Chapter 388

The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of cooking.

Keqing couldn't help but swallow a little.

Turns out, it's not that communal meals taste bad because of the construction site—it's just about the chef.

A true expert never blames their environment!

The workers coming to eat smelled the aroma too, and they couldn't stop themselves from drooling. Spotting the familiar figure of Xiangling, they all called out:

"Chef Xiangling, your cooking's even better than before!"

Xiangling smiled and shook her head. "You're mistaken. Today I was just assisting in the kitchen. The meal was cooked by my master."

"!"

Xia Zhi came out holding the dishes, smiling as he said, "Hello, everyone. I'm Xia Zhi, Xiangling's master, and also the principal of the school you're all building. I've only just found time to visit the site today. Since it's lunchtime and I can cook a bit, I lent a hand in the kitchen. Thank you all for your hard work."

"Principal Xia, you're too polite!"

"Seriously! If I hadn't gotten this job, I wouldn't even know how I'd survive this year's Lantern Rite!"

"I was so bummed last time when I missed out on a job from the Jade Chamber. Glad I made it this time!"

...

The workers all looked in good spirits.

Not a single one complained about having to work on New Year's Day.

Keqing and the Geo Archon really did know how to manage a construction site.

Xia Zhi "saw" that a few workers possessed Geo Visions—people Keqing had invited specifically to help speed up the plastering work.

But that wasn't the important part. The important part was that they had Silver Tier Progress Bars on them.

[Progress: 0%]

Xia Zhi nodded and said, "It's the start of a new year, so I won't say anything too flowery. I've prepared a little red envelope for everyone. Be sure to collect yours at the entrance after you've eaten."

"Red envelopes?"

Keqing explained, "With the vouchers inside, you'll receive an extra 3000 Mora in your next paycheck at the start of the month."

"!!"

A moment of stunned silence, then cheers erupted.

Turns out money is the most straightforward kind of motivation.

As they began to eat, the workers one by one froze mid-bite.

This... this was just too delicious!

And so, an odd scene unfolded in the site's cafeteria.

The same workers who usually wolfed down their meals in seconds were now chewing slowly and reverently.

The cautious looks on their faces said they couldn't bear to waste even a single grain of rice.

Keqing, having once tasted Gods' Temptation, wasn't as easily impressed.

When she finished and looked up to see everyone still dawdling, her brows furrowed.

"Eat faster! Rest while you can—how else will you have energy for the afternoon shift?"

"Lady Keqing… this is the first time I've ever had such delicious food…"

Keqing sighed. "Alright, alright. Mr. Xia said he'll be staying at the site for the next few days. You'll get to eat his cooking every night."

"!!!"

"So work hard. Don't let Mr. Xia down."

"Yes, Lady Keqing!"

The workers immediately picked up their pace and soon cleared out of the cafeteria.

Keqing turned back and said, "Sorry about that, Mr. Xia."

Xia Zhi waved it off. "I know how tough it is out here. I'm just glad I can help in some way."

He glanced at his inventory and noticed several Black Iron Treasure Chests and a few Silver Treasure Chests had been added.

"Well then, since you're staying here for a few days, I'll go arrange accommodations."

"No need. Xiangling brought a Serenitea Pot—we'll stay in there."

"That works too."

The two walked outside together.

"Boss, all the red envelopes have been handed out!"

"Thanks, everyone."

"No problem—it was fun!"

"Boss, what's on the agenda for this afternoon?"

"Whatever you'd like. I just came to check on the school's progress. Consider it a field trip."

"Got it!"

Xia Zhi took another look at his stats panel—his Luck had increased again.

Apparently, feeding the workers and handing out red envelopes counted as good deeds. Thanks to the Auspiciousness trait, his Luck attribute had gone up.

As expected, having money really did make doing good easier. Investing in power was still the fastest way to grow stronger.

That afternoon, Xia Zhi accompanied Zhongli and Keqing on a walkthrough of the site.

Keqing held the blueprints and explained each area's design to him.

"At the current pace, it should take about another month to finish the school."

"That's quite fast. Just in time for spring, and perfectly aligned with the academic calendar."

"Should we hold an inauguration ceremony?"

"We should. It's a good opportunity to promote the school. As for the guest list, let's leave that to Vice Principal Ningguang."

Zhongli nodded.

"I've finished the history textbook as well. It's already been handed to Miss Ningguang for review."

"All the textbooks are in print already?"

"Yes."

"With textbooks settled, what about teachers?"

"Also handled by Vice Principal Ningguang."

"No tuition fees?"

"None. Any child who wants to study may come."

...

After the inspection, Xia Zhi had just returned when Xia Zhen pulled him aside.

"Cousin?"

"Hey, let me ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Yaoyao's telescope. Do you have another one?"

"No, just that one."

"Can you make it see farther? Clearer?"

"It already sees pretty far, doesn't it?"

"Not enough."

"..."

Xia Zhi pondered for a moment.

"It should be possible."

"Really?"

"I can give it a try."

"Great! Wait here, I'll go get Yaoyao."

Her eyes lit up, and she dashed off.

Soon, she came back with the telescope.

Xia Zhi took it and walked into a small wooden hut.

"I'll study it inside. Wait out here."

"Can't I watch?"

"You'd just distract me."

"Oh… good luck, Cousin."

He shut the door and fiddled with the telescope, opening the system and placing it into the Evolution interface.

"Do you want to evolve [Multi-Zoom Telescope]? This is a Black Iron item. Current success rate: 10%. Cost: 1 point."

"Yes."

Two evolutions later, success.

[Ultra-Zoom Telescope] 

Quality: Silver 

Type: Auxiliary Item 

Trait: None 

Effect: Allows viewing of extremely distant scenes 

Hidden Effect: None

He pulled it out. It didn't look too different—just a slightly darker lens and a subtle change in material.

Opening the door, he stepped out. It had been barely over a minute.

Xia Zhen blinked. "Do you need something else?"

Xia Zhi shook his head. "Nope. All done."

"???"

She took the telescope, skeptical.

"It's really done?"

"Try it. I'm blind, remember? I couldn't test it myself."

"Alright, I'll go try it!"

"If there's a problem, come find me."

"Okay!"

She headed to an open area and pointed the telescope toward Inazuma.

!

Before, she could only faintly see the Sacred Sakura and the outline of the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Now, she could clearly make out the veins on every petal and even the fur on the fox sunbathing on the shrine roof.

Amazing!

She scanned the Grand Narukami Shrine, seeing shrine maidens and worshippers—but no little fox.

She turned toward Tenshukaku—only guards outside, and still no sign of Ei.

Unlucky, it seemed.

Lowering the telescope, Xia Zhen sighed softly.

Still, as long as she had this telescope, she'd get her chance.

"How is it, Cousin?"

"It's great! I can see much farther, and everything's so clear!"

"Glad to hear it."

---

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