In the room on Yujing Terrace.
Ganyu sat alone on the edge of the bed, slowly brushing her hair in front of the mirror.
Suddenly, a small cube-shaped alarm clock she had placed on the bed started to ring.
Ganyu turned her head to glance at it.
It was already five in the afternoon.
Ganyu immediately sped up her grooming routine.
Although she had left work early today, she'd ended up spending a lot of time doing this and that around the house after getting back.
Thankfully, she had set an alarm.
Otherwise, she might have ended up just like that time during the Rite of Descension, when she spent too long picking out her outfit and ended up being three minutes late...
She tied her hair, changed into new clothes, and hurried out the door toward Feiyun Slope.
On the way, she made her usual stop at her favorite fruit store and bought a bag of fresh fruit.
When she arrived at the Summer Shop, Ganyu noticed the door was closed.
She paused, a bit confused, and then walked up to it.
The door wasn't locked.
It seemed to be simply shut.
She raised her hand and gently knocked.
"Anyone inside?"
There was no response from within.
Ganyu hesitated slightly, then gently pushed the door open with a bit of force.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."
Suddenly, strange popping sounds erupted right in front of her.
A flurry of colorful paper confetti flew toward her.
Her vision was instantly overwhelmed and became a blur.
Instinctively, she raised her arms to shield her face.
Then, she heard the sound of laughter.
Not only from the people inside the shop, but also from Yun Jin, Hu Tao, Ningguang, Yanfei, Xiangling, Guoba… even Madame Ping and the two adepti, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver, were there.
"Happy Birthday!"
"Wuuuu!"
"Huh?"
Ganyu lowered her hands and stared blankly at the crowd gathered before her.
Zhu Zi raised the bamboo tube in his hands and grinned. "Miss Ganyu, surprised?"
"Ah? A little…"
"Right?!"
"Miss Ganyu actually got scared just now, didn't she?"
"…Yeah, you all were a bit sudden…"
"Hehe…"
"I didn't think everyone would remember my birthday."
"It was the boss who told us!"
"Mr. Xia…"
"I asked last time, and just wrote down everyone's birthdays."
Looking at Xia Zhi, a small smile naturally formed on Ganyu's face.
Mr. Xia.
Click.
Xia Ci laughed as she snapped a photo of her with the kamera.
Seeing the playful gleam in Xia Ci's eyes, Ganyu suddenly realized what she looked like, and quickly reached up to try and brush away the paper confetti stuck in her hair.
But there was simply too much of it. No matter how hard she tried, a bunch of stubborn bits clung to her hair.
"Where did you all even get these things?"
"Xia Ci made them!"
"I knew it."
"Sister Ganyu! Look, look! All these flowers in the shop were grown super fast with our Visions! Me and Sister Xia Ci worked together to grow them! Aren't they pretty?"
"Mhm, they're beautiful. You're amazing, Yaoyao."
"Hehe~"
Ganyu gave a helpless little smile, lowered her hand, and patted the young girl's head.
Although her carefully styled hair had now become a mess again, she wasn't angry. In fact, she felt a warm sensation bloom in her chest.
Ganyu walked over to the table and sat down beside Ningguang, who wore a knowing smile.
Ganyu glanced at her and asked, "You came early today too. Don't tell me it's because I left work early?"
Ningguang shook her head and smiled. "I came to deliver something."
"What is it?"
"Those little things in your hair."
"…The paper confetti?"
"Mhm. I brought it from the new paper mill. They're part of the first batch ever produced. Don't they feel special?"
"They are pretty special. They stick on so well, I can't get them off."
"Haha, you'd better wait until later and wash it out at the bathhouse."
"Looks like I'll have to."
"Thanks to you, we get to enjoy one of Mr. Xia's grand feasts tonight."
"Don't you drop by the shop for a free meal nearly every day?"
"Totally different. Mr. Xia said he got a few new cooking tools. They're supposed to make the food taste even better."
"Oh? New tools…"
Ganyu couldn't help but glance toward the kitchen, her eyes filled with anticipation.
At that moment, a knock came from outside.
"Coming!"
Diona ran to open the door.
Outside stood two familiar figures.
Keqing and Zhongli.
Keqing stepped in and smiled. "We're not late, are we?"
"Nope!"
"Great."
Yesterday, Keqing had visited the shop with Xiangling and accepted everyone's invitation. On her way back to the construction site, she had also invited Zhongli to join her for today's gathering.
Hu Tao raised a wine glass and called from the doorway, "Zhongli! Come drink!"
Zhongli nodded calmly. "Please, Director, mind your image."
"Alright, alright, I get it. You haven't been racking up tabs again at the construction site lately, have you?"
"Of course not."
"Good, because I really didn't want another person coming to chase you down for payment."
Ganyu watched Zhongli walk over to another table, her gaze turning slightly odd.
The Geo Archon himself, showing up to her birthday party.
She couldn't help but wonder whether the Lord of Geo came for her sake… or perhaps for Mr. Xia's.
Surely it wasn't just to mooch a meal?
Since the Archon clearly didn't wish to reveal his identity, Ganyu didn't stare for long and quietly turned her gaze away.
Before long, Baizhu and Changsheng arrived too.
Not long after, Xiangling and Shenhe emerged from the kitchen, carrying a massive steaming basket.
Everyone looked on, curious.
Xia Zhi followed behind them, smiling. "We were originally going to make a big birthday cake, but since Miss Ganyu is a vegetarian, we decided on something different."
"This is…?"
"Forest Giant Shaomai."
As Xia Zhi finished, Xiangling lifted the lid off the steaming basket.
A plume of white steam rose up, carrying an irresistible aroma.
When the steam cleared, everyone saw what was inside.
A gigantic shaomai, formed from countless smaller ones.
"The filling is all vegetarian, mainly mushrooms, with assorted vegetables to symbolize the richness of the forest. Happy birthday, Miss Ganyu."
"Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you, Mr. Xia! Thank you, everyone!"
With the formalities over, the feast began.
Baizhu picked up a plate and took one of the small shaomai, giving it a bite.
The flavor was rich and fragrant, but more than that, Baizhu immediately felt a wave of vibrant life energy infused within the food.
He paused mid-chew.
So did Changsheng, draped around his neck.
They looked at each other.
Then Baizhu lowered his head and silently quickened his pace.
Whether it tasted good or not wasn't important—what mattered was that eating more tonight might mean saving one more patient tomorrow.
By the time Baizhu was nearly stuffed, he realized that the giant shaomai had just been an appetizer. There were still many more dishes coming, each radiating the same vibrant life energy.
He and Changsheng exchanged glances again.
Baizhu's expression turned helpless.
Next time he came here for dinner, he'd better bring along some digestion pills.
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