Felix glanced at the bottle again as he explained. Weird stuff.
If someone less decent had pulled this, it could be trouble.
"Ehhh???"
Hu Tao leaned in immediately, eyes wide. "Reliving your first time? That sounds awful! Most first experiences are clumsy or embarrassing—who'd want to go through that again? This pill sounds useless."
To her, the novelty of a "first time" was overrated. First time working? Stressful. First time drinking water? Boring.
Imagine manual labor—hauling bricks. You finally get used to the weight, then pop a pill, and suddenly your muscles feel weak and clumsy all over again. The psychological drop alone would be torture.
"Hmm… I think it could be useful," Ganyu murmured, turning the bottle over in her hands. "It just depends on how you use it."
She tucked the bottle away and moved to the next jar.
Crash!
The third jar broke, revealing a long, rectangular strip about the size of an index finger.
Ganyu sighed inwardly. Another mystery.
She had lived for thousands of years, witnessed history unfold, seen treasures rise and fall. Yet everything in this shop was alien to her. The shopkeeper himself was an enigma—he felt entirely human, yet he peddled miracles that even the Archons didn't possess.
Where did he come from? Why sell these jars?
Curiosity piqued, she looked at Felix. He gave off no elemental aura, no divine pressure. Just a young man.
"'Wishful Gum,'" Felix said with a faint smile. "Chew it while picturing a specific shape in your mind. When you blow a bubble, it will take that exact form."
[Wishful Chewing Gum] — Blow bubbles that transform into whatever shape the chewer envisions.
"Gum?" Ganyu's long lashes fluttered. Strange name.
But the idea was charming. Chewing a sweet treat to create art? She decided she'd try it later.
She reached for the fourth jar.
Crash!
Something flat and papery fluttered out—then instantly expanded into a two‑meter sheet.
Drawn on the paper was a simple, cozy‑looking doghouse.
"This is…?" Ganyu stared at the large sheet.
[Waterproof Wall‑Mounted Doghouse] — Affix this sticker to any wall to generate an internal dimensional space suitable for animals. Ideal for sheltering stray dogs.
Felix: "..."
The corner of his mouth twitched.
Technically, a human could crawl inside, but…
The item description specified "animal house." No matter how big a dog got, it wasn't usually human‑sized.
"It's a portable shelter sticker," Felix explained smoothly. "Stick it on a wall, and a physical space opens up inside the image. Perfect for giving strays a warm home."
"That's incredible!" Beidou's eyes lit up. "Portable space technology?"
Anything involving spatial manipulation was high‑tier magic. And this was just a sticker?
"Isn't it a waste to give it to dogs?" Qianyan asked. "Can't people use it? A portable sleeping quarters would be way better than a sleeping bag."
Adventurers had it rough—sleeping in caves, setting traps, hanging hammocks in trees. A sticker that became a safe room? That would revolutionize travel.
"It's called a Doghouse for a reason," Felix said deadpan. "The entrance is too small for a person. But small animals fit fine—like your Charmander."
He nodded at the little fire lizard by Hu Tao's feet.
It would fit perfectly… for now. Once it evolved into a Charmeleon, though, it might get tight.
"Still, very convenient," Ganyu said, nodding. "Liyue has many stray cats and dogs. This could give them shelter from the rain."
She touched the paper gently. To her, this was a kindness. If only she had more of them.
She turned to the fifth jar.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Ningguang and Keqing arrived together, their presence instantly drawing stares.
The Tianquan and the Yuheng—walking side by side?
"Strange to see them together," a passerby whispered. "I heard they don't get along."
"Nonsense, they're both Qixing. They just have different methods. Wonder what they want with the Funeral Parlor?"
"Maybe business? I need to get back to work, but tell me later what happens!"
Inside, the Ferrylady spotted them and nearly dropped her broom. She rushed forward, flustered.
"Lady Ningguang! Lady Keqing!"
Neither of them had ever visited before.
"We're looking for Director Hu," Ningguang said with a polite smile. "Is she in? Surely not still sleeping…?"
She knew Hu Tao wasn't a morning person, but if the Parlor was open for business, the Director should be awake. Otherwise, how could she perform the "Soul Projection" service?
"Ah… the Director went out early this morning with Miss Mona," the Ferrylady apologized. "They likely won't be back until afternoon. If you have a message, I can pass it on the moment she returns."
"Not here, then." Ningguang raised an eyebrow but nodded. "A pity. We'll come back later."
They had hoped to try the soul projection service themselves. To think Hu Tao—of all people—had left the house early.
"Tonight, then," Keqing suggested. "No rush."
Just as they turned to leave, a heavy sigh came from the doorway.
Old Meng, the parlor's manager, trudged in—soaked from head to toe, water dripping from his clothes onto the floor.
"Uncle Meng!" the Ferrylady gasped. "What happened? Did you fall in the river?"
She grabbed a dry towel and handed it to him.
"Sigh… I regret everything," Old Meng groaned, wiping his face. "I should have listened to Miss Mona."
"Huh?" The Ferrylady blinked.
At the door, Ningguang and Keqing paused.
"Miss Mona is amazing," Old Meng lamented. "This morning, I asked Director Hu which shirt to wear. Miss Mona checked her scrying mirror and told me if I wore blue, I'd face a 'water disaster.'"
"I didn't believe her. I put on the blue shirt anyway. And what happens? I'm walking down the street, get sprayed by kids with water guns, slip on a puddle, roll into a ditch, and nearly drown!"
He wrung out his sleeve, miserable. "I should have listened. She's a true Astrologist. I'm a believer now."
The Ferrylady sighed, exasperated. "Uncle Meng, the Director hired her as a Guest Consultant for a reason! Why would you doubt her?"
"An Astrologist?"
Ningguang turned back, interest piqued. "Tell me more. I thought your only consultant was Mr. Zhongli?"
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