After returning from Mondstadt, Mu Yang holed up at home researching sparkling water.
After all, this was the theme of the upcoming event.
It was also set to be the main attraction for the second floor of [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] going forward.
The first and second floors had distinct vibes.
The first floor focused on storytelling and affordable hard liquor, a place for workers and sailors to unwind.
The second floor catered to younger crowds, offering wine, apple cider, sparkling water, milk tea…
To that end, Mu Yang was planning to invite a resident singer.
This rebellious singer should have already returned from Inazuma.
Today was the day for the renovation inspection.
Mu Yang arrived early.
The first floor, aside from the storytelling area, hadn't undergone major changes—his focus was on the second floor.
The renovation workers were extremely reliable, as expected from a job recommended by Lady Ningguang herself. They couldn't afford to be sloppy.
Mu Yang was very satisfied; everything was perfectly executed according to his plans.
Now, only one thing remained.
Mu Yang looked at the signboard above the entrance, which was blank.
This was a custom-made empty sign he had specially ordered.
He drew out [Withering Glory], and with a few strokes of sword qi, he elegantly inscribed the exclusive name for the second floor—
Muyu Snow City.
That's right, the second floor wasn't a place for selling hard liquor.
If a venue focused on non-alcoholic beverages was still called [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor], it wouldn't quite make sense.
If someone drank fake liquor and couldn't "cross the harbor," even Kaedehara Kazuha would shake his head.
This was why Mu Yang changed the name.
The name was crystal clear, instantly signaling to players who it was linked with.
The third floor didn't need a name. If it had to have one, it'd be "Manager's Recommendation." (Just kidding.)
The third floor was smaller, housing Mu Yang's office and a private room for special guests.
Though the third floor offered little—just tea and simple snacks—
the one brewing the tea and making the snacks was Mu Yang himself.
So, not just anyone was qualified to set foot on the third floor.
Mu Yang had the system retrieve the liquor, beverages, and other items from his inventory, arranging them neatly in their designated spots…
Everything was ready, and [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] could resume normal operations tonight.
But [Muyu Snow City] wasn't ready yet.
Because Lumine still had to go to Dragonspine in Mondstadt to witness Albedo's story.
And there was that tale of Amber and Eula soaking in icy water together at midnight…
So, Mu Yang scheduled the event for the second half of Version 2.3, seamlessly tying into Shenhe's storyline.
This way, Lumine wouldn't have to run back and forth—how exhausting would that be?
That's just how Mu Yang was. Lumine only needed to wait in Liyue to deal with Beisht, while Mu Yang had a lot more to consider.
If Lumine knew about Mu Yang's arrangements, even if she got blasted by Beisht's laser cannon, her heart would probably feel warm.
Lumine: ???
Mu Yang descended the stairs, newly installed to separate the operations of the first and second floors.
As for permits, paperwork, and other trivial matters, he didn't need to worry—Yae Miko would handle them for him.
Now, he was off to find that singer.
As Mu Yang reached the first floor, he spotted a short figure with pink hair and oversized glasses curiously inspecting the storefront.
Mu Yang was puzzled. Dori?
Then he remembered.
A few days ago at Heyu Tea House, that merchant looking for Zhongli had mentioned a short-statured vendor.
For Dori to show up in person, that batch of antiques must be something special.
Or perhaps, knowing Zhongli was in Liyue, she figured it'd be hard to pull a fast one and didn't want her subordinates to mess up.
Mu Yang approached and said, "If you're here for a drink, please come back tonight. We're starting operations this evening."
Dori spun around, startled by Mu Yang.
In broad daylight, how did this guy walk so silently?
Just like that girl from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She'd been to Liyue multiple times, but Dori still wasn't used to it.
She took a deep breath to calm herself and asked Mu Yang, "Are you the owner here?"
Mu Yang extended his hand, "I'm the new proprietor, Mu Yang."
Following Liyue's customs, Dori greeted him in their style and handed him a business card.
Mu Yang took the ornate little card, "Dori Sangemah Bay, Master of the Alkazarzaray Palace, the super merchant with everything…"
"I've heard of your name."
Dori spun her hand in the air three times before bowing, "Sumeru's most well-connected merchant, Lord Sangemah Bay—that's me."
Mu Yang pierced right through her defenses, "Last year, when the Vortex Demon God appeared at Guyun Stone Forest, three cargo ships were destroyed by the waves. That was you too, right?"
As expected, Dori froze.
If she hadn't been bowing, Mu Yang might have seen her mouth twitching.
Wasn't this just rubbing salt in the wound?
The mention of that incident made Dori furious.
Three ships, packed to the brim with all sorts of toys and practical gadgets.
Those were things she'd painstakingly swindled from Tighnari!
With Tighnari's temperament, Dori had faced countless rejections. Was it easy for her?
Sure, the ships were loaded with knockoffs she had commissioned, while Tighnari's originals remained in her possession.
But those knockoffs still cost money to develop and produce.
Which part of the process didn't require shiny Mora as backing?
And then, a single flood destroyed her dreams…
The most infuriating part was Lady Ningguang and the Fatui.
After the ships sank, Dori went to demand an explanation.
She considered herself quick-witted, but when facing Ningguang, she didn't gain any ground.
Ningguang pushed all the blame onto the Fatui, telling her to seek compensation from them.
Both sides played hot potato, and Dori, exasperated, didn't want to linger in Liyue. In the end, she swallowed the bitter loss.
She could only blame her bad luck—shipping to Liyue without, as they say, picking an auspicious day to set sail…
It had been a year, and Dori had nearly forgotten about it, but Mu Yang brought it up today.
She looked up, forcing a merchant's friendly smile, "That's right, that was me too."
Mu Yang said, "Lord Sangemah Bay's name is renowned. I only heard it once and remembered it."
Dori inwardly grumbled, Well, thanks a lot for that.
Mu Yang steered the conversation back to the original topic, asking what Dori wanted. Was she here to drink?
Returning to business, Dori temporarily set aside the frustration of losing three ships.
After all, earning Mora was the top priority.
It turned out Dori had noticed the major renovations at this grand tavern and gathered some intel that it was undergoing a big overhaul.
She came to pitch her wares.
"Antiques to decorate the shop, rare gems, exquisite tableware—we've got it all. Why not try some exotic flair for a change?"
To her enthusiastic sales pitch, Mu Yang flatly refused.
He didn't need those things, and the reason was simple.
Everything in the shop was handpicked by Mu Yang and Zhongli, with one word in mind: refinement!
When he heard Mu Yang was renovating the storytelling area with no expense spared,
Zhongli volunteered to help, even setting aside his work as a guest consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for two days.
Mu Yang told Dori, "Ordinary items won't do. I'm more interested in Lady Alice's gadgets."
Lady Alice, Klee's mother, Teyvat's great adventurer, a witch…
Dori called her the best supplier, bar none.
Hearing Mu Yang's words, Dori's gaze toward him shifted.
The ship incident could be uncovered with some digging through the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
But Lady Alice? She hadn't broadcasted that connection.
This young shop owner had some depth.
Still, since he brought it up, Dori wasn't about to miss a chance to make Mora.
After all, the profits from selling these magical gadgets had to be split with her most important partner.
With Lady Alice traveling the world, how could she do so without money?
Dori followed Mu Yang to the second floor and began pitching Lady Alice's magical gadgets.
Mu Yang picked out a few interesting ones to give to friends.
He didn't find anything that caught his own eye.
Seeing Mu Yang's lavish spending, Dori was in high spirits.
She promised that going forward, Mu Yang would get first pick of Lady Alice's gadgets.
As a great merchant, Dori didn't forget the principle of reciprocity.
Since Mu Yang bought so much from her, it wouldn't do if she didn't patronize [Muyu Snow City].
No matter how frugal Dori was, she knew how to keep up appearances.
After all, Mu Yang was a potential long-term client.
In the end, Dori walked away with several crates of Mu Yang's newly developed sparkling water.
Both parties were very satisfied with their first transaction.