Chapter 243

The petite Sumeru girl ordered two cups of Rainbow Juice at the shop. 

After taking a sip, her face displayed a look of pure astonishment. 

She had been to Liyue Harbor before. Back then, she had heard various rumors about this shop's fruit juice. However, she had dismissed them as nothing more than cheap marketing gimmicks. The exaggerated claims made it sound too good to be true, so she never bothered to try it. 

This time, she had come to pay off the final balance at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The two shops were right next to each other, and seeing how bustling the juice shop was, she figured she might as well give it a try. 

She hadn't expected the juice to be this good! 

And even more shocking—both cups had completely different flavors! 

Such an extraordinary drink was being sold for only 100 Mora—and today, it was half-price?! Was the owner of this shop an idiot?! 

Dori looked up and carefully examined the man behind the counter, mixing juices with practiced ease. 

Xia Zhi didn't look like an idiot… 

If she had been running the business, she would have already made enough to build several Alcazarzaray Palaces… 

Could there be something wrong with this juice? 

Sumeru had a history of scholars conducting secret experiments by mixing untested medicines into sweets and handing them out to civilians—until the Maha Matra caught them and threw them into prison… 

Could this shop be pulling the same trick? 

But the shop had been open for over two months, and nothing suspicious had happened. She had already finished two cups and felt completely fine. There was no strange aftertaste or side effects… 

This is strange… 

Finishing her drink, Dori walked up to the counter. 

"Boss." 

"Welcome, how may I help you?" 

"I want to buy your juice." 

"I'm sorry, but each customer is limited to two cups per day. If you'd like more, please come back tomorrow." 

"I don't mean to drink it—I want to buy the recipe." 

"Apologies, but our juice recipe is not for sale." 

"Ah, come on, Boss, don't be so rigid! Everything has a price." 

"I agree with that statement. The juice recipe does have a price, but it's not something you can afford." 

"Oh? And what would that price be? Name it—I have plenty of Mora!" 

Xia Zhi simply smiled and shook his head. "The price isn't measured in Mora, so there's no need to ask further. Please don't disrupt my work." 

Dori observed his unwavering expression and clicked her tongue in disappointment before leaving. 

However, she hadn't given up just yet. 

Her mind was already spinning with business ideas. 

She planned to get a few people to order takeout from the shop, store the juice in cold storage, and bring it back to Sumeru. 

A juice with an ever-changing flavor profile? Surely, the Akademiya's scholars would be interested in it. She could make a fortune selling it to them! 

Or better yet, she could dilute it and sell it at full price—Sumeru nobles wouldn't even know the difference. They'd definitely pay top Mora for it… 

Dori left, her silver progress bar still unclaimed. 

Xia Zhi hadn't been in a hurry to cash in on it. 

He could have, of course. While Dori was standing in front of him, he could have used [Time Stasis] and taken care of it immediately… 

But there was no need. 

It was just a Silver Chest. 

Besides, judging by Dori's persistence, she was definitely going to come back. He could take his time. 

— 

A short while later, Hu Tao entered the shop, looking incredibly frustrated. 

"Boss Xia, congratulations on expanding the shop! Business is booming, huh?" 

"Thanks, Master Hu… You don't sound too happy, though?" 

"Sigh Don't even get me started—I worked for free again this month." 

"What happened?" 

"It's Zhongli! He's been spending money left and right again! Some vendor even came to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor looking for payment just now…" 

"Uh…" 

"I was so naive. I knew he liked spending money, but I didn't know he was this reckless at construction sites—100,000 Mora gone, just like that!" 

"It's alright, don't be upset—I'll treat you to some juice." 

"Much appreciated, Boss Xia." 

After two cups of Rainbow Juice, Hu Tao felt significantly better. 

She greeted the others before heading back. 

— 

By noon, the shop closed for lunch. 

"How do you feel so far, Ying'er?" 

"Not having to stand outside and shout for customers, and instead having them come in by themselves—this is amazing!" 

"Haha, it must be limiting your skills a bit. Alright, what does everyone want for lunch?" 

"I want Mapo Tofu!" 

"We're out of tofu. Let's make some fresh tomorrow." 

"Twice-Cooked Pork!" 

"Alright. Anything else?" 

… 

After lunch, everyone was content and full. 

And now—another hour of tea time. 

Ying'er sat in her chair, holding a warm cup of tea, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. 

This job is too good. 

She'd gladly work five days a week—heck, she wouldn't even mind every day! 

Half an hour passed in casual conversation before Yaoyao arrived. 

The little girl was as lively as ever, the bells on her hair ornaments jingling with each step. 

Xia Zhi "looked" at the bells. Then he "looked" at Shenhe. 

A very interesting idea popped into his mind. ( no please no )

Yes. 

Tonight, he would test something with Shenhe. 

After another half-hour of chatting, the shop reopened for the afternoon shift. 

Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver arrived early to congratulate him on the shop's expansion. 

Xia Zhi welcomed them with a smile and offered them a treat. 

The two Adepti graciously took a seat. 

It wasn't about the 200 Mora worth of drinks—it was about the sentiment. 

Ying'er brought their juice over and smiled. "Please enjoy." 

The Adepti watched her walk away and muttered among themselves. 

"A new face in the shop." 

"Another girl." 

"She's quite charming." 

"Do you think she's like the others?" 

They exchanged knowing glances. 

"How about a divination?" 

"You're the one who wants it." 

"Just do it before we head to Feiyun Tea House. I heard Feiyun Commerce Guild is hosting the Mahjong King Tournament, and seats have been filling up fast." 

Moon Carver nodded, took out a few old Mora, and tossed them onto the table. 

The coins scattered, forming a pattern. 

"What do you see?" 

"As expected… another meaningless result." 

"Tch, Mister Xia is truly… look over there—" 

"Where?" 

"That girl. That should be Miss Yaoyao's friennd that she mentioned before." 

"Xia Ci?" 

"Read her fate, then." 

"She's his cousin." 

"So what? She's still working at the shop. Aren't you curious?" 

"…Fine, I'll do it." 

Moon Carver gathered the coins, tossed them again, and prepared to read the divination. 

However, the moment the coins landed— 

Every single one of them cracked in half. 

!! 

?? 

Both Adepti's eyes widened as they instinctively turned toward Xia Ci. 

At that exact moment, the young girl turned to face them— 

With a faint, enigmatic smile on her lips. ( hehehhehe will attach one pic for u all )

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