Chapter 237

Around three in the afternoon, the furniture store delivered a few sets of new tables and chairs. 

"Excuse me, is this Mr. Xia?" 

"I am." 

"Hello, Mr. Xia! One of your employees just purchased several sets of tables and chairs from our store. We've brought them over. Please sign here." 

"Alright." 

Xia Zhi signed the receipt and had them move the tables and chairs into the hall of the adjacent store. 

Once the workers left, Xia Zhi examined their placement. It felt a little off to him, so he took it upon himself to rearrange them properly. 

Now it looked just right. 

Xia Zhi wandered around the new store. The place was spotless, likely thanks to Ningguang's prior arrangements. 

This shop also had a back room, including a kitchen. However, the iron pot on the stove was rusted, indicating that the previous owner rarely cooked meals here. 

For Xia Zhi, his own store's kitchen was already sufficient. This extra kitchen was unnecessary. 

But leaving it unused would be a waste… He decided he'd ask Lord Morax to help remodel it next time. 

Following his aesthetic principles, Xia Zhi reorganized the remaining furniture in the store to his satisfaction before returning to his own shop. 

Drinking tea alone was boring. 

He went upstairs to check on the bottle placed on the windowsill, which was absorbing essences. 

Inspired by a sudden flash of insight, Xia Zhi created a new batch of massage essential oil. 

At the same time, he fully charged the [Transformation Badge] with light, space, and geo elements, unlocking a new transformation ability: [Titan]. 

Back downstairs, he retrieved the [Phantom Mirror] and ran his fingers over the surface. 

"Where are they now?" 

The mirror immediately displayed an image of the girls strolling down the street, carrying bags of purchases and chatting happily. 

Everything was clear—except for the part showing the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, which appeared slightly blurred. 

This was due to his cousin's overwhelming rank and power, interfering with the foresight results. 

"They're already heading back. They'll be here soon." 

Xia Zhi glanced at Shenhe for a moment before another thought struck him. He turned to the mirror again. 

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the most charming man in Liyue?" 

The mirror promptly reflected his own image. 

A trustworthy little mirror—I appreciate that. 

He decided he would prioritize evolving it in the future. 

Admiring himself for a bit, he put the mirror away and took a sip of tea. 

Before he could finish his drink, the girls returned. 

"Boss!" 

"You're back." 

"Yep! Have the tables and chairs arrived?" 

"They have. Over there." 

"I'll go check! …They're a bit dusty. I'll wipe them down later!" 

"No rush. The shop is closed tomorrow anyway. Plenty of time." 

"Boss, we bought you a pair of shoes!" 

"Did you?" 

"Try them on and see if they fit! If they're uncomfortable, we can exchange them." 

"…They're nice. This style doesn't seem like Liyue fashion?" 

"They're from Sumeru!" 

"Ah, that explains it…" 

"It was Lady Xia Ci's idea! She also got you some clothes—Sumeru style as well!" 

"I see." 

Xia Zhi looked at the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, who was smiling mischievously. 

"Thanks, cousin." 

"No need to be so polite, cousin! Try them on!" 

"…Alright." 

Xia Zhi tried on the clothes. The fit was perfect. 

After all, with Shenhe around, she was well aware of his measurements. 

However, the outfit's colors were a bit too vibrant—completely clashing with his low-key and steady persona. 

If he remembered correctly, this was likely a ceremonial outfit from Sumeru's Sabzeruz Festival. 

"You look great in it, cousin!" 

"…Is that so." 

Silently, Xia Zhi took off the outfit. 

"But there are a few more sets, cousin!" 

"Let's leave them aside for now. I need to make some instant noodles in the kitchen—I promised Miss Ganyu. Zhu Zi, come help me with the fire." 

"Oh!" 

Watching Xia Zhi walk away, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's eyes flickered with a trace of regret before returning to normal. 

Yet, this fleeting expression didn't escape Xia Zhi's omniscient perspective. 

Perhaps this was what [Intertwined Fate] meant by the highest compatibility… 

After thinking for a moment, he purchased some extraordinary mushrooms from the [Shop] and another item he had originally planned to buy. 

[Master of Massage] 

- Quality: Gold 

- Type: Experience Book 

- Trait: Enjoyment 

- Effect: Become a master of massage. 

- Hidden Effect: None. 

- Price: 100 points. 

After a while in the kitchen, Xia Zhi finished preparing a new flavor of instant noodles. He packed them neatly into containers and asked Shenhe to deliver them to Miss Ganyu and Miss Ningguang when she took Yaoyao home. 

For the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, this was her first time eating instant noodles. Although she had seen them in Xia Zhi's memories, there was a vast difference between industrially produced noodles and those crafted by a master chef. 

It seemed she quite liked them. 

After dinner, everyone took a walk outside together. 

Back at the shop, after she had taken a bath, Xia Zhi prepared to give the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata another massage. 

"This scent… You're using a different essential oil than yesterday, aren't you?" 

"Yeah, I made a new one while you were out shopping." 

"Your mastery of fragrances is quite impressive." 

"I just know a little." 

"You didn't like the new clothes I bought you this afternoon, did you?" 

"I liked them." 

"Your words don't match your heart." 

"They do." 

"Then will you wear them tomorrow?" 

"Next time, for sure." 

"…Hmph. Oh~ Hmm~…" 

"What's wrong?" 

"You…" 

"What about me?" 

"Mmh~…" 

"Cousin, speak up." 

"…" 

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata closed her eyes, her cheeks flushed, and her gaze dreamy. 

She was too immersed in the waves of indescribable pleasure surging through her body to say another word. 

---

Sumeru, the House of Daena. 

As the Lesser Lord Kusanali, Nahida was once again alone in the sanctuary. 

She looked up at the clock on the wall. 

It was already that time. 

At this exact hour last night, she had suddenly experienced a strange sensation—almost as if an invisible hand was gently stroking every inch of her body. 

It was a completely new experience, something she had never felt since her birth. 

It was undeniably comfortable. 

But she disliked this uncontrollable, inexplicable sensation. 

"Is it over?" 

Nahida shifted her gaze away from the clock and let out a relieved sigh. 

"Then I can just—Mmh~ Mm~" 

Moments later, just like the night before, Nahida collapsed weakly to the ground. 

Her face was flushed, her eyes hazy. 

Strange waves of pleasure coursed through her body. 

And tonight… it was even stronger than last night. 

"What on earth… is happening to me?" (lmao)

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