After sealing their partnership, Xia Zhi gave Lisa a new phone as well, so they could keep in touch.
Lisa curiously examined the little device, then let out a surprised sound.
"This thing… it looks like it was modified from an Akasha Terminal?"
"Sharp as always, Miss Lisa. You figured it out so quickly."
"Well, I did study at the Akademiya, and I was a heavy Akasha Terminal user. I know this device inside and out." Lisa sighed a little. "Akasha Terminals were really convenient, but they only worked inside Sumeru. When I first left the Akademiya and returned to Mondstadt, not having one felt so strange. I never imagined Mr. Xia would be able to modify them for use outside of Sumeru. How did you manage it?"
"I used a bit of special technology."
"Care to share?"
"Not really."
"That's fine. The interface design is clever, though. It can even take pictures? Mr. Xia, let's take one together."
"Sure."
Lisa leaned in, holding the phone high.
The two of them snapped a photo that, at a glance, looked suspiciously like a couple's shot.
"Not bad."
"Right?"
"Shame you can't see it."
"It's fine."
Leaving the warehouse, they returned to the Library. Just as they were about to part ways, Lisa called out again.
"Mr. Xia."
"Yes, Miss Lisa?"
"Nothing serious, just wanted to remind you—update faster."
"Update…?"
"That Liyue cultivation novel you're writing. I finished it these last two days, and it's not bad. Hurry up with the next volume—I'm waiting!"
"…."
--
That afternoon, everyone went to the property office to look for a storefront to open their potion shop.
As soon as they walked in, a pretty attendant came forward with a practiced smile. "Welcome. Are you looking for a residence or a shop?"
"A shop."
"What's your budget?"
"What's the most expensive one here right now?"
"Twenty million Mora."
"And the location?"
"Right next to Mondstadt General Goods. Plenty of space too."
"No wonder… And the cheapest?"
"One million Mora."
"Where's that?"
"Out on the edge of the old district."
Xia Zhi thought for a moment. "Do you have… shops that aren't quite clean?"
"Not clean?" The attendant blinked, then quickly said, "Please don't worry, all our shops are regularly cleaned by staff. You can move in the same day—absolutely no hygiene problems."
"No, not that kind of unclean. I mean… haunted. Ghosts, spirits—anything like that?"
"Ghosts…" The attendant paused, then asked, "What kind of shop are you planning to open?"
"Alchemy potion shop."
"…" The attendant shook her head. "Sorry, all the shops we sell are perfectly legitimate."
Feeling a bit disappointed, Xia Zhi tried another place.
And another. And another.
It wasn't until the fourth or fifth office that someone finally mentioned there was indeed a "not so clean" shop.
The owner had even invited priests from the Church of Favonius to perform exorcisms, but it hadn't helped—things still went bump in the night. With no other choice, the owner was trying to sell it cheap, but nobody wanted to take it.
"We'll take it," Xia Zhi said immediately.
Chi Yu was already rubbing her hands excitedly, eyes shining with impatience.
Come on—she'd been the old Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for thousands of years without a single proper job. Her hands were itching. Finally, a chance for her to show off again.
The group followed the staff to the shop.
With the key, they opened the door.
Inside, it wasn't dusty, perfectly quiet, and nothing seemed off at first glance.
Chi Yu rushed in ahead, sweeping through both floors before frowning. "Strange. There's no trace of spirits here."
"Could they have been mistaken?"
"Doesn't matter. At this price, it's a steal either way."
"Mm-hm."
If the old Director said it was fine, then it was fine.
Afterward, they went to Mondstadt General Goods to buy counters and other furnishings, then ordered a signboard.
"Boss, what should we name the shop?"
"Any ideas?"
"Summer Shop?"
"That's for selling juice, not potions."
"Summer Big Shop?"
"Try again."
Everyone thought for a while, until Xia Zhi finally said, "Let's call it Dragon Potions."
After all, the shop was meant for Dvalin and Durin in the first place.
Of course, opening a potion shop wasn't that simple—these were regulated goods, so all sorts of paperwork and approvals were required. But since Xia Zhi was partnering with the Knights of Favonius, he just left all of that to Jean.
I have a friend in management.
--
Night.
Inside the Serenitea Pot.
Xia Zhi was giving Xia Ci a massage while they chatted about the new phone's features.
"Everyone says it feels great to use."
"Well, it's already been proven in another world's market."
"Think we could add anything unique to this world?"
"Like what?"
"I've got an idea—I'm planning to make a mobile game."
"Oh?"
"Auto battle style."
"Go on."
"Like TFT, but all the units and synergies are localized."
"Localized?"
"For example, the seven elements as synergies. Geo boosts defense, Hydro boosts HP, and the more units you have, the stronger the bonus."
"And then?"
"Then weapon synergies—polearms boost crit rate, bows boost attack speed, staves boost magic damage…"
"Sounds fun."
"I'll put all our friends in as units too."
"Nice."
"What do you think, Cousin?"
"Kinda makes me want to play already. Go for it."
"Give me two days."
After the massage, his cousin leaned in to kiss him for a while.
Xia Zhi didn't mind that at all.
--
House of Daena.
Nahida felt… numb.
She'd stayed up all night finishing a novel, and now she felt completely drained.
Lying weakly on the ground, she touched her lips, guessing that her sister was probably doing exactly what was in those pictures again.
Only something like that could give her sister such a rush of stimulation—strong enough for Nahida to feel it herself.
She pulled out her phone and sent a message.
[Nahida]: Sis, don't do that.
[Xia Ci]: ???
[Nahida]: I'm still little.
[Xia Ci]: [smile emoji :)]
[Nahida]: Sis, this is seriously affecting my daily life.
[Xia Ci]: You don't know how lucky you are.
[Nahida]: !!!
[Nahida]: If you do it again tomorrow, I'll be mad.
[Xia Ci]: [scared emoji T-T]
Nahida put her phone down.
Her sister would probably restrain herself now.
And if she didn't…
Forget it. Don't think about it. Time to read again.
She opened the file [Cream Puff] had sent yesterday.
I'm not interested in novels. I'm just studying Sis's psychology.