"Uh."
Nadia blinked, processing Lord Childe's words.
Don't lend money to this guy?
The Northland Bank's current situation in Liyue wasn't exactly great. To refuse a loan application outright, especially one from a persistent client, seemed counterintuitive to expanding their business.
However, an order from a Harbinger was absolute.
"Understood," Nadia nodded sharply.
It seemed Lord Childe not only disliked this man but actively wanted him barred from the premises.
"Good."
Childe nodded, satisfied that his infinite-money-glitch nightmare was over, and walked back into the bank. He didn't want to spare Xie Jun another glance.
Meanwhile, Xie Jun, having just been rejected by the Northland Bank (or rather, by his own fear of contracts), was wandering the streets, wondering where to get his next meal.
"Huh? Xie Jun?"
A voice called out from behind him.
Xie Jun turned around. When he saw who it was, his face lit up.
"Zihao! It really is you!"
He hadn't expected to run into Cai Zihao here.
"I didn't expect to see you either. I've been looking for you," Cai Zihao said, looking equally surprised but for a different reason. "It's about time you paid me back, isn't it? You've owed me over 20,000 Mora for years now."
Xie Jun was an old friend, but also a chronic debtor. He had borrowed small amounts from Cai Zihao over the years, accumulating a debt of 20,000 Mora that he never seemed to have the money to repay.
Previously, Cai Zihao had chased him down, desperate for the money to survive. But ever since obtaining the Gourmet Tablecloth and Anywhere Door from the Jar Shop, Cai Zihao's financial worries were over. He could generate food and travel instantly, so the debt wasn't life-or-death anymore.
Still, running into Xie Jun reminded him of the outstanding balance.
"Sigh."
Xie Jun let out a long, dramatic sigh. "I don't have any money. I just came from Northland Bank, and even they refused to lend to me. I don't even know how I'm going to eat lunch."
Cai Zihao: "..."
He stared at his friend, speechless.
"Zihao, I know you don't have much money either, so I won't ask for a big loan," Xie Jun said, his voice pleading. He subtly extended his hand—the one equipped with the Begging Bowl. "Can you lend me 2,000 Mora? Just 2,000. Or treat me to a meal? Just one meal. I'll pay you back as soon as I get a loan."
He assumed Cai Zihao was still poor. He had no idea his friend was now a "whale" at the Jar Shop.
"2,000 Mora?"
Cai Zihao frowned. Borrowing again.
He wanted to refuse. He should refuse.
But as he looked at Xie Jun's outstretched hand, the words died in his throat. An overwhelming urge to help washed over him.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out 2,000 Mora, and handed it over. "Make sure you pay me back this time."
"Thank you, Zihao!"
Xie Jun grabbed the money with delight, thanked him profusely, and sprinted away toward a restaurant before Cai Zihao could change his mind.
Smack!
Cai Zihao slapped his own forehead as he watched Xie Jun disappear.
"Why did I do that?!"
He had promised himself he wouldn't lend Xie Jun another Mora. Why did his hand move on its own?
Cai Zihao walked away, crestfallen. I shouldn't have called out to him. That greeting just cost me 2,000 Mora.
The Jar Shop.
Felix lay lazily on his recliner, enjoying the post-lunch stupor. Next to him, Hu Tao occupied the other chair, matching his energy perfectly. They looked like two salted fish drying in the sun.
"Director! Director!"
Just as Hu Tao was gnawing on a drumstick, a panicked voice shouted from the entrance.
Meng, the ferryman of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, rushed in, sweating profusely.
"Uh, Meng?"
Hu Tao raised an eyebrow. "What's the rush? Isn't Miss Mona watching the parlor?"
Mona, their new "guest consultant" (and resident astrologist/columnist), was usually stationed at the parlor writing her articles for The Steambird. Her presence allowed Hu Tao to slack off at Felix's shop all day.
"Director, the parlor almost burned down again!" Meng gasped.
"The fire dragon suddenly started glowing white, then it got huge! It opened its mouth and blasted a jet of fire that incinerated the reception desk!"
"Miss Mona managed to contain it with water magic, but you need to come back now!"
"What?!"
Hu Tao's eyes widened. "Little Charmander evolved into Charmeleon? That was fast!"
Felix had explained the evolution stages to her. The white glow was the sign.
Without hesitation, Hu Tao jumped up, excitement replacing her laziness. "Evolution! This is great news!"
She dashed out the door like a gust of wind.
Meng lingered for a second, glancing at Felix and the shop. It was his first time seeing the mysterious Shopkeeper his boss was always hanging out with.
He looked at Felix, scrutinizing him. Handsome. Young. Mysterious.
Felix: "????"
Felix stared back, confused. Why is this old guy staring at me like a father-in-law assessing a suitor?
Before Felix could ask, Meng turned and sprinted after Hu Tao.
Felix shook his head. "Weirdo."
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
ROAR!
A guttural roar echoed from inside the building.
Then, a creature stepped out.
It stood on two legs, its skin a deep, angry red. A single horn protruded from the back of its head, and the flame on its tail burned with intense ferocity. Its claws were long and sharp.
It was no longer the cute, round-headed Charmander.
It was a Charmeleon.
"Holy crap!"
"What the hell is that?!"
"Did that roar come from that thing?"
"It looks so vicious! Since when did Wangsheng Funeral Parlor raise monsters?"
"I heard they had a cute 'fire lizard' pet... is this it? You call this cute? Get out of here!"
A crowd gathered instantly, keeping a safe distance. They stared in awe and terror.
The creature looked dangerous. Its eyes were sharp, and its stance was aggressive.
Thump! Thump!
The Charmeleon, seemingly annoyed by the crowd, lashed its tail against the stone pavement. The impact sent up puffs of dust and made a heavy, rhythmic sound.
The onlookers gasped and retreated further.
"That tail... if it hits a person, they'd break a bone!"
Inside the parlor, Mona stood by the charred remains of a desk, looking stressed.
"Why did it change so suddenly?"
She sighed. This thing wasn't cute anymore. It was bigger, angrier, and had a temper.
"Dragons are really hard to raise," she muttered, already pitying Hu Tao.
ROAR!
Outside, the Charmeleon looked left and right, then tilted its head back and let out another deafening roar. The sound wave rippled through the street.
"Whoa! Did you hear that?"
"Sounds like a beast!"
"It came from the Funeral Parlor!"
Passersby from blocks away stopped, alarmed by the noise.
A patrol of Millelith soldiers, alerted by the commotion, arrived on the scene. When they saw the red dinosaur standing guard at the parlor entrance, their jaws dropped.
"What is that thing?!"
Yesterday, they dealt with a haunted house Domain. Today, a fire-breathing monster?
Liyue Harbor was getting too exciting for its own good.
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