Genshin Impact: Being a Male God in Liyue

The four of them strolled slowly, making their way to the Chihu Rock General Goods Market to buy some dry ingredients they needed and kitchenware they didn't have at home.

Mushrooms, wood ear fungus, red beans, dried bamboo shoots...

At one shop, they bought several clay pots. 

Xia Zhi remembered that Miss Yanfei seemed to like tofu very much, so he also bought a small stone mill. He paid extra mora and left the address of his shop. The shopkeeper cheerfully agreed to deliver the items later.

Leaving the market, they slowly walked to the dock, stopping by Miss Yanfei's office on the way.

Miss Yanfei wasn't there again.

Xia Zhi had to go into the neighboring craft shop to ask the beautiful shopkeeper to pass on a message.

The shopkeeper saw him and immediately smiled charmingly.

"Little brother is here again."

"Good evening, sister."

"The pastries last time were really delicious."

"If you liked them, sister, I'll bring you more next time."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and she unconsciously licked her lips, adding a touch of allure to her expression.

"Are you here to see Yanfei, little brother?"

"Yes, but Miss Yanfei happens to be out. I wanted to trouble you to pass on a message. If Miss Yanfei is free tomorrow, please ask her to come to my place for a meal."

"Lunch or dinner?"

"Either is fine."

"I understand. Don't worry."

"Thank you, sister."

Xia Zhi glanced at the shelves again and spotted a small qilin doll. He reached out to take it.

"How much is this, sister?"

"If you like it, it's yours. Just remember to bring me some pastries next time."

"Alright, I'll remember."

The shopkeeper watched as they left, a strange smile suddenly appearing on her face.

This little brother had come to her shop three times now.

The first time, there were two people. The second time, three. And this time, four.

Every time he came, there was one more pretty girl with him. She wondered if the next time he came, there would be yet another girl...

It seemed Miss Yanfei was under a lot of pressure.

Walking out of the shop, Xia Zhi handed the qilin doll to Ganyu.

"Mr. Xia?"

"It's for you."

"Hm?"

"We're friends. It's normal to give each other small gifts, right?"

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Xia."

Ganyu took the qilin doll.

"Mr. Xia, don't Junior Sister Shenhe and Miss Zhu Zi get gifts?"

"I've given them gifts before."

Zhu Zi turned to look at Ganyu, smiling, "That's right. The boss gave me a tanuki doll, also bought from this shop."

Shenhe nodded, saying softly, "Mine is a crane."

"I see."

Ganyu suddenly remembered the crane doll of similar size she had seen on her junior sister's bedside table last night. She looked down at the qilin doll in her hand, feeling a slight stirring in her heart, and then carefully put it away.

They continued shopping and finally arrived at the dock. After watching the fireworks in the lively atmosphere, the four of them returned to the small shop.

A pile of miscellaneous items was placed at the door.

Zhu Zi quickly opened the door and carried the packages inside.

Shenhe picked up the stone mill with one hand and several clay pots with the other, steadily following behind Zhu Zi.

"Boss, where should I put the stone mill?"

"Put it in the back. We'll need to rinse it with clean water several times before using it."

"Boss, do we need to soak all these dried goods tonight?"

"The beans and dried bamboo shoots need to be soaked in water, but not the mushrooms and fungus. Especially the fungus - it will spoil if soaked for too long."

"Understood!"

"Everyone can sleep in a bit tomorrow, but to make the eight-treasure porridge, I'll need someone to help me tend the fire..."

"I'll do it!"

"Me."

"I can help."

The three girls spoke up simultaneously.

Xia Zhi smiled, "One person is enough. We'll see who wakes up first."

The three girls glanced at each other, then looked away.

For some reason, the atmosphere in the kitchen suddenly seemed to become a bit tense.

--

In a room at Yuehai Pavilion.

Ningguang was carefully admiring the glaze lily ornament on the table, her gaze full of appreciation.

A knock suddenly sounded, seeming to follow a certain rhythm.

When the knocking stopped, Ningguang looked up.

"Come in, Yelan."

The door was pushed open, and a beautiful figure walked in from outside.

"Lady Ningguang."

"Do you have results from the investigation?"

"Yes."

"Tell me about it."

"Xia Zhi, the owner of Summer Season Shop, entered Liyue Harbor from the direction of Mt. Tianheng about half a month ago. Some passersby claimed to have seen a spiritually aware white crane accompanying him, which parted ways with him after he entered the city. Based on some of Shenhe and Ganyu's behavior, it's suspected that the crane might be the adeptus Cloud Retainer."

"Cloud Retainer, hm..."

"After entering the city, he went to the Adventurers' Guild to register and obtained an adventure certificate. The name used was Xia Zhi, age 22, occupation listed as commoner. Because his eyes can't see, Katherine helped fill out the information. He immediately completed a commission for five portions of slime condensate, earning 5000 mora as a reward. After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, he bought a map of the city from a roadside shop..."

"A map?"

"Yes."

"If his eyes can't see, why would he buy a map?"

"That's what I found strange at first. I specifically observed him at noon and found that he indeed didn't notice my presence. In the afternoon at the shop, he showed no unusual behavior. His eyes seem to truly not be able to see. I suspect he might have the ability to sense objects within a small range."

"Similar to an adeptus's divine sense?"

"Yes."

"Continue."

"He stayed at the Wangshu Inn for three days, going out sightseeing daily, covering various areas of Liyue. He likes to eat at Wanmin Restaurant and became acquainted with the owner of Liu's Fish Shop while sharing a table. They got along well. He also went to Yujing Terrace to offer incense. On the third day, he went to Mingxing Jewelry and traded a glaze lily ornament with Master Xingxi, obtaining 10 million mora."

"A glaze lily ornament?"

"It's the one on your table."

"...So this work was made by him. I was wondering where another carving master with such excellent skill had suddenly appeared in Liyue."

"Afterwards, he commissioned Lawyer Yanfei and spent 5 million mora to buy the house next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and completed the paperwork for opening a shop at the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Then, he hired an ordinary girl from Inazuma named Zhu Zi, introduced a special drink called rainbow juice with ever-changing flavors and cheap prices, which became very popular with customers. The small shop thus gained fame. The day before opening the shop, he went to Yujing Terrace to offer incense again."

"He went to offer incense again?"

"Yes. This time when he offered incense, he chatted with other worshippers, mentioning that he had once stayed at a small temple and bought three special incense sticks from the temple keeper for 3 mora, which had a miraculous effect of calming the mind."

"A divine encounter..."

"A few days ago, Shenhe entered the city. After delivering the adeptus talisman to you, she searched all over the city until she met him..."

Yelan detailed all the various things she had investigated.

After listening, Ningguang pondered for a moment.

"So, what's your conclusion?"

"An ordinary person who has connections with adepti, excellent culinary skills, and although his eyes can't see, he has gained a weak divine sense with the help of adepti. He likely possesses one or two adeptus artifacts that were gifted to him. He has a gentle personality and a mysterious background, but poses no threat to Liyue. He doesn't qualify to be added to the special attention list."

"Hmm... Then send word to those below not to let any envious merchants cause trouble."

"Understood."

----

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