Jiang Chen and Lumine listened as Yoimiya enthusiastically explained the different types of fireworks in her shop.
What shapes they would explode into.
How long they would burn.
And so on.
After hearing her pitch, Jiang Chen ended up buying a lot.
After all, he and Lumine had come to buy fireworks.
This wasn't a joke.
Thanks to the Sakoku Decree, Yoimiya's shop had plenty of stock.
So Jiang Chen took the opportunity to buy in bulk.
"I'll take this one, this one too, and this one as well."
"Prepare a larger quantity of these."
"If you have enough in stock, that'd be perfect."
Jiang Chen went on a shopping spree.
Hearing his requests, Yoimiya's smile couldn't be wider.
"Got it~!"
"You're a lifesaver!"
Yoimiya excitedly noted down Jiang Chen's order while thanking him profusely.
This wave of purchases had cleared out her inventory—what a blessing!
"If you're interested, you could open a branch in Liyue."
"Liyue is undergoing major development right now—these would sell like crazy."
"Who doesn't set off fireworks when moving into a new home, right?"
Jiang Chen tried to persuade Yoimiya to expand to Liyue.
That way, he could see this cheerful girl more often.
Ideally, Ayaka, Yoimiya, and Kirara would all move to Liyue.
As a man of refined tastes, Jiang Chen wholeheartedly approved.
Hearing this, Lumine's face filled with question marks—but she quickly understood Jiang Chen's intentions.
Damn, he's into her?
Instantly, Lumine wasn't happy.
"Big brother~!"
A strong whiff of jealousy filled the air as Lumine's sickly sweet voice rang out.
Paimon, hearing her tone, was utterly bewildered.
"Lumine, what's wrong? Why are you talking like that?"
So weird!
Why the sudden change?
"Shut up, Paimon!"
"Or no dinner for you tonight."
...
Paimon immediately clammed up.
No dinner?
That was too cruel!!
Absolute torture!!
Thus, Paimon didn't dare speak another word.
Yoimiya was also puzzled—why did this girl suddenly smell like vinegar?
Jiang Chen gave Lumine a deadpan look.
Jealous?
Since when did Lumine get so possessive?
The Vinegar Archon of Teyvat?
"Hmph!"
Lumine didn't explain, simply snorting coldly before falling silent.
Her message was clear:
Try flirting in front of me again. I dare you.
She knew that transmigrators often had entire harems.
But doing it right in front of her?
That was just disrespectful.
So Lumine was furious.
"Opening a shop in Liyue isn't in the cards for now."
"Inazuma just reopened—I can't leave yet."
"But if there's real demand in the future, I might consider it!"
Yoimiya shared her thoughts.
She knew her shop's situation well.
Even if she wanted to expand to Liyue, now wasn't the time.
Hearing this, Jiang Chen nodded without pressing further.
Yoimiya began preparing Jiang Chen's order, hauling out the fireworks from her warehouse.
Once everything was ready, Jiang Chen stored it all in his spatial inventory.
With his purchases secured, he bid Yoimiya farewell.
He promised to return someday, hoping to see her again on his next visit to Inazuma.
Yoimiya grinned at his words.
"Don't worry, I'll always be here."
"Looking forward to your next visit!"
She loved big spenders like Jiang Chen.
One big sale could sustain her for years.
Who wouldn't like such a customer?
Jiang Chen had cleared out her entire stock.
Though the prices were slightly discounted, the sheer volume made up for it.
Seeing off this generous client, Yoimiya was over the moon.
This had made her day.
"You're something else."
"'Next time'?"
"Did you come to buy fireworks?"
"No, you came to see the girl!"
The moment they stepped outside, Lumine sarcastically called him out.
She had seen right through Jiang Chen's little scheme.
"Next time"?
Yeah, right.
"Hehe~!"
"Who knew you could get jealous?"
Jiang Chen smirked, thoroughly amused.
Who would've thought?
Lumine actually got jealous this time.
"Hmph!"
"Just wait—I'll crush those wandering eyes of yours!"
With that, she glared at Jiang Chen.
She had made up her mind.
She'd make sure Jiang Chen feared women from now on.
She'd drain him dry, leaving him no energy for anyone else.
With that resolution, Lumine quietly steeled herself.
First, she'd get rid of Paimon—send her off with Ayaka.
Paimon's Railgun still needed more practice, after all.
...
Time passed quickly, and Lumine put her plan into action—only to end up frustrated.
By the end, she was almost afraid of Jiang Chen.
This guy was too much.
She couldn't handle him—really couldn't.
All her schemes crumbled to dust.
Fine, from now on, do whatever you want.
As long as you can take it, I won't stop you.
With Inazuma's affairs settled, Jiang Chen prepared to leave.
He next saw Guizhong in Ei's workshop.
The two were putting the finishing touches on their project.
A brand-new Shogun puppet had been completed.
About the same size as Klee.
With an adorably chubby face.
Jiang Chen stared at this miniature Raiden Shogun, utterly dumbfounded.
"Holy—!!"
A loli version of the Almighty Shogun!!
"Hehe, I've learned so much this time."
"Baal's techniques are truly impressive."
Guizhong, noticing Jiang Chen's arrival, happily shared her progress.
Especially the puppet-making techniques—she had mostly mastered them now.
If needed, she could even craft a new body for herself.
Once back in Liyue, she planned to make some puppet maids.
The thought excited her immensely.
Hearing this, Jiang Chen was intrigued.
"You've learned it, huh?"
"That's really something."
Puppet-making technology?
Maybe he'd study it too once back in Liyue.
Jiang Chen shared the same idea as Guizhong.
He could create homunculi—like the Einzberns—to serve as maids.
Definitely worth researching later.
As they talked, Ei activated the new Shogun puppet.
The moment it awoke, it immediately noticed something off about its body.
"The Pro…gram?"
Frowning, the puppet sat up—only to freeze at the sight of its tiny hands.
Why was it smaller?
The Shogun's gaze swept over the room, pausing briefly on Jiang Chen.
But there was no violent reaction—just mild surprise.
In the past, she would've drawn her sword immediately.
Even in this smaller form, her combat capabilities remained intact.
This was a compact version of Ei, after all—power was non-negotiable.
Seeing her calm response, Jiang Chen understood.
Ei had modified the programming.