tea, they chatted until the afternoon had slipped away.
Declining Hu Tao's invitation to stay for dinner, Mu Yang handed her the gift for Zhongli and bid farewell.
Watching Mu Yang leave, Hu Tao mused:
"Just looking at him, you'd never guess Mu Yang's such an interesting person."
"Compared to him, an actual Adeptus, our consultant seems more like the fossil!"