Kapitel 41: Chapter 41
Soon, Zhu Zi returned from the paper shop with red paper, still looking somewhat pained about the price.
"Boss, I bought the best paper, but it was quite expensive."
"It's fine. Do you still have enough money?"
"Yes! There's still some left!"
"When you're running low on money, remember to ask me for more. This counts as shop expenses. From now on, you'll handle payments when we go out to eat or buy things."
"Alright."
They cleaned off a table and laid out the red paper neatly, using cups to hold down the corners, then took out brush and ink.
"Boss, should I write it?"
"Of course you should."
"But my Liyue writing isn't very pretty."
"It doesn't matter how it looks, as long as customers can understand the meaning."
"So I'll write it?"
"Go ahead, write [New Store Opening, Half Price First Day]."
"...then?"
"Write [100 Mora per cup, limit 2 cups per person]."
"...anything else?"
"Add [Free books available for reading in store]."
"Boss, our juice is so delicious, I don't think we need books to attract customers. Buying those books seems wasteful."
"It's fine, they can serve as decoration too. It adds a scholarly atmosphere, and you can read them as well. Reading more books will help improve your Liyue language skills."
"That's true. Boss, I'm finished."
"Good, let it air dry. When we go to Wanmin Restaurant for lunch, remember to ask Xiangling for some rice paste so we can paste it on the wall when we return."
"Okay!"
With that task done, both of them had free time again.
Zhu Zi wiped down the shop's tables with a cloth, then took out the book she had started reading that morning and sat at a sunny table to continue reading.
With nothing to do, Xia Zhi returned to his room upstairs, read "Liyue Customs and Culture" for a while, got some inspiration, and began writing his novel draft.
In fact, his novel had already diverged significantly from the original work.
Partly because some aspects of the original weren't well handled, some parts were poorly written, and he had forgotten some specific plot points. Additionally, he had incorporated many Liyue elements, changing the setting, so modifications and additions became inevitable, causing the plot to drift further and further.
Since Xia Zhi had studied literature in university, he wasn't worried about maintaining consistency in his writing.
Moreover, since this world had no strict official regulations regarding novels, he could even write more about content that the original work had merely "glossed over."
One could say the path of another world was easier, quite suitable for "driving."
As noon approached, Xia Zhi put down his pen, organized his draft, and went downstairs to take Zhu Zi to Wanmin Restaurant for lunch.
There weren't many people eating at this time.
Xiangling enthusiastically welcomed Xia Zhi and Zhu Zi to sit down, and told Xia Zhi one piece of good news and one piece of bad news.
The good news was that Xiangling was treating them to this meal, so he wouldn't need to pay.
The bad news was that Xiangling had made new slime cuisine and wanted him to taste it and give feedback.
When Zhu Zi heard about slime condensate, she remembered what her boss had said earlier about it being good for beauty, and her face lit up with expectation: "That's great!"
Xia Zhi was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, but I'd like to observe your cooking process in the kitchen, if that's okay?"
Xiangling smiled and nodded, "Of course, follow me."
In the kitchen, Chef Mao also warmly greeted Xia Zhi.
However, for some reason, Xia Zhi felt that Chef Mao's gaze held a hint of respect, as if he were some distinguished guest.
Zhu Zi immediately spotted Guoba sitting behind the stove tending the fire, and exclaimed in surprise: "Why is there a red panda?! Is it tending the fire?"
While busy chopping vegetables, Xiangling explained, "That's Guoba, a companion I met outside."
Zhu Zi looked at Guoba curiously and said, "Guoba? What an interesting name."
Guoba glanced at her and continued silently tending the fire.
Zhu Zi was startled again by his human-like gaze: "It seems like he can understand what we're saying!"
Xiangling laughed, "Of course! Guoba is very smart."
Xia Zhi then appropriately showed some interest, asking with confusion, "Red panda? Guoba? What are you talking about? I'm a bit lost."
Zhu Zi immediately reported, "Boss, there's a red panda called Guoba in the kitchen helping Xiangling tend the fire."
Xia Zhi nodded, "Oh, it can help tend the fire? It must be very intelligent."
Hearing this, Guoba glanced at Xia Zhi again.
Zhu Zi quickly said, "Boss, he's looking at you!"
Xia Zhi smiled, "Is that so? Seems he's interested in me? Hello there, Guoba."
Guoba nodded with an "mmm" sound, seemingly responding to his greeting.
At the same time, Xia Zhi "saw" Guoba's golden progress bar finally move: [1%].
Chef Mao smiled and said, "Guoba already knows Mr. Xia. Last time when you gave Xiangling advice on making the Three-Layered Consommé, Guoba stole and ate it all as soon as it was made. He's very picky about food and won't eat anything unless it's delicious."
Zhu Zi marveled, "That's amazing! We have a fox at the Grand Narukami Shrine back home that eats dango."
"Grand Narukami Shrine?"
"That's our largest shrine in Inazuma. It has a huge Sacred Sakura tree, and many people go there every day to pray and draw fortunes. If people draw bad fortunes, they throw them onto the roof. They say this leaves the bad luck at the shrine to be dispelled."
"Oh? That sounds similar to Yiyan Temple in Liyue."
"Yes, it is."
As Chef Mao listened to Xia Zhi and Zhu Zi's conversation, he suddenly asked, "Is Miss Zhu Zi from Inazuma?"
"Yes!"
"I hear Miss Zhu Zi calling Mr. Xia 'boss.' Is Mr. Xia also from Inazuma?"
"No, I just opened a small shop in Liyue and happened to hire Miss Zhu Zi."
"I see. What kind of shop did Mr. Xia open?"
"Just a specialty drink shop, next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. We'll be opening in a few days."
Xia Zhi "saw" that Guoba seemed interested in the specialty drinks he mentioned. The bear probably thought that someone with his culinary skills would make excellent drinks too, so he added:
"You're all welcome to come visit when we open. I'll treat you to our shop's drinks."
Xiangling smiled and said, "Sounds good!"
Chef Mao agreed, "Alright."
Guoba also nodded, looking expectant.
"Oh right!"
Zhu Zi suddenly remembered something.
"Xiangling, we need to put up an announcement at our shop. Could we get some rice paste from you?"
"No problem!"
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