Scent of Spring.
Liyue's most famous "kiln" shop.
And by "kiln," of course, we mean ceramics.
(Though given the double entendre, one might be forgiven for thinking otherwise.)
Miss Ying'er was the owner of Scent of Spring, as well as Liyue's most renowned perfumer.
Countless wealthy daughters from noble families would pay thousands of Mora just to have Ying'er craft a custom perfume for them.
The quality of her handmade fragrances was leagues above anything sold in ordinary markets.
"So, this handsome young man must be the shopkeeper of the jar shop. Hello there."
Miss Ying'er sashayed up to Felix, a teasing smile playing on her lips. She reached out and took his hand warmly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the owner of Scent of Spring. If you ever feel like visiting my kiln... or if you have any needs... just tell Ying'er. This little lady guarantees your satisfaction."
Felix: "....."
Watching Ying'er hold his hand with such enthusiasm while inviting him to her "kiln," Felix's eyelid twitched.
This woman really did love to drive fast cars.
It was just a pottery shop. Why did she have to phrase everything so suggestively?
"Hello, Miss Ying'er," Felix replied, keeping his expression polite despite his internal monologue. "I'm Felix. You can just call me that. Are you here to open jars? They cost 100,000 Mora each, with a limit of ten jars per person per week."
"I know, I know," Ying'er beamed. "I came because I heard how magical this place is. I wonder... could the handsome Shopkeeper pick the jars for me personally? As long as you choose them, I'm sure I'll love whatever comes out."
To Ying'er, picking jars herself felt like a gamble. But letting the shopkeeper pick?
In her mind, Felix stocked the shelves. Surely he knew which jars held treasures and which held dust.
If she charmed him enough, maybe he'd slip her a winner. She wouldn't lose out!
Felix: "..."
His eye twitched again.
Good grief. Asking him to pick the jars?
Since opening the shop, no customer had ever made such a request. Most people wanted to choose for themselves—it was part of the thrill, especially when spending their own money. If someone else picked and they got nothing, it felt worse.
Felix shook his head, smiling faintly. "You flatter me, Miss Ying'er. But you're the one paying, so you must be the one to choose. The outcome depends entirely on your own luck."
"Even I don't know what's inside these jars. I can't guarantee you a prize. If I picked an empty jar for you, you might blame me later. That wouldn't be good for business."
He wasn't about to start picking favorites.
"It's fine, Shopkeeper. I wouldn't blame you," Ying'er purred, her eyes curving into crescents. "You're so handsome... even if you picked ten empty jars, I wouldn't mind. We could even sign a contract if you're worried."
She meant it.
To her, opening jars was secondary. Establishing a connection with this mysterious, handsome shopkeeper was the real prize. Anyone selling miracles like this wasn't an ordinary man.
"Apologies, but I never select jars for customers," Felix refused again, firmly but politely.
This woman was intense. Offering to sign a contract just to make him pick a jar?
In Liyue, contracts were sacred. Breaking one invited the Wrath of the Rock. Because of Rex Lapis, contracts were the bedrock of Liyue's prosperity and stability.
"Fine then," Ying'er sighed, her face falling into a look of such exaggerated disappointment it almost tugged at the heartstrings.
Felix: "....."
She was testing his patience.
"Here is 500,000 Mora. I'll start with five jars," Ying'er said, recovering instantly. She handed him the money bag with a smile. "By the way, does Little Brother Felix have a girlfriend? What kind of girl do you like?"
"No, and I don't know," Felix answered automatically as he took the money.
Before she could spin that into another innuendo, he added, "You've paid. Please select your jars."
"What about someone like me?" Ying'er pressed, undeterred. "Ying'er is currently single, you know."
"I don't know you well enough to say," Felix said with a practiced business smile. "Please pick your jars."
This woman was formidable.
"Alright, alright," Ying'er laughed, finally turning her attention to the shelves.
Rows of ordinary-looking jars lined the wall.
On the very top shelf sat an exquisite, glowing jar.
She ignored it. She knew the rules of commerce—the shiny stuff on the top shelf wasn't for sale yet. Felix had specified "ordinary jars." She would ask about the fancy one later.
"Those five, then," she pointed to a cluster near the glowing one.
"As you wish."
Felix waved his hand. The five jars floated gently off the shelf and landed softly in front of her.
"Shopkeeper is so skilled," Ying'er murmured, her eyes sparkling as she watched him. She looked at him like he was a treasure waiting to be unearthed.
He was definitely special.
She had expected him to fetch them by hand. Instead, telekinesis? And with such control?
Felix ignored her gaze. "Your jars."
"Mhm."
Ying'er focused on the ceramic vessels.
She wasn't greedy. Just one good item would satisfy her curiosity.
Crash.
She smashed the first jar.
Three bright red flowers, blooming like silken clouds, fell out.
[Silk Flower] — A crimson flower that blooms like rainbow clouds in Liyue. Can be made into silky fabric or processed for other uses.
"Silk Flowers."
Ying'er's smile brightened. "A great start."
Silk Flowers were rare and expensive in Liyue. As a perfumer, she used them constantly. Getting three for 100,000 Mora (along with the chance for other items) was a solid win.
"Good luck indeed," Felix nodded. "A Liyue specialty."
"I have to thank the Shopkeeper," Ying'er said sweetly. "Without you, I wouldn't have these. I'll make a special perfume from them and bring it to you later. I hope you won't refuse."
"Uh."
Felix raised an eyebrow.
Perfume?
He was a man who spent all day in his shop. He didn't really need perfume.
"I think I'll pass on the perfume," Felix chuckled. "It's better suited for ladies. I'm a shut-in; using it would be a waste."
"No, no, no. I insist. The perfume I make isn't just simple perfume," Ying'er said with a wink. "I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Just wait and accept it."
"Fine."
Felix nodded. Whether he accepted it or not was his choice; whether she sent it was hers.
Crash.
Ying'er broke the second jar.
A blue, fungus-like organism rolled out.
[Sea Ganoderma] — A special species from certain island regions. Secreted by soft-bodied organisms.
"Not bad," Ying'er mused, picking it up. "An Inazuman specialty. I can try using this to develop a new fragrance."
Unlike the representatives from Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion, Ying'er didn't feel cheated. As a creator, she saw potential in everything.
Crash!
The third jar shattered. A red can clattered onto the table.
"Cola. A beverage," Felix explained. "Tastes pretty good."
"Oh?"
Ying'er picked up the strange metal can, examining the packaging curiously.
Interesting design.
While she was studying the Cola, the sound of footsteps approached from outside.
A young boy with blue hair walked toward the shop, looking around as if searching for something.
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