NOVEL NEXT Chapter 171: Chapter 171
Baizhu returned to Bubu Pharmacy and began preparing medicines according to the prescription.
After gathering the ingredients, he told A-Gui and brought the medicines to the quiet room in the backyard to brew them.
Changsheng watched him and suddenly said: "Baizhu, though Mr. Xia said that lotus porridge was specially made for Miss Zhu Zi, it was actually meant for you."
"I thought so too. Though Miss Zhu Zi is somewhat anemic, she doesn't need such precious spiritual nourishment."
"Last Friday's two glasses of juice A-Gui bought from Mr. Xia's shop contained more [Vitality] than usual. Mr. Xia must have noticed your condition then."
"Mm."
"But why would Mr. Xia help you like this?"
"I don't know either."
"Mr. Xia also restored Qiqi to normal, such ability could be considered reversing life and death. He clearly cares about Qiqi. No, that's not quite right - he cares about everyone in his shop. Like Miss Zhu Zi, he immediately gave her a cure when her stomach hurt. Looking at it this way, Mr. Xia seems to be very protective of his people... Baizhu, is it possible that Mr. Xia helped you because you took in Qiqi before? Maybe that porridge was simply meant to nourish Zhu Zi, and you benefited by chance?"
Hearing this, Baizhu fell silent.
Perhaps... maybe... it could be possible.
--
Summer Shop.
Shortly after Baizhu left, Yaoyao came, and Diona happily greeted her.
"Yaoyao, I saved you a bowl of lotus porridge in the kitchen. You can eat it when you're hungry this afternoon."
"Okay, thank you Big Brother. Big Brother's voice sounds nicer!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Big Brother thinks Yaoyao's voice sounds nicer too. Has Yaoyao grown taller again?"
"Yes! Yaoyao measures against the wall every morning after spear practice!"
Xia Zhi nodded with a smile. Compared to half a month ago, Yaoyao had indeed grown a bit taller.
People in this world seemed to develop earlier than in his original world.
During afternoon business, no high-quality customers came.
Another day missing Mr. Zhongli.
Xia Zhi thought for a moment and didn't use [Skill Steal], planning to save it for Changsheng tomorrow morning.
After dinner that evening, everyone went for their usual walk, leaving Miss Chi Yu to watch the shop.
Diona walked along the street, constantly looking around, her eyes full of curiosity.
Passing a barbecue stall, the owner was grilling tiger-fish.
This snack was made by quickly grilling slightly marinated fish caught from the dock. Its aroma could attract street cats, and freshness was the secret to its deliciousness.
Diona stared at the golden fish on the grill, her eyes sparkling, unable to move on.
Really can't help with her.
Moments later, everyone held a hot grilled tiger-fish skewer.
Diona took a bite, her face full of happiness and satisfaction.
Cats really do love fish.
So for the rest of the time, they bought her dried fish, octopus balls, grilled squid, and barbecued shrimp...
Diona ate until she started hiccupping.
She covered her mouth, blushing, but her body still hiccupped.
Zhu Zi spoke from experience: "Let Boss massage you and it'll be fine."
"Massage? hic..."
"Mm! Once when I ate too many mooncakes and got hiccups, Boss touched my back and it was better!"
"Really? hic"
Xia Zhi smiled helplessly: "Come here, I'll help settle your breath."
"Okay."
"Turn around, back towards me."
"Oh."
Diona was shorter than Zhu Zi. Xia Zhi bent down, reached out and gently stroked her back through her clothes, feeling her body instantly stiffen.
"Relax."
Xia Zhi gently pressed certain points on her body, then withdrew his hand.
"Done."
"Eh?"
"See? No more hiccups? Boss's massage is amazing! Cures all ailments!"
"So amazing!"
Zhu Zi mysteriously told her: "Let me tell you, Boss has another massage technique that can effectively help lose weight."
"! Boss, is that true?"
"It's true, but you're not fat, why ask?"
"I... I'm just asking! Curious!"
"Shenhe, remember to buy noodles and fish tomorrow morning, I'll make fish noodles for you all."
"Okay."
On the way back, passing that barbecue stall, Xia Zhi had Zhu Zi buy several more fish skewers to bring back as a midnight snack for Miss Chi Yu.
Though Diona couldn't eat anymore, she couldn't help stealing glances at the grilled fish in Zhu Zi's hands all the way back.
Xia Zhi found this scene quite amusing.
Good thing you met me - if you'd met some bad person, they could have lured you away with just two fish.
Returning to the shop, Miss Chi Yu had already boiled water.
As she said, sitting alone in the shop, having nothing to do, she found something to do.
Such a thoughtful employee truly deserved an excellent rating.
Xia Zhi took the grilled fish from Zhu Zi, used [Path of the Netherworld Chef] on it, then handed it to her.
Chi Yu took a bite, looking nostalgic: "You know? Grilled tiger-fish originally meant grilled chihu fish. It only became 'tiger-fish' through word of mouth. Real chihu fish became endangered many, many years ago as their companion sea beasts sharply declined."
Zhu Zi was surprised: "Really?"
"Mm."
Diona was curious: "Senior Chi Yu, have you eaten chihu fish? Was it good?"
"Of course I have, it was delicious. Back then, chihu fish was Liyue people's favorite fish. That's how Chihu Rock got its name."
Diona couldn't help swallowing secretly, feeling regret at not being able to taste this legendary fish.
After bathing, Xia Zhi returned to his room and took out today's silver treasure chest from Baizhu, opening it.
An ordinary-looking bag appeared before him.
[Bliss Rice]
Quality: Silver
Type: Consumable
Properties: None
Effect: After consumption, makes one feel as if they've reached Pure Land
Hidden Effect: None
This was a special silver-grade ingredient with strange effects.
Xia Zhi opened the bag to look - the rice grains were beautiful, but there was only about one kilogram.
This amount wasn't enough to cook a pot of rice for everyone at the shop.
Seems it couldn't be used as a staple food.
Could grind it into powder and mix it with flour to make pastries though.
But Pure Land...
Isn't that a state pursued in Buddhism?
All is emptiness? No desires?
Seems unsuitable for ordinary people to eat.
Xia Zhi thought for a moment, put away the [Bliss Rice], and decided to try it himself first when he had the chance.
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