Although she didn't feel cold, Fang Qiu still tugged her clothes a little tighter around herself.
After all, with her constitution, it was entirely possible for her to catch a chill and fall ill before she even noticed the cold.
"Go on, give it a try — it's really tasty."
Fang Qiu said with a soft laugh.
"Mm."
Shenhe nodded, and turned her gaze toward the little plate on the table — the milky-white pastry that Fang Qiu had told her was called "cake."
Beside the cake sat a cup of milky-white liquid as well.
According to what Fang Qiu had explained, this was Iced Coconut Milk.
All of it was something Fang Qiu had ordered for her.
But — how was she supposed to eat it?
She instinctively looked toward Fang Qiu.
Seeing that Shenhe was a little at a loss,
Fang Qiu picked up a silver fork and demonstrated once for Shenhe. So Shenhe followed her example, picked up the silver fork, gently sliced off a piece of cake, lifted the piece with the fork — and her soft, ruddy lips parted slightly as she eased it into her mouth.
The moment the cake touched her mouth, it melted away in a flash, dissolving into a wave of refreshing sweetness and creamy richness.
"How does it taste?"
Fang Qiu asked with a soft smile.
"It tastes very good."
Shenhe nodded and said.
"Then that's all right. I was a little worried Mondstadt food wouldn't be to your taste. Since it is — let's try the juice next."
Fang Qiu's beautiful eyes were full of smiles, and she let out a soft breath of relief. As she spoke, she picked up the Iced Coconut Milk in front of her, gently drew a sip through the straw, and the coconut milk surged at once up the straw and into her mouth.
Shenhe imitated Fang Qiu and tried a sip too. But it was her first time using a straw, and when she pulled the straw out, a thin line of milky-white liquid trickled down from the corner of her mouth.
It was coconut milk.
Watching that trickle of coconut milk about to slide down past the corner of Shenhe's mouth and drip onto her chest, Fang Qiu hurriedly picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped Shenhe's lip for her.
"How does it taste?"
Fang Qiu nodded.
"Also very good."
Shenhe nodded, then lifted that cup of coconut milk and began to drink.
This time she was much more practiced — no more spills.
Only — watching Shenhe drink her coconut milk, Fang Qiu's gaze instinctively drifted ever so slightly downward and came to rest upon Shenhe's high, beautifully arched chest. A peculiar little flicker passed through her lovely eyes.
She couldn't help thinking of Qiqi...
If Qiqi were here, what kind of scene would that be?
Fang Qiu hastily cut off those strange flights of fancy, and instead let her gaze drift over to the storefront itself.
Now that she thought about it — after such fierce winds and waves yesterday, this dessert shop set right by the sea had actually come through unscathed, and on the very next day it could carry on with business as usual.
All she could say was — truly worthy of Liyue craftsmanship.
Just as the two of them were chatting while enjoying the pastries, Fang Qiu — alerted by Shenhe — caught sight of three figures making their way toward them.
It was Hu Tao, the Traveler, and Paimon.
"Shenhe, Fang Qiu, we're here!"
Before she had even drawn close, Paimon was already calling out to them with a smile, waving her hand.
Once the three of them had come closer, Fang Qiu and Shenhe greeted them in turn.
"Good thing we went and asked Hu Tao. Otherwise, in a Liyue Harbor this huge, there's no telling how long it would have taken us to find you."
Paimon said with a smile.
"Hu Tao, are you done with business already?"
Fang Qiu asked.
Today, after she and Shenhe had set off and had breakfast, the very first place Fang Qiu had brought her was Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
As it happened, just as they arrived, Hu Tao had been on her way out to handle a funeral service.
Xiangling was busy helping in the kitchen, Yun Jin was at rehearsal, and Sister Beidou and the others were of course even busier.
Having no other option, she'd ended up wandering the streets with just Shenhe.
Fortunately, although it hadn't been long since she'd come to know Shenhe, there was something inexplicably comfortable and intimate about being around her — so it hadn't felt awkward at all.
Strolling along, stopping here and there, they'd had a pleasant time wandering for the better part of a morning.
"All done."
Hu Tao smiled and said: "This one counted as quite a big client. I had a newly customized Mora Coffin prepared for him. Such a pity — I'd originally planned to buy a set of your books to give to the bereaved family, but the little female undertaker shot the idea down emphatically."
At that, Hu Tao couldn't help letting out a sigh, and went on: "Honestly, these people — why can't they ever understand my well-meaning intentions?"
"How is that even your well-meaning intentions in any sense!"
Paimon frowned and said: "Obviously not appropriate, right?"
"Since they're sad about the departed leaving them, they ought to do something else to take their minds off it. That way they won't be quite so sad, no?"
Hu Tao said.
"But — after reading Fang Qiu's books, isn't it even sadder! After reading Fang Qiu's books, Paimon cried for ages!"
Paimon stomped her foot and said: "Not to mention people who've actually just lost loved ones."
"Paimon."
Lumine tugged at Paimon, reminding her.
Only then did Paimon realize Fang Qiu was right there. She hurriedly said, "Ah, Fang Qiu, I don't mean to say your books are bad — I mean to say your books are incredibly moving..."
"Don't worry, I didn't take it the wrong way."
Seeing Paimon hastily explaining herself in a fluster, Fang Qiu gave a soft laugh and said: "By the way — was there something you all came looking for us about?"
"Yikes — almost forgot why we came!"
Paimon smacked her forehead, as if just waking from a dream, and said: "Yun Jin asked me to come invite you both to listen to the opera at the Jade Chamber tonight. But you two weren't home, so we had no choice but to go ask Hu Tao."
"I see."
Fang Qiu nodded and said: "You've all gone to a lot of trouble."
"No trouble, no trouble."
Paimon waved a hand and said.
Fang Qiu only smiled.
Actually, while they had been wandering the streets earlier today, Miss Ningguang had also sent someone to deliver an invitation to her.
But — there wasn't really any need to mention that.
After all, Paimon and the Traveler had gone to so much trouble just to find them. She couldn't very well let their efforts go to waste, could she?
But, that said —
Truly worthy of Tianquan Ningguang — her methods really were extraordinary. The famous Traveler and Paimon had spent all that time looking for her, and had to go to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to ask Hu Tao before they finally learned where she'd gone.
Yet Miss Ningguang had been able to send her secretary to pinpoint her location precisely.
Was there anything in the whole of Liyue Harbor that Ningguang didn't know about?
Still, she didn't feel any sense of dread at being watched.
After all, Miss Ningguang was a smart person, and naturally understood what was acceptable to spy on and what wasn't.
And when a smart person like that happened to be your business partner, it actually felt particularly reassuring.
Of course, even so, Fang Qiu still hoped that Miss Ningguang could find some way to hurry up and bring out computers and cellphones.
Her demands really weren't all that much — being able to match the standard of her past life would be enough.
That way, not only would communication become a lot more convenient.
She wouldn't have to write her books by hand anymore either. Every time she finished a manuscript, her hand felt like it was about to fall off.
And on top of that, her readers wouldn't have to wait in queues to buy books.
"Heh heh, it's about time — let's hurry and get going. Just thinking about Miss Ningguang's banquet, Paimon's getting a little excited. There's sure to be lots of delicious food! Paimon's already starting to drool a little!"
Paimon cast her gaze toward the Jade Chamber, hovering above the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, wiped at the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were full of excitement.
"Mm."
Fang Qiu nodded, and together with Shenhe she made short work of polishing off what was left of the pastries. Then they all set off together, heading toward Yujing Terrace.
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