After buying some ingredients from the market, Xia Zhi entered the kitchen and started preparing the red oil hot pot base. He also set up pots of beef soup, fish soup, and chicken soup on the side.
With so many people at home, just one beef pot wouldn't be enough. Adding a sour fish soup and a mushroom chicken pot would make the meal more varied and enjoyable.
"Cousin, I've brought the mushrooms." Xia Ci went to her room and retrieved some ingredients from the Serenitea Pot. "And some beans."
It was [Great Tuna Belly Soybeans], a staple ingredient in the household that she had started cultivating in bulk.
"Wash them all. Set the mushrooms aside for now, and grind the beans into paste."
"I want tofu skin!"
"Alright, I'll make it… Oh, Qiqi!"
"Boss?"
"Since you're free right now, go and ask Yaoyao to come over for hot pot at noon. Also, check if Granny Ping and the two Adepti are available. If they are, invite them over for a meal."
"Okay."
Qiqi nodded and left.
Xia Zhi turned to ask another question.
"Miss Chi Yu, is Director Hu at home?"
"Yes, but she's probably still asleep."
"Her schedule is a bit chaotic…"
"Haha, well, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor mostly operates at night, unlike our shop."
"Later, go back and invite her to join us for hot pot."
"Thank you, Boss!"
"No problem. Hot pot is more fun with more people. Diona, go prepare some wine, but don't make it too strong."
"Got it, Boss!"
The soup in the pot was becoming richer and creamier.
Xia Zhi took out various spices and began seasoning the broth.
As he stirred the pot with a ladle, the aroma from the soup grew increasingly rich and enticing.
Xia Zhi scooped a small bowl for everyone to taste.
"Come help me taste the flavor."
"Okay."
"Is the beef soup spicy?"
"Phew, ha, not spicy!"
"How about the mushroom chicken soup?"
"Very fresh!"
"And the sour fish soup?"
"Just right."
Xia Zhi nodded but didn't add any more ingredients to the soup.
With his culinary skills, tasting wasn't necessary—it was just to satisfy their cravings.
"Summer Shop, found it!"
Diona's cat ears twitched slightly as if she heard something, and she turned to look toward the kitchen door.
Then, everyone heard a polite knock and a voice from outside the shop.
"Hello! Is anyone in the shop right now?"
"Coming, coming!"
Diona put down her small bowl and hurried out.
Opening the door, Diona saw a sweet-looking girl standing there with a large, mysterious package at her feet.
Huh!?
The two of them stared at each other, both noticing the other's cat ears and tail, and their expressions froze in surprise.
Diona tilted her head, her eyes wide.
"Am I… am I seeing this right? Big sister, you… you have two tails?"
"Oh, you're not mistaken. I do have two tails. Little sister, do you want to touch them?"
"Wow… then, does it hurt where they split? Which one grew first? What do you do when they both move uncontrollably while you're sleeping?"
"Ah, well…"
"Is it hard to answer? I've never seen someone with two tails before!"
"Little sister, don't worry. I think you'll grow a second tail soon too!"
"Huh? I… I'll grow a second tail?"
"Mm! Little sister, you're a youkai too, right? You've already taken on a human form, so your youkai power must be strong. I also grew a second tail while climbing trees without realizing it. People call me… a Nekomata?"
"youkai? Nekomata? Oh, no, no, big sister, you've misunderstood. These ears and tail are symbols of our [Kätzlein] family's bloodline."
"Oh? So you're not a youkai from Liyue?"
"No, no! I'm actually from Mondstadt. Oh, right, big sister, why are you here?"
"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Kirara, a courier from the Inazuma-based international logistics company [Komaniya Express]. I'm here to deliver a package to Miss Zhu Zi of the Summer Shop. Is she here?"
"Yes!"
Diona turned and called into the shop.
"Senior Zhu Zi! Your package is here!"
"Coming!"
Zhu Zi responded and ran out.
Kirara looked at her. "Hello, I need to verify your identity."
"Oh, right! Please wait a moment, I'll go get my ID."
Zhu Zi hurried back upstairs to her room.
After a while, she returned with her identification documents.
By then, everyone had come out of the kitchen, curious about Kirara.
Xia Ci glanced at the Dendro Vision hanging on Kirara's waist and then at the blue-green outfit adorned with cherry blossom patterns she was wearing, her expression showing interest.
It was a very fitting and beautiful outfit for Kirara, definitely not something cheap you could buy off the street.
It must have been custom-designed.
The designer might even be a fashion master.
Interesting.
Xia Zhi was also observing the Nekomata girl from Inazuma using his God's Eye.
He could see a golden progress bar above her head.
Progress: [0%].
Such a powerful youkai capable of taking human form was willing to work as an ordinary courier.
Also interesting.
Kirara didn't feel awkward under everyone's gaze. She smiled warmly, like a girl next door.
Zhu Zi walked over and handed her ID to Kirara.
Kirara carefully examined it, confirmed Zhu Zi's identity, and returned the documents. Then she picked up the large package at her feet.
"Miss Zhu Zi, this is a package your father sent you. Please sign for it."
"Okay! Do I need to pay?"
"No, the sender has already paid. Just sign here."
"Done."
"Great! The package has been delivered safely and on time!"
"Mm."
"Could… could I trouble you for a five-star review?"
"Sure."
"Thank you! Then, goodbye, and please consider [Komaniya Express] for your next delivery…"
"Ah, wait a moment!"
Zhu Zi suddenly remembered something and quickly called out to stop her.
Kirara looked at her, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Is there something else?"
"Yes, I'd like to send a letter back. Can I give it directly to you?"
"Of course."
"I'll go get it! But the letter isn't fully written yet, so I might need you to wait a bit…"
"That's fine."
Zhu Zi bowed apologetically and ran back upstairs to her room.
She took out the letter she had already written from the drawer, picked up a pen, and added a few more lines at the end.
"Dear Mom and Dad, I've received the package you sent! Coincidentally, today I submitted my novel to a publishing house and successfully signed a contract! I'm so happy!… Once my book is published, I'll send you two copies to read! Though it's in Liyuean characters, hehe…"
It took about five minutes for Zhu Zi to finish the letter and rush back downstairs, only to see Diona waving at her.
"Senior Zhu Zi, no need to hurry. Kirara has already agreed to stay and have lunch with us."
"Huh?"
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