Chapter 279

After lunch, it was time to get down to business. 

"Mr. Zhongli, I'll need your help again today." 

"No problem." 

"This time, it's the bathrooms. I'm planning to connect the bathrooms of both houses and turn them into a large bathhouse." 

"Understood." 

"Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Zhongli." 

The group moved to the backyard, where Xia Ci handed over a piece of paper—a blueprint for the bathhouse she had designed. The plan featured distinct Sumeru-style elements. 

Zhongli glanced at the blueprint, walked over to the wall, and raised his hand. Behind him, his Geo Vision began to glow. 

The once sturdy walls began to crumble under the influence of Geo elemental power, rearranging themselves into new formations. Halfway through the process, Zhongli realized that the existing bricks and stones weren't enough to build the bathhouse. Silently, he transformed some of the dirt on the ground into additional construction materials. 

Soon, a beautiful, large bathhouse—identical to the blueprint—stood before them. 

"Done." 

"Thank you, Mr. Zhongli." 

"You're welcome." 

Hu Tao eagerly dashed inside, her eyes lighting up like stars. "Wow, this bathhouse is massive!" 

Miss Chi Yu tossed a heated stone into the water storage pool, saying, "There'll be hot water soon." 

Looking at the bathhouse she'd designed, Xia Ci nodded with satisfaction. "Anyone want to take a bath?" 

"Yes!" 

"I do!" 

"Me too!" 

Xia Zhi chuckled, turned, and went outside with Zhongli to enjoy some tea, leaving the girls to have fun. 

---

Just as Xia Zhi was settling down for tea, he "noticed" Qiqi walking over from the back. 

As a zombie, Qiqi wasn't fond of hot water. She typically took cold baths at home. Fortunately, Xia Ci had taken this into account when designing the bathhouse and had included a small, separate bath just for Qiqi. 

After finishing the pot of tea, Zhongli took his leave. 

Xia Zhi began chatting with Qiqi, asking about Baizhu's recent activities. Qiqi replied that Baizhu was still deeply engrossed in researching microscopes. 

After giving her update, Qiqi hesitated, looking as if she had something she wanted to say. 

"Boss…" 

"Hmm?" 

"Recently… I feel like my body has been acting a little strange…" 

"Strange? What kind of strange?" 

"It feels like… I've grown taller." 

"…Huh?" 

"Really." 

"And how did you notice this?" 

"My clothes." 

"Your clothes?" 

"That old outfit I've been wearing for a long time—it used to fit perfectly. But a few days ago, when I put it on, it suddenly felt tight." 

"…I see." 

Xia Zhi "looked" at Qiqi, her face as expressionless as usual, and pondered for a moment. 

He suspected it was the effect of the [Essence of Sun and Moon] in the massage oil, which had the ability to nourish all things. 

Qiqi's situation reminded him of his cousin, the Lesser Lord Kusanali. She had also mentioned that her body was slowly growing taller and more mature. 

However, their cases weren't exactly the same. 

Her original form was that of an adult goddess, but she had overexerted her power while dealing with forbidden knowledge and splitting off her consciousness, which resulted in her current childlike form. The [Essence of Sun and Moon] was simply helping her gradually regain her original strength and appearance. 

Qiqi, on the other hand, had always been in her childlike form. 

As a zombie, her body was frozen in the moment of her death, including the wound on her leg, which never changed. Her growth might be due to absorbing the [Essence of Sun and Moon], which was enhancing her as a ghostly being. 

After some thought, Xia Zhi used the [Moon in the Water] illusion technique to conceal his actions as he took out a mirror to consult. 

The mirror displayed its answer: This is normal growth for a zombie. 

No problem at all. 

Xia Zhi put the mirror away and told Qiqi, "Don't worry. Growing up is a good thing. If your old clothes don't fit anymore, just buy some new ones." 

"Okay." 

"Has anything changed with your wound?" 

"No." 

"Then there's nothing to worry about for now." 

"Mm." Qiqi softly responded. 

She was very well-behaved. 

But her quiet nature was entirely different from Shenhe's. Qiqi's calmness came from a lack of desire. She was often like a little invisible figure in the shop. 

Zhu Zi wanted to write the most popular novel. 

Diona wanted to mix the world's best drinks. 

Ying'er wanted to create the finest balm. 

Shenhe wanted to become the perfect bride… 

And Qiqi? She had no aspirations or pursuits. For her, simply maintaining her current life venturing into the mountains to gather herbs and helping out at the shop—was enough to make her content. 

Xia Zhi reached out and gently patted Qiqi's head. 

She blinked, slightly startled, and looked up at him. "Boss?" 

"Qiqi, was there ever something you wanted to do?" 

"Something I wanted to do? No…" 

In life, she had been just an ordinary herbalist girl. 

"How about hobbies? Do you have any?" 

"Hobbies? Not really…" 

"You could try finding one." 

"Finding one?" 

"Mm-hmm." 

"For example, you could try learning alchemy. Baizhu might not have much time, but if you're interested, I can teach you." 

"Mm…" 

After a moment of silence, Qiqi softly said, "Okay, I want to learn." 

Xia Zhi smiled. "Alright, let's start now. Go grab some paper and a pen to take notes." 

"Okay." 

Qiqi ran to her room and returned with the small Memory Notebook she carried with her in the past. 

Xia Zhi began teaching her how to identify herbs. 

Although Qiqi could already gather basic medicinal plants, there were many herbs she couldn't recognize in the wild, let alone know how to harvest them effectively. 

---

In the newly completed bathhouse, Miss Chi Yu turned on the tap, and soon warm water filled the pool. "It's ready!" 

A thick mist of white steam swirled through the air. 

The girls shed their clothes and slipped into the water, their faces flushed with satisfaction. 

"So relaxing!" 

As Hu Tao soaked in the bath, she couldn't help but feel poetic. Glancing around for inspiration, her expression quickly turned odd. 

Xia Ci, Diona—still children, so they don't count! 

But the rest of you, seriously, why are all your figures so incredible?! 

Unfair! What on Teyvat have you all been eating?! 

Miss Shenhe, apparently raised on herbs her whole life. Miss Yun Jin, known for never eating her fill… 

And yet, how are they this… well-endowed?! 

Hu Tao glanced down at her own figure, her expression growing glum. 

What's the point? I'm never bathing with them again. 

Yun Jin, meanwhile, also seemed troubled as she looked down at her own body. 

Hu Tao noticed and asked, "What's wrong?" 

"It feels like… this area has gotten even bigger." 

"!" 

"It's becoming inconvenient for performances on stage." 

"!!" 

"Sigh… I'll have to wear a binder again." 

"!!!"

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