As their time in the dream approached its end, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata waved her small hand, bidding farewell to Xia Zhi and Shenhe.
"See you tomorrow night… Shenhe, just curious, will you appear as a big woman or a little girl tomorrow?"
"I won't tell you."
"Fine, I can guess anyway."
"Go ahead."
Rukkhadevata gave Xia Zhi a knowing glance before disappearing from sight.
Xia Zhi sighed, feeling a bit helpless at her insinuating look. After all, he didn't have any peculiar preferences.
Yaoyao and Little Shenhe were as adorable as angels. Wasn't it perfectly normal for him to enjoy their company?
"Let's go," Xia Zhi said, leading Shenhe as they exited the dream.
---
Back in the real world, Shenhe opened her eyes and turned to look at Xia Zhi, who lay beside her.
"Boss."
"Hmm?"
"It's time to practice spear techniques."
"Alright."
And so, they did.
---
Afterward, both were drenched in sweat. Shenhe lay on the bed, resting with a hint of exhaustion.
Xia Zhi, smiling, gently ran his hand through her long hair before getting up and walking to the windowsill. He picked up the [Essence Bottle] he had left there.
Shenhe shifted slightly, her posture exuding a lovely laziness. Her gaze landed curiously on the bottle Xia Zhi had retrieved.
"Boss, was that bottle always there?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't I notice it before?"
"I had it hidden."
"Oh."
Shenhe's personality was naturally gentle. Even if there was something she didn't understand, she wouldn't press for answers.
If it had been Zhu Zi or Diona, they would've already bombarded Xia Zhi with questions about how he had hidden it.
---
Xia Zhi inspected the [Bliss Rice Wine] that had been stored in the bottle since the previous night. He was curious about how much its properties had been enhanced.
Taking a cup from the table, he poured half a glass of the wine.
The once-clear liquid had thickened into a slightly viscous amber color. A rich, enticing aroma wafted from the cup instantly.
A wonderful scent.
Xia Zhi swirled the cup gently before taking a small sip.
The flavor was intense.
The wine burned slightly as it passed his throat, leaving his tongue tingling while his cheeks flushed a light pink. Despite the fiery sensation, he felt a comforting warmth spreading through his stomach.
The [Bliss Rice Wine] retained its core effects of immense enjoyment: it brought immense happiness, accelerated mental recovery, enhanced physical resilience, and guaranteed a good mood throughout the day.
Xia Zhi couldn't help but smile as his mood lightened.
---
Shenhe, observing him, asked, "Boss, is it good?"
"Very good."
"I want to try it too."
"Alright, give me a moment. Let me adjust it for you."
Xia Zhi retrieved a bottle of [Rainbow Juice Concentrate] from his inventory and added a single drop to the cup. He swirled the mixture gently, and his passive skill, [Water Spirit's Blessing], activated.
The amber liquid in the cup transformed instantly into a vibrant, shimmering rainbow hue.
Xia Zhi walked over to Shenhe and handed her the cup.
"What's this?"
"A Diona-exclusive creation—Rainbow Juice Rice Wine."
"Oh."
"This is also the 'secret weapon' I prepared for Diona in case she encounters any trouble at the Jade Chamber banquet today. You're the first one to taste it."
"Hmm."
Shenhe accepted the cup and took a small sip.
As the liquid slid down her throat, her delicate face turned rosy. A faint smile graced her lips—an expression of pure bliss.
It was stunning.
Due to the Red Rope Binding Charm, it was rare for Shenhe to smile in the real world. Apart from the slightly seductive smile she showed while practicing spearmanship with Xia Zhi, only items from the Bliss Series could coax such genuine happiness from her.
The first time Xia Zhi saw Shenhe smile in the real world was when she ate [White Jade Bliss Rice Pops].
---
"Is it good?"
"Delicious."
"Let me try."
"Okay."
Although Shenhe agreed, she didn't hand the cup to Xia Zhi. Instead, she brought the cup back to her lips and took a large gulp.
Xia Zhi stared at her, momentarily stunned. "Huh?"
The next moment, Shenhe set the cup on the bedside table, wrapped her arms around Xia Zhi's neck, and, with her face flushed from the wine, pressed her lips against his.
The cool wine transferred to him slowly, like a candy-sharing trick.
She's good at this!
By the time the sip of wine was entirely gone, both of them were left slightly breathless, their faces tinged with a deeper shade of redness.
The alcohol content was definitely strong.
Shenhe licked her now-glossy lips and asked, "Was it good?"
Xia Zhi smacked his lips. "It really was."
"There's still some left in the cup. Do you want more?"
"Finish it. Don't waste it."
Shenhe nodded, picked up the cup from the bedside table, and took another big sip.
---
And that was that.
To be honest, the only consequence was that Shenhe got a little tipsy. She became so endearingly adorable that their morning routine ended up being delayed.
Xia Zhi helped her recover and even combed her hair afterward.
"Boss."
"Yes?"
"This wine is really good."
"Isn't it?"
"I like it."
"I like it too."
"Let's drink it together in the future. The candy stash is almost gone, anyway."
"Okay."
---
When they finally went downstairs to freshen up, Zhu Zi and Diona were already back from grocery shopping.
Xia Zhi asked Diona to bring her shaker, then filled it to the brim with the newly enhanced [Bliss Rice Wine]. Or rather, it should now be called [Bliss Spirit Wine], given its intensified flavor.
The wine's potency after just one night in the [Essence Bottle] was incredible—its richness had multiplied significantly. Truly a result befitting a diamond-tier item.
Who knew what would happen if he stored it longer—say, a month, a year, or even ten years? Would it evolve from silver-tier to gold-tier, or perhaps even higher to platinum-tier?
---
Diona sniffed the air, her eyes lighting up.
"Boss, this wine smells amazing!"
"It's the same rice wine from yesterday, but I used a special method to make it stronger."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Boss, you're amazing! You even know how to brew wine!"
"Just a little. Your shaker is small, though, so this is all it can hold. Use it sparingly, and don't share it carelessly."
"Got it!"
---
After putting away the remaining wine, Xia Zhi suddenly remembered what his cousin said last night about Mondstadt's Archon, Barbatos.
Apparently, Barbatos was an infamous drunkard.
The shop's travel plans for next spring included a trip to Mondstadt, so Xia Zhi figured he'd likely encounter him.
If Barbatos was anything like Zhongli or Rukkhadevata, he'd probably have a shimmering diamond progress bar as well.
In that case, Xia Zhi decided it was worth brewing more wine in the Dragon-Turning Pot and storing it in the [Essence Bottle] for safekeeping.
The treasure chest rewards didn't matter much—this was more about preparing gifts for his cousin to bring to her "old colleagues."
Sigh, the things I do for her.
----
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