Early in the morning, Qiqi returned from the mountains after gathering herbs and arrived at Bubu Pharmacy.
Walking through the corridor, she reached the backyard, where she emptied the herbs from her basket and began carefully sorting them.
A white snake slithered out from the grass in front of her, raising its slender body and looking at her with human-like eyes.
"Qiqi, you're back."
"Mm, good morning, Changsheng."
"Morning. You gathered so many herbs last night. Huh? Is that ice?"
Changsheng lowered its head to inspect a spot among the pile of herbs, noticing a small piece of crystal-clear ice.
Following Changsheng's gaze, Qiqi retrieved the ice from beneath the herbs. Inside the ice was a small purple herb.
"This?"
"Purple stem, blue leaves, no flowers, roots like tangled threads, sap as red as blood, and a strange fragrance that can kill anyone who smells it within five steps…"
"So, Changsheng also knows about the Purple Nightshade?"
"Of course, I do. But how do you know about such a rare poison, Qiqi?"
"Mr. Xia taught me."
"No wonder… I was wondering why you've been gathering so many more herbs than usual these past few days, including many rare poisons. Turns out Mr. Xia has been guiding you."
"Mm."
"These poisons are rare, but even if you bring them back, Baizhu can't use them in his medicines."
"I'm keeping them for Mr. Xia. He might need them in the future."
"With Mr. Xia's medical skills, he can easily handle them. But it's not safe to keep them in your room. If the ice melts and the scent leaks, it could cause trouble…"
"I know. I'll take the more dangerous herbs to Mr. Xia."
As Qiqi chatted with Changsheng, she finished sorting the herbs.
Then, she washed the dirt-covered basket and left it to dry in a shady spot.
"Changsheng, is Mr. Baizhu still not up?"
"Mm, he stayed up too late last night."
"That's not good for his health."
"True, but he's a doctor himself. He knows his limits."
"Mr. Xia said he wants to invite Mr. Baizhu for lunch today."
"Don't worry, Qiqi. You already told Baizhu last night. He won't forget."
"Okay, then I'll head to the shop now. See you later."
"See you at noon."
Qiqi carefully placed the ice-sealed poison herb into a box and left Bubu Pharmacy, hurrying toward Feiyun Slope.
She had gathered so many herbs last night that it took her a while to sort them this morning. She needed to hurry to the shop for breakfast so she wouldn't keep everyone waiting. That wouldn't be good.
When she arrived at the shop, she saw Zhu Zi and Ying'er cleaning the main hall, and the enticing aroma of breakfast wafted from the kitchen.
Good, she wasn't late.
Qiqi quietly sighed in relief, greeted them softly, carefully placed the box in a corner, and then joined in to help.
"Where's Diona?"
"She read that book on brewing last night and said she learned a new brewing method. She was so excited she couldn't sleep. Early this morning, she knocked on my door, dragged me out to buy groceries, and bought a bunch of grapes. Since we got back, she's been in the kitchen tinkering with them."
"She's so motivated."
"Yeah, her tail was wagging the whole way this morning."
"Haha, did you secretly pet it?"
"I wanted to, but I didn't dare. I was afraid she'd get mad."
"If the boss did it, she definitely wouldn't get mad."
"She'd just blush!"
"Qiqi, did you go herb gathering again last night?"
"Mm."
"Did you go far?"
"A little further than usual."
"Did you bring instant noodles?"
"I brought one box."
"That's good."
"Why hasn't Miss Chi Yu arrived yet?"
"Probably sleeping in. It's Sunday, after all."
"The weather's getting colder. I don't even want to get out of bed in the morning."
"Same. When winter comes, it'll be even harder to get up early."
"Our shop's not too bad. We start work at nine. When I worked at Scent of Spring, we opened at seven, so I had to get up at six to get ready, make breakfast, and then rush to the shop."
"That's so hard!"
"You're so lucky. Your first job is like this… I'm so jealous."
"Hehe, Qiqi must like winter, right?"
"Mm, I used to like it because it's cool, but now that I have the bead Mr. Xia gave me, winter and summer feel the same."
"Lips tend to get chapped in winter."
"That's not a problem. I'm making lip balm right now."
"Lip balm?"
"It's a fragrant balm you can apply to your lips to keep them moisturized. In winter, just a little bit will keep your lips soft and smooth."
"Really?"
"Of course, but I'm still working on it. I'm not very familiar with the alchemy tools, and the boss has been too busy these days. I don't want to bother him too much."
"Keep it up."
At that moment, Xia Zhi's voice came from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready. Come and get it."
"Okay!"
"Miss Chi Yu, you're here! Perfect timing!"
"Right?"
After everyone had breakfast, Shenhe took the booklet Xia Zhi had written the night before and headed to Yuehai Pavilion to deliver it to Ningguang and ask her to invite Keqing to dinner at the shop that evening.
Ningguang smiled and agreed.
After seeing Shenhe off, Ningguang sat at her desk and carefully read through the improved paper-making method.
The steps were clearly written, so even someone like her, who wasn't an expert, could understand it. There were no technical difficulties—it was something that could be used immediately.
"Mr. Xia always surprises me. Baixiao."
"Lady Ningguang."
"Make a copy of this booklet. Keep the original in the secret archives and send the copy to our official paper mill."
"Yes!"
"Make sure to sign new contracts with the managers and above at the paper mill. The news about the new paper must not leak out yet."
"Yes!"
"Baishi."
"Lady Ningguang."
"Go find the Yuheng Star and inform her of Shenhe's invitation."
"Yes."
Baixiao and Baishi left to carry out their tasks.
"A significant drop in paper prices is good for ordinary people, but not for these people."
Ningguang sat alone in her chair, looking at a list on her desk, her eyes flickering.
"I'll have to plan carefully. Otherwise, these paper merchants, big and small, won't be willing to give up this lucrative business."
---
Zhu Zi and Ying'er went to the harbor area to visit the law consultation office and invite Miss Yanfei for lunch.
Diona and Miss Chi Yu were washing dishes in the kitchen, while the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sat at the table reading a book.
Qiqi brought over the box she had placed in the corner earlier. "Mr. Xia, I found a Purple Nightshade last night."
"Oh? That's hard to find."
"I sealed it in ice."
"Mm, that's a good approach. Keep it."
"I don't have a use for it, and there's no place to store it. You take it, Mr. Xia."
"I don't really need it either… but it's true that such a highly toxic herb isn't suitable for Bubu Pharmacy. I'll keep it for now."
"Okay."
Xia Zhi stored the [Purple Nightshade] in his inventory and taught Qiqi more about identifying herbs.
Qiqi took notes diligently in her notebook.
After a while, Diona ran out of the kitchen with her cocktail shaker, looking excited.
"Boss, my wine is ready!"
"What kind of wine?"
"Mondstadt's classic grape wine! Do you want to try it?"
"Pour me a little."
"Okay!"
Diona poured a small cup for Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi tasted it and made a strange face.
"Boss, is it good?"
"Have you tried it yourself?"
"I had a little."
"How was it?"
"Not good."
"…"
"No, I mean, it's as bad as the other wines I've had before."
"…"
"No, no, I mean, I feel like all wines are bad, except for the rice wine you brewed, boss…"
Diona blushed and kept trying to explain.
Miss Chi Yu, standing behind her, couldn't help but laugh at the way Diona's tail kept moving.
"It's fine, don't be nervous. I'm not blaming you."
"Then… boss, do you think it's good?"
"It's alright."
"Alright?"
"It's a bit sour. Did you use the jar in the kitchen to brew it?"
"Yes! It was so convenient! If it's sour, maybe I didn't clean the jar properly after making pickled vegetables?"
"No, it's not the jar's problem. It's the ingredients."
"I followed the recipe in the book!"
"It's the type of grapes. Because of the differences in climate and soil, Mondstadt's grapes are different from Liyue's, so the wine they produce also tastes different."
"Then…"
"The solution is simple, Diona. Just add some black pepper or something to adjust the flavor."
"Oh!"
Diona ran back to the kitchen.
Miss Chi Yu looked puzzled. "Boss, will wine with black pepper really taste good?"
"Yea."
"That's so weird!"
"If you don't believe me, you can try it later."
"You try it first!"
"Fine."
Diona ran back from the kitchen, holding a bottle of black pepper. She poured Xia Zhi another cup of wine and adjusted it.
Under Miss Chi Yu's watchful gaze, Xia Zhi raised the cup and took a sip.
The lingering sourness in the wine was perfectly balanced by the spiciness of the black pepper, creating a unique flavor.
"It's good."
"!"
"I've already tried it."
"Diona, pour me a cup too."
"Okay, Miss Chi Yu! Here you go!"
Miss Chi Yu picked up the cup and cautiously took a sip. Her expression then turned slightly surprised.
"It actually tastes pretty good."
Diona, having received approval, was very happy.
"Boss, can I add some black pepper when I brew wine?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because brewing and mixing are two different things. But you can add some Sweet Flower, and…"
Using the skill he had learned from his cousin and his deep understanding of the properties of all plants, Xia Zhi gave Diona a few small suggestions.
Diona treated them like treasures and quickly wrote them down.
Xia Zhi casually patted her head. Her cat ears were soft and felt great to touch.
Diona blushed but didn't say anything tsundere this time. Instead, she ran out to buy more brewing ingredients.
She's so motivated.
After a while, Shenhe returned, and Zhu Zi and Ying'er also came back.
"I've delivered the item to Miss Ningguang."
"Mm."
"We've also invited Miss Yanfei."
"Good, thank you for your hard work."
Zhu Zi noticed the cocktail shaker on the table.
"Isn't this Diona's shaker? Why is it here?"
"She just used it to make wine for us."
"It's already done?"
"Yeah, she used the jar in the kitchen."
"Oh! You've all tried it? Is it good?"
"Not bad."
"Really?"
"There's still some left. You can try it."
Zhu Zi was curious and poured herself a small cup.
"It's a bit sour."
Miss Chi Yu immediately acted like an expert. "It's not good to drink it straight."
"Then how should I drink it?"
"You have to add black pepper."
"Huh?"
"See, there's a bottle of black pepper next to the shaker, right?"
"Yeah…"
"That's what we used earlier."
"Oh, no wonder. I was wondering why there was black pepper here. But black pepper is so strong…"
"The boss just drank it, and he said it was good!"
"Boss, really?"
Xia Zhi nodded and told the truth. "Diona just made me a cup of black pepper wine, and it was quite good."
"See!"
"Then I'll try it too!"
Zhu Zi picked up the black pepper bottle and sprinkled some into her cup.
"Miss Chi Yu, is that enough?"
"That's about right. Shake it a bit."
"Okay."
"Done."
"Let me try… Ugh…"
Zhu Zi's expression turned strange as soon as she took a sip.
It's both sour and spicy, such a weird flavor. It's definitely not good…
But she still swallowed it.
Ying'er was also curious. "Zhu Zi, is it good?"
Zhu Zi glanced at the boss and nodded. "It's quite good."
So, Ying'er also poured herself a cup with interest. "…Pfft…"
"Hahaha…"
"Zhu Zi, you lied!"
And then, well, there was no "then."
If there was anything to say, it was that Zhu Zi laughed so hard that Ying'er started playfully arguing with her.
The scene of the two girls getting close was quite heartwarming.
Then they both turned to Miss Chi Yu, their expressions serious. "Miss Chi Yu."
Miss Chi Yu looked innocent. "Why are you looking at me?"
"You lied to us."
"No, I didn't."
"Then drink some and show us."
"Fine, I'll drink… Pfft…"
Miss Chi Yu looked at the cup in her hand, puzzled. "What's going on? This isn't the flavor I had earlier…"
Zhu Zi whispered, "She doesn't seem to be acting."
Ying'er nodded. "She doesn't."
They both turned to Xia Zhi. "Boss."
Xia Zhi also looked innocent. "What?"
"You lied to us."
"No, I didn't."
"Then drink some and show us."
"Tch, fine."
Shenhe suddenly spoke up. "Boss, I'll have a cup too."
"Okay."
Xia Zhi poured two cups, added black pepper, shook them, and handed one to Shenhe.
The two of them drank the wine, and Xia Zhi even showed a hint of satisfaction on his face.
"It's really good."
Shenhe's tastes have always been unique—she used to enjoy eating Qingxin raw, so it's hard to say. But the boss…
Zhu Zi and Ying'er exchanged glances and fell silent.
Oh no, the boss's taste buds seem to be broken.
---
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