"Not making things difficult for young people when it comes to housing? Yes, you're right. As they say, settle down first, and only then can you start a career. Once they have a home, they will have hope for life."
Ningguang had built herself up from nothing, so she naturally understood how hard life and business could be. Young people were the hope of Liyue. If they had no stable place to live, who would be willing to start a family?
She even recalled something Su Han had mentioned before about the sense of belonging. When happiness increases, the sense of belonging among Liyue's citizens increases as well.
And Mondstadt was the perfect negative example.
Seeing Ningguang agree with him, Su Han continued, "If you think Liyue Harbor is too crowded, you could actually consider developing Guili Plains. That place used to be an ancient Liyue city. If transportation improves, I think young people would be willing to settle there."
"Transportation? You mean Yaoguang Shoal and Liyue Harbor? That is a good idea. If we build a small port there, then Mingyun Village's mining industry could also recover…"
The more Ningguang thought about it, the more excited she became. She could barely sit still and was ready to leave immediately.
At that moment, Su Han said, "I'm planning to make a trip to Mondstadt soon."
Ningguang, who was about to say goodbye, immediately stopped. She looked at Su Han's serious expression and asked, "When are you leaving? Do you need me to assign people to you? The special department has made some progress recently."
"This afternoon. As for manpower, arrange whoever you want. This time I'm just taking Hu Tao with me. We'll be back in about three days."
"So soon? But three days… you'd barely arrive by then. I heard Mondstadt is very chaotic right now. Can't you wait a little longer?"
Ningguang couldn't understand at all. What was so attractive about that chaotic place?
If the goal was to sell comics, he could easily send someone else. As long as there was enough Mora, someone would definitely be willing.
Seeing Ningguang's worried expression, Su Han smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry. I recently obtained a flying treasure. The trip to Mondstadt can be done in less than a day, so going back and forth is easy."
"So that's why… but before you go, you have to promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Don't get too involved in Mondstadt's internal affairs. Over there, you don't have me and the Adepti to back you up. If you intervene too much, it's hard to say what those nobles might do in desperation."
Ningguang wasn't joking. Any domestic matter in a nation would touch someone's interests. The only reason Su Han could do as he pleased in Liyue was because she had silenced a lot of troublesome voices behind the scenes.
But Su Han knew none of this.
Like the paper industry at the beginning, the reason it was able to recover so smoothly was entirely thanks to Ningguang's behind-the-scenes warning:
Anyone who dares trouble Su Han can forget about doing business in Liyue Harbor in the future.
Su Han stayed silent for a moment. It felt like a difficult promise. He could avoid getting involved, but the Fatui definitely wouldn't leave him alone.
After some time, he finally said, "I'll try…"
"I trust you. Once you're gone, I'll immediately send manpower. They'll arrive in Mondstadt within two days at most. They mustn't delay your business."
Ningguang was a woman of action. After she left, she immediately issued orders. Within an hour, a small ship full of skilled people had already set sail toward Mondstadt.
When Su Han returned to the courtyard, he discussed the second business trip with Hu Tao and the others.
"If everything goes smoothly, I'll be back in about three days. Shenhe, remember to practice Iceheart Technique every day.
"As for the store, Zhongli will take care of it for now. Ganyu and the others will help too if they pass by, so there should be no issues."
After a round of reminders, Su Han prepared to depart. This time, the main tasks were decoration and opening arrangements for the Mondstadt branch. If everything went well, he would return quickly.
Zhongli nodded. "No worries. If there's an issue, you can also ask that alcoholic. He usually stays near the statue of the Anemo Archon. He's unreliable most of the time, but he shouldn't dare to brush you off."
He was referring to Venti, of course. Though unreliable, someone like Su Han, wealthy and full of stories would certainly catch his interest.
After all, Zhongli had acknowledged Su Han as his friend.
"Alright, sounds good. Hall Master, if everything's ready, let's go?"
"Go go go! I want to fly! You should've told me earlier, how could you hide something so fun from me!"
The moment she learned they would be flying, Hu Tao became excited, though she didn't forget to nag him a little.
After all, this was the legendary art of flying on a magic item. How could she not be upset he hadn't told her sooner?
The moment Su Han released the Jade Bamboo Flute, Hu Tao immediately jumped onto it. If he weren't fast enough, the Hall Master would've fallen straight off.
"Slow down! I wasn't even prepared yet. If you fall, this is no joke."
"Hehe, I'm just excited! Why are you panicking? Go on, quickly fly!"
Seeing Hu Tao rushing him, Su Han didn't dare delay. After channeling energy into the flute, the two of them shot into the sky.
It was Hu Tao's first time flying, and she was so excited her hat flew right off. If Su Han hadn't reacted quickly, her Heavenly Omens Hat would've been gone.
"Wow… that bird is huge! Su Han, let's go catch it!"
"Huh? Look over there, look over there, there's an ice boar!"
"Ah.. never mind, that's a Cryo Mitachurl."
Wherever Hu Tao was, boredom could never exist. But the price of her excitement was that they flew east, then west, delaying their travel significantly.
Su Han had to rest twice along the way before they reached Dragonspine.
Hu Tao stood at the front of the Jade Bamboo Flute, a hand over her brow as she scanned the distance.
"Huh? Su Han, look over there. Someone seems to be falling from the sky."
"Hall Master, stop dreaming. There are no airplanes here. How could someone—"
Su Han had only said half a sentence before he actually saw a person plummeting toward the ground.
"What the.. someone really is falling!"
Doing his best not to curse too loudly, Su Han reacted instantly.
Hu Tao shouted, "See! I told you someone was falling! Hurry up or we'll only be able to collect the body later! Hopefully he has family!"
Su Han's face twitched. Even when doing a good deed, she was still thinking about funeral business.
To prevent a tragedy, he poured power into the flute. It burst with brilliant green light.
Boom—
A powerful sonic boom exploded through the air.
A thousand meters.
A hundred meters.
Fifty meters.
Su Han closed in rapidly, but once he got close, he realized the falling person was actually someone he knew very well—
Venti!
Why was this guy in such a miserable state?
He had many questions, but he still grabbed Venti immediately. He couldn't expose anything in front of Hu Tao.
Hu Tao stared at the unconscious Venti in surprise. "Why is it him? Su Han, how can a bard fly?"
Venti stiffened in Su Han's grip, worried Su Han might reveal something, but thankfully the shopkeeper knew how to keep secrets.
"He probably fell asleep and a gust of wind blew him up into the sky."
"He's not made of paper. How could wind blow him up there…"
Hu Tao stared at him like he was joking. But she didn't know that Venti literally flew in the sky every day.
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