Keqing and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sat off to the side, discussing the details of the design plans.
Meanwhile, Xia Zhi turned to Zhongli and Ningguang. "There's another matter I'm struggling with…"
Zhongli sipped his tea. "What is it?"
Xia Zhi's expression grew serious. "This school is being co-funded by Ningguang and me. I'll serve as the principal, and Ningguang will be the vice principal. However, we're still missing another vice principal."
Ningguang looked at him. "Are you having trouble finding a suitable candidate?"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Yes. Since I'm blind, I can hold the title and provide funding, but handling day-to-day affairs would be inconvenient for me."
Zhongli glanced at Xia Zhi's black glasses. "From a rational perspective, that would indeed pose some challenges."
Xia Zhi continued, "As for Ningguang, she's the Tianquan Star, constantly swamped with official duties. She likely won't have much time to manage the school either and will mostly just hold the title."
Ningguang sighed lightly. "What Mr. Xia says is true."
Xia Zhi explained further, "This school will be Liyue's first experimental free academy, and with Ningguang's involvement, it essentially has an official status. In my opinion, the other vice principal should ideally be a local of Liyue, not a foreigner."
Ningguang nodded in agreement. "That makes sense."
"The school will be built in the sky, using the Sunset Vermillionite as its foundation. While this will give it a unique appearance and attract more students, maintaining and managing the buildings afterward will be a hassle. If the vice principal has a deep understanding of architecture, it would make things much easier."
"Agreed."
"It would also be best if they were a Geo Vision holder. If any issues arise, they could handle them personally."
"Indeed."
"This person should also be well-educated, well-mannered, articulate, and good-looking. That way, they'll represent the school well in public."
"Absolutely."
"Such an outstanding individual would be incredibly hard to find. On top of that, they'd need to have plenty of free time to manage the school…"
"Hmm, someone like that…"
A local of Liyue, a Geo Vision holder, knowledgeable in architecture, well-educated, well-mannered, articulate, good-looking, and with nothing better to do all day…
Zhongli quietly set down his teacup as he listened to Xia Zhi and Ningguang's conversation.
You might as well just ask for my ID at this point!
Ningguang suddenly smiled. "I think Mr. Zhongli seems like a perfect fit."
Xia Zhi appeared to realize something. "Ah, how could I have forgotten about Mr. Zhongli! What do you think, Mr. Zhongli?"
Zhongli pondered for a moment before nodding. "If I can contribute to Liyue's prosperity, I'd be glad to help."
"Mr. Zhongli, your generosity is admirable!"
"It's only right."
"Then we'll leave the school's construction in your capable hands, Vice Principal Zhongli."
"…Very well."
"Diona."
"Yes, boss? What's up?"
"Bring me the bottle under the counter."
"Got it!"
Xia Zhi took the bottle Diona handed him and passed it to Zhongli.
"What's this?"
"Concentrated Rainbow Juice. Construction work can be exhausting, so take this to quench your thirst. But if you're sharing it with others, please remember to dilute it further."
"Understood. Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Xia."
Zhongli accepted the bottle.
The three of them chatted a bit longer, wrapping up the discussion about the school.
Zhongli was the first to take his leave.
Ningguang then spoke softly, "Mr. Xia, I didn't sleep well last night. My neck feels a bit sore this morning…"
"Oh? Would you like me to give you a massage?"
"Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Xia."
"Come with me."
Ningguang stood up and followed Xia Zhi into the back room.
Moments later, faint, peculiar sounds began emanating from the room.
Keqing, who was engrossed in discussing the design plans with Xia Ci, froze for a moment when she heard the noises.
What is Ningguang doing in there?
"That's just my cousin giving Ningguang a massage. Don't worry about it," Xia Ci explained.
"Huh?"
So this is the massage that Ningguang can't seem to get enough of?
Why do those sounds feel… off?
It sounds a bit like the noises you'd hear late at night from a small wooden shack near a construction site…
Keqing glanced at the door to the back room with a strange expression, then at Baishi, whose face remained perfectly calm. She lowered her head and continued discussing the design details with Xia Ci.
"What's this health room for?"
"Oh, that's the most impressive part of the school…"
After a while, Baishi also went in for a massage.
This time, the sounds coming from the room were even shakier than her master's.
This is too weird.
Some time later, Ningguang and Baishi emerged from the back room together.
Keqing noticed that both of them had changed clothes, and their hair was damp.
"Did you two take a bath?"
"Yes. We used essential oils during the massage. If we didn't wash it off, our skin would feel slippery. How's the discussion going?"
"We've finished."
"Then let's head back."
"Alright."
The three of them bid farewell to Xia Zhi.
"Tomorrow, I'll issue a public notice to recruit craftsmen and workers," Keqing said.
"The construction site will still be where the Jade Chamber was rebuilt. We'll first build the foundation on the ground, then combine it with the Sunset Vermillionite once Mr. Xia brings it over."
"Understood. Thank you both for your hard work."
As they left the Summer Shop, the three of them walked toward Yujing Terrace.
By now, the sky was completely dark.
Keqing turned her head and, under the cool moonlight, noticed that Ningguang's face looked as radiant as a freshly bloomed flower.
Wait a minute. I'm supposed to be the noble lady here, right?
Why is your skin so much better than mine?!
Ningguang glanced at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Your face… it looks… different somehow…"
"Prettier, right?"
"Uh…"
"That's the effect of the massage."
"!"
"If you don't believe me, look at Baishi."
Keqing turned to look at Baishi.
Under the moonlight, Baishi's face also appeared smooth and radiant.
Even her little secretary's skin was much fairer than hers!
After all, Keqing often worked outdoors at construction sites, frequently exposed to the sun. Her skin had tanned slightly, though it wasn't too noticeable most of the time. But standing next to these two with their porcelain-like complexions, the contrast was glaring.
"See?"
"Why do you make such strange noises during the massage?"
"That's because Mr. Xia's massage is so comfortable—it's impossible to hold back."
"Is it really that good?"
"You wouldn't understand unless you tried it."
"…"
"I remember you have a scar on your arm, don't you?"
"Mm."
Keqing did have a faint scar on her arm.
It was from an accident at a construction site. She had shielded a worker from a falling wooden plank, but a nail on the plank had scratched her arm. Although she had used top-quality medicine, a thin scar remained.
Keqing always said she didn't mind, but as a young woman, she couldn't help feeling a bit regretful.
"Mr. Xia's essential oils can remove scars."
"Really?"
"You know Yelan, right? Her scars were much worse than yours. I took her to Mr. Xia's shop for a massage once, and now all her scars are gone."
"…So that's why you keep going there, isn't it?"
"Wrong."
"Huh?"
"Actually, I go there for the food."
"!!"
"After eating Mr. Xia's cooking tonight, you won't want to touch construction site meals tomorrow."
"I… I can still eat them!"
"Don't push yourself. When I get back to the office, I'll pack you two boxes of 'Chef Xia' noodles to take to the site."
"Huh? What's 'Chef Xia'?"
"It's a delicious noodle dish made by Mr. Xia. Just add hot water, wait a moment, and you'll have a steaming bowl of noodles."
"Something like that exists?"
"Mr. Xia has many amazing things."
"More than you?"
"That's not a fair comparison."
"Tch. I see why you're so interested in him."
Ningguang smiled and touched the jade pendant Xia Zhi had given her, hanging at her waist.
"No, you don't."
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