"Seeing you cheer up puts my mind at ease. Now, let's discuss another matter... According to the employee handbook, for playing bug-fighting games during work hours, your half-day's pay will be deducted. That's only reasonable, isn't it?"
Feng Yi smiled gently, his demeanor as warm as a spring breeze. However, to Arataki Itto, it felt like a demon god grinning menacingly at him.
"Ah, this... Boss Feng Yi, please listen to my sophistry... no, my explanation! They came knocking, and as the pride of the Oni, a dignified man, the manliest man in Inazuma, how could I possibly retreat from battle?"
Arataki Itto panicked, immediately stating, "You can curse me all you want, but don't touch my wages!"
Miss Kina was releasing new merchandise in a few days. If he had no money, what would he do?!
Would he have to borrow from Arataki Again?
Wouldn't that just mean owing Arataki Again a mountain of debt?
He had just finished paying off the last debt...
"What you say has merit, but wrongdoing must be punished. That much is undeniable. However... if you're short on cash, I can offer you a temporary job. It's simple, easy to learn, requires no prior experience, and while it's a bit tiring, you're quite strong, so you can definitely handle it!"
Feng Yi patted Arataki Itto's shoulder, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
"Hiss— Boss Feng Yi, could it be *that* kind of job?"
Arataki Itto seemed to have realized something and gasped, instinctively taking half a step back.
"It appears you've guessed correctly. That's right! It's exactly what you're thinking... I'm hosting a hot spring party tomorrow and need someone to handle the hosting duties. I have high hopes for you..."
Feng Yi nodded at Arataki Itto, indicating that after the hosting duties were done, he could even enjoy a free soak in the hot springs.
He wouldn't give such a good opportunity to anyone else.
"Oh, so that's how it is. Don't worry, leave it to me! I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly!"
Arataki Itto secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought it was something else entirely. Turns out, it was just a hosting job.
Having worked odd jobs for so long, he was very familiar with hosting, so there wouldn't be any problems.
After sending Arataki Itto off to work, Yoimiya suddenly approached.
"Feng Yi, you're hosting a hot spring party tomorrow? It must be incredibly fun! Can I join?"
"I was just about to talk to you about that. Of course, you can! Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have invited you!"
Feng Yi smiled. It was fortunate he ran into Yoimiya here, saving him a trip to the Nagahora Fireworks shop.
"Really? Haha, that's amazing! I've wanted to soak in a hot spring for ages, but I've been so busy preparing for the fireworks festival that I couldn't get away. If you need any extra hands, I can come help tomorrow too!"
Yoimiya chuckled, as she absolutely loved soaking in hot springs.
After confirming the details, Yoimiya, surrounded by the children, bustled away.
With that matter settled, Feng Yi, carrying an extravagantly enhanced super milk tea, headed towards the Kamisato Estate.
On the way, he encountered Albedo, who was shopping with Klee, and Xiangling, who was going from house to house with Guoba to sample delicacies. Feng Yi extended invitations to them as well.
As veterans of the Liyue hot spring party, Xiangling and Guoba gladly accepted.
As for the other side, under Klee's insistence, Albedo also accepted Feng Yi's invitation.
Taking his leave, Feng Yi soon arrived at the gates of the Kamisato Estate.
"Mr. Feng Yi, what brings you here today?"
Thoma, passing by the courtyard, saw Mr. Feng Yi approaching the estate through the open gate. He immediately put down his work and hurried to greet him.
"I have a small matter to discuss with the head of the Kamisato Clan and Ayaka. Are they in?"
Feng Yi gestured to the milk tea in his hand and smiled.
"That's quite unfortunate. The head of the clan has an urgent matter and has gone out. He might be back in a few days. As for Miss Ayaka, she should be at the Komore Teahouse right now..."
Thoma glanced at the oversized slime jelly milk tea and sighed with regret. If the head of the clan saw this milk tea, his mood might improve quickly.
"Is that so? I had planned to invite the head of the Kamisato Clan and Ayaka to tomorrow's hot spring party. It's a pity the head is away. In that case, I'll just invite Ayaka. Thoma, this milk tea is for you. Farewell!"
When Feng Yi heard that the head of the Kamisato Clan was not at home, he intended to feign disappointment. However, upon realizing that without the interference of Kamisato no Oniisan, he could have some sweet time alone with Ayaka, he found it impossible to feel regret. In fact, he could barely suppress the smile spreading across his lips.
He quickly handed the milk tea to Thoma and then hurried towards the Komore Teahouse.
Without the concern of Kamisato no Oniisan, Feng Yi could finally let loose with Ayaka!
Thoma, holding the milk tea, watched Mr. Feng Yi's retreating figure disappear down the road before turning and quickly heading towards a pavilion within the estate.
*Knock, knock, knock—*
"Head of the clan, it's Thoma!"
"Enter!"
*Creak—*
Thoma pushed open the aged wooden door and saw the head of the clan leaning by the window of the pavilion, gazing at the scenery in the distance.
He placed the milk tea on the table in front of the head of the clan and then stepped back to stand beside him.
"Did Mr. Feng Yi come with something important?"
Kamisato Ayato skillfully opened the straw wrapper, inserted it into the milk tea, and took a large sip.
As the milk tea entered his mouth, his somewhat gaunt complexion improved significantly.
"Mr. Feng Yi is planning to host a hot spring party tomorrow and specially came to invite the head of the clan and Miss Ayaka..."
"A hot spring party? That sounds interesting. But I'll pass. Let Ayaka go..."
Kamisato Ayato smiled helplessly. Who would have thought that he, the dignified head of the Kamisato Clan, would one day be unwell and unable to face others?
If those jackals coveting the Yashiro Commission's position were to discover his weakness, it might stir up some unwelcome thoughts in them.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Kamisato Ayato feigned an outing to mislead the prying eyes of the wolves.
As for why he was so weak, it all stemmed from the 'hot pot game' a few days ago.
That day, he, Ayaka, and Thoma were playing hot pot at the Komore Teahouse. He didn't know what strange things they ate (the ingredients had deformed in the hot pot, making them unrecognizable), but that evening, he started to have diarrhea.
*Gurgle, gurgle, splish, splosh, crackle...*
His stomach felt like cold water being poured into a boiling oil pan, like a surging river, ceaselessly flowing...
He had to go to the toilet seven times that night, leaving him utterly drained.
What puzzled him was why he was the only one who got sick. Thoma and Ayaka were completely fine?