"A place where people can relax?"
Zhongli studied the nightclub in the distance, genuine interest flickering in his eyes.
The Boss's rewards had never disappointed anyone.
If possible...
He'd like to build something similar in Liyue.
After all, there weren't many forms of entertainment there.
Other than drinking tea...
Watching opera...
Or listening to storytellers...
There was little else.
Perhaps a place like this could bring some new enjoyment to the people of Liyue.
"Old man..."
Venti's eyes lit up as he noticed Zhongli's interest.
"How about we check it out tonight?"
"My treat."
"You pay."
Zhongli: "..."
The man who had spent centuries treating other people as his wallet...
Never imagined that one day...
Someone else would treat him as theirs.
Still...
He didn't mind.
It was only the cost of a few drinks.
He could easily afford that.
Besides...
He could always invite Childe along.
"I wonder how he's doing now."
Zhongli thought to himself.
"I already warned him."
"He should be fine."
If only he knew...
That after he'd left...
Childe had finished the entire pot of tea.
Who knew what expression Zhongli would have worn then?
"Very well."
"We'll go tonight."
"But first..."
"Let's visit Boss Han and read some manga."
Zhongli nodded.
"As expected of you, old man!"
Venti beamed.
He hadn't had a proper drink in ages.
Tonight...
He was going to drink his fill.
And best of all—
He wouldn't be paying.
Perfect!
The two chatted as they walked.
Not long afterward...
They arrived at the Solace Book House.
"So..."
"This is what the headquarters of the manga shop looks like."
Looking at the grand two-story building before him...
Zhongli couldn't help sounding surprised.
It was completely different from the tiny shop tucked away in a Liyue alley.
Compared to this...
The branch store looked rather modest.
"Ehe."
"This is the headquarters after all."
"It ought to be a little different."
Venti smiled proudly.
Having such a miraculous manga shop located in Mondstadt...
Made him feel rather pleased.
"Come."
"Let's go inside."
After taking one last look...
The two entered the shop.
"Morning, Boss Han!"
Venti greeted him with his usual cheerful grin.
"So?"
Han Feng smiled.
"How did it go today?"
"Did you manage to emotionally devastate the audience?"
"Very effective!"
Venti gave him a thumbs-up.
"I should definitely tell more stories like that in the future."
The atmosphere had been far better than when he'd narrated things like Yu-Gi-Oh!
Sure enough...
Only tragic stories truly stirred people's emotions.
He couldn't wait for next time.
"I'm afraid you'll have to."
Han Feng shook his head.
"The shop only has one tragedy for now."
"You'll have to wait until more are added."
"No problem."
Venti waved dismissively.
"I'll read the one the old man picked yesterday."
"Ultraman Tiga."
He was still interested in trying to obtain that giant stone statue.
"Old man."
"I'm off to read."
Venti waved before heading toward the bookshelves.
After he left...
Han Feng looked toward Zhongli with a smile.
"So..."
"What made you ask Ningguang and the others for help?"
"Did you really bankrupt the Northland Bank?"
"Not exactly."
Zhongli calmly explained what had happened at Liuli Pavilion yesterday.
Just remembering Childe's series of questionable decisions...
Left him feeling rather helpless.
It had certainly broadened his horizons.
"So that's what he bought the Forget-Worry Gu for."
Han Feng's expression became rather strange.
Childe really was something else.
If his plan had succeeded...
It might have been impressive.
Instead...
Zhongli turned the tables.
And Childe ended up falling victim to his own scheme.
Han Feng wondered...
Did that guy even remember the manga shop anymore?
"Boss."
Zhongli asked curiously.
"What exactly was that item that erased memories?"
"It's called the Forget-Worry Gu."
"It comes from Chinese Paladin (The Legend of Sword and Fairy)."
"But Childe bought it from someone else."
Han Feng explained.
"Chinese Paladin..."
Zhongli quietly repeated the title several times.
He rather liked it.
It possessed a distinctly Liyue flavor.
After placing a bag of Mora on the counter...
He was about to choose it.
Then...
His gaze landed on another manga.
"This cover..."
"Seems rather interesting."
He picked up Ready Player One and looked back at Han Feng.
"Boss Han."
"What's this one about?"
"A harsh reality."
Han Feng answered succinctly.
"And people seeking happiness inside a virtual world."
"A virtual world..."
Zhongli's interest deepened.
After thanking Han Feng...
He took the manga and walked toward the reading area.
Han Feng watched him leave with a smile.
"So..."
"Looks like Zhongli is about to become the second lucky visitor."
Exploring a virtual world...
Retirement truly suited the old Geo Archon.
Liyue
Outside the Solace Book House...
Two beautiful women appeared in the narrow alley.
One was the manga shop's regular customer...
Ganyu.
Standing beside her...
Was a graceful white-haired woman whose temperament was as ethereal as an immortal's.
Shenhe.
The very person Ganyu and Cloud Retainer had gone to find earlier.
"Ganyu..."
Shenhe asked softly, "Is that manga shop really as miraculous as you described?"
Although there was curiosity in her voice...
Her expression remained almost completely emotionless.
Ever since becoming Cloud Retainer's disciple...
She had spent most of her life cultivating in the mountains.
Aside from the adepti...
The only companions she regularly encountered were birds and beasts.
She rarely visited Liyue Harbor.
Yet yesterday...
Cloud Retainer and Ganyu had suddenly sought her out.
They'd told her that a miraculous manga shop had appeared in Liyue Harbor.
That simply by reading manga...
One could obtain incredible rewards.
They wanted her to come and see it for herself.
Shenhe naturally had no intention of refusing her master's request.
So today...
She had accompanied Ganyu here.
As for Cloud Retainer...
She had been delayed by other matters and had gone elsewhere for the time being.
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