They chatted for a while longer, finishing their tea.
Jean rubbed her neck, wincing softly at the stiffness.
Xia Zhi caught it immediately and offered to give her a Massage.
Jean agreed, clearing her desk and lying down.
Halfway through, enjoying the comfort, she suddenly remembered something, picked up her phone, and sent a message.
From above, Xia Zhi saw it—it was to Lisa Minci.
And yes, it mentioned him and the Massage.
When Xia Zhi finished and left, closing the office door behind him, a sultry, lazy voice greeted him.
Lisa stood waiting outside, perfectly composed. "Mr. Xia, I've been waiting for you."
Feigning innocence, he asked, "Miss Lisa, what brings you here?"
She stepped close, casually looping her arm through his. "These past few days of alchemy have left me exhausted. I heard from Jean that you're skilled in Massage, so I thought I'd ask for your help too."
"So that's it."
"Will you?"
"Of course."
"I'll pay properly."
"No need for that. We're friends, aren't we? I'll do it as a favor."
So Xia Zhi followed her into the alchemy workshop on the Library's second floor.
The big alchemy table was somehow cleared of all equipment.
And there, Xia Zhi gave Lisa the full treatment.
When he finally left, Lisa leaned weakly against the doorframe, her whole body boneless.
Compared to this, every Massage she'd had back in Sumeru might as well have been fake.
After leaving the Knights of Favonius, Xia Zhi returned to the shop they'd bought yesterday.
The girls were inside, arranging furniture and cleaning.
"Boss, you're back!"
"Mm."
"Did you get the paperwork done?"
"All finished. We can open anytime."
"Jean's efficiency is amazing! Really helps to have connections."
"True. Back when I opened in Liyue, it was thanks to Yanfei's help that I got all the licenses so quickly. Though her lawyer's fee wasn't cheap."
"Boss, I already spoke with Ningguang. She's preparing several mahjong sets for us, but shipping will take a few days."
"That's simple. I'll message Xiao and have him swing by Liyue to pick them up."
"Thank goodness! Makes things so convenient."
"Haha, connections again."
On the street, Xiao wandered alone.
Though the Windblume Festival was winding down, the streets were still lively.
He glanced at his phone.
A message from Mr. Xia—asking him to run to Liyue and fetch something from Ningguang.
Xiao sighed inwardly.
As a Yaksha, his duty was to destroy demons… How had he become a bodyguard and errand boy?
Then a second message arrived.
Dinner tonight in the Serenitea Pot. Xia Zhi was making [Gods' Temptation].
Xiao's expression sharpened.
Dinner wasn't important. But he couldn't stand to see cats suffering on the streets. He wanted to help too.
[Xiao]: Don't worry, Mr. Xia. I'll be right back!
He put the phone away.
A gust of wind swept the street, and Xiao vanished.
--
Fontaine.
Kirara had been delivering packages for two days straight before finally reaching the Opera Epiclese.
She had only one parcel left.
It was sent by Mr. Xia, addressed only to the opera house itself, no recipient named.
He'd told her to message him upon arrival. Someone would come to collect it.
Mysterious.
But Kirara always respected client privacy. She texted Xia as instructed.
Moments later, he replied: wait outside the opera house. A trial was underway, and the recipient couldn't come until it ended.
She wasn't in a rush. She strolled the plaza, watching the fountains, taking selfies, and posting the cutest ones in the group chat.
She even snuck photos of passing officers and mechanical guards.
The group reacted enthusiastically.
Just as she was about to take more, someone tapped her shoulder.
Kirara jumped like a startled cat, fur on end.
Behind her was the fountain.
But how could someone touch her from inside the water?
If it wasn't a person… what was it?
Creepy!
She let out a frightened whimper and spun around.
A familiar face greeted her.
One she'd seen countless times on newspapers, posters, and in books.
"Hello, Kirara." A girl's voice, like clear spring water, melodious and gentle.
Kirara froze, then widened her eyes and stammered, pointing at the elegant girl before her. "Y-you… you're Lady Furina?!"
Furina pressed a finger to her lips, smiling. "Correct."
Kirara still couldn't process it. "But why… why are you here?"
"I just finished a trial. I didn't want you waiting too long, so I came by waterway."
"Waterway?"
Kirara glanced at the fountain at her feet and realized.
"Wait—you came here just for me?"
"Of course. I'm here to pick up the delivery."
"Oh! So this parcel from Mr. Xia is for you!"
"Mm. Where is it?"
"Right here! Please sign to confirm! And if you're satisfied, a five-star review would be appreciated!"
"Don't worry. After such a long trip, you'll get the best rating."
"Thank you!"
"Also, keep my identity secret for now. Don't tell anyone."
"Understood, Lady Furina!"
"I've got things to handle now. Tonight I'll take you out shopping."
"Oh, no need—"
"Ah-ah, you must! It's a promise."
Kirara couldn't refuse a god's invitation. She agreed quickly.
Then Furina seemed to dissolve into a bubble, vanishing.
But in truth, she was still standing in the fountain.
Right in front of Kirara, she opened the package.
Plenty of passersby, yet none seemed able to see her.
Inside were two new phones and some Mondstadt crafts.
Furina carefully examined each trinket, even lifting them to her nose, breathing in as if they carried a familiar scent.
"This is all Cousin's love for me."
She packed them away, then booted up one of the phones.
Testing the new camera function, she pulled Kirara into a selfie.
The grass kitty looked adorably flustered.
Furina sent Xia Zhi a message.
[Cream Puff]: Cousin, I've received everything. Love you!
Xia Zhi: Good. That's all that matters.
[Cream Puff]: Do you want any Fontaine specialties? I'll have Kirara bring some back.
Xia Zhi: Get me some Sinthe.
[Cream Puff]: What do you even want that for? …Fine. It's just diluted Primordial Sea Water. I'll bottle some for you—you can dilute it yourself.