"Is someone talking about me?"
Ganyu felt the strange sensation ripple through her consciousness, causing her long, delicate eyelashes to flutter in confusion.
That feeling... someone was thinking about her, or perhaps whispering her name.
However, she didn't sense any malice. It wasn't a threat.
"Forget it. Back to work."
A second later, the sensation faded. Ganyu shook her head, dismissing the distraction, and buried herself back into the mountain of paperwork.
There was still so much to do. Once she finished, she could finally rest properly.
Come to think of it, Lady Ningguang had mentioned something about "opening jars" earlier. Perhaps she should look into that once her schedule cleared up.
...
While Ganyu dived back into her sea of documents, the mood inside the Jar Shop was bright.
Bai Wen wore a satisfied smile.
Although she hadn't pulled anything personally useful—no flashy Bloodline Limits like Bai Xiao—she had obtained exactly what Lady Ningguang needed. That made her pulls the most valuable of all.
"Alright, the jars are opened. Let's head back," Ningguang said, her smile radiant.
She was eager to share the news with Keqing.
The Yuheng had practically memorized the first volume of the Financial Management book, flipping through its pages until they were worn. Keqing was obsessed with the economic theories within.
If she knew Ningguang had just acquired the sequel... her expression would surely be entertaining.
Even though Ningguang hadn't opened the jars herself, Bai Wen was her secretary. What belonged to the secretary belonged to the Tianquan.
"Yes, Lady Ningguang."
Bai Wen nodded respectfully, gathered the items, and took her place behind her mistress.
"Shopkeeper," Ningguang turned her gaze to Felix, her tone warm and inviting. "I was wondering if you might have time soon? I would like to treat you to dinner."
She smiled softly. "I haven't properly thanked you yet, so I thought a meal would be appropriate."
Ningguang genuinely wanted to build a relationship with Felix. More than that, she wanted to understand him.
In all of Liyue, Felix was the only variable she couldn't account for. He was a mystery, and Ningguang hated mysteries she couldn't solve.
She knew he had been out exploring the city the previous night. That meant he wasn't bound to the shop. She found herself regretting not running into him then.
"I have time whenever, but it depends on business," Felix replied with a polite, noncommittal smile. "Let's leave it to chance for now."
For the moment, his priority was selling jars. The more he sold, the faster he unlocked the Exclusive Jars for himself. Those were the real prize.
Of course, if he had downtime, dining with the Tianquan wasn't the worst way to spend an evening.
"Very well. Another time, then."
Ningguang took the rejection gracefully, her smile not faltering. If anything, the challenge made it more interesting. She silently resolved to ask him again during the Lantern Rite festival.
She bid him farewell and led her secretaries out of the shop.
As they stepped onto the street, the crowd buzzed.
"Lady Ningguang is coming out!"
"Wonder what she got this time?"
"Idiot, she didn't open them. Her secretaries did."
"You think that matters? If her personal secretary pulls it, it's basically Ningguang's loot anyway. Don't be pedantic."
"Looks like bad luck today. Look at Bai Xiao—she's holding a pink machine and... are those Small Lamp Grasses?"
"No, look at Bai Wen! Look at what Lady Ningguang is holding! It's a book! Another book from the Jar Shop!"
"Hiss... The last time she walked out of there with a book, the Liyue Bank happened. The entire economy shifted overnight. Is another revolution coming?"
"No way. It could be a different kind of book."
"Just watch Lady Ningguang's movements in the next few days. We'll know soon enough."
The onlookers craned their necks, whispering fervently as the trio passed. The sight of the book in Ningguang's hand sent ripples of speculation through the crowd.
Some of the sharper merchants felt a chill. The Liyue Bank was already a titan born from a single book. A second one? It spelled doom for the old ways.
Ningguang ignored the chatter, maintaining her elegant composure.
The Liyue Bank was already established. With this new knowledge, she would refine the regulations and solidify its dominance. Even if the Northland Bank realized what was happening, they would be powerless to stop it. In her mind, she had already signed their death warrant.
Aside from the book, her thoughts drifted to the Dragon Ball. That legend... she needed to investigate it. Even if she felt it was likely a dead end, a wish-granting dragon was too significant to ignore.
"Man, I really want to open a jar. But 100,000 Mora... I just don't have the cash."
"Heh. 100,000 is cheap for what you can get. It's a steal. If you're lucky, you're set for life."
"Key word: If. I heard a guy pulled an empty jar yesterday and nearly had a stroke."
"It's gambling. You win some, you lose some. Look at the secretary—she pulled grass. Grass!"
"Screw it. I'm going in!"
Inspired by Ningguang's visit, several people broke away from the crowd and entered the shop.
Inside, Felix grinned. More customers.
...
Meanwhile, at Liyue Harbor.
Captain Beidou stepped onto the docks, flanked by Qianyan, Huixing, and Furong.
Her arrival caused an immediate sensation.
"Holy crap! Is that who I think it is? Captain Beidou of the Crux Fleet!"
"I've only heard stories! I've never seen her in person! Oh my god, she's my idol!"
"Beidou rarely comes ashore like this. Didn't her crew just finish a supply run at noon? Why is the Captain herself here now?"
"Who cares? Look at the girls with her! They're gorgeous. Think they're single?"
"Ha! Keep dreaming. Those are Crux crew members. They could probably break you in half with one hand. They aren't your average girls."
"Just looking at Beidou... you can feel the aura. It's overwhelming."
"Of course! It's Beidou! Even the wildest storms bow their heads to her!"
"If there really was a sea monster like Haishan out there, I bet she'd split it in two!"
"She's probably here to see Lady Ningguang. Rumor has it Ningguang is her backer. How else would a pirate fleet have access to military-grade ballistas?"
"But I heard they hate each other."
"Hey, is it true Beidou can sing sea shanties? I bet she has a great voice."
"Go ask her. See if you end up like that three-headed hydra she killed."
The dockworkers and sailors whispered excitedly, their eyes full of reverence. Seeing the legendary Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean in the flesh was a rare treat.
"Hehe. Captain, you're rarely in Liyue, but your reputation here is still sky-high," Qianyan giggled, listening to the chatter. "You're almost as popular as the Tianquan."
"Naturally! Look who our Captain is!" Furong beamed with pride.
"It's all empty praise. Don't let it get to your head," Beidou chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, let's head to Wanmin Restaurant. It's mid-afternoon, so it shouldn't be crowded. Perfect time to talk business with Chef Mao."
She strode forward, leading the way with her signature confident gait. The three crew members hurried to keep up.
Before long, they arrived at Wanmin Restaurant.
As predicted, the lunch rush was over, and the restaurant was empty. Chef Mao was sitting at a table, taking a well-deserved break.
He spotted them immediately.
"Captain Beidou!"
Chef Mao stood up, a welcoming smile spreading across his face. "A rare guest! Didn't Wang Ming just pick up a massive takeout order? What brings the Captain herself down here?"
"I heard Liyue has a new bank, and that your restaurant invented a revolutionary new food. It felt like the city was changing without me, so I came to see for myself," Beidou laughed.
She glanced around. "Where's Xiangling? Out playing?"
Beidou had a soft spot for the young chef. Xiangling's cooking had conquered the stomachs of the entire Crux Fleet. Years ago, Qianyan—always looking to save a buck—had practically scammed Xiangling onto The Alcor to cook for them.
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