Not long after, Lady Ningguang emerged from the back room.
Her complexion was radiant, as if she had just received an immense rejuvenation.
The rich scent of essential oils still lingered on her, and she generously extended the privilege to her secretary.
"Baishi, you should go in for a massage too."
Baishi's face turned bright red. Though visibly shy, her body was honest—completely incapable of resisting such indulgence. She nodded quietly and entered the back room.
Shortly after, strange sounds could be heard from within.
Ningguang shot a glance at Ying'er, who was clearly about to tease her, but chose to ignore her.
Instead, she headed to the bathhouse at the back of the shop, quickly washing off the residual essential oil.
As a wealthy woman, she naturally carried a storage artifact, from which she retrieved a set of clean clothes and changed. She even prepared a set for Baishi, placing them in the bathroom.
When she returned to the shop's main hall, the freshly bathed Ningguang had a beauty reminiscent of a lotus emerging from water—elegant and refreshing.
By now, the rest of the staff had finished cleaning the shop.
It was around 5:30 PM, and since it was late autumn, the sky outside had already begun to darken.
Ying'er approached, smirking.
"Tsk, looks like Liyue is about to have a new rumor—'Lady Ningguang visits the Summer Shop at night and mysteriously leaves wearing a fresh set of clothes, looking completely satisfied…'"
Hearing this, Zhu Zi and Diona, who were nearby, immediately blushed.
"Not only that, but apparently Lady Ningguang visits the shop five times a week, and every time, she leaves in the same way. So desperate…"
"…Ying'er, you don't want to end up in jail, do you?"
"Oh? She's getting flustered."
"…!"
Ningguang massaged her temples, exasperated.
"You… never mind."
—
"I heard you're hosting a banquet at the Jade Chamber in two days."
"That's right."
"How heartless—you didn't invite me."
"I was actually planning to invite you today while passing through Chihu Rock."
"I don't believe you."
"Then when Mr. Xia and the others attend, you can just stay at the shop alone."
"Fine, I won't argue with you."
"…?"
This woman has a serious problem.
Ningguang turned to look at Xia Ci—
No, to be precise, she was looking at the book in Xia Ci's hands.
It was an economic book from Xia Zhi's previous world—one of the many he had purchased from the Shop.
Since Xia Ci had nothing to do, she had borrowed it from his room to read.
Though the book was written in a language foreign to Teyvat, Xia Ci had already seen Xia Zhi's past life, so she had no problem understanding it.
In fact, she and Xia Zhi were likely the only two people in this world who could read such text.
Ningguang, staring at the book's cover, was confused.
Even though she didn't possess [Teyvat Language Mastery], she was the Tianquan Star—she had mastered the languages of all Seven Nations.
And yet, she could not recognize a single character on the book's cover.
"Xia Ci."
"Hmm?"
"What are you reading?"
"Currency Wars."
"Oh?"
Ningguang's eyes lit up.
After all, "Currency Wars" was precisely the concept that Xia Zhi had introduced to her in his notes.
And now… this book was about the same topic?
"What is it about?"
"It's about manipulating currency to exploit the wealth of other nations…"
Xia Ci then proceeded to explain the contents of the book.
Her explanation sounded deceptively simple, but aside from Ningguang, no one else in the room could understand a word of it.
Ningguang's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Yes… this is exactly what I was looking for…
She glanced at the author's name on the book cover.
"Who wrote this?"
Xia Ci glanced at the unfamiliar name and casually answered, "My cousin, I guess."
"As expected! It was Mr. Xia!"
"The writing seems… unusual?"
"It's our hometown's language. Most people can't read it."
"No wonder I don't recognize it."
"If you're interested, I can translate it for you."
"Much appreciated."
Ningguang sat beside her, enthusiastically diving into discussion.
At first, she had only wanted to learn about the book's contents.
But soon, she discovered something even more fascinating—
Rather than the book itself, Xia Ci's personal insights were far more profound.
Every casual remark from her solved a lingering question that had been troubling Ningguang for years.
This girl is a genius!
Unable to hold back, Ningguang abruptly asked:
"Xia Ci, have you ever considered going into politics?"
Xia Ci blinked, her expression suddenly turning strange.
"Sorry, I'm too young."
Ningguang immediately countered:
"I can wait until you grow up—"
Xia Ci shook her head, chuckling.
"Forget it. I'm not interested."
Ningguang sighed in disappointment.
"Your talents would be wasted outside of politics…"
"You should ask my cousin. He's much more capable than I am."
"I did ask him. He rejected me."
"Cousin doesn't like trouble."
"There are easy government positions too, but no matter what I offer, he refuses."
"Maybe you're not offering enough benefits."
"Money is no issue. I can pay whatever he wants—"
"It's not about money. My cousin doesn't lack money."
Ningguang frowned.
"What, then?"
Xia Ci smiled mischievously.
"Have you considered… yourself?"
"…?"
Ningguang paused.
Nearby, Shenhe, overhearing the conversation, suddenly looked up and stared at Ningguang.
Xia Ci waved a hand.
"I was joking. Don't take it seriously, Lady Ningguang."
"…"
"Still, are you sure you won't reconsider?"
"I only follow my cousin. If he agrees, then I agree—after all, we do have a childhood betrothal pact…"
"???"
Shenhe immediately turned to Xia Ci.
The other girls also snapped their heads toward her.
"Really?"
"Fake."
"…"
Seeing the playful smile on Xia Ci's face, the girls weren't entirely convinced.
A moment later, Baishi emerged from the back room, her face flushed and satisfied.
"Lady Ningguang."
"Go take a bath. I've left a fresh set of clothes for you."
"Understood! I'll be right back!"
Baishi hurried off.
A moment later, Xia Zhi came out from the back room, finishing up his cleanup—
Only to find everyone staring at him with a strange look.
"Boss."
"…Yes?"
"Do you and Xia Ci really have a childhood betrothal?"
"No."
"Oh."
"Who said that?"
"I was just joking," Xia Ci chimed in.
"…"
—
That Night.
In the [Shop], Xia Zhi purchased a Supernatural Bell—
[Melody Bell].
It had no practical function—when shaken, it simply produced its own unique melody.
He gave it to Shenhe and rang it twice. The sound was quite pleasant.
"Boss."
"Hmm?"
"Do you like Lady Ningguang?"
"She's alright."
"What about Xia Ci?"
"She's alright too. Why, are you getting jealous? You're my favorite."
"…Mmm."
And then—there was nothing else to say.
If anything—
The bell continued to ring for a very, very long time.
----
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