Stellar Train: I Open a Small Shop on the Train-Chapter 77

Ye Yun raised his teacup.

"Come, let's enjoy more tea. A fine moment, a beautiful view, and a joyous festival—one should savor the present."

Jiaoqiu smiled and raised his wine cup.

"Indeed, indeed. Once again, my thanks to Mr. Zhongli for the invitation, allowing us to partake in such a grand and lively celebration."

Zhongli raised his own cup.

"You are all my dear friends. There's no need for many words—drink, everyone."

Ye Yun and the others continued chatting over tea.

None of them felt bored with this kind of life.

Just a few days ago, Stelle had questioned it—saying Ye Yun and the others did nothing but play chess and drink tea all day. What was the fun in that?

Zhongli could only reply:

"You're not at our age yet. You wouldn't understand."

On the deck.

Stelle, Hu Tao, and the others had already boarded the treasure ship.

Seele had found a Salt Ruler and a Salt Chalice and was now showing them to Zhongli, hoping to learn their value.

"Mr. Zhongli, could you take a look at these for me?"

As she spoke, Seele handed him the items.

Zhongli took them and frowned.

"Where did you find these two items?"

Seele told him about the ruins where she had found them.

After hearing her story, Zhongli recalled an old memory.

"Congratulations. These two items are priceless treasures."

Seele lit up with joy.

"Really? I struck gold?"

Zhongli gave a slight nod.

"One is the Salt Ruler—when inserted into soil, it can turn dirt into salt.

The other is the Salt Chalice—it always contains half a basin of salt."

Seele seemed to understand.

"So that means... I'll never run out of salt again?"

Zhongli shook his head.

"These once belonged to a god whose authority was salt.

After all these years, their power has diminished greatly.

Still, extracting a few hundred tons of salt shouldn't be a problem."

Hearing "hundreds of tons," Seele's eyes sparkled.

"That's more than enough! Not long ago, I saw Bronya placing salt orders with Topaz.

Now we can save that money!"

Nearby, Stelle quickly took out a broken sword she had found and handed it to Zhongli.

"Zhongli, Zhongli, what about this sword? I found it in the same place!"

Stelle looked at him expectantly.

Zhongli glanced at the iron sword she handed him.

"This is just an ordinary sword. However, it was the weapon that killed the Salt God.

If you use that story to sell it, someone might buy it.

But don't get your hopes up—you can't prove that this sword is the one that killed the Salt God. That part of history has long been buried."

Stelle was immediately disappointed. She had thought she found something valuable.

The weapon had even been enshrined—it had to be important.

Well, it was, but not useful.

Seele put away the Salt Ruler and Salt Chalice, planning to give them to Bronya later.

Bronya and the others were busy with affairs in Belobog and hadn't attended the Lantern Rite in Liyue.

Stelle, Seele, and the others went to the main hall on the first floor.

Hu Tao peeked into the kitchen, where Xiangling was busy cooking with several helpers.

Hu Tao leaned in through the window.

"Xiangling, how long until the food is ready?"

Xiangling turned her head.

"A little while longer. You all go play for now."

Hu Tao delivered the news to the group.

Stelle thought for a moment.

"How about we play Emperor's Jade? Sound good?"

Just as she spoke, Qingque walked in from the door.

"Emperor's Jade? Perfect! Let's set up the tables!"

Qingque rubbed her hands together, clearly excited.

March 7th was surprised to see her.

"Qingque? You came after all? I thought you said you wouldn't!"

Qingque rubbed her hands again.

"Well, I finished my work. I noticed none of you were on the train, so I came looking.

If it weren't for Yelan from Wanmin Hall telling me, I wouldn't have known you were here!

Anyway, enough chit-chat! Where's the game?"

Stelle took out two sets of Emperor's Jade. They set up two tables and started playing.

On the deck.

Tsaritsa arrived with La Signora and Childe aboard the treasure ship.

Ningguang was puzzled—she hadn't invited anyone from the Fatui.

"What are you doing here? I don't recall inviting La Signora and Childe."

Just then, Calestia landed on the deck with Silver Wolf and Nahida.

"Ningguang, I invited them. Let them in."

Ningguang looked at Calestia. She knew who she was—Teyvat's Heavenly Principles, even more powerful than her own Geo Archon.

Calestia took out a controller.

"Silver Wolf, let's find a spot inside and keep playing!"

Calestia and Silver Wolf walked off, arms slung around each other.

Nahida glanced around and spotted six kids waiting beside their sky lanterns.

Curious, she decided to examine the structure of the lanterns.

Ningguang turned to Tsaritsa, La Signora, and Childe.

"If you're guests of Lady Calestia, then please, come in."

Tsaritsa nodded with a smile.

"Thank you."

He led Childe and La Signora into the cabin.

They found a spot and sat down casually.

Tsaritsa glanced at Childe, who couldn't sit still for a second and kept fidgeting. He chuckled.

"Go on, you don't need to stay here with me."

Childe immediately stood, gave a respectful bow, and ran off to see Stelle play Emperor's Jade—it looked fun.

La Signora was speechless. Childe's workplace EQ really was hopeless.

The boss says go, and you actually go?

Then again, it's usually coworkers like that who won't stab you in the back.

Childe arrived near Stelle, only to step on something.

He lifted his foot.

"Where'd this broken sword come from?"

Stelle noticed him and saw he had stepped on the sword she brought back.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. A devious idea popped into her head.

She slapped the table and stood up!

"Hey! You broke my treasure! Pay up!"

She quickly snapped a photo of the "evidence" on her phone.

Childe looked down at the sword with disdain.

That rusty thing? Worth anything? Fine—he'd pay.

"How much Mora? I'll give it to you right now."

Stelle, satisfied with her trap, held up three fingers.

"Three million Mora~"

Childe was stunned.

"How much?!"

Stelle replied,

"This isn't just any sword—it's the one that killed... that one god..."

Amber helpfully added,

"The Salt God. Havria."

Stelle snapped her fingers.

"Right! This sword killed the Salt God, Havria!

Don't believe me? I asked Zhongli himself—your Geo Archon!

He confirmed it personally, guaranteed!"

Childe was dumbfounded.

Seriously? This piece of junk killed the Salt God?

But Stelle invoked the Geo Archon himself—probably true.

With a sigh, Childe pulled out a silver banknote.

"Here, it's a 5-million Mora note from the Northland Bank. I don't carry that much cash.

The extra two million... consider it a gift of friendship."

Stelle snatched it up and took a deep whiff, looking absolutely delighted.

"Mmm~ the sweet scent of money is irresistible~"

She tucked the note away, very pleased with Childe.

"Nice, nice. You really know how to get along.

But don't say we're just making friends—we are friends! This just deepens our bond.

Buddy, did you come looking for me? What's up?"

She grinned at him like he was her personal piggy bank.

Childe replied,

"I wanted to see what you were playing."

Hearing that, Stelle exchanged glances with Lumine, Qingque, and March 7th.

March 7th immediately offered,

"Why don't you take my spot for a bit? I'll take a break."

Childe clasped his hands together in thanks.

"Much appreciated."

***

Childe sat down in March 7th's seat, listening to her explain how to play Emperor's Jade of the Imperial Capital.

Stelle, Lumine, and Qingque exchanged glances.

"Rich and dumb! Let's scam him!"

The three confirmed with a look and enthusiastically began teaching Childe how to play.

Not far off, La Signora looked on, a bit displeased.

"Is this guy really dumb, or just pretending? Can't he tell they're scamming him?"

Tsaritsa chuckled and said, "Whether he's truly dumb or just pretending, at least he's gotten close with them. His goal is achieved."

La Signora thought for a moment and nodded. "True. His goal has indeed been achieved."

Tsaritsa sighed, "Sometimes, being too clear-headed isn't a good thing."

She glanced at Calestia, who was happily playing games beside Silver Wolf.

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Was this really the cold and ruthless Sovereign of the Heavenly Principles?

At the Liyue Harbor—

Yae Miko stood at the port, looking utterly drained.

Only the gods knew how exhausting today had been. The moment she looked away, Ei would wander off to some random stall.

Ganyu was nowhere to be found either. Staff nearby said Ganyu had gone back to Cloud Retainer's place.

Miko glanced at Ei, who was munching on a box of glutinous rice cakes, and sighed.

"Sigh... your little fox here is just destined for a life of toil~"

She looked out over the sea and saw a treasure ship drifting in the distance.

"It's late, no ships are going out now. Ei, shall we fly over?"

She called out, but Ei didn't respond.

Miko turned around—

Only to see Ei sharing snacks with a heterochromatic-eyed girl in a blue outfit and top hat.

That girl was none other than Furina.

Furina and Clorinde had just arrived. Clorinde went to find a boat, and Furina, waiting by herself, spotted Ei.

They had met briefly in Celestia, and Furina knew who Ei was.

Figuring they must be here by the same person's invitation, she brought over some flower cakes to say hello.

Ei took a bite and her eyes lit up.

"Focalors, where did you get these flower cakes?"

Furina smiled proudly. "That place... uh, Qingce Village! Delicious, right?"

Ei nodded and turned to Miko. "Miko, I want to go to Qingce Village to buy flower cakes."

Miko covered her face, exasperated. "Enough, Ei! We still have to attend Lady Calestia's banquet!"

Ei nodded dumbly. "Oh, right."

Furina chimed in, "Why don't we go together? Clorinde's looking for a boat."

Miko finally realized—wait, what did Ei just call this girl?

Focalors? That name sounded familiar... where had she heard it before?

Hmm... hiss! Fontaine's Hydro Archon—Focalors!

"Ei, this lady is...?" Miko still wasn't sure and wanted to confirm.

Ei, still chewing, casually pulled another cake from Furina's bag. "Focalors, the Hydro Archon."

Miko gasped ."My respects, Lady Focalors!"

Furina was secretly delighted. Mwahaha! Didn't think I was this famous!

Just then, a small fishing boat docked, and Clorinde stepped out.

"Lady Furina, most boatmen have gone home for the festival. I only found this fishing boat."

Furina tossed another cake into her mouth happily. "No worries. Oh right, Raiden Shogun and her friend are coming with us."

Clorinde bowed slightly to Ei. "Clorinde greets Lady Raiden Shogun."

Ei gave a small nod.

Soon, they boarded the boat.

Ei sat next to Furina and reached into her bag for another flower cake.

Miko had completely given up trying to stop her. After staying sealed in Tenshukaku for so long, Ei was probably starved.

The boat took them to the treasure ship.

Ningguang saw them and was curious—who were these new arrivals?

Furina and Ei were the first to board.

Ningguang was puzzled. Their attire didn't match Liyue or Ye Yun's group.

"Hello, and you are...?"

Furina quickly swallowed her cake. "Oh, we're here by Lady Calestia's invitation."

Just then, Miko and Clorinde also boarded.

At the same time, Ganyu came to the deck for some air.

Miko spotted her right away, excited. "Ganyu~!"

Ganyu turned and saw the joyful Miko. "Miko!"

She ran over. "What brings you here?"

Miko pointed at Ei. "I came with Ei to attend Lady Calestia's banquet.Oh, let me introduce—this is Lady Focalors, here for the same purpose. The other is her retainer."

Ganyu greeted them. "Secretary of the Liyue Qixing, Ganyu, greets both Lords."

Ei gave a nod—she had met Ganyu a long time ago.

Furina responded, "Hello, hello. Has Lady Calestia arrived?"

Ganyu nodded. "Yes, she's playing games with Silver Wolf.Come inside, let's talk there."

She led them into the ship.

Once inside, Furina put away her flower cakes immediately. No way she was going to meet that person with crumbs on her face.

The main hall was bustling.

Ei and Furina approached Clalestia. "Lady Clalestia, we're here," Furina said nervously.

Clalestia, playing on a PS5, looked up. "Oh~ it's you two. Make yourselves comfortable, food's not ready yet."

Ei glanced around and suddenly brightened.

She spotted a snack table nearby, loaded with treats.

Her feet moved on their own toward it.

Furina looked around and sat in a booth with Clorinde.

The hall was full of life.

Stelle and the others were playing Emperor's Jade. Childe had only played six rounds and already lost 300,000 Mora, scratching his head in frustration.

The six little ones ran around with sky lanterns, laughing.

Silver Wolf and Calestia were yelling at their game.

Tsaritsa and La Signora sipped tea and chatted.

Soon, Ye Yun and the others came down from upstairs.

Xiangling arrived with a few assistants, bringing out the dishes.