Time crawled by as Fang Qiu gripped her quill tight, repeating the rhythmic motion of dipping ink and writing.
Before she knew it, night had fallen over Liyue Harbor.
A slightly cool breeze teased the undergarments and long skirt Fang Qiu had hung by the window, drifting gently onto her bare legs and causing her to subconsciously clamp them together.
"It's so cold."
Fang Qiu shivered, snapping out of her deep focus.
"I can't believe it's this late already."
She turned to look out the window; the sea surface outside reflected the lights of ten thousand homes.
She had been so engrossed in her writing that she hadn't noticed the hour at all.
Come to think of it, she didn't think she'd even had lunch yet...
Today was a good day.
Her manuscript fee of over four hundred thousand Mora had come in; she should take Hu Tao and Xiangling out for a meal.
The most expensive kind!
She could also go shopping with them and buy them some gifts to thank them for all their help.
Hu Tao and Xiangling would definitely be happy.
At the thought, a knowing smile rose to Fang Qiu's lips.
Gently setting her quill aside, she stood up and stretched. As her body extended, her vision went slightly dark, and she nearly lost her footing.
Her body was too weak; sitting for so long had made her somewhat anemic.
She had just gripped the chair back to sit down again when a knock sounded at the door.
"Fang Qiu, come out and play!"
A crisp voice rang out.
It was Hu Tao.
The moment Hu Tao's voice rang out, Xiangling's followed.
"Hu Tao, don't shout so loudly. It's not good to disturb the neighbors."
"Hehe, it's better to be a bit lively!"
Listening to the conversation between the two outside, the corners of Fang Qiu's mouth curled up slightly.
Once the dizziness passed, she stood up and began to put on her skirt.
"Hmm... why is there no answer? She couldn't have gone out to eat, could she?"
"Then what do we do? The plan... mph... Hu Tao, what are you doing?"
"Shh! Didn't I say we can't mention that out here?"
"I know, I know."
After hurriedly dressing, Fang Qiu walked to the door and opened it.
"Sorry, I was absorbed in my writing just now and didn't hear the knock."
Fang Qiu said, looking at Hu Tao and Xiangling standing outside.
"Eh? Fang Qiu, were you writing? Then didn't we disturb you?"
Xiangling's expression shifted slightly.
"I'm pretty much done. I actually just got my manuscript fee, so let's go out for a stroll and grab a bite to eat together."
Fang Qiu smiled and said.
"Oh, perfect timing! I heard some Mondstadters opened a dessert shop nearby recently. They specialize in Mondstadt sweets. Do you want to go try it?"
Hu Tao's eyes lit up as she asked.
"Mondstadt desserts? Sure."
Fang Qiu gave a faint smile.
"Then let's go."
Hu Tao smiled, reaching out to take Fang Qiu's hand.
"Wait a second, Hu Tao, don't rush. I haven't locked the door yet."
Fang Qiu paused, trying to pull her hand free from Hu Tao's grip. She realized that although she felt no pain, she couldn't break free at all.
Just as Hu Tao heard Fang Qiu and was about to let go, a click sounded from behind them.
"It's fine, I locked it for you."
Xiangling chuckled. "Your keys were hanging just inside the door, so I grabbed them for you."
"Thanks."
After taking the keys and slipping them into her pocket, Fang Qiu thanked her.
"Alright, let's hurry! Apparently, a lot of young people are going there to try it out. Business is booming, so if we're late, there won't be any seats left."
Hu Tao grinned. "Xiangling, keep up!"
That Mondstadt dessert shop was located next to a florist by the sea. Business was indeed as Hu Tao had described; many young people from Liyue had come to try it out, sitting at tables, enjoying the sea breeze and their sweets.
However, when Fang Qiu saw the desserts on the table of the nearest pair of girls, she couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
There, quietly resting on a Mondstadt-style ceramic plate, was a slice of cream cake!
Yes, actual cream cake!
And the craftsmanship was exquisite. From the gap where the girl had scooped out a piece with a silver spoon, she could see jam and fruit pieces between the layers.
Not only cream cake, but beside it sat two glasses of juice.
One blue, one purple.
Crushed ice floated on the surface, and crystal-clear condensation clung to the outside of the glasses.
A faint scent of fruit drifted through the air.
It looked exactly like the Western pastries and iced juice of her past life.
She hadn't expected to see these things in Teyvat.
Beyond her amazement, Fang Qiu felt a pang of hunger.
It wasn't that Fang Qiu preferred Western cakes, but rather that seeing something from the modern society of her past life was rare, and naturally, she wanted to taste it.
Secondly, she had eaten too much Lotus Cake recently and was getting a bit tired of it, so she wanted to try something new.
Thirdly... she hadn't eaten lunch yet...
It was dinner time now, so naturally, she was hungry.
"Fang Qiu, what flavor of cake do you like?"
Seeing there were still empty seats, Xiangling took Guoba to save a table, while Hu Tao pulled Fang Qiu inside the shop.
"The menu is here. What flavor do you want to try?"
"Welcome. What would you like to order?"
The shop assistant was a girl just over eighteen, dressed in standard Mondstadt attire.
Perhaps afraid that the people of Liyue wouldn't understand, the menu was very simple and direct, using photos of the different cakes to serve as the menu.
The variety of cakes and juices was quite rich.
But truth be told.
Even carrying the huge sum of four hundred thousand Mora, Fang Qiu thought it was expensive!
A single portion was fifty Mora!
In her past life, a small cake like this would cost twenty bucks at most!
Fang Qiu looked at the menu and finally chose an apple flavor.
"Then Xiangling and I will get different flavors so we can share."
Hu Tao said with a smile.
After ordering the cake, Fang Qiu also ordered a glass of orange juice.
It was a pity; they had juice, but no soda yet.
Orange soda was delicious.
Hu Tao chose two other kinds of juice.
Just as Hu Tao was reaching for her Mora to pay, Fang Qiu beat her to it.
"Hehe, since my dear Fang Qiu wants to treat us, I'll graciously accept."
Hu Tao said, beaming.
"Alright, let's go wait at the table outside. The server should bring it out to us when it's ready."
Fang Qiu gave a faint smile and said.
"Mhm."
Hu Tao nodded and followed Fang Qiu, and the two returned to the table Xiangling and Guoba had secured.
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