章 31: Chapter 31

The incense on the table appeared small, but it burned for a remarkably long time.

It wasn't until nearly dawn that the incense finally burned out completely.

The slender shadowy figure that had been lying on the table raised its head, displaying a satisfied expression like someone who had eaten their fill of something delicious.

She floated to the bedside, looking at Xia Zhi sleeping in bed, and pondered for a while.

Originally, she had intended to scare away this new tenant, just like the previous ones, but she hadn't expected him to have such fragrant, delectable incense.

She had never eaten her fill like this before, never been so satisfied. Compared to this incense, the ones from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor seemed rather tasteless.

If she really scared him away, wouldn't that mean she'd never get to smell and taste such wonderful incense again?

That wouldn't do!

Absolutely not!

She definitely couldn't scare him!

She had to make him stay!

Thinking this way, her face showed a determined expression. Seeing the dawn light beginning to filter through the window, she quietly passed through the wall, silently returning to the neighboring Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

When the sky had fully brightened, Xia Zhi finally awoke from his deep sleep.

Last night, he had slept exceptionally well and peacefully.

Perhaps it was because this was his own house.

Perhaps it was because the incense on the table had a calming effect.

Either way, when Xia Zhi woke up, he felt refreshed and energized.

After getting up and changing out of his sleepwear, he looked around the room and found nothing unusual.

Where was the ghost they had mentioned?

Had it not come last night?

Xia Zhi shook his head, opened the windows to let the lingering incense smell dissipate in the breeze, went downstairs to wash up, and prepared to go out to find something to eat.

On Huyan Street, he came across a small stall selling scallion pancakes. The aroma was enticing, and the price was cheap—one Mora for a large piece.

The stall also happened to sell fresh tofu pudding, newly made that morning, steaming hot with a fresh soybean fragrance. Three Mora for a large bowl, with free sugar on top.

So Xia Zhi stopped and bought two scallion pancakes with a bowl of tofu pudding for breakfast.

Although there wasn't any meat, he was quite satisfied with the meal.

After finishing his simple breakfast, Xia Zhi didn't wander around today but returned to his shop instead.

Yesterday, he had posted a recruitment notice at the Adventurers' Guild, and if all went well, adventurers would be bringing potential candidates for interviews today.

Xia Zhi opened the main door, brewed a pot of tea, and sat quietly waiting inside.

Around ten in the morning, a middle-aged adventurer brought a young girl to the shop.

He carried a greatsword on his back and had a long scar on his left cheek. His walking stride was steady, and his entire demeanor appeared somewhat sharp.

He stood at the doorway without entering uninvited, speaking quite politely: "Excuse me, is this Mr. Xia Zhi's shop?"

Xia Zhi stood up from his chair and nodded: "Yes, and you are?"

He showed a faint smile and said: "I'm the adventurer who accepted your commission. This is the server candidate I found for you, here for the interview."

Xia Zhi looked at him and smiled: "I am Xia Zhi, the shop owner. Please, come in."

Only after receiving permission did he lead the girl inside.

From this small detail, one could tell he was an experienced adventurer who understood proper etiquette.

After both were seated, Xia Zhi brought over two cups of tea and turned to the young girl: "So you're here for the interview?"

The girl appeared to be around twenty years old, with a slender figure and bangs that didn't quite reach her shoulders. She had large eyes and looked quite youthful and lively.

"Yes."

"What's your name?"

"I'm Zhu Zi, from Inazuma. I just recently arrived in Liyue."

"Inazuma...? That's quite far away. What made you think of leaving your homeland to work in Liyue?"

"Well..."

Zhu Zi hesitated, her expression somewhat troubled.

"Is it something you'd rather not tell outsiders?"

"Actually... I secretly ran away from home."

"Oh?"

"Although I don't want to criticize my homeland... the environment there felt too oppressive to me. Do you know about Inazuma's Sakoku Decree?"

"I've heard of it."

"Traveling overseas requires multiple approvals from the Kanjou Commission, and ordinary people have virtually no chance of sailing abroad. So one day, while gazing at the ocean, I made an impulsive decision, tied together a small raft, and set sail, eventually arriving in Liyue."

Xia Zhi fell silent as he looked at the earnest Zhu Zi.

What a Robinson Crusoe story!

That was a perilous ocean voyage that even the South Cross Fleet would only attempt after thorough preparation, yet she crossed it on a simple wooden raft? And somehow actually arrived safely in Liyue.

Was she some kind of protagonist blessed by fate?

"Do you have identification?"

"Yes! Please don't worry, I have no criminal record!"

The middle-aged adventurer spoke up at this point: "Mr. Xia Zhi, please rest assured, I've already investigated Miss Zhu Zi's background. She truly has a clean record, or I wouldn't have recommended her to you."

Indeed, he was an experienced adventurer who handled things well.

Xia Zhi nodded and asked: "Your Liyue language is quite good. Did you teach yourself?"

"I learned it from Liyue people at the docks back home."

"Can you read Liyue characters?"

"Some of them..."

"Can you keep accounts?"

"Yes!"

"I see."

Looking at her appearance, she was a cute and lively young girl, and Zhu Zi clearly met the requirements.

As for other matters, like being from Inazuma, it didn't matter. Xia Zhi's requirements weren't high anyway—it was just a beverage shop, and all she needed to do was handle money and keep accounts.

The middle-aged adventurer noticed Xia Zhi lowering his head in thought but didn't rush him, quietly drinking his tea instead.

Zhu Zi, however, grew anxious. She bit her lip and bowed deeply: "Please give me a chance! I will definitely do my best at this job!"

"What's this about?"

"To be honest, since coming to Liyue, I haven't found suitable work. As of today, I've run out of money. If this continues, I..."

Zhu Zi wore such a pitiful expression that it was hard to refuse her.

Xia Zhi looked at her. He was also a foreigner, and without his advantages, he might have faced the same predicament as her. Thinking this way, he felt a strange sense of kinship.

"Alright, I'll give you a chance."

"Thank you so much!"

"Now, let's discuss the work arrangements and compensation. Here, we work five days and rest two. Working hours are from nine in the morning to six in the evening. The monthly salary for service staff in Feiyun Slope is around 10,000 Mora, and I'll offer the same. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes, it is!"

Zhu Zi quickly agreed. For her, a monthly salary of 10,000 Mora was quite high.

And five working days with two rest days! Other shops in Liyue worked year-round without breaks!

"As for meals and lodging, during work days, you'll eat with me, and the food should be decent. Regarding accommodation, do you have a place to stay now?"

"No."

"If you're willing, you can move into the shop and live here with me. There's a spare room upstairs that just needs a bit of cleaning. Of course, if you're uncomfortable with a male and female living together, that's fine too. You can rent a place outside, but there won't be any housing allowance."

Hearing this, Zhu Zi's expression turned hesitant. The new boss seemed kind-hearted, understanding that she couldn't afford rent and offering her a place to stay, but what if...

Xia Zhi casually removed his black glasses, revealing a pair of gray, lifeless eyes, and said softly: "By the way, there's something I should tell you—I'm actually blind."

Zhu Zi froze for a moment, and the wariness in her heart suddenly disappeared.

The boss couldn't see?

Then there probably wasn't anything to worry about.

The reason the boss wanted her to live here must be because he hoped she could help him with daily life?

After all, being unable to see made many things inconvenient for him.

Thinking this way, Zhu Zi's face broke into a bright smile: "Let's live together then, Boss!"