On the left was a zombie, on the right a ghost, and across was a half-adeptus.
Zhu Zi suddenly felt the scene before her was sowhat surreal.
A month ago, she was still looking for work everywhere, living in a small inn, so poor she could barely afford food.
A month later, she was chatting and laughing with these legendary figures.
"I'll go boil water. Miss Shenhe, co play."
"Okay."
Zhu Zi stood up, Shenhe ca over to sit down.
After a while, Zhu Zi ca out from the kitchen, saying: "Water's ready, everyone can take baths now."
Ganyu looked at Xia Zhi, saying shyly: "Mr. Xia, work has been very tiring these past days. I'd like to ask for another massage, if possible?"
Xia Zhi nodded, saying: "Of course."
"Then I'll go take a bath first."
"Mm, I'll prepare too."
Ganyu went to take a bath, and since it was getting late, everyone put away the mahjong set.
Xia Zhi washed his hands, lit incense in the back hall, and laid clean towels on the small bed.
A strange fragrance that cald both mind and soul wafted through the air, attracting Qiqi and Chi Yu.
"Mr. Xia, is the massage done on this small bed?"
"Yes."
"Do you light such nice incense for every massage?"
"Mm, it makes the massage more effective."
"How much does Mr. Xia charge for a massage service?"
"I haven't offered it to the public yet, so there's no set price."
"Is it free for Miss Ganyu?"
"Not free, Miss Ganyu felt uncomfortable not paying, so she insists on paying 500 Mora each ti."
"How little?"
"500 Mora."
Chi Yu was surprised, glancing at the incense burner.
"So cheap! Mr. Xia can't even cover the incense costs, right?"
"This is a friend's price. Miss Ganyu is one of us, no need to talk about money."
"If I wanted a massage, would Mr. Xia give a friend's price too?"
"Of course, would Miss Chi Yu like to try?"
"A little, but I can't pay..."
"Oh?"
"Mr. Xia may not know, but Mora isn't ordinary money - it's very heavy for ghosts."
"Heavy?"
"Yes, the more widely circulated the Mora, the more human energy it carries, making it heavier for ghosts to carry. Though I've recovered so strength, I still can't lift 500 Mora at once, even new coins."
Xia Zhi found this interesting and learned sothing new.
"No worries, Miss Chi Yu can try for free the first ti."
"Eh?"
"Miss Ganyu's first massage was free too."
"I see."
"Mm, but since it's free, I'll only massage your shoulders and arms, giving you a simple experience."
"Oh! I want to try!"
"Please lie down."
"Okay."
Under Qiqi's clear gaze, Chi Yu floated to the small bed and lay down.
Xia Zhi properly placed his hands on her shoulders. Because he had the [Boundary Walker] skill, he could touch her body.
A bit cold, but the feeling wasn't much different from Miss Ganyu's shoulders.
Miss Chi Yu couldn't help letting out a comfortable sound.
"How does it feel?"
"Mm~ So good~ Ah~"
"Massage has many benefits for the human body - it can relax muscles, ease fatigue, improve circulation... though these probably don't apply to ghosts."
"Feeling good is enough!"
Xia Zhi smiled and focused on massaging.
He didn't notice Qiqi's eyes flash with a slight light when she heard "relax muscles."
After massaging Miss Chi Yu's shoulders and arms, Xia Zhi stopped.
Miss Chi Yu was squinting contentedly, still lost in the pleasant sensation.
"Ti to get up, Miss Ganyu should be done bathing soon."
"Oh."
Chi Yu got up from the small bed, floating by the incense burner with a reluctant expression.
"Mr. Xia."
"Mm?"
"I want to work part-ti here too."
"What would you do?"
"Earn money! You don't need to pay wages since I can't carry them anyway. Just count it toward food and massage costs."
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is such a big business, is this necessary?"
"Hu Tao works hard for her money too, how could I use a junior's money for eating and entertainnt! Self-reliance is better. I'm just sleeping all day at Wangsheng anyway, might as well help you out. It's win-win!"
"..."
"Plus I'm very capable! I can tend the fire, wash dishes, cups, clothes... except for dealing with custors, I can do everything they do. Mr. Xia, what do you think?"
Xia Zhi "looked" at Miss Chi Yu's expectant face before him and smiled helplessly: "Alright."
"Thank you, Boss! I'll work hard!"
After a while, Ganyu finished her bath and ca over.
Tonight she wore a loose light blue robe, the collar slightly open, highlighting her figure.
Seeing Chi Yu and Qiqi there, Ganyu paused, her face reddening slightly.
Xia Zhi noticed her embarrassnt and said: "Miss Chi Yu, Miss Qiqi, I'm going to give Miss Ganyu a massage now, please step out."
Though it was a friend's price, since she paid, she was a custor. Protecting custor privacy was important.
"Oh (Mm)."
Chi Yu and Qiqi nodded and left together.
Ganyu quietly sighed in relief. Though she enjoyed massages, she felt uncomfortable with others watching.
Because during massages, she couldn't help making so sounds, and it would be too embarrassing if others heard directly.
"Miss Ganyu, please lie down."
"Okay."
Monts later, strange sounds began coming from the room.
--
Bubu Pharmacy, a certain room.
In the soft light, Baizhu held a dical book he was seriously reading, occasionally letting out light coughs.
Outside the window, light rain was still falling.
Changsheng slithered up the table leg, looking at him and saying: "You should rest."
Baizhu closed the dical book as told: "Mm."
Changsheng offered a small piece of incense coiled in his tail: "Only this bit left. Use it - its calming effect will help you sleep better tonight."
Baizhu smiled gently and nodded: "Then let's use it."
He took the incense burner and placed the small piece of incense in it, lighting it.
A strange fragrance wafted out.
Baizhu took a gentle breath, feeling the torturous pain in his body seeming to ease sowhat.
It did feel much better.
Baizhu blew out the lamp and, with the patter of night rain, closed his eyes, slowly sinking into dreams.
----
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