The next morning, Ying'er was already up before seven.
This was a habit she had developed over the years while working at Scent of Spring.
After all, not every shop was like Sumr Shop, which only opened as late as nine in the morning.
Ying'er ca downstairs and found the first floor quiet.
After washing up in the back, she diligently started mopping the floor.
Not long after, Zhu Zi and Diona also ca downstairs.
"Good morning, Miss Ying'er."
"Morning."
…
"Are you two heading out to buy groceries?"
"Yep! The freshest fish arrives in the morning!"
"Miss Ying'er, would you like to co with us?"
"Sure!"
…
"Is there anything specific we need to look out for when buying groceries?"
"Requirents? Hmm, let think… Only Thursdays are special—we have to rember to buy chicken for fried chicken that day. Otherwise, if the boss hasn't given specific instructions, we just buy whatever we feel like. No matter what ingredients we bring back, the boss always turns them into sothing delicious!"
"Fried chicken?"
"Yep! It's super tasty! But the boss says fried chicken has a lot of calories and makes you gain weight easily… Good thing there's massage… Oh, right! How was your massage experience last night, Miss Ying'er?"
"The boss's fingers are both skillful and gentle."
"…?"
Although Ying'er was simply stating a fact—his massage technique was indeed gentle—why did it sound so off?
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Very well. I feel better than ever."
Ying'er reached up and touched her face.
"This morning, when I looked in the mirror, I noticed that the dark circles under my eyes, which had been there for ages, were completely gone. My skin also looks smoother and fairer."
"Right? The essential oil is amazing for nourishing the skin! Look at —I got tanned from being out at sea all the ti, but now I'm all fair again!"
"If only it weren't so expensive… I'd love to have the boss coat my entire body in that warm, sticky liquid every day."
"…?"
"Right?"
"Honestly… yes."
After buying groceries at the market, they returned to find that everyone else in the shop had already woken up—except for Yaoyao, who wouldn't be coming over until the afternoon.
Ying'er put the ingredients into the kitchen and noticed Chi Yu sitting behind the stove, tending the fire, while Xia Zhi was pulling noodles at the counter.
"Good morning, boss!"
"Mm, morning, everyone."
"We're having noodles today?"
"Yep. The beef has been stewing in the pot all night—it's nice and tender now. The weather's cooler, so having a warm bowl of soup in the morning is good for the body."
"Will there be poached eggs?"
"I'll fry one for you."
"Boss, too!"
"Alright, alright. One for everyone, then…"
Ying'er stood nearby, quietly watching the daily life of the shop unfold before her eyes.
For so reason, she felt a strange warmth—like ho.
After finishing a bowl of noodles, topped generously with beef, her stomach was full and cozy. It was only 8:30.
That ant there was still a full half an hour of tea ti before work officially started.
Holding a cup of freshly brewed Qiaoying Village tea, Ying'er sat at the table, lost in thought.
Have I been working a fake job all these years?
She took a sip of tea, its fragrance spreading through her mouth.
As the warm liquid slid down her throat, she let out a satisfied sigh.
Scent of Spring?
Never heard of it. Don't co looking for . I'm afraid the boss will misunderstand!
—
"Boss, are we only opening this side of the shop today, or both?"
"Both. Since we're expecting double the custor flow, I plan to set up another juice station in the shop."
"Huh?"
"Diona, you have bartending experience, and you've already helped mix juices before—you did well. I'll put you in charge of the second station."
"Got it!"
"It might be a bit more work, but I'll pay you extra."
"Thanks, boss!"
"Oh, right. Shenhe, grab so paper and a brush for ."
"Okay."
"Boss, writing another notice?"
"Yep. Since the shop expansion is a big occasion, let's celebrate with another half-price sale today."
"Boss, you're so generous!"
Shenhe brought the paper and brush, carefully laying them out on the table.
Ying'er watched as Xia Zhi picked up the brush and was a little curious.
"Boss, can you write?"
"Of course! The boss has written notices before. That calligraphy on the wall was written by him too!"
"Oh… Boss, impressive!"
The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata glanced at the calligraphy hanging on the wall.
Her expression beca rather interesting as she comnted, "Cousin, impressive work!"
Xia Zhi fell silent for a mont.
"I hadn't written in a long ti back then, so I was out of practice."
"I understand."
"I wasn't really focused."
"Mm-hmm."
"…Cousin, that's enough."
"Hm?"
Xia Zhi sighed and decisively displayed the full extent of his [Calligraphy Mastery], which he had learned from Lord Morax, delivering a small but stunning performance of elegant brushwork.
You just had to push to show off, huh?
Although Zhu Zi and Diona weren't from Liyue, even they could feel the beauty in the writing.
As for Ying'er, being a native of Liyue, her admiration was even greater.
Compared to the previous calligraphy on the wall, this was a night and day difference!
She never expected that, at such a young age, the boss was not only a master chef and a fragrance master—but also a calligraphy master!
Is he actually a genius?!
Even the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was a little surprised—she hadn't expected Xia Zhi to be capable of such beautiful writing.
"Zhu Zi, put this notice up outside later."
"Got it! Boss, your calligraphy is amazing!"
"It's nothing special. My cousin's writing is much better."
"Really?"
"Actually, we need another notice for the other entrance. Why don't you write it, cousin?"
The girls all turned their curious gazes to the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
Now the pressure was on her.
She glanced at Xia Zhi, then smiled and picked up the brush, writing an identical notice.
Though her handwriting was different, it was equally elegant.
"Miss Xia Ci's calligraphy is beautiful too!"
"Thank you. It's all thanks to my cousin's great teaching back in the day."
And just like that, Xia Zhi earned himself another round of admiration from the girls.
Cousin is so considerate.
As a reward, he decided to make cream puffs for her in the afternoon.
Shenhe's expression didn't change much—she was already aware of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's true identity.
Drinking tea and chatting, ti passed quickly.
By the ti the shop opened, business was bustling, and the girls were kept busy.
With nothing to do, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata—having already finished reading all the books in the shop—decided to help out.
At around eleven, a petite girl wearing pink glasses stepped into the shop.
She wore Suru-style rchant attire, with a Electro Vision dangling from the back of her hat.
Both the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Xia Zhi imdiately took note of her.
Each of them, for different reasons, found her interesting.
A citizen of Suru…
A new silver treasure chest person…
----
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