After finishing the morning's kitchen work, Xia Zhi stepped out.
Yelan was sitting alone at a table in the corner, casually toying with a die in her hand, tossing and catching it idly.
"Mr. Xia."
"Miss Yelan."
Xia Zhi sat down across from her.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's nothing. You worked hard making breakfast for everyone. My mission's done and I'm on leave now—I've got ti to spare."
"Haha. So, what did you want to talk about?"
"It's about divination."
"Ah, divination."
"Didn't you read my fortune before? You said I'd be back before the Lantern Rite, and you were spot on. Since Mr. Xia's readings are so accurate, I wanted to ask you for another one."
"What would you like to divine?"
"My fortunes for this year…"
Yelan hesitated briefly.
"And also… my marriage prospects. If that's alright."
Xia Zhi nodded with a smile. "Of course, no trouble at all."
He pulled out a few Mora coins and tossed them onto the table.
The Mora clinked as they landed and settled into position.
Xia Zhi, staying in character, reached out and lightly traced over the coin pattern, focusing carefully on the reading.
Yelan watched silently, waiting until he pulled his hands back before asking.
"Well? Mr. Xia?"
"The reading shows a change from adversity to prosperity. However…" He gestured at two of the coins. "See these? Their placent is slightly off."
"And that ans?"
"It suggests that before your fortunes rise, you'll experience another downturn. Judging from the timing and direction, it's coming soon… and from the northwest. It seems to indicate a return to The Chasm."
Yelan blinked, eyes widening in surprise.
"You're right, Mr. Xia. I was actually planning to head back to The Chasm soon. I uncovered so clues during my last investigation—connected to an ancestor of the Yelan Clan and an unnad Yaksha—but because of other duties, I had to return to Liyue first and report to the Qixing. I was planning to revisit the site in a few days."
"You've learned by now that The Chasm is tied to the Abyss. It's dangerous for you."
"Don't worry, Mr. Xia. I'll be careful."
Yelan smiled lightly.
"And besides, the reading says 'adversity gives way to prosperity,' doesn't it? That implies I'll co back unhard."
"You…"
Xia Zhi shook his head.
"Divination is only divination. The future isn't set in stone. So forces have the power to distort fate itself. The Abyss is one such force."
"…"
"This is serious. Think it through carefully."
"I will. Thank you for the warning, Mr. Xia."
"Back to the reading—if you do return safely from The Chasm, your fortunes will sharply rise. Like riding the wind to great heights."
"Riding the wind?"
"It's an expression from my holand. It ans soone will be promoted to a high position with ease. In other words, after you co back, you'll probably be getting a promotion."
"A promotion…"
Yelan looked slightly startled.
"It's strange, though. You're already the top intelligence officer under Lady Ningguang. There doesn't seem to be any higher position suitable for you."
Xia Zhi muttered to himself.
Yelan chuckled at his words.
"I'm curious too. Mr. Xia, could you divine a little deeper?"
"Sure."
He picked up the coins, tossed them again.
They clattered and settled into formation.
As Xia Zhi studied the result, Yelan quietly asked, "What do you see now, Mr. Xia?"
"It's the pattern of the Big Dipper. But this coin here—it's particularly prominent. It's pointing to the Star of Tianshu."
"Tianshu?"
"Yes. Miss Yelan, you're going to be the next Tianshu Star."
"Mr. Xia, you really are accurate."
"Oh?"
"Lady Ningguang has already spoken to about it twice. The current Tianshu is getting on in years, and after suffering from poisoning, his health is no longer what it used to be. She hopes I'll be his successor."
"That's a great opportunity."
"It is… But , I originally chose to beco a special intelligence officer because I enjoy skirting the edge of danger. It might sound odd to you, Mr. Xia, but I used to… like getting injured on purpose."
"I knew that."
"Hm?"
"When Lady Ningguang brought you to the first ti, I noticed you had plenty of old injuries. None of them were too serious, and when I was massaging them, you didn't seem to be in pain. In fact… your voice sounded a little too pleased."
"…"
Yelan's face flushed with warmth.
She glanced at Xia Zhi—thank the Archons he couldn't see her expression.
"There's no need to feel embarrassed, Miss Yelan. It's not exactly a disease."
"…Mm."
She lowered her head and changed the subject.
"Let's talk about my marriage fortune next."
"That's also reflected in your reading. Sa pattern—adversity leads to fulfillnt."
"Oh?"
"In other words, you'll et soone you like this year."
"Really?"
A strange light flickered in Yelan's eyes.
She was about to ask if Mr. Xia could tell who that person might be—but after a mont, she swallowed the question.
"Thank you for your insight, Mr. Xia."
"Ah, it was just a simple reading. No need to thank ."
Xia Zhi scooped up the coins.
"But I'll say it again—fate is fickle. What I've seen today is just a sliver of what could be. Don't take the reading too seriously. Just follow your heart."
Yelan nodded and smiled. "I understand."
For so reason, Xia Zhi felt the way she looked at him now had changed.
It reminded him of when he gave Ningguang her reading—her gaze had changed too.
They chatted a while longer over tea.
Eventually, Yelan stood to leave. "I've been out of the city for quite so ti, and I'm sure my backlog of intel is piling up. Now that I've recovered, I'd best get back to work."
"Take care. And don't forget to join us for the Lantern Rite dinner."
"I won't miss it."
With a graceful turn, Yelan departed.
Xia Zhi remained seated, tapping his chin in thought. Then he took out the coins again and tossed them.
Let's see… who's Yelan's destined partner?
The reading ford.
At first glance, it looked completely ordinary—but sothing about it felt familiar.
Xia Zhi fell silent.
Wasn't this the fake fortune I cooked up for myself?
He picked the coins up and tossed them again.
This ti, he asked about Ningguang's match.
The result was the sa. Ordinary. Familiar.
Xia Zhi was dead silent.
Again? The sa fake fortune I made for myself?
But he and Miss Yelan, and Miss Ningguang—they were all perfectly innocent!
Maybe Moon Carver's divination thods weren't that reliable after all.
Shaking his head, Xia Zhi pocketed the coins and headed back into the kitchen.
Forget it. Let fate run its course.
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