Chapter 213
Nighttime.
Once again, the three of them were traveling through the dream world together.
However, Ganyu couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
For example, there were times when Shenhe and Xia Zhi would exchange glances and smile, their eyes full of an unspoken understanding. But Ganyu, standing beside them, had no idea what they were smiling about.
She felt oddly excluded, as if she didn't belong there.
---
The next morning.
Since Ganyu was around, Shenhe didn't go to Xia Zhi's room to eat fruit candy today.
But her hair still needed to be tied.
It seemed the boss had a fondness for single ponytails.
Shenhe sat on the edge of the bed, slowly combing her hair while holding the red hairband in her mouth.
Ganyu watched her, her gaze once again drawn to Shenhe's alluring pink nails.
"Junior Sister."
"Mm?"
"Where did you get that nail polish?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It looks nice. I'd like to try it too."
"...It wasn't bought. The boss gave it to me."
"Mr. Xia?"
"Mm. If you want it, Senior Sister, I can ask the boss for you."
"No, no, it's fine! I was just saying. It does look nice, but I'm always stuck in the office working overtime, so hardly anyone would see it anyway."
"Oh."
"It's a bit cold today. Better wear an extra jacket."
"Deep autumn now."
"There's been so much rain these past two months."
"Yes."
"By the way, Junior Sister, when did Miss Ningguang start getting massages?"
"Just a couple of days ago."
"Every day?"
"Every day."
Every day?! Ningguang is really addicted! Ganyu fell silent.
Shenhe tied her single ponytail with the hairband and went downstairs with her Senior Sister to wash up.
---
After a while, Xia Zhi came down from upstairs.
Shenhe turned her head to greet him, her eyes unintentionally softening.
After a delicious breakfast, Ganyu returned to Yuehai Pavilion to work.
The shop was closed for the day, so everyone relaxed in their own way.
Diona was reading a novel with a dictionary in hand, Qiqi was writing in her notebook, Chi Yu was snacking, Shenhe was staring at Xia Zhi, and Zhu Zi was sitting in a corner with her head down, holding a pen and writing something.
Curious, Chi Yu leaned over and noticed that the paper was filled with Inazuman script.
As a Liyue local, Chi Yu couldn't understand much of it.
"Zhu Zi, what are you writing?"
"Nothing!"
"Is it a letter to send back home?"
"No, no… I'm just writing something randomly!"
"You're blushing. That's suspicious!"
"I'm not! It's just normal writing!"
"Then tell me what it is."
Blushing, Zhu Zi leaned in and whispered in Chi Yu's ear.
"I… I'm actually writing a novel…"
"A novel?"
"Not a real one, just trying it out."
"What kind of novel?"
"A light novel."
"Light novel?"
"It's a popular style in Inazuma—stories with a lighthearted tone. I've read quite a few and really like them, so I wanted to try writing one."
"What's the genre?"
"Uh…"
"Come on, tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Then get closer."
Chi Yu leaned in.
Zhu Zi whispered, "Living in Liyue, Just Wanting to Cook in Peace."
"A cooking story?"
"Yes."
"You're not writing about the boss, are you?"
"The boss is the inspiration. Don't tell anyone."
"Don't worry! But can you write it in Liyuean? I'd like to read it."
"My Liyuean isn't very good yet. Once I finish, I can slowly translate it."
"Maybe your book could get published by a Liyuean publisher."
"Published... That's too far-fetched. I'm just writing for fun; my writing isn't very good."
"You could ask the boss for advice. He could help you improve."
"No, I can't. If the boss finds out I'm writing about him, he might get mad."
"Don't worry. The boss isn't the type to care about things like that."
"Still, no. My writing is terrible. It's so embarrassing."
"What's there to be embarrassed about? With guidance, you can fix your mistakes and improve your writing..."
"Ugh..."
The two girls continued whispering.
---
Xia Zhi, a bit curious, wondered what they were discussing. Zhu Zi kept glancing at him with a flushed face, making him even more curious.
He decided to use his omniscient perspective to peek at what Zhu Zi was writing.
Although it was written in Inazuman, Xia Zhi's [Teyvat Language Mastery] (automatically mastering all languages of Teyvat) allowed him to read it effortlessly.
---
"The Cooking King Contest had been underway for a long time before Master Xia finally made his move. Holding a dragon-patterned chef's knife, he moved as gracefully as a dragon. His movements were so fast that the surrounding spectators could only see afterimages, letting out gasps of astonishment.
"At that moment, Master Xia, standing on the outermost edge of the competition field, had become the center of everyone's attention. A powerful and unmatched aura radiated from him, dazzling everyone.
"The spectators were still entranced when Master Xia finished his final cut. Every ingredient had been sliced as thin as cicada wings, translucent under the light. Master Xia raised his knife and struck it into the cutting board, the blade quivering slightly. The noon sunlight gleamed on the knife's dragon pattern, and for a moment, it seemed as if a dragon's roar echoed faintly from within, leaving the audience utterly spellbound.
"After a long pause, a spectator finally murmured in awe, 'Master Xia's Dragon Blade Technique truly lives up to its name...'"
---
That was all Zhu Zi had written on that page.
After reading it, Xia Zhi fell silent.
There was no doubt that the "Master Xia" in Zhu Zi's story was himself. But what was this "Dragon Blade Technique"?
While his [Eternal Spirit Knife] did have a domineering dragon pattern, he didn't recall ever doing anything so flashy while cooking.
Xia Zhi felt his toes curling with second-hand embarrassment.
Still, considering Zhu Zi had never written a novel before or received any training, her ability to write this kind of amateur work was quite impressive.
It was likely due to the many light novels Zhu Zi had read in the past.
Once he accepted the premise and treated "Master Xia" as a completely fictional character, the story actually felt quite engaging.
Xia Zhi chuckled, shook his head, and took out a piece of jade to carve.
---
Out at sea.
The The Crux Fleet had returned.
Standing at the bow of the ship was a tall woman with a commanding presence.
She had long black hair with bangs covering her left eye, red pupils, and wore a qipao paired with high-heeled over-the-knee boots. Hanging from her was a Vision of the Electro element.
This was Beidou, Liyue's legendary captain of the sea.
Beidou could sense an unsettling feeling in the sea breeze.
Looking at the rolling waves, she muttered to herself, "I've already warned Ningguang. I hope she's prepared by now..."
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