"When you research it, I want to watch from the sidelines."
Yoimiya looked dead serious. "And you absolutely cannot disassemble my gun. If it breaks during dismantling, that would be a disaster. To prevent any accidents, I'll supervise the research."
Study it? Fine. But taking it apart was out of the question.
She knew alchemists too well—they loved to dismantle things to understand them, often leaving a pile of scrap in their wake.
This gun was a treasure she had won through sheer luck. How could she let someone carelessly rip it apart?
If they broke it, there was no way to fix it!
"No disassembly?"
Ningguang's beautiful eyelashes fluttered as she smiled.
If the alchemists couldn't take it apart, reverse-engineering it would be incredibly difficult.
She hadn't considered that point earlier.
What if they broke it?
Even if it wasn't her property, she couldn't risk destroying someone else's precious item just for research.
"Alright, no problem."
Ningguang nodded. "When Liyue's alchemists conduct their study, you can bring the gun and supervise. I will instruct them not to tamper with it carelessly. Even just understanding the basic principles and attempting a partial replication would be progress."
Disassembly wasn't strictly necessary. Observing and analyzing the external mechanisms could still yield results.
"Mmh."
Seeing Ningguang agree, Yoimiya broke into a brilliant smile.
With Ningguang's assurance and her own supervision, she had nothing to worry about.
"Then it's settled. I'll have someone fetch you tomorrow."
Ningguang smiled, then turned her gaze to Felix. "The jars are finished. Shopkeeper, have you eaten dinner? Would you like to join us at Wanmin Restaurant?"
After dinner, she had to return to the Jade Chamber to discuss the cinema project with Ganyu.
"No need for the trouble."
Felix smiled faintly. "Whatever you want to eat, we can have it here. No need to run around."
"True."
Ningguang nodded, remembering Felix possessed a magical item that could conjure food.
Soon, the group gathered around a table. Using the Gourmet Tablecloth, Felix summoned dish after dish of exquisite food.
Xiangling, Yanfei, Yoimiya, Hu Tao, Ningguang, Keqing, and Felix—seven people sat around the feast.
With so many guests, the spread was lavish.
As the dishes appeared, a rich, mouth-watering aroma drifted out of the shop.
"Here we go again."
Stationed at the door, Wenqi and Doyle looked at each other with tearful expressions.
That familiar, torturous scent was back.
They desperately wanted a bite, but with so many VIPs inside, they didn't dare intrude.
Standing guard at this shop was a unique form of suffering. Every day, they smelled heaven but couldn't taste it. Especially today, with both Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing present, they wouldn't dare ask for a meal even if they were given ten times the courage.
"Holy cow, again? Is this jar shop secretly a restaurant? Why does it smell so good every day?"
"I smelled it yesterday too! I didn't expect to catch it again today. It's even more fragrant than Wanmin Restaurant. I've never smelled anything like this there. What kind of food is it?"
"I smelled it before, but it wasn't this intense. Clearly, the shop has new dishes that even Wanmin doesn't serve. I'm dying to taste it."
"Who wouldn't? But at 100,000 Mora a jar, I think I'll pass. Although, a friend told me she pulled a drink called 'Coca-Cola' from here. Said it was delicious and worth every Mora—even 200,000. I wonder what's so special about it."
Passersby outside the shop stopped in their tracks, sniffing the air and gossiping excitedly.
Many walked past this street daily, and every time, the aroma hooked their hearts.
Inside, the group enjoyed the feast until the sky turned pitch black and stars twinkled above. Only then were Ningguang and the others satisfied.
"If I had the time, I'd come here for three meals a day," Ningguang said, standing up and smiling at Felix. "I'm always mooching meals off you, Shopkeeper. It's so delicious I'm getting addicted."
"You're welcome anytime," Felix replied with a slight smile. "It doesn't cost me anything anyway. It's fine if you want to come over."
"No need to be so formal with 'Miss Ningguang.' Just call me Ningguang."
Ningguang looked at Felix with a teasing glint in her eyes. "By the way, Shopkeeper, between me and Keqing, who do you think..."
Keqing, who had just stood up, froze. Her ears turned crimson instantly. Is Ningguang really going to ask that?!
"Hmm?"
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Think what?"
"Nothing."
Ningguang laughed softly. "Who do you think has better luck, me or Keqing?"
Phew.
Keqing let out a subconscious breath of relief.
She was genuinely terrified Ningguang would ask that kind of question.
"Oh?"
Felix raised an eyebrow. He had a feeling Ningguang hadn't originally intended to ask about luck.
"I think both of you have excellent luck," Felix chuckled. "In my opinion, as long as you don't pull an empty jar, it's good luck."
As for the value of the items, that was subjective.
"Shopkeeper is being diplomatic," Ningguang teased. "Thank you for the hospitality. Keqing and I will be heading out."
"Mmh."
Felix nodded.
Ningguang and Keqing left the shop together.
Watching them leave, Felix turned his gaze—and a speechless expression—toward the lounge chair. There lay Hu Tao, eyes misty with food coma, rubbing her belly in satisfaction.
She was back in her familiar pose from yesterday.
So full.
Beside her, Charmeleon lay on the floor, mirroring her pose perfectly, rubbing its own full belly with a claw. Empty fried chicken buckets surrounded them.
Master and dragon, perfectly synchronized.
"Seriously, Director Hu, haven't you noticed your face has gotten chubby?"
Felix walked over and pinched Hu Tao's cheek, looking exasperated. "Don't come crying to me when you turn into a little ball."
"This Director can't get fat!"
Hu Tao pouted. Impossible. I don't gain weight!
"Pinch your own face," Felix said with a strange look. "See if there's more meat."
Fried chicken and burgers three times a day? Yeah, her face was definitely rounder.
"Huh?!"
Hearing Felix's serious tone, Hu Tao bolted upright and pinched her cheeks.
Wait... there really is a little more.
"How is this possible?!"
Hu Tao squeezed her slightly softer cheeks in shock. "I can eat anything and never gain weight!"
"Xiangling! Quick, look at me! Did I gain weight? Is there any difference?"
Hu Tao frantically grabbed Xiangling, who was clearing the table.
"It seems... a little?"
Xiangling paused, tilted her head, and studied Hu Tao seriously. "Your face does look a bit rounder!"
Hu Tao: "!!!"
"What's wrong with gaining weight?" Yanfei giggled. "Hu Tao, you're too skinny anyway. Getting a bit chubby is good!"
"This Director is cutting back on food starting tomorrow!"
Hu Tao puffed her cheeks out.
I absolutely cannot get fat.
Felix: "..."
After Yanfei and the others finished cleaning up and throwing away the trash, they chatted for a while longer before leaving.
"Shopkeeper, we'll be back tomorrow!"
Walking out, Xiangling looked excited. "Tomorrow I can open jars again."
"Welcome anytime."
Felix nodded with a smile.
He was close to selling a hundred jars. The Exclusive Jar was within reach.
Watching the girls leave, Felix lay back on the lounge chair, gazing at the starry sky outside.
Life was good.
Meanwhile, at the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang and Keqing had returned.
Ganyu stared at Ningguang blankly. After a long silence, she asked hesitantly, "Is this... 'movie'... really that incredible?"
Ningguang and Keqing had just briefed her on Journey to the West, and the concept left her bewildered.
"Yes," Ningguang nodded. "You'll understand tomorrow. Of course, if you want to go watch it tonight, that's fine too. But right now, we need to finalize the plan before opening the cinema tomorrow."
"I understand."
Ganyu nodded seriously, sat down, and began to think.
Keqing and Ningguang picked up their pens, drafting the regulations for the cinema.
Time slipped away quietly. Late night arrived.
The bustling Liyue Harbor settled into silence.
Felix closed the shop door and went upstairs to sleep.
At the entrance of the Northland Bank.
Childe stood with his left hand behind his back. On the index finger of his right hand, a basketball spun at high speed, perfectly stable.
His gaze was deep, fixed on the distant cinema.
He had heard the news: Ningguang and Keqing had entered the cinema yesterday evening and hadn't returned until the next evening.
So, tonight, he planned to sneak over and see for himself.
What kind of magic did this so-called cinema possess to keep the Tianquan and the Yuheng captivated for a full day and night?
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus