Chapter 145

Given Ganyu's incredibly strong luck at mahjong, Xia Zhi had to change the rules to "Battle to the Death".

Under these rules, when the first person wins a hand, the game doesn't end immediately. If there are still tiles left on the table, the others must continue playing until all tiles are drawn or only one person hasn't won.

This way, even if Ganyu always wins first, the others still have a chance to make big hands and beat her.

After changing the rules, the gaming experience for the three immediately improved.

"How about we play with some chips?"

"Chips?"

"Yes, not for money, just for fun. Everyone starts with 100 chips. Losers give winners chips according to the hand's value. We settle when one person runs out of chips. The person with the most chips can ask the one who lost everything to do one thing - nothing unreasonable, of course. For example, if I lose everything, you can ask me to cook any dish for you in the evening."

"!!!"

The three girls' expressions suddenly became serious, as if a competitive spirit had risen within them.

"Boss (Mr. Xia)! Let's play!"

Xia Zhi nodded.

Time passed with the sound of mahjong tiles. Soon it was time to make dinner.

Unsurprisingly, Miss Ganyu was the big winner, while Xia Zhi lost everything three times.

Ganyu looked at Xia Zhi, her expression expectant: "Mr. Xia, can I make my requests now?"

"Of course."

"I'd like mapo tofu for dinner tonight, and for tomorrow's breakfast, I'd like the eight-treasure porridge and scallion pancakes from last time."

"No problem. Mapo tofu, eight-treasure porridge, scallion pancakes. Right, three requests."

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

"It's fine, I'll honor the bet."

Xia Zhi smiled and stood up, preparing to go to the kitchen to cook.

However, before that, he needed to use his cooled-down [Skill Steal].

Ganyu... or Shenhe...

Xia Zhi pondered for a while, and finally chose Ganyu.

After all, Shenhe was his employee, by his side every day. He could use the skill on her anytime.

"[Skill Steal] successful, learned skill [Administrative Master] from target."

"[Administrative Master]: Ability to efficiently handle large amounts of various administrative documents."

Great, now he had the talent to govern... Well, actually it was a rather useless skill.

Its only use was probably giving him another master title.

The next morning, after eating the long-awaited eight-treasure porridge and scallion pancakes, Ganyu said goodbye and returned to Yuehai Pavilion.

She didn't have the luxury of weekends off. As the Qixing's General Secretary, various matters were submitted to her desk every day.

Although she had finished all her work before leaving two days ago, she had taken yesterday off, so her desk was surely piled with documents again.

She'd probably have to work overtime tonight.

Xia Zhi, Zhu Zi, and Shenhe went out to Wanmin Restaurant, intending to see Xiangling off.

Upon arriving at Wanmin Restaurant, Xia Zhi learned from Chef Mao that Xiangling had already left with Guoba before dawn, traveling with a large merchant caravan headed to Mondstadt.

As expected of a girl with a Pyro Vision, her personality was fiery and decisive.

The three chatted briefly with Chef Mao, then left.

"Boss, is Liyue far from Mondstadt?"

"Quite far. Since you can't cross Dragonspine, you have to take a big detour."

"A big detour?"

"Go through Dihua Marsh to Wangshu Inn, then through Qingce Village, cross Stone Gate, and you'll reach Windrise in Mondstadt. Past Windrise, you can see Mondstadt City."

"It sounds so far!"

"Yes, but fortunately there's a trade route. Usually, merchant caravans traveling at normal speed can get there in seven or eight days. But if they encounter bad weather, it'll take longer."

"Boss knows so much! Have you been to Mondstadt before?"

"I haven't been there. Others told me these things. Does Zhu Zi want to go to Mondstadt?"

"A little. I read in a book before that Mondstadt has a beautiful sea of dandelions."

"I'm not sure about that. Perhaps there is such a scenic spot there. But traveling alone is very dangerous, especially for a girl like you who doesn't know martial arts. Be careful of monsters and bandits."

"Uu~"

"Perhaps you could ask Shenhe to teach you some spear techniques for self-defense."

Hearing this, Shenhe looked at Zhu Zi and said softly: "Zhu Zi is too old, practicing spear would be very hard."

Zhu Zi's face immediately turned red: "I'm not old at all! I'm only eighteen!"

Shenhe said seriously: "You're much older than Yaoyao. Yaoyao's age is the best for learning spear techniques. I also started learning from Master at her age."

"Uu~"

Zhu Zi was struck hard, letting out another cute whimper.

Shenhe thought for a moment and added: "Mainly, your body has already matured. Learning spear techniques isn't just about learning moves, it's also about tempering the body. Only when your physical condition improves can you unleash the power of spear techniques."

Zhu Zi responded weakly: "Oh."

What can I do? I don't have an adeptus master teaching me since childhood!

Xia Zhi smiled and comforted her: "It's okay. Maybe someday you'll receive a god's gaze and get a Vision. Then you can easily manipulate elemental power without having to work hard at spear techniques."

"Inazuma is too far from here, the Raiden Shogun can't see me. Rex Lapis has passed away, he can't see me either."

"..."

Xia Zhi actually wanted to say that the customer who likes to keep accounts that you serve every day is the Rex Lapis you're talking about.

"It's okay, you can go to Mondstadt to find the Anemo Archon."

"Uu~ Without martial arts, I can't go~"

"Go with a group. Ask Young Master Xingqiu, join a Feiyun Commerce Guild caravan."

Zhu Zi was stunned, feeling this method might indeed work. But thinking that after leaving she wouldn't be able to eat the boss's cooking or drink rainbow juice anymore, she felt that a Vision didn't seem so attractive after all.

"What about you, Boss? Do you want to go to Mondstadt?"

"Me? ... I'd like to go too."

"Then we can go together!"

"Indeed we can."

Xia Zhi looked at Shenhe.

"Has Shenhe been to Mondstadt?"

"No."

"Do you want to go?"

"I'm fine either way... If Boss wants to go, I can accompany you, protect you."

"Mm, thank you."

Xia Zhi thought for a moment, then said with a smile.

"It's already late autumn now, not a good time for travel. When spring comes next year, we could take a trip to Mondstadt."

"Really?"

"Yes, consider it a shop benefit activity. We'll organize a trip, and all expenses on the way will be covered by the shop."

"Wow! Long live the boss!"

"Speaking of group activities, since we have a day off with nothing to do, why don't we go to Heyu Tea House?"

"Boss, the tea there isn't good! It's not the celestial tea from Jueyun Karst!"

"We're not going for tea, just to watch opera. Though I think their rule is you have to order tea to keep sitting."

"Then we can order the cheapest pot of tea!"

"Mm."

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