I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 85

Kevin and his group were eating fruit while strolling through the busy streets, their eyes darting around as they took in the sights.

That was when Kevin noticed someone hiding behind a bush.

Curious, he stepped closer and slipped into the bush alongside the familiar figure.

"What are you looking at?" he whispered.

Childe raised a finger to his lips. "Shh~ Look over there."

Kevin followed Childe's gaze, and his eyes widened in shock.

March 7th crept in beside them, noticing Kevin's intrigued expression. "What are you two looking at?"

Kevin pointed silently.

March 7th turned to look—and immediately froze.

Hu Tao popped in. "What are you three looking at?"

Amber followed. "You four."

Eula joined in. "You five."

What they saw left them speechless.

Two Fatui agents stood in a secluded corner, completely lost in a deep, passionate kiss.

Kevin and his group huddled in the bushes, watching with undisguised amusement.

March 7th sighed. "Ugh, this is so cheesy."

Kevin squinted, utterly engrossed, as if watching a high-stakes drama unfold.

The couple remained blissfully unaware of the group spying on them—until disaster struck.

"What are you all doing?" A loud voice rang out.

Everyone turned to see La Signora standing nearby, carrying a bag of juice for Barnabas.

Her voice was so loud that not only did she startle Kevin and his group, but also the two Fatui lovers.

They turned to see a crowd emerging from the bushes mere meters away and instantly froze like statues.

La Signora took one look at them and rolled her eyes at Childe. "Boring."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode toward the internet café where Barnabas was waiting. He had already logged into a game, ready to challenge Asmodeus to a rematch after being utterly humiliated the day before.

Once La Signora left, Kevin and his group split from Childe and continued exploring.

As they wandered, Kevin spotted another familiar face.

"Keqing!"

Hu Tao and the others turned and saw that it was indeed Keqing.

She was at a stall, selling various fireworks and firecrackers.

These fireworks had been purchased from Star Peace Company online at incredibly low prices. Keqing had decided to resell them in Liyue Harbor to make some extra Mora—so she wouldn't have to rely on Ningguang's funding for every project next year.

Kevin walked up and picked up a box labeled "Smashing Firecrackers."

"Keqing, how much for these?"

Keqing recognized him and his group and replied, "Not much really! You can buy some for very cheap."

Kevin turned to March 7th and the others. "Let's buy some and have some fun. What do you think?"

March 7th was instantly on board. "Absolutely! I saw online that it's a waste to celebrate the New Year without firecrackers!"

So, they bought a large supply of different fireworks and firecrackers.

Kevin picked up a handful of Smashing Firecrackers—small explosives that detonated upon impact.

He glanced at Amber, who was completely unguarded, and smirked mischievously.

"Time to cause some chaos."

Kevin hurled a firecracker at Amber's feet.

POP!

Amber yelped and jumped a foot into the air. "Oh my god!"

Kevin burst into laughter. "Haha! Amber, you're way too jumpy!"

Amber, realizing what had happened, grabbed her own box of firecrackers, lit one, and chucked it at Kevin.

Kevin dodged with a cocky grin. "Hehe~ You can't catch me~"

Amber chased after him, firecrackers in hand.

Seeing this, March 7th and the others got excited and joined the chase.

Kevin sprinted through the streets as Amber and the others pursued him, hurling firecrackers left and right.

He retaliated, tossing a few back at them as he ran.

Soon, the chase turned into an all-out firecracker war, with everyone throwing them at each other in fits of laughter.

Kevin eventually dove into a pile of empty cargo boxes to escape the chaos.

Peeking out, he smirked at March 7th and the others, who were still searching for him.

"Heh, you think you can catch me that easily?"

He climbed out and glanced around, spotting a few stray dogs resting near the bridge leading to Sumeru.

An idea struck him.

He picked up one of their empty food bowls, placed a lit firecracker underneath it, and quickly backed away.

BOOM! The dog bowl shot into the air like a rocket.

Kevin's eyes sparkled. "This is fun! Let's do it again!"

He retrieved the bowl, increased the dosage to five firecrackers, and lit them all at once.

BOOM! The bowl launched even higher.

Other bystanders began watching, amused.

Just as Kevin prepared for another round, he suddenly felt the sun disappear.

A dark shadow loomed over him.

Slowly, he turned around—only to find several dogs glaring at him.

Their owner had returned.

Kevin gulped. "Oh."

In an instant, he bolted, the dogs barking furiously as they chased him down the street.

The commotion caught March 7th and the others' attention.

"Look! Kevin's over there! Time for revenge!" March 7th called out.

Amber and the rest immediately joined the pursuit.

Nahida, watching from a nearby window, chuckled. "Such boundless energy."

Meanwhile, on the other side of Liyue Harbor, Ganyu led Shenhe into a tailor shop.

"Boss, are you open today?"

A voice called out from inside. "Of course! Oh! If it isn't Secretary Ganyu! Come in, come in!"

The shop owner, an expert tailor, greeted them warmly. Most of Liyue's dignitaries had their clothes made here.

Ganyu gestured to Shenhe. "Boss, this is my junior sister. I'd like you to make some clothes for her."

The tailor took Shenhe's measurements and gasped. "Oh my, miss, you have an incredible figure. Come choose the materials and styles you like."

Shenhe hesitated and looked at Ganyu. "Senior sister, can you choose for me? I'm not good at this."

Ganyu smiled. "What color do you like?"

Shenhe thought for a moment. "White. Something simple."

Ganyu nodded and began discussing fabric and design with the tailor.

Shenhe, meanwhile, stood quietly to the side, observing.

She had spent most of her life training under Cloud Retainer in the mountains. Her interactions with the outside world were few and far between, leaving her unaccustomed to conversations like this.

Yet, as she watched her senior sister carefully picking out designs, she felt a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Luofu, Star Harbor, train parking area.

Himeko and Pom were counting the decoration materials sent by the company.

On the side, Blade and Dan Heng were waiting to help move things.

The two still ignored each other, sitting apart as if they had nothing to do with one another.

After finishing her count, Himeko called out to them. "Move these in first; I've checked them all."

Danheng and Blade approached and started carrying the materials into the train. When they bent down to pick up the supplies, their eyes met briefly.

They both snorted coldly and turned away at the same time.

After moving everything inside, Himeko stepped into the empty carriage.

Glancing at the materials on the floor, she pulled out the blueprints for reference. Himeko planned to create six rooms in this carriage, each about half the size of her own room.

After carefully comparing the drawings and organizing her thoughts, she called Dan Heng and Blade over to start work.

The renovation was relatively simple. The materials were all high-end products from the company, including soundproof walls that arrived as compact lights but expanded into full walls once activated.

First, they installed the walls, then applied wallpaper, added power strips, and laid carpets.

With the three of them working together, the basic construction was completed in no time.

Himeko clapped her hands, shaking off the dust. "As expected of high-end products! Time-saving and efficient."

She turned to Dan Heng and Blade. "Let's take a break and continue after lunch."

Both nodded in agreement and found a spot to rest.

Pom went to prepare lunch.

Himeko washed her hands and headed to the small bar to make some coffee with the spiritual coffee machine.

Just as the first cup was halfway done, the machine suddenly lost power and stopped.

Frowning, Himeko opened the energy port and found that the spiritual stone inside had completely lost its luster.

She sighed, grabbed a fresh stone from a nearby box, and replaced it.

The machine powered back up, and in no time, she had brewed three cups of Himeko-brand coffee.

Carrying the cups, Himeko approached Dan Heng. "Here, have some coffee and take a break. You've worked hard."

Danheng, upon hearing the word "coffee," froze.

Himeko's coffee.

He swiftly put on his headphones, pretending not to hear her.

Blade, noticing this, shrugged. "If he won't drink it, give it to me. I'm thirsty."

Himeko beamed. Finally, someone who knew what was good! She placed two cups in front of Blade.

Blade nodded slightly. "Thanks."

Himeko smiled. "You're welcome. Let me know if you want more."

With that, she took her own cup and went to relax.

Dan Heng watched Blade out of the corner of his eye. "Have a good journey."

Blade picked up the cup and downed it in one go. A second later, he froze, his hands still gripping the cup.

Dan Heng, sensing something was off, hurried over. "Hey, are you okay?"

Blade looked up, his expression contorted with struggle. Even so, he forced a smile. "I... I'm fine! Haha... just coffee..."

Before he could finish, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the floor, foaming at the mouth.

Dan Heng panicked and shook him. "Hey! Wake up! Wake up!"

Himeko, puzzled, took her coffee to the machine to investigate.

A while later.

Blade sat slumped on the sofa, looking like he had barely survived a catastrophe. "For the first time, I appreciate the curse of abundance."

Dan Heng nodded in astonishment.

Blade had nearly died, but at the last moment, his demonic body took effect and saved him.

Blade, who had always sought death, now thought: I want to die, but not like this! I, the Star Core Hunter Blade, refuse to be taken down by a cup of bad coffee!

After a short break and a lunch prepared by Pom, they returned to work on the new carriage.

Blade was there to secure a room for Kafka.

Out of the six rooms, Topaz reserved one, Qingque reserved another—leaving four.

Kevin had one, and March 7th had another—leaving two.

Kafka wanted one of the remaining two, so Blade had been sent to help out.

He didn't mind. It was a good way to pass the time and get some exercise.

By the time the afternoon passed, Himeko took out her phone and snapped a photo of the finished carriage.

Inside, a row of rooms lined the right side, with an aisle and large windows on the left. The overall design was similar to Himeko's own carriage, but with fewer lounge areas.

Each room came with basic furnishings: a refrigerator, a two-meter bed, a desk, a wardrobe, an air conditioner, and a washing machine.

Anything extra, they'd have to buy themselves.

Satisfied, Himeko checked the time and asked Dan Heng to call Topaz, Qingque, Kevin, and March 7th back.

Danheng stepped into the portal left by Yuri and arrived in Liyue Harbor.

Looking at the bustling streets, he frowned. There are way too many people. Finding them won't be easy.

At that moment, Yelan, stationed near Wanmin Restaurant, approached him.

"Danheng, looking for someone?"

Danheng nodded slightly. "Yeah, I'm looking for Kevin, March 7th, Topaz, and Qingque."

Yelan pulled out her phone and checked something.

A moment later, she replied, "Kevin, March, and Qingque are playing by the lotus pond at Yujing Terrace. Topaz is running her business at the port."

"Thanks."

Danheng made his way to Yujing Terrace.

Meanwhile, at Yujing Terrace.

Hu Tao was chasing Qiqi.

"Hehe, Qiqi, don't run! Yuri protected you last night, but let's see who can protect you today! Hehehe!"

Qiqi ran desperately.

She had been playing hide-and-seek with Klee and the others when she stumbled upon Hu Tao—who, without hesitation, pulled out a sack and gave chase.

Kevin and March 7th joined in, trying to stop Hu Tao.

Qiqi ran toward Klee. "Klee! Help, help, help!"

Klee saw what was happening and immediately called out, "Sister Hu Tao is trying to catch Qiqi again! Everyone, help!"

Bailu and the other little ones, who had been hiding, rushed to assist.

Bailu clung to Hu Tao's waist to slow her down.

Diona and Hook latched onto her arms and legs.

Hu Tao tried to shake them off, but Klee tackled her from the front.

Completely immobilized, Hu Tao could only laugh. "Hahaha, alright, alright! You win!"

Qiqi finally stopped running and walked up to Hu Tao, staring at the sack in her hand.

It seemed the tables had turned.