Hearing Ningguang's announcement, the crowd gathered outside the cinema buzzed with excitement.
It was happening. Tomorrow, they could finally see a movie.
They had been anticipating this for over a day, and the wait was finally over.
And the best part? It was free.
"Free admission for three days! That's fantastic. I really want to see what kind of magic this 'movie' is."
"I can't wait for tomorrow. I have the day off, so I'll come right after breakfast to wait in line. Hehe."
"I'm jealous. I have to work, so I can't see it immediately."
"It doesn't matter. Even if you come early, you only watch for an hour and then leave. It's just experiencing it sooner rather than later."
"Since it's free... can I watch for an hour, leave, and then line up again?"
"Dude... is that really necessary?"
The crowd discussed animatedly as they watched Ningguang and Keqing leave. Some were already planning how to abuse the free admission system.
Meanwhile, others rushed off to the Feiyun Commerce Guild to spread the news to the people queuing for Xingqiu's Domain.
"Hm?"
As Keqing walked towards the Jar Shop, she suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Ningguang looked at her, surprised.
Keqing seemed to have spotted something.
Ningguang followed her gaze.
She saw a member of the Fatui, dressed in the distinctive uniform of the Northland Bank, dribbling a ball.
Thump. Thump.
Seeing the orange ball, Ningguang's expression turned strange.
What is that thing? It looks like a ball.
"It must be something from the Shopkeeper," Keqing said softly. "If I recall correctly, when we came to open jars a week ago, that Fatui Harbinger came out just before us. Today should be his reset day as well."
She remembered seeing Childe leaving the shop last week.
"It looks like just a toy. No need to worry," Ningguang smiled. "As long as it's not a weapon of mass destruction like Yoimiya's, it doesn't matter. If they get their hands on something like that, the consequences would be dire. So we need to finalize the deal with Yoimiya today and get the alchemists working on it ASAP."
"Mmh," Keqing nodded.
Yoimiya's sniper rifle was truly terrifying. Even without a detailed breakdown, witnessing its power at the Millelith training ground was enough to convince Keqing.
If the Fatui got hold of such technology, it would be a disaster.
The two women continued walking and soon arrived at the Jar Shop.
A small crowd lingered outside.
A customer walked out, beaming with joy. He had clearly pulled something good.
"Uh."
The happy customer spotted Ningguang immediately. "Lady Ningguang!"
"Eh?"
Hearing his exclamation, the crowd turned around.
Seeing Ningguang approaching, they were stunned.
"Strange. Lady Ningguang is here again? Didn't she open jars yesterday?"
"Yeah, I saw her yesterday. Is she back because she didn't hit the limit?"
"Impossible. When Lady Ningguang opens jars, she buys all ten at once. The cost is astronomical for us, but pocket change for her."
"True. Maybe she's here to discuss business? I heard she stayed in that weird house all night watching a 'movie'. She mentioned it at the shooting range this morning."
"Oh right! Speaking of which, that blonde girl pulled something from the shop too! The Shopkeeper tested it personally—it hit a target at 1,000 meters and pierced a reinforced Millelith target! Absolutely terrifying."
"Holy crap? Really? How did I not know this?"
"You're out of the loop. Anyway, you guys are ignoring Lady Keqing. Maybe she's the one opening jars today?"
"Makes sense. Or maybe they are both here for business. Lady Keqing was with Lady Ningguang yesterday too."
"No, I remember clearly. Lady Ningguang came alone the first time. Lady Keqing came with her on the second day. That means today is Lady Keqing's reset day. Yesterday she was just accompanying Lady Ningguang."
"I see."
The crowd parted, creating a path for the Qixing.
Keqing and Ningguang nodded with smiles and stepped into the shop.
"Shopkeeper, good evening."
Ningguang looked around and noted Yoimiya's absence. "Did Yoimiya say when she would come?"
It seemed they were early.
"Yoimiya went out with Hu Tao this morning. You can wait here," Felix chuckled. "Since she said she'd come tonight, she definitely will. She still hasn't settled the fireworks payment with you. Is Miss Keqing here to open jars?"
He looked at Keqing.
Another ten jars sold. Good news.
"Yes," Keqing nodded. "But before that, I have a question. Is the Journey to the West movie real or fictional?"
Her eyes held a trace of hesitation.
If it was real... it was unimaginable.
The power displayed in the movie was overwhelming.
Ningguang also looked at Felix intently. She had the same question.
"That movie was filmed," Felix replied calmly. "The characters were played by actors."
Although he couldn't confirm the existence of a Journey to the West universe in the multiverse, the footage they watched was definitely the 1986 TV series—a production filmed by humans.
"Phew."
Keqing sighed in relief.
Actors. Filmed.
She relaxed.
If such a world really existed alongside theirs, it would be terrifying.
Ningguang also relaxed.
It was just a story brought to life. Good.
"Shopkeeper, ten jars," Keqing said, placing one million Mora on the counter.
She selected her jars quickly.
As the ten jars settled in front of her, footsteps approached from outside.
Accompanied by a familiar "Hehe" laugh.
Felix knew immediately. Hu Tao was here.
Hu Tao, Yanfei, Yoimiya, and Xiangling ran in.
"Lady Ningguang came so fast!" Yoimiya exclaimed, seeing Ningguang already waiting.
She thought she was early.
"Mmh," Ningguang nodded with a smile.
"Looks like we arrived just in time," Hu Tao grinned, eyeing Keqing's jars.
Keqing's eyelid twitched.
Whenever she saw Director Hu, her mood fluctuated. Especially after the head-bonking incident.
Felix raised an eyebrow, looking at the four girls—Hu Tao, Yoimiya, Xiangling, and Yanfei.
Four Pyro Vision users.
Standing together, they were a vibrant sight. Four distinct beauties, united by the element of fire.
Keqing withdrew her gaze from Hu Tao and smashed the first jar.
Bang.
Two small, sleek black objects fell out.
"Tools?"
Keqing picked them up. They looked like strange rectangular blocks.
[Distance-Ignoring Wireless Phone]: A phone that requires no wires. As long as both parties have one, they can talk instantly, regardless of distance.
"Wireless Phones," Felix explained. "No matter where you are, as long as you hold these, you can talk to each other instantly."
"Good stuff."
Keqing's eyes lit up.
This was incredibly useful. Instant communication over any distance.
Current communication methods were slow. This would revolutionize logistics and command.
Ningguang's eyes also shone.
The applications for this were endless.
Bang.
Keqing smashed the second jar.
A pair of black-red eyes appeared.
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