Mona was the first to dig in.
She ate for a full thirty minutes before finally putting down her chopsticks.
"I'm so full."
Rubbing her slightly rounded belly, Mona let out a long sigh of satisfaction. "I haven't been this full in a long time. And it was delicious."
Her eyes narrowed in delight, and her eyebrows curved into crescent moons.
Being full was true happiness.
And the food was incredible. It was the best meal she had ever eaten.
Coming to Liyue today was absolutely the right decision.
"I'm glad you liked it."
Xiangling giggled, seeing Mona so satisfied. "If you want to eat again, just ask. I'll make it for you."
"How much is it?"
Hu Tao reached into her sleeve.
"With our relationship, you still want to pay?"
Xiangling shook her head. "This meal is on me. It didn't cost much. Besides, the Shopkeeper is here, and you introduced me to a new friend. An astrologist like Mona doesn't need to pay."
They had chatted during the meal, and Xiangling had gotten to know the mysterious astrologist.
"Then this Director won't stand on ceremony!"
Hu Tao grinned, pinching Xiangling's cheek. "I'll bring you extra Plum Blossom Pastries next time."
"Deal."
Xiangling nodded. She loved Hu Tao's handmade pastries.
"Well then, let's head out."
Felix stood up with a smile. "We've eaten our fill. I'll take a walk and then head back. Director Hu, I'll see you tomorrow."
Dinner was done. Time to stroll and return home.
Tomorrow, he would restock jars, sell more, and hopefully earn another exclusive jar. Just thinking about it made him happy.
"Shopkeeper, don't rush off! Let's walk together."
Hu Tao stood up too. "You need to digest after eating. I'm heading back to Wangsheng anyway, so it's on the way."
She wasn't going to let this opportunity to bond with him slip away.
Felix: "..."
Fine. If Director Hu wanted to follow, let her follow.
Hu Tao picked up Charmander, and the trio left Wanmin Restaurant. Mona hurried to keep up—if she lost them, she'd be sleeping on the street tonight.
Felix walked through the streets of Liyue, looking up at the sky.
The crescent moon and twinkling stars hung suspended in the night, elegant yet playful, like the lively eyes of a young girl.
They strolled slowly and soon arrived near Liyue Harbor.
The docks were still packed with people.
In the distance, the Steam Battleship sat quietly in the water. Next to it was The Alcor.
Crew members from the Crux Fleet had moved The Alcor over when they arrived.
The two ships sat side by side, creating a stark contrast.
Compared to the Steam Battleship, The Alcor looked like a shabby little boat.
"That's The Alcor? I used to think it was magnificent—the ship every sailor dreamed of boarding. Now... it looks like nothing."
"Idiot, you have to compare The Alcor to normal ships. Compared to other Liyue vessels, The Alcor is a titan. But against this battleship? Of course it falls short."
"Yeah. Even if The Alcor looks like a wreck next to the battleship, no other ship in Liyue can match The Alcor."
"True. Unless something unexpected happens, Captain Beidou will shift the Crux Fleet's focus to the battleship. I wonder what she'll do with The Alcor? They can't sail both at once."
"Why not? Just assign a crew to it. If not, dock it at the harbor and let the Ship Bureau maintain it."
"Sigh, if only they would sell The Alcor."
"Hehe, don't be stupid. Why would they sell it? Even if she doesn't use it, The Alcor carries the reputation of the Crux Fleet. It's their symbol. Keeping it docked is better than selling it."
"I was just joking."
"Man, I really want to tour the Steam Battleship. Tonight is the open tour, but the time is short. Forget it, I'm leaving. I'll come back early tomorrow."
"Good point. Wait for me. I'm leaving too. The line is hopeless."
"I'm staying. If I don't get on that ship tonight, I won't be able to sleep."
...
The crowd's chatter drifted to Felix, Hu Tao, and Mona.
"It's been so long, and there are still so many people."
Mona sighed, looking at the dense crowd. "I wanted to see it too, but there are too many people. Maybe tomorrow or the day after."
"Hehe, I'll come with you tomorrow."
Hu Tao grinned. "Even though I've already seen it."
Hu Tao was only mildly interested. She had seen Beidou pull it from the jar and heard Felix's explanation firsthand.
"Haha, what a coincidence! Good evening, Shopkeeper, Director Hu, and... beautiful lady."
A cheerful voice rang out.
A tall, slender young man with a boyish face, dressed in grey, walked toward them. He stopped in front of Felix and smiled warmly.
It was Tartaglia, who had walked all the way from Northland Bank.
He feigned surprise at seeing Felix and Hu Tao.
His gaze fell on the little creature at Hu Tao's feet. It was indeed cute.
But was that really a Fire Dragon?
Tartaglia scrutinized Charmander.
"Char!"
Charmander cried out in annoyance, sensing the scrutiny.
This man had a disgusting aura. Even stronger than the woman next to him (Mona). It made Charmander uncomfortable.
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes at Tartaglia. She didn't speak, clearly unwelcoming.
She shifted the Soul Staff behind her back, contemplating whether to give him a whack.
"Haha."
Seeing her reaction, Tartaglia laughed awkwardly. "Seems Director Hu isn't in a good mood. Never mind then, I'll be going. Won't disturb you further."
He waved and walked away.
As he passed, he glanced at Charmander one last time.
Just a dopey lizard. Doesn't look like a dragon at all. No need to worry about it.
"That guy... has a nasty aura," Mona whispered as he left. "But he possesses a Hydro Vision, like me. Interesting."
"Those Snezhnayan guys aren't good people. He's a Harbinger," Hu Tao sneered. "Best to avoid dealing with them."
"Mhm." Mona nodded.
She knew of the Fatui. She had encountered plenty of them robbing people on the roads.
The group didn't stay long at the harbor due to the crowds. Under Hu Tao's lead, they headed to Yujing Terrace.
Looking down from the terrace, they could see the prosperity of Liyue Harbor in full view.
"It's beautiful."
Felix smiled at the sight. Liyue at night was always stunning.
"Yeah."
Hu Tao hugged Charmander. "I come here every night I have time just to look."
Felix glanced at a building to the right below them.
The sign read "Bubu Pharmacy." It was closed.
After gazing for a while, Felix said, "Alright, that's it for today. I should head back."
He decided not to open the shop tonight. There wouldn't be customers anyway. He'd just sleep.
"Okay. I won't walk you back then."
Hu Tao waved. Wangsheng was just below, while Felix's shop was further away.
She had enjoyed the evening walk with him.
"Let's go back too."
Hu Tao grinned at Mona. "I'll show you to your room."
"Mhm."
Mona nodded and followed Hu Tao down the terrace toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Shopkeeper! You're finally back! Are you still open?"
When Felix returned to his shop, he found someone sitting on the doorstep.
The man jumped up in excitement upon seeing Felix.
"I'm here to open jars!"
The man's eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept in ages.
Felix: "..."
He looked exactly like a gambler who had lost his mind.
"Yes, we're open."
Felix nodded, unlocking the door. "Come in. Pay the money and pick your jar."
"Okay!"
The red-eyed man followed him inside eagerly.
Meanwhile, at Liyue Harbor.
Zhang Xuepeng disembarked from the Steam Battleship and immediately headed to another dock, where he pulled out a small motorboat.
"I must report the information about this Steam Battleship. I'm going back personally."
He muttered gravely as he boarded the motorized boat.
He had planned to stay in Liyue and enjoy life for a while.
But the appearance of the mysterious Steam Battleship changed everything. Without hesitation, he decided to leave Liyue overnight and return to Fontaine.
Liyue had steam technology superior to Fontaine's!
This was a major event.
He had to report it in person.
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