Yuehai Pavilion.
Ningguang twirled the pen in her fingers, leaning back in her chair as she listened with keen interest to Baiwen's report.
"So, how are things going at the construction site?"
"It's a scene of fiery enthusiasm—there are even people sneaking out at night just to haul bricks..."
"That intense? Are their bodies even holding up?"
"They wouldn't be, if the conditions were still like they used to be. But now Mr. Xia is personally cooking on-site. The als are excellent, and the workers all say that after eating, it feels like there's an endless reserve of strength inside them. Even after working the entire day, they don't feel tired at all. Plus, starting from the afternoon of the second day, Mr. Xia began providing unlimited supplies of Rainbow Juice at the site…"
"Oh?"
"Lady Ningguang, at the current pace of construction, the school that was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of the month might actually be finished right after the Lantern Rite around the full moon."
"Finishing early is a good thing."
Ningguang smiled.
"But that also ans everything else we planned will have to be accelerated… Baiwen, go summon Charlotte."
"Yes!"
Baiwen responded and swiftly left.
Ningguang propped her chin up with one hand, gazing out the window in the direction of the construction site, lost in thought.
Not long after, Charlotte entered from outside.
"Lady Ningguang, how may I assist you?"
Ningguang turned her head to look at her.
"You've heard the rumors about the site, haven't you?"
"I've caught bits of it around the city. Seems like most of it involves Mr. Xia…"
"That's right. He's been helping out on-site, and the atmosphere there is incredibly energized. I want you to head to the site and take plenty of positive photos. Starting tomorrow, I want a piece related to the construction site to run in the newspaper every day. Let everyone know and care about what's happening—it'll help create montum for spring enrollnt once the school opens. Do you understand?"
"I understand!"
"Good. Go ahead, and don't worry about overspending."
"Yes!"
—
"Mr. Xia!"
"Charlotte? What brings you here?"
"I'm here to cover a story at the site! Wow, that thing's huge!"
"That's the water dispenser Miss Xia Ci made."
"A water dispenser? Made of wood?"
"Yep. My cousin used Dendro power to grow a massive tree—it's hollow inside and filled with Rainbow Juice. There's a tap installed on the trunk, and if you twist it open, the juice flows out. Just fill a cup and drink."
"That sounds so convenient!"
"If Miss Reporter is curious, go ahead and try a cup."
"Mm!"
Charlotte grabbed a cup and walked over to have a taste of Rainbow Juice.
Even though it was free, the taste was every bit as divine as the 100 Mora-per-glass juice sold in stores.
She had rushed over and was a bit thirsty, so she helped herself to another cup.
Felt like she just earned 200 Mora in one go.
"Mr. Xia, I'll go take a look around and interview so folks now!"
"Alright."
Watching Charlotte dart off to photograph and interview people, Xia Zhi thought to himself that being a reporter seed like tough work, too.
…
Elsewhere, Xia Ci's prototype hovercraft—built using Sunset Vermillionite—was nearly complete.
It had a wind-elent engine made from Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone and was already capable of flying smoothly.
She gave it a few test flights and found it worked pretty well.
"Diona, hop in!"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you want to use the telescope to check out Springvale? We couldn't see it before because the elevation wasn't high enough and Dragonspine was in the way. Now I'll take you to a higher vantage point so you can see it clearly."
"Oh!"
The hovercraft steadily ascended.
Diona glanced down as the ground shrank beneath her, anxiety flickering in her eyes.
"We're not going to fall, are we?"
"Relax, we won't."
"We're still going higher?"
"Of course! Dragonspine is massive. We need to get even higher if we want to see what's behind it."
"I…"
"Diona, are you afraid of heights?"
"N-No way! It's just my first ti doing this, so I'm not used to it!"
"I see."
Xia Ci chuckled.
"Alright, this should be high enough. Let's see… that way, right? I think I see your house…"
"Really? Let see!"
"Here."
"Wow, you're right! I can see Grandpa Finch! He still loves standing alone by the water, spacing out…"
"Do you see your father?"
"Nope. He's probably off hunting in the mountains again."
"Hunting? Even in this cold?"
"This is the best ti! Lots of animals are fattened up and hibernating in their dens. Makes them easy to catch—but only if you know where to look. I used to go with my dad all the ti."
"You're pretty impressive, Diona."
"Hehe… I can even see Mondstadt! So many people!"
"Well, it is a big city."
"This thing of Yaoyao is amazing."
"Right? And that stone of yours isn't bad either. The wine it makes tastes really good."
"Mm! But I think Shenhe's magic eye lens is kind of useless… it just changes your eye color."
"…"
Xia Ci went silent, her expression turning subtly odd.
"Diona, you just don't get it."
"Huh?"
"Shenhe's gadget might be the most useful one of all."
"Why?"
"Not telling."
"!"
"Anyway, give the telescope for a sec. I want to look toward Suru."
"Okay, here."
"It's almost ti."
"Ti for what?"
"I have an appointnt."
"Huh?"
Xia Ci raised the telescope and aid it toward Suru, quickly locking onto the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
She panned the lens toward its rooftop.
And before long, a small figure appeared.
It was Nahida.
---
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