Morning of the Grand Opening
I woke early, sunlight barely kissing the tiled floor as I stepped into the main room.
There, I saw Yilin at the stove, steam rising from a pot she stirred gently, while Liyu lounged comfortably on a cushioned couch, her arms behind her head, eyes half-shut.
> "Good morning, you two," I said, arching a brow. "Liyu, looks like you're getting lazy these days."
Liyu cracked one eye open and groaned dramatically.
> "Master, don't accuse me like that. I'm just... utterly exhausted."
> "Oh, really?" I smirked and laughed softly. "By the way, don't forget—today's the opening of our shop."
> "Yes, Master," Liyu sat up quickly, suddenly alert. "Yilin!"
Yilin turned, wiping her hands on her apron.
> "Yes, Miss Liyu?"
> "What're you making for breakfast?"
> "Here, take a look!" Yilin carefully lifted the lid off a clay pot. "My special chicken soup. Tasty and healthy—it'll keep you going all day."
She served me a bowl, and as the aroma hit me—rich herbs, gentle ginger, soft notes of bone broth—I smiled before even tasting it.
> "Miss Liu," Yilin asked eagerly, "please tell me how it is?"
> "Hey!" Liyu interjected. "What about me? I'm the one who saved her from a ghost and a girl under the bed, remember? Now I'm being ignored!"
> "Don't talk to me right now," I teased. "Let me enjoy the food first."
Yilin looked flustered and bowed her head.
> "Sorry, Miss Liyu. Here's your bowl. I just wanted to serve Miss Liu first."
Liyu muttered something under her breath but dug in happily. I glanced up at Yilin and motioned to the low table near us.
> "Sit. Eat with us."
She froze, as if she hadn't heard right.
> "Miss Liu... are you asking me to eat with you?"
> "Yeah, come here." I took another sip of the soup. "By the way, where are you from, Yilin?"
> "My motherland is Tianxia Guo," she said as she slowly sat, "but I grew up in Yongning. Still, I know everything about Tianxia Guo."
Liyu and I exchanged glances, eyebrows raised. Something about her tone was too confident—too polished.
> "How do you know everything about it?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
Yilin smiled, not flustered at all.
> "Festivals, customs, history... all that's easy to find. Why the tone, Miss Liu?"
Before I could respond, Liyu stood, brushing her hands together.
> "Master, I'm done. I'll go check on everything at the shop."
I gave her a nod and she was off, quick and sharp.
I finished my soup in silence, letting the warmth settle inside. Then I stood and murmured to myself:
> "Today is a big day. I should bathe, dress well, and..."
As I approached the front door, I heard it: the rhythmic beating of drums. I stepped outside and saw a drummer standing proudly, nodding as he played a bold, rolling rhythm. A few people nearby had lit firecrackers—sharp cracks filled the air, and a trail of smoke twisted into the morning sun.
Curious townsfolk began to gather.
> "What's going on here?" someone asked from the edge of the crowd.
Liyu stood at the center, smiling brightly, eyes sparkling.
> "Today is our grand opening at Bao Lai, right here in Tianxia Guo!" she announced. "We're offering a special sale. Our shop was the number one jewelry store in Yongning, and now—we've brought that excellence here."
> "What kind of jewelry do you have?" someone asked.
> "Silver, gold, diamond, pearl, jade—necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings. Every piece crafted with care, every design made to bring elegance and light to its wearer."
The crowd nodded appreciatively, drawn in by Liyu's charm and the celebratory air. The drummer kept beating, and more firecrackers snapped to life, their scent mixing with the aroma of street food from nearby stalls.
Inside the shop, customers began pouring in.
The space buzzed with excitement. Counters gleamed with polished glass. Attendants moved smoothly, showing pieces, taking payments, wrapping items in fine silk paper.
> "I found the perfect silver necklace for my sister's birthday!" a young woman exclaimed. "And it's 40% off—what luck!"
> "This jade pendant is exquisite," an elderly man said to Liyu, holding it up. "My wife will love it. You've made an old man very happy."
From corner to corner, the shop pulsed with life. Yilin passed by with trays of tea for guests, and Liyu managed the front with confident warmth.
And outside, the drumbeats echoed like the pulse of something new—something grand—beginning.