Chapter 142

After dinner, the four went out for a walk together.

Compared to before, Ganyu now smiled much more often and actively shared interesting stories about various corners of the city.

Unlike unreliable street tales, Ganyu's stories were undoubtedly more authentic, as she had watched this city being built. Many of these stories had even happened under her witness.

The origin of Chihu Rock's name, how many merchant ships had once docked at the harbor at most, and how spectacular that scene was...

Xia Zhi and Zhu Zi listened with great interest.

Shenhe was listening too, though her blank expression made it impossible to tell if she found these things interesting.

After returning from their walk, Zhu Zi went to boil water in the kitchen as usual.

Ganyu looked at Xia Zhi and said softly, "Mr. Xia, I've been tired from work these past few days. I'd like to request another massage, if possible?"

"Of course. Same areas as last time?"

"Mm!"

"I understand. Miss Ganyu can go take a bath first, I'll prepare the incense."

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Xia!"

Xia Zhi smiled and waved it off, indicating it was no trouble and he was happy to help.

About half an hour later, Ganyu returned from her bath and entered the small back hall, again smelling that reassuring incense.

She couldn't help but take a gentle breath.

"Miss Ganyu, please lie down here."

"Alright."

Ganyu, familiar with the routine, took off her shoes and lay on the small bed, closing her eyes. Her damp hair clung with water droplets, her slightly flushed cheeks like delicate flower petals, her eyelashes trembling slightly, giving off an adorable air of vulnerability.

In the kitchen, Zhu Zi heard faint strange sounds coming from the hall. Her face reddened, and she pursed her lips, her expression indescribable.

These days, the boss had been busy cooking and hadn't had time to massage her legs.

She rather missed that pleasant, relaxing feeling.

Today was August 24th, almost the end of the month.

Once this month's salary was paid, she'd first buy a gift for the boss, then buy some Liyue specialties to send home through Komore Teahouse, then buy some things she wanted for herself. If there was money left over, she'd ask the boss for a massage like Miss Ganyu...

As she thought about it, Zhu Zi's cheeks grew even redder.

At night, Xia Zhi went to bed and entered the dream world.

As usual, he randomly chose a dream bubble and reached out to touch it.

A strange attractive force came over him, and the scene before Xia Zhi's eyes blurred before he appeared in a stranger's dream.

Teahouse, stage.

Xia Zhi felt the scene before him was familiar.

This seemed to be Heyu Tea House.

But now the teahouse was empty, with only a delicate figure in gorgeous opera costume singing on stage.

Yun Jin?

Xia Zhi was stunned, feeling surprised.

He had just randomly chosen a dream, yet he happened to enter Miss Yun Jin's dream?

And now he could clearly see a silver progress bar hanging on Yun Jin on stage.

Could he progress the bar through interactions in dreams too?

Xia Zhi thought for a moment, chose an empty table to sit at, and quietly appreciated Miss Yun Jin's opera.

"...Mortal fate hazy, immortal fate surging, family scattered, crimson palace beckons..."

This opera was very pleasant to hear. Xia Zhi hadn't heard it before, which was normal since he hadn't been to Heyu Tea House to hear Miss Yun Jin sing many times.

If it were the previous Xia Zhi, he might not have understood much, only feeling the tune was nice and the person beautiful.

But now Xia Zhi had the [Art Appreciation] skill, giving him high appreciation ability for artistic works. He could not only understand the brilliance of the story told in the opera, but also comprehend the subtleties of the lyrics and melody, and appreciate the grace of Yun Jin's movements.

Moreover, he could hear that Miss Yun Jin's singing was still a bit raw at certain lyrical transitions, and her emotional investment wasn't quite enough...

Xia Zhi had a sudden realization.

So Miss Yun Jin was practicing a new opera recently?

What one thinks about during the day, one dreams about at night.

Probably because she was so absorbed in working on the new opera during the day, she continued to dream about practicing it at night.

And because it was practice for a new opera, her performance wasn't perfect.

Her subconscious didn't want others to hear this imperfect work, so only she was in this teahouse now.

Beautiful, from a good family, talented, and with such a hardworking quality - no wonder she could become a big star.

"...Karma and mortal dust, fading away."

The opera ended here.

Yun Jin took a breath, about to sing again when she suddenly glimpsed a customer sitting below the stage.

Eh? Wasn't there no one just now? When did this customer arrive?

Yun Jin was stunned, feeling this customer looked somewhat familiar, but since Xia Zhi wasn't wearing his black glasses now, she couldn't recognize him. She didn't think much of it though.

People in dreams easily accept all kinds of illogical things and continue dreaming, only realizing they were dreaming just before waking up. But by then, they've usually forgotten the details of the dream.

Yun Jin looked at Xia Zhi sitting below the stage smiling at her, thought for a moment, then walked over to him.

If there had been no audience it would have been fine, but now that a customer had appeared and heard her sing, she should go greet him regardless.

"Hello."

"Hello, Miss Yun."

"What did you think of the opera just now?"

"The opera itself is of excellent quality, but Miss Yun's singing was a bit raw, seeming to need some more work..."

"Yes, there are some parts I still haven't mastered. I didn't expect you to hear that!"

"For example, in the line 'Mortal fate hazy, immortal fate surging', I think using a descending tone with recitative at the end would be better..."

"Let me think... That makes a lot of sense... I didn't expect you to have such a deep understanding of opera!"

"You flatter me, Miss Yun. I just happen to know a little bit."

"Do you think there are any other issues? If possible, I'd like to discuss it in detail with you!"

Xia Zhi glanced at the progress bar on Miss Yun Jin, which was increasing due to their interaction, and nodded with a smile.

"Of course, no problem."

The next morning, Xia Zhi woke from his dream and opened his inventory to see a silver treasure chest lying quietly inside.

This was what he had obtained from Miss Yun Jin last night.

He had thought he would only be able to get this silver chest when he had a chance in the future, but unexpectedly he had good luck entering Miss Yun Jin's dream last night. Their pleasant conversation had directly filled her progress bar.

"Good luck... good luck..."

Xia Zhi murmured softly to himself, thinking of the [Auspiciousness] skill he had obtained from Ganyu.

It was too coincidental.

He had just gotten this skill yesterday afternoon, and last night he happened to enter Miss Yun Jin's dream.

"It seems... I should give Miss Ganyu an extra dish for breakfast... She seemed to really like the [Shark Fin Mushroom] last time, so I'll buy another one..."

Come to think of it, Miss Ganyu had always eaten vegetarian food, yet her figure was so good. If not for the massages, he really wouldn't have known.

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