Yashiro Estate
After breakfast, Kamisato Ayaka inquired, "Ling Feng, what are you planning to do today? Go take pictures of the scenery?"
Ling Feng pondered for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "No, I plan to wander around Inazuma City and see the sights of a foreign land."
In truth, he wanted to try Inazuman cuisine and buy some light novels from Yae Publishing House. While he could cook, it wouldn't be authentic. As for light novels, the books from Liyue were a bit difficult to understand, while novels were easier to comprehend.
"If that's the case, why don't you let Thoma accompany Ling Feng around the city? He can play the host," Kamisato Ayato chuckled. Although Ling Feng appeared ordinary, his intuition told him that Ling Feng was anything but. Besides, were any individuals with a Vision ordinary?
"No, no, it would be too much trouble for Mr. Thoma," Ling Feng waved his hand. To be honest, he preferred to explore alone; having someone accompany him felt less enjoyable. That is, unless it was a beautiful woman.
Upon hearing this, Thoma smiled and said, "It's no trouble at all. Since Lord Ling Feng is from Liyue, you might not be familiar with Inazuma City. Having a guide would be much more convenient."
"That's right, Ling Feng. You don't know anyone here, so it would be much easier with Thoma. He knows Inazuma City very well," Kamisato Ayaka also persuaded.
"Eh..." Ling Feng then realized that Kamisato Ayaka seemed to hold a rather significant position in the hearts of Inazuma's people.
After finishing their pizza, the two walked down the street, with Thoma continuously making introductions. For instance, he pointed out Tenmu Forging, the best weapon forging shop in Inazuma City, where they forged exquisite weapons.
The two eventually arrived at Yae Publishing House.
"Shopkeeper, do you have any recommended books?" Ling Feng asked at the counter.
"Hello, hello, welcome to Yae Publishing House!"
"Ah, Mr. Thoma? You have time to visit Yae Publishing House? Are you here with this guest?" Yae Publishing House editor Kuroda exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Thoma standing beside Ling Feng. Thoma, as the household manager of the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato family, was quite well-known in Inazuma.
"Mm, accompanying a friend to explore Inazuma City. It's his first time here."
Hearing this, Kuroda became even more enthusiastic, pointing to the books on the shelves and beginning his recommendations. "I see. This guest, Yae Publishing House has many popular novels right now. For example, 'The Record of the Fallen Divine Heavens'..."
"Which ones would you like to purchase, sir?"
After listening to Kuroda's introduction, Ling Feng glanced around. The shelves were filled with all sorts of books: 'The Record of the Fallen Divine Heavens,' 'Collected Swordsmanship Tales of Autumn,' 'The New Six Fox Tales,' 'Dog x 1/2,' and so on.
Ling Feng pondered for a moment. He wanted to read every single one. He slapped the counter. "Give me one of each." Why bother deliberating? A simple, direct approach: buy them all. He had money now, after all!
Kuroda and Thoma were both stunned. "Are you here to stock up on books?"
However, Kuroda's smile grew even wider, a genuine expression of joy. "Sales! So much sales!"
"Right away, please wait a moment, and we'll get your books packed for you," Kuroda said, his eagerness to pack the books increasing as he envisioned his booming sales. Thoma couldn't help but smile; Ling Feng was truly interesting.
Suddenly, someone nudged his shoulder. Thoma turned around in confusion. "Lord Thoma, there's an urgent matter that requires your attention." Seeing it was one of his subordinates, Thoma's cheerful expression immediately turned serious.
"What is it?"
"It's about..."
"I understand. You go ahead; I'll be there shortly." After hearing his subordinate's words, Thoma knew the seriousness of the situation and signaled him to leave.
Ling Feng was waiting for his books when Thoma suddenly patted his shoulder. Ling Feng looked up in confusion. "What's wrong, Thoma?"
"Ling Feng, I have an urgent matter to attend to. Could you possibly wait here for me for a while?"
"Of course, you go ahead and attend to it. I'll read here for a bit."
"Mm." Thoma left quickly. Ling Feng found a stone bench, sat down, and picked up a copy of 'The Record of the Fallen Divine Heavens' to start reading. He wanted to see what light novels on the continent of Teyvat were like.
As Ling Feng became engrossed in his reading, a pink-haired fox wearing a shrine maiden outfit in shades of red and white arrived at Yae Publishing House.
"Your Excellency, the Shrine Maiden, why have you come?" Kuroda rushed out of the shop to greet Yae Miko.
"Lord Yae / Chief Editor." The other staff at Yae Publishing House quickly bowed.
"Mm, continue with your work." Yae Miko responded softly, but her attention was not on them. Yae Miko's gaze fell upon Ling Feng, who was sitting on the stone bench flipping through a novel. Her brow twitched, appearing somewhat surprised. Then, as if remembering something, a charming curve formed on her lips. "How interesting..."
Ling Feng, who was lost in his literary world, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, a cold sensation that caused goosebumps to rise. "Hiss... Why is it suddenly so cold behind me? It's so hot out... What the heck!" As Ling Feng looked up, he met Yae Miko's alluring eyes, startling him so much that he tumbled off the stone bench. After falling, Ling Feng quickly executed a few backflips to regain his footing, staring at the pink-haired fox with its cunning smile in astonishment.
"Oh dear, my apologies. I've startled you." Hearing those insincere words, Ling Feng's back tingled with goosebumps again, and he warily eyed the woman before him. When had this woman arrived? He hadn't even noticed. Was he that engrossed in his reading? His instincts told him this woman meant trouble, and he should leave immediately. After all, in the game, whenever this woman appeared, something bad was bound to happen. Seeing this, Ling Feng's gaze shifted to the bag of books he had placed on the stone bench. He had to take his belongings if he was going to flee.
Meanwhile, Yae Miko's lips curved into a devilish smile, as if she had guessed Ling Feng's intentions. She lifted the bag containing the books and peeked inside. "Let me see... bought all the popular novels."
"Oh my... you bought so many? What a big customer." With that, she strode towards Ling Feng with long strides. "Hello, allow me to introduce myself. I am Yae Miko, the chief editor of Yae Publishing House. I'm sorry for startling you."
"Here you go, customer, your novels." Yae Miko handed the bag of books to Ling Feng with a smile.
"Hello, tha...nk you..." Ling Feng pretended not to recognize Yae Miko, but slowly reached out to take the bag, wary of a trap. However, after Ling Feng took it, Yae Miko made no further move, simply smiling at him. Seeing this, Ling Feng relaxed slightly. Perhaps Yae Miko was just returning his books.
"Goodbye, I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave now."
"Wait a moment!" Just as Ling Feng turned to leave, Yae Miko called out to him.
"What is it, Chief Editor of Yae Publishing House?" Ling Feng's caution immediately heightened, ready to flee at any moment. If Yae Miko made any move, he would show her the speed of the wind.
"It's nothing. It's just that buying so many books comes with a reward."
"A reward?" Ling Feng was taken aback.
"That's right. This is the first person to purchase all the currently popular novels in one go during the recently held event. There's a mysterious gift."
A gift? That seemed quite normal. Had he misunderstood Yae Miko?
"What reward?" Yae Miko smiled cunningly and slowly approached Ling Feng.
"The reward is..." Ling Feng suddenly felt a wave of fragrance fill his nostrils, and his head felt somewhat dizzy.
"Ling Feng, I'm back! Huh? Shrine Maiden Yae?" Thoma's voice, like thunder, instantly roused Ling Feng, whose head was still foggy. Ling Feng looked at Yae Miko, whose face was only a few centimeters away from his, and immediately understood that he had fallen into a trap. He quickly took a few steps back, creating distance.
"Chief Editor, what are you doing?"
"Nothing at all. This Omamori is the gift, then." Ling Feng looked at the Omamori in Yae Miko's palm, took it, and then said thank you. He then grabbed the still-confused Thoma's hand and quickly bolted. This woman was indeed suspicious! This place was not safe; it was best to leave quickly!
Yae Miko quietly watched Ling Feng and Thoma depart.
"Darn it, just a little more, and Thoma ruined my plans."
"However, one thing is confirmed."