Arataki Itto: I didn't even eat the breakfast Ms. Arataki prepared, just to be the first one here. Heaven rewards the diligent (or unlucky), it seems it was all worth it. I must have left an impression of being hardworking and capable on boss Feng Yi. Perhaps I can even earn a little extra when it's time to settle the wages...
Arataki Itto heard that the Ayato siblings couldn't attend this hot spring party due to illness, and felt a pang of regret.
Feng Yi informed Arataki Itto of some important points regarding the hosting duties, three times!
"Itto, the work isn't difficult. The key is to be meticulous and thorough. Do you understand?"
Still feeling a bit uneasy, Feng Yi repeatedly cautioned Arataki Itto before he started work.
"Don't worry, boss Feng Yi! Don't you know how I do things? I'm the most reliable when it comes to getting things done! Wahahahaha!"
Arataki Itto slapped his chest and agreed. He had learned a lot about hosting from Ms. Arataki last night, and handling today's reception wouldn't be a problem.
"As long as you know it."
Feng Yi: I *do* know your way of doing things, that's why I'm uneasy...
After sending Arataki Itto into the Serenitea Pot to prepare for work, Feng Yi went back to lounging and sipping tea.
Not long after Feng Yi settled down, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Ms. Arataki, long time no see! Are you also here for the hot spring party? Welcome, welcome!"
Feng Yi wasn't very familiar with Kuki Shinobu. Directly inviting her would have seemed a bit abrupt, so he had asked Arataki Itto to extend the invitation on his behalf.
He wondered if that dense fellow Arataki Itto had forgotten about it in some dusty corner.
Kuki Shinobu's arrival now proved that Arataki Itto had indeed been quite thoughtful and reliable!
"Mr. Feng Yi, I... I'm not here for the hot spring party. I was just a bit worried that Itto might not be able to handle the hosting duties alone, so I came specifically to check..."
A hint of worry flashed in Kuki Shinobu's calm eyes.
"If you're worried, why not join Itto? After the work is done, you can also enjoy a soak in the hot springs to relax. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Feng Yi's eyes lit up. Arataki Itto was primarily attending to the male guests; they were still short-handed on the female side. Kuki Shinobu was practically walking into their laps!
Operating on the principle of hiring two employees for the price of one, how could Feng Yi possibly let this opportunity slip away?
"Will this be disturbing you?"
As soon as Kuki Shinobu said this, Feng Yi knew that Arataki Itto had definitely not mentioned it to Shinobu. He couldn't believe he had just thought that dense fellow was reliable.
"Not at all. My hot spring party isn't that formal. The most important thing is to have fun and relax!"
"Then I'll impose on you. If there's anything lacking, please bear with me..."
As expected of Ms. Arataki, her etiquette was impeccable. In Feng Yi's opinion, Kuki Shinobu's presence had significantly raised the average skill level of the Arataki Gang.
"Not at all, not at all. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me anytime..."
Feng Yi sent Kuki Shinobu into the Serenitea Pot, then grinned from ear to ear.
Hiring Arataki Itto and getting Kuki Shinobu for free – this was a massive profit!
With Kuki Shinobu here, the heavy stone that had been weighing on Feng Yi's heart could finally be lifted. When it came to any commission, Ms. Arataki was far more professional than Arataki Itto.
"Guoba! Guoba, stop eating! Hurry up, don't keep Feng Yi and the others waiting..."
Feng Yi had just sent Kuki Shinobu into the Serenitea Pot and hadn't even sat down when he heard Xiangling's hurried call from a distance.
"Feng Yi, Feng Yi, here we are!"
Xiangling ran over with Guoba, waving happily.
"No need to rush so much. There's still some time before the party starts. Sit down and have some tea to rest first..."
Seeing Xiangling out of breath, Feng Yi quickly poured her a cup of tea.
"Whoa... It's hot, it's hot!"
Xiangling picked up the teacup and took a gulp, only to yelp in pain from the heat.
Feng Yi: Haste makes waste, especially with hot tea.
Feng Yi knew Xiangling could be a bit reckless, but he didn't expect her to be this reckless. This was freshly boiled tea; even Zhongli wouldn't dare drink it like this. Xiangling was truly brave!
Feng Yi suddenly felt like someone was staring at him. He turned and saw Guoba, its mouth stuffed full, looking at him with big, blinking eyes as if to say: Why only pour tea for Xiangling and not for me? Are we not friends anymore? Should I leave?
Feng Yi quickly apologized and poured a cup for Guoba as well.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten to pour a cup for Guoba, but Xiangling's recklessness had drawn Feng Yi's attention away.
Taking the teacup, Guoba nodded in satisfaction. It first smelled the tea, blew away the foam, and then took a gentle sip.
'Sip—Good tea!'
Guoba's tea-tasting mannerisms bore some resemblance to Zhongli's, their demeanors highly overlapping.
That was... the aura of a retired elder.
After drinking tea and eating some pastries, Xiangling and Guoba went into the Serenitea Pot to get busy with the party feast.
Not long after they left, Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma arrived one after another.
"Feng Yi, we're not late, are we?"
Kamisato Ayaka placed the small gift she had prepared on Feng Yi's tea table and then smiled sweetly.
"No, no, you're quite early."
Feng Yi didn't need to unwrap the gift; just by the aroma wafting from the paper wrapping, he could tell it was a freshly made sakura pastry.
Taking a closer sniff, a hint of burnt smell mixed with the fragrance indicated that the baker wasn't very good at controlling the heat.
Feng Yi guessed that this pastry was most likely personally made by Kamisato Ayaka.
"Delicious!"
Feng Yi unwrapped the packaging, and the appearance of the pastries inside indeed confirmed Feng Yi's guess, with some scorched yellow mixed among the sakura pink.
He tasted it in front of Kamisato Ayaka and gave his affirmation.
"Really? To tell you the truth, this is the best one I've made so far. If I hadn't been in a bit of a rush, I could have made perfect sakura cakes!"
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes curved into a smile upon hearing Feng Yi's praise. This was the only presentable one she had managed to make all night.
As for how the unpresentable pastries were dealt with, Thoma had plenty to say.
Apart from the burnt parts that were inedible, Thoma would taste them one by one, offering suggestions for improvement to Miss Ayaka.
Thoma: I thought my stomach was indestructible after the hot pot ordeal, but Miss Ayaka's pastries gave me a solid slap in the face.
"Mr. Feng Yi, is there anything I can help you with?"
Thoma asked, his complexion looking a bit pale.
"Thoma, what's wrong? Didn't you rest well last night?"
Feng Yi was startled by Thoma's dark circles and tired appearance.