The next morning, Zhu Zi and Diona returned from the docks with photos of the sunrise they had taken using the Kamera.
Though they weren't particularly skilled, a few of the shots turned out quite well. Everyone passed the photos around, admiring them with great interest.
Zhu Zi suddenly sighed softly, "It's a pity the boss can't see them…"
Xia Ci looked at her and said, "That's why we should take more photos in our daily lives, capturing these moments. When Cousin's eyes are healed, we can show them to him. It'll be like reliving memories."
The girls' eyes lit up. "That's a great idea!"
Someone glanced at the only Kamera in the shop, feeling it might not be enough, and already started thinking about buying a new one for themselves.
After everyone dispersed to clean the shop, Xia Ci leaned closer to Ganyu and whispered, "Ganyu, if you're having trouble sleeping alone at night, you could take a few photos of Cousin and keep them…"
Ganyu's face instantly turned red, and she whispered back in embarrassment, "I would never do such a thing."
"I know you're shy. I'll secretly take some photos for you later, maybe even some in his pajamas."
"What are you talking about?"
"I promise I won't tell anyone. As your senior sister, it's only reasonable for me to help you evaluate your potential partner."
"That's not it…"
"So, do you want them or not? If not, I'll sell them to Ningguang. She's rich and would definitely buy them."
"…"
Ganyu hesitated for a moment, then decided that if Mr. Xia's photos were going to circulate, it was better they ended up in her hands.
"Fine… I'll take them."
Xia Ci nodded in satisfaction. Ganyu was so fun to tease—no, so adorable.
Because of the photo incident, Ganyu couldn't stop her mind from wandering, making it difficult for her to look directly at Xia Zhi during breakfast.
After finishing her meal, she quickly helped clean the table and hurried off to work.
Xia Zhi "watched" her retreating figure and sighed inwardly at her dedication. She was truly the workaholic of the Yuehai Pavilion.
That evening, when everyone went out for a stroll, they visited the small shop run by the Fontaine merchant again. With Xia Ci's silver-tongued bargaining skills, each girl managed to buy a new Kamera at a very favorable price.
Xia Zhi didn't get one, as he was blind and couldn't take photos of the scenery.
Along the way, the crisp sound of shutters clicking filled the air.
Curious, Xia Zhi asked why everyone had suddenly become so enthusiastic about photography and learned it was to create memories for him.
He was deeply moved.
After returning to the shop, Xia Zhi gave them all massages, letting them experience a one-second burst of the "Enjoyment" effect. It wasn't that he didn't want them to enjoy it longer, but the effect was too intense for ordinary people to handle. Any longer, and they'd be overwhelmed. This wasn't part of the regular service but a special treat for the night.
As a result, the girls spent an extra half-hour in the bath, and when they emerged, their bodies still felt weak.
Late at night, Shenhe knocked on the wall and entered the room, her nails still painted with the same color as the day before.
"Boss, do they look good?"
"They do."
Shenhe's eyes showed a hint of joy.
Her emotional expressions had become more vivid than before.
However, Xia Zhi had learned the Red Rope Binding Technique from the adepti and understood its profound effects. He knew the seal still influenced her, and as time went on, the suppressed forces of "Loneliness" and "Calamity" within her continued to accumulate, growing more terrifying.
This was why Cloud Retainer had later dared not remove the seal. Suppression wasn't a long-term solution. Fortunately, Xia Zhi had found a new method, but Shenhe's seal could only be removed at a specific time, so it would take a while before he could fully resolve the issue.
A Warmth Talisman was stuck under the bed, and the two sat on it, feeling the room as warm as spring.
"Everyone was saying how well they slept last night."
"Haha, it's good we have this. Otherwise, winter would be unbearable. I wouldn't even want to get up at night."
"Should I draw a few more and stick them in the shop's front hall?"
"That could work."
"Alright."
Then came the spear practice session. There wasn't much to say about that.
Shenhe took off her bell and leaned on the boss's shoulder, falling asleep with a satisfied expression.
In her dream, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sat alone, fiddling with a pile of parts on the table, assembling them.
Little Shenhe walked over, tiptoed, and leaned on the table, curiously watching.
"What's this?"
"A recorder."
"Why does it look like this?"
"It's a new invention of mine, not the kind from Cousin's original world."
"No battery?"
"There's a special battery, made from Electro ore."
"Can't it be charged?"
"Not yet, but I'll keep improving it. Eventually, Vision holders with Electro powers will be able to charge it."
"Oh."
Xia Ci finished adjusting the machine and spoke a few words into it, which it accurately repeated.
"How's that, Cousin?"
"Impressive, Cousin."
"Right? We've solved half the problem with the morning exercises."
"You made this in just two days? You're making fast progress."
"Well, I took apart that Kamera and studied it. I have to say, Fontaine's technological development over the past 500 years is quite something. That Fontaine merchant said they even have railboats that stop at stations, like some kind of high-speed train."
Xia Zhi noticed a glint in Xia Ci's eyes.
"You want to visit Fontaine again?"
"Cousin, don't you want to ride one of those boats?"
"Hmm… We're heading to Sumeru anyway, so we could stop by Fontaine for a visit."
"I heard from Ningguang that the new Hydro Archon in Fontaine seems quite interesting. She loves spending time in the grand theater, watching trials."
"She must have a lot of free time."
Xia Ci chuckled, then suddenly brought the conversation back.
"What are you planning to do with Ganyu's ten million Mora?"
"I'll deposit it in the Northland Bank for now to earn some interest. The construction site doesn't need the money at the moment."
"You can't just leave it in the bank forever."
"Once the school is built, I'll use the interest to set up a scholarship fund. It should help a lot of children every year."
"That's a great idea. Let's call it the Ganyu Scholarship Fund!"
"Ganyu's timely blessings bring prosperity to all. Naming the scholarship after Miss Ganyu is indeed fitting."
"Haha…"
As the two were discussing this seriously, Shenhe pursed her lips, feeling someone was trying to bully her senior sister, and secretly poked the boss.
Xia Zhi coughed and said, "But this involves Miss Ganyu's right to her name, so it's best to discuss it with her first."
Xia Ci glanced at Shenhe, who met her gaze defiantly. Xia Ci seemed to feel a bit regretful. "Tsk… Fine."
Shenhe felt she had won.
The next day, Thursday arrived.
In the afternoon, after the shop closed, Xia Zhi was in the kitchen making fried chicken when several guests arrived one after another.
Miss Ningguang, a regular, was no surprise.
Miss Yelan, who had sustained a few minor injuries, came for treatment.
Miss Yun Jin, who had some inspiration, came to seek advice.
And Miss Yanfei, who had finished writing her law textbook, came to submit the draft.
Everyone had a legitimate reason, and it was clear they hadn't specifically chosen this day to come for the fried chicken.
When several large plates of fried chicken were served, Zhu Zi suddenly shouted, "Wait! Let me take a photo first!"
She pulled out her Kamera and started snapping away.
Xia Zhi, hearing this from the kitchen, couldn't help but shake his head.
After finishing the fried chicken, Xia Zhi took Yelan to the back room to treat her injuries.
"Thank you, Mr. Xia."
"I told you to rest for a few days after staying up so late last time. Why were you sent out on a dangerous mission again?"
"It's not like that."
"Then what?"
"After the massage from you last time, I noticed my strength had increased slightly. For me, this newfound power that I couldn't fully control actually disrupted my combat rhythm. I needed to adapt to it quickly, so I sought out opponents of similar strength to spar with."
"So, these injuries are from those fights."
"Yes."
"Did you win?"
"Of course."
"Have you mastered the power?"
"Mostly."
"Have you considered that after this massage, your strength might increase again?"
"…Then I'll just keep sparring."
What an endless cycle!
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