Chapter 384

When the dumplings were done, they were cooked and served for dinner.

And, of course, Ganyu was the first to bite into a dumpling and find the hidden Mora inside.

"As expected of you, Miss Ganyu!"

"Liyue's Lady Luck!"

"Looks like you're destined for great fortune next year! Please take care of us!"

"Congrats, Senior Sister!"

Blushing, Ganyu shyly accepted everyone's congratulations and tucked the Mora away.

Then came an explosion of shouts.

"Whoa! I bit into a Jueyun Chili!"

"Congrats—you get to pick tomorrow's lunch menu!"

"Ugh, so bitter—who hid a Qingxin inside!?"

"My dumpling's sweet—someone put candy!"

"I found my own dried fish…"

"Means you'll have endless dried fish next year, Diona!"

"Hehe, that sounds wonderful…"

Xia Zhi smiled, watching the lively chaos.

He picked up a dumpling and popped it into his mouth.

A faintly sour taste bloomed.

But he couldn't see anything unusual inside the dumpling.

Nor did the flavor dissipate.

His heart stirred.

He immediately realized—it was Fruit Candy.

He turned to look at Shenhe.

She gave him a soft, secretive smile.

So sweet.

----

"Boss, happy New Year!"

"Ah, you're all too kind."

Xia Zhi smiled as he accepted them all.

He didn't particularly lack any of these things, but he genuinely valued the sentiment behind them.

That evening, they all strolled through the Xiao Market again. The construction of the Mingxiao Lantern had already passed the halfway point—especially the face, which now clearly showed Miss Yun Jin's stage makeup.

The streets bustled even more than before, filled with a blend of languages from all over the world.

Xia Zhen took in the foreign sights along the way, her gaze filled with emotion.

Compared to the Inazuma she once ruled five hundred years ago, today's Liyue was so much more prosperous.

Morax… truly impressive.

Since the Xiao Market was near the port district, they stopped by Liu's Fish Shop to deliver a box of pastries Xia Zhi had made.

Brother Liu accepted them with a broad smile, thanking him warmly.

Xia Zhi chatted with him for a while.

Brother Liu was much the same as when they first met half a year ago—honest, hearty, and full of good cheer, a classic Liyue bachelor.

But now that the weather was colder and he had to handle fish daily, his hands were cracked and rough from constant exposure to seawater.

Xia Zhi gifted him a jar of hand cream, one developed jointly by Qiqi and Ying'er.

Upon hearing its effects, Brother Liu was overjoyed.

"Brother Liu, when are you buying a house at Yujing Terrace?" Xia Zhi teased.

"Soon, soon! Business has been good this year—next year I should have enough saved!"

"Better hurry. I heard the Ministry of Civil Affairs might roll out new housing policies next year."

"Oh?"

"Supposedly, they'll partner with Liyue Bank to offer mortgage plans—you won't need to pay the full price upfront. Just a down payment, and then monthly installments."

"For real? You can buy houses that way now?"

"Mhm. I caught wind of it from Lady Ningguang herself. Pretty likely to be true."

"Then people are going to snatch up houses fast!"

"Exactly. Not just at Yujing Terrace—Chihu Rock, the port district, Feiyun Slope... housing prices everywhere are bound to shoot up."

"I'm buying a house tomorrow!"

Xia Zhi laughed. "Need me to lend you some Mora?"

"No, no! I'll manage!"

"Alright then. Just remember, please don't spread what I said."

"Got it! Thank you for the tip, Brother Xia!"

"Haha, I'll get going now."

"Oh, right—tomorrow morning, tell Zhu Zi and Diona to come by! I'll save some fresh big fish for them!"

"Thank you, Brother Liu."

"No, no—it's my pleasure! Make sure you come get them!"

"Will do."

Leaving Liu's Fish Shop, they stopped by the crafts store next to Yanfei's law firm. Xia Zhi handed another box of pastries to the beautiful shop owner.

The shopkeeper glanced at the crowd of girls around him, her expression turning a little strange.

Every time she saw him, the number of girls around him seemed to grow.

She shot a sympathetic look at Yanfei—Miss Yanfei must be under a lot of pressure.

"Wishing your business great prosperity in the new year," Xia Zhi said.

"Thank you. If any of you see a craft you like, feel free to take it as a New Year's gift from me."

"Oh, we couldn't possibly—"

"They're just little trinkets, nothing valuable. Honestly, your pastries are incredible—better than Liuli Pavilion's!"

"You flatter me."

Unable to resist her enthusiasm, Xia Zhi eventually picked a small fox plushie and handed it to Xia Zhen.

Holding the plushie, Xia Zhen's expression turned complicated—probably thinking of her old friend, Kitsune Saiguu. She carefully stowed the plushie away.

Leaving the port district behind, they returned to Feiyun Slope.

On the way, Xia Zhi visited Mingxing Jewelry to meet the shop owner, Xingxi.

"Mr. Xia, welcome!"

"Master Xingxi, long time no see."

"I still order Rainbow Juice from your shop all the time, you know."

"Is that so?"

"I usually send the staff to get takeout, though."

"No wonder I rarely see you in person. Thank you for supporting our little shop."

"It's me who should be thanking you. Ever since the Chasm was sealed, our business tanked. But thanks to that Glaze Lily jewelry piece you brought, we were able to hold an auction that reignited our reputation. Truly, Mr. Xia, you're my lucky star."

Xia Zhi laughed. "Jewelry is just an object. It can only help once. It's your own commercial acumen that turned things around."

After a round of mutual compliments, Xia Zhi handed her a box of pastries.

"I made some snacks myself. Hope you won't mind."

Xingxi's eyes lit up—she loved pastries.

"How could I possibly mind? Thank you, Mr. Xia!"

"It's getting late. I'll leave you to your evening."

"Take care, everyone."

"Goodnight."

Once they left, Xingxi couldn't wait to open the box, popping a pastry into her mouth.

The texture was tender, the sweetness just right—divine!

"Mmm~ Delicious!"

She quickly ate a few more before reluctantly closing the box and locking it away in her jewelry cabinet.

She'd savor the rest slowly over the coming days.

—

Back at the shop, the girls headed to the baths.

Xia Zhi stayed in the front room with Qiqi, Xia Zhen, and Guoba.

"Cousin," Xia Zhen called.

"Hmm?"

"I noticed everyone has a jade pendant you gave them. Qiqi, you have one too, right?"

"Yes."

Qiqi pulled out her pendant to show her.

"It's beautiful."

Xia Zhen admired the safety charm, then turned to Xia Zhi.

"Cousin, I want one too."

"A jade pendant, huh?"

"Mhm."

Xia Zhi smiled and pulled out a special [Soul-Nurturing Pendant] he had crafted the night before, handing it to her.

"Here. I made this just for you. Was just waiting for you to ask."

"Thank you, Cousin!"

Xia Zhen accepted it eagerly.

The moment it touched her palm, a cool sensation spread through her hand.

She immediately felt a gentle, soothing power flowing into her, calming her spirit and nourishing her weakened soul.

"This…"

"It's a custom gift, made just for you. Are you satisfied?"

"Very! Very satisfied!"

"Please keep it on you at all times. Don't take it off."

"I will!"

Holding the pendant tightly, Xia Zhen's eyes shone with gratitude.

My cousin… is someone truly worth treasuring.

They chatted for a while longer.

Soon after, Xia Ci, wrapped in a bath towel, called from the hallway, "Cousin, come help massage me."

"Coming."

Xia Zhi got up and headed over.

Moments later, curious and rather suggestive noises drifted from the back room.

"Qiqi," Xia Zhen asked.

"Mm?"

"You've had his massages before, right?"

"Yes."

"How are they?"

"Very comfortable. Boss's massages are very effective."

"Effective?"

"I'm a zombie. My body tends to stiffen. I used to have to do daily stretching exercises. Now, with Boss's massages, I don't need to bother."

"I see…"

Xia Zhen rested her cheek on her hand, gazing thoughtfully toward the back.

Wondering exactly what she was thinking.

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