Inside the Solace Book House.
Noelle had just finished seeing off the previous group of visitors.
Each had left with satisfying rewards, cheerful smiles on their faces.
For now, only Hu Tao remained in a corner, still absorbed in her manga.
"Seems like… about two groups in a morning."
Han Feng calculated silently.
The shop had already been open for a few days, and he had welcomed quite a number of guests.
As the boss, he'd roughly figured out the rhythm by now.
Since each person could only read one manga at a time, a morning or afternoon could fit about two batches of customers at most.
After all, reading took time.
This was the current limit.
If he wanted to host more readers, he'd need to draw more manga into the store.
One day, when there were dozens, even hundreds of titles… that would be when the shop truly bustled.
As Han Feng was musing, the door opened again.
In came Keqing, Ningguang, and their entourage.
Their eyes wandered with open curiosity.
"So it really is as you said, Keqing— it transferred us straight to Mondstadt."
Ningguang's voice carried a trace of awe.
Even prepared as she was, seeing it for herself was still a shock.
"Mondstadt? Isn't this the Liyue branch?"
Yanfei blinked, confused.
She still thought she had walked into a shop back in Liyue.
"Welcome, Miss Keqing, Miss Yanfei, and honored guests."
Noelle greeted them with her usual warm smile.
"Eh? Miss Noelle? Are you working at the Liyue branch too?"
Yanfei's eyes went wide.
She had just seen Noelle in Mondstadt last night— and now here she was again.
Had Boss Han reassigned her here overnight?
That was way too fast!
"No, Miss Yanfei. Strictly speaking, there is no Liyue branch.
There's only the one in Mondstadt.
Even now, you are still standing in Mondstadt."
Noelle explained patiently, amusement in her tone.
"Teleported?!"
Yanfei's jaw nearly hit the floor.
It had only been one night!
And yet so much had changed already.
Teleportation from Liyue to Mondstadt, the shop remodeled so drastically…
Boss Han was unbelievable.
No wonder Lady Keqing had been so cryptic along the way.
So this was the reason!
For a moment, Yanfei just stood dazed.
Then realization struck, and her expression brightened.
"This means I don't have to travel to Mondstadt anymore!
I can just read manga right here in Liyue!"
Joy bubbled up on her face.
She had been worrying about having no manga once she returned to Liyue.
She had even considered moving to Mondstadt.
But now, with this "branch" existing in Liyue, all her problems were solved.
"Heh, my ladies, if you'll excuse me,
I'll go pick a manga first!"
Yanfei, unable to wait, darted toward the counter after a quick bow.
"Boss Han, here's one hundred thousand mora. I want to read a manga!"
She handed over a pouch full of coins.
"The shelf over there has ten titles right now."
Han Feng smiled as he accepted the mora.
Good timing— since the last batch of customers had just left, there was no need to make these new ones wait.
"Ten books?!"
Yanfei's eyes lit up with glee.
She could actually choose!
Beaming, she hurried to the shelves, scanning carefully.
"Oh? This one looks fun… a romance?"
She pulled down Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions.
The cover featured a cute girl with an eye patch over her right eye.
Yanfei's interest piqued immediately.
She had everything—career success, carefree life, and the bloodline of a half-adeptus.
Her days were comfortable, and aside from a passion for legal work, she still held a girlish yearning for romance.
"Boss Han, what does 'chunibyo' mean? Is it some kind of illness?"
Yanfei asked, frowning slightly.
If it was a sickness, then surely one should be cured first— and then pursue love afterward?
Han Feng chuckled.
"It's when someone does silly things, but insists on dressing it up with fancy, powerful-sounding terms.
You'll meet two of them in the manga. You'll understand when you see."
Yanfei only half understood, but her curiosity outweighed her confusion.
Without another word, she clutched the manga and hurried off.
Spotting Eula and Xiangling inside, her excitement grew.
Meanwhile, Ningguang and her three secretaries approached the counter.
"Boss, here's four hundred thousand mora."
Ningguang presented a large pouch.
Since Keqing had already read once, she was excluded.
This sum was for herself and her three secretaries.
As much as she loved mora, these mangas—and the powers they brought— were worth far more.
Even if it cost a million, Ningguang would still give it a try.
"The books are on the shelf."
Han Feng nodded calmly.
A morning's work— first the Yuheng Star, now the Tianquan Star.
Not a bad streak.
"Boss, what was the book Keqing read before?"
Ningguang's eyes glimmered as she asked casually.
"Tom and Jerry. But it's already taken.
Why? Did you already witness her new ability?"
Han Feng tilted his head curiously.
What ability had Keqing gained?
What kind of feline traits had emerged?
Keqing's heart skipped a beat.
This woman wouldn't… would she?
Sure enough, Ningguang's lips curved into a sly smile.
"Yes. Keqing's cat-like form was so adorable, I couldn't resist stroking her ears a little.
The texture was delightful."
"Ningguang!"
Keqing's cheeks instantly burned scarlet.
This woman!
Teasing her like this— and in front of Boss Han, no less!
It was bad enough she had displayed her ability before Ningguang, letting her see her like that.
Even letting her touch her ears.
But now— now Han Feng was looking at her with a glint of intrigue in his eyes.
She wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and hide.
Accepting it privately was one thing.
Being mocked out loud was another!
Fine then.
Woman, I'll remember this!
We'll see what reward you get.
And when that time comes…
hmph!
o(￣ヘ￣o＃)
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