Chapter 318

Yesterday afternoon, the Liyue authorities had already posted recruitment notices for the construction site all over the city.

Many craftsmen and workers who had just finished rebuilding the Jade Chamber hadn't yet found their next job. Seeing such a well-paying opportunity, they immediately grabbed their tools and headed to the site.

The recruiters at the construction site were mostly the same foremen from last time. Seeing these familiar faces, they didn't need to test their skills and simply hired them on the spot, assigning them tasks right away.

Thus, the construction process began smoothly.

The people of Liyue were also very interested in Ningguang's sudden decision to build another marvel similar to the Jade Chamber. Discussions about it could be heard in every corner of the city.

The same was true at the Summer Shop. Xia Zhi leaned against the counter, smiling as he listened to the customers' various opinions about the free school mentioned in the notice. 

He found it quite amusing.

Fortunately, the notice didn't mention that he was a co-investor in the project, or else the shop would have been much noisier than it already was.

At some point, Shenhe quietly walked in from outside.

"Boss."

"Shenhe, you're back."

"Yes, I've delivered everything."

"You've worked hard. Are you thirsty? Have some juice."

"Thank you."

After finishing her juice, Shenhe went back to her room to change and then returned to work.

Time passed leisurely, and by eleven o'clock, the number of customers had gradually decreased. Hu Tao walked into the shop and approached the counter.

"Hello, Mr. Xia."

"Hello, Director Hu. Two drinks?"

"You're treating me!"

"Ah, it's a small business…"

Hu Tao looked at him with a knowing smile. "Mr. Xia, I haven't settled the matter with Zhongli yet…"

"Forget about it being a small business! Since Director Hu is my friend, it's only right that I treat you to a drink!"

Xia Zhi straightened his expression, reached for the cups, and smoothly changed the subject.

"Director Hu, you've been busy these past few days?"

"Yes, I took on a job and then went all the way to the Stone Gate."

"Stone Gate? That's almost near Mondstadt, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's far. That's why I missed the Mahjong King Tournament. My ten million Mora prize!"

"What a shame."

"Hmph, Mr. Xia, you're not being fair. While I was away, you actually did something like this!"

"Huh?"

"Zhongli is a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. How could you just whisk him away without a word?"

"Director Hu, that's a misunderstanding."

"Is it?"

"The juice is ready. Here, have a drink."

"Tsk…"

Hu Tao picked up the cup and took a sip. Her expression first showed satisfaction, then she turned her gaze back to Xia Zhi.

Xia Zhi remained unfazed.

"Director Hu, first of all, I didn't hide this from you. It's just that you happened to be away."

"You could have waited for me to return and discussed it together."

"That's what I thought too, but the Yuheng Star said that as the weather is getting colder, construction will become more difficult once winter sets in, and progress will be severely delayed. So, it's better to start the project as soon as possible."

"That… makes sense."

"Right? And I'm not just considering the school. I'm also thinking about you, Director Hu."

"Oh?"

"You must have heard the news from Miss Chi Yu, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you must also know why I invited Mr. Zhongli to be the vice principal, right?"

"Yes, Zhongli is a local of Liyue, a Vision holder of Geo, and he's also very knowledgeable…"

"Exactly, but some of these factors aren't strictly necessary. For example, being a Geo Vision holder isn't crucial because the school won't be easily damaged once it's built. If something happens, we can always call the Adventurers' Guild to handle it. The most important factors are his vast knowledge, his respected status, and his ability to handle interpersonal matters."

"Hmm…"

"Director Hu, do you think there are few people in all of Liyue who meet these criteria?"

"Not many, but certainly not few."

Xia Zhi leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"Director Hu, you must know that the other vice principal of the school is Miss Ningguang. With her connections, it wouldn't be difficult for her to invite a retired former Qixing member to be the principal, right?"

"That's true…"

"So, I didn't have to choose Mr. Zhongli as the vice principal. There were other good options. The reason I ultimately chose him was more for the sake of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"Mr. Xia, please explain!"

Xia Zhi smiled, a hint of nostalgia in his expression.

"Director Hu, do you remember the first day the Summer Shop opened?"

"Of course, I was your second customer, and I spent half the day reading here."

"At that time, you mentioned to me that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business is quite unique. You don't do it for the money but to ensure the deceased can rest in peace."

"Yes."

"You also said that you put up discount advertisements all over the city, not to attract customers but to encourage people not to fear the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. If there's a funeral in their family, they should definitely come to you."

"Mr. Xia, you remember so well!"

"I just have a good memory. When I heard about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's work, I was deeply impressed and always wanted to do something for you."

"Mr. Xia, you're very thoughtful. It's natural for people to fear death, and it's normal for them to have biases against the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. But being overly curious about death or overly afraid of it isn't good."

"So, Director Hu, you've been trying to correct this misconception, right?"

"Yes, but over the years, the results have been minimal. It wasn't until Zhongli performed the Rite of Parting for the Geo Archon that people's impression of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor finally improved a bit."

"Exactly, and that's another reason I chose Zhongli as the vice principal. Liyue is a commercial nation, and every year, many foreign merchants settle here. They tend to follow the funeral customs of their home countries, and even if the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor offers discounts, they're reluctant to use our services. The school is a place of education, and their children can attend for free. They'll definitely get to know the teachers and the principal. In the future, if there's a funeral in their family, the children can just tell their parents that our vice principal is a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Isn't that the best kind of advertisement?"

"!"

"Moreover, I'm asking Mr. Zhongli to compile a history textbook. Director Hu, you can discuss with him and include the story of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in the book, so the children can learn about its origins.

Fear often stems from the unknown. When people understand something, their fear of it diminishes greatly.

When these children grow up, because of Mr. Zhongli, they won't have the same biases against the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as their parents did. They'll also pass this mindset on to their own children. In this way, the public's misconception of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will naturally change."

"!!"

"That's the idea, but it's just my personal opinion. Although it's for the benefit of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I didn't get a chance to discuss it with you, Director Hu. If you think it's inappropriate, I'll apologize to Mr. Zhongli and find another vice principal…"

"No, no, no! Mr. Xia, your idea is excellent! I think it has great potential!"

"Director Hu, you're not mad at me for 'stealing' Zhongli anymore?"

"Oh, what stealing? Zhongli spends his days idling around, either playing cards or watching operas, wasting the hard-earned money I make. Mr. Xia, you've found him a proper job educating the next generation. I'm so grateful, how could I be mad at you?"

Not far away, Xia Ci looked up from her book and glanced over, shaking her head inwardly.

Another person brainwashed by her cousin.

Xia Zhi smiled faintly. "Director Hu, you weren't like this earlier."

"Misunderstanding! It was all a misunderstanding!"

Hu Tao straightened her expression, picked up the cup on the table, and smoothly changed the subject.

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