Today, Lovia prepared to go to the street to buy a shovel, planning to research how to dig a cellar when she had time. As usual, she wrapped herself tightly in her hooded cloak, took her Mora bag, and stepped onto the small path leading to the main street of Liyue Harbor with light steps.
The sun was just right, and the port city was as bustling and noisy as ever.
Lovia had a clear goal and headed straight for the stall area selling farm tools and general merchandise.
Just as she was looking down and picking out a shovel, comparing which one was more comfortable and sturdy (and lighter), the conversation of several aunties (?) chatting nearby drifted into her ears like they had wings.
"Hey, have you heard? About that Second Young Master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild?" a loud-voiced auntie carrying a vegetable basket asked.
"How could I not have heard! Who in all of Liyue Harbor isn't talking about this right now?" another responded with an air of intense gossip. "It's about that book, 'secret tales of feiyun'! Although I haven't read it, I've heard others describe it so vividly, saying Young Master Xingqiu is actually a girl!"
Lovia's hand picking the shovel paused slightly. She subconsciously pulled her hood down a bit lower, but her ears perked up even more.
"Exactly! I didn't believe it at first, but they say the book describes it in such detail! Things like his fate, being raised as a boy since childhood, even chest binding... ahem..." The third auntie lowered her voice slightly, but it was still clearly audible. "And also, it says that Little Daoist Priest Chongyun, who's often with him, actually has feelings for the 'Second Miss' but doesn't know it himself, haha!"
"Oh my, really? Little Daoist Priest Chongyun? Is that the boy whose face turns red whenever he sees spicy food?" the first auntie exclaimed, then also started laughing. "This book is too far-fetched, but... it does sound quite interesting."
"It's far-fetched, but you can't deny it's a good read!" the second auntie chimed in. "My husband, who usually doesn't read leisure books, scrambled to finish it and said the Feiyun Commerce Guild has really become famous this time."
"Famous indeed, but this reputation... is a bit strange." The third auntie's tone was slightly sympathetic. "I have a distant niece who works at the Feiyun Commerce Guild. She said it was a mess inside at first; the servants would peek at the Second Young Master whenever they could, and matchmakers even came to the door to propose marriages for the 'Second Miss'! It really worried the master and madam."
"And now? What's Young Master Xingqiu's own reaction?" the first auntie asked curiously.
"Heh, that's the strange part!" the second auntie's voice rose again. "I heard Young Master Xingqiu is acting like nothing happened, going about his business as usual, not angry at all. When people test him, he even jokes about it, saying something like 'It's a pity my mother didn't get the daughter she wished for.' He's very generous about it!"
"Tsk tsk, such poise. Truly a young master of a great house."
"That's not all!" the third auntie added. "The Feiyun Commerce Guild has recently used this momentum to launch some 'Sword Shadow and Book Scent' tea snacks, and their new fabrics are said to be'suitable for both martial arts and quiet reading.' Their business has actually become even more prosperous! Who would have thought?"
"Oh, looking at it that way, the Feiyun Commerce Guild is quite savvy! They've turned a misfortune into a blessing."
"That 'Mr. Lovia' who wrote the book is also a talent. I wonder which deity he is to be able to spin such a cohesive story... and I heard even the Feiyun Commerce Guild hasn't caused him any trouble!"
...The aunties' enthusiasm for chatting grew, and the topic shifted from the Feiyun Commerce Guild to other neighborhood gossip.
Lovia silently picked up an iron shovel that looked the sturdiest and most suitable for her height (crossed out), paid the money, and quickly left the stall area with her head down, clutching the shovel.
Her heart was beating a bit fast, thumping like a hopping Finch was trapped inside.
Although she had anticipated that secret tales of feiyun would cause a stir, hearing the local residents discuss it so heatedly in person was still a very novel experience.
Fortunately, no one took it seriously, otherwise Xingqiu would have been in trouble. (Actually, some people did take it seriously, hhh.)
Especially when she heard that the Feiyun Commerce Guild was not only unbothered by the rumors but had instead taken advantage of the situation to increase their business visibility, Lovia was very surprised and even felt a subtle sense of "Did I indirectly help out?"
"It seems... Young Master Xingqiu is even more open-minded and clever than I imagined," Lovia muttered to herself. "To actually be able to turn this trend to his advantage... truly impressive."
At the same time, she also captured a key piece of information: the Feiyun Commerce Guild seemed more curious about "Mr. Lovia" than angrily pursuing him, which put her at ease.
"Still, topics like 'Who on earth is Mr. Lovia' should ideally be kept to a minimum."
Holding her newly bought shovel, Lovia didn't go home immediately. She walked through the bustling crowd, intentionally slowing her pace, and heard many more fragmented discussions about secret tales of feiyun.
There were young people arguing over whether Xingqiu was male or female, scholars evaluating Mr. Lovia's writing style, and storytellers' stalls surrounded by listeners, with the storyteller animatedly recounting the scene of the "Second Miss practicing swordplay under the moon"... Every time she heard it, the corners of Lovia's mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly, though she quickly suppressed it, trying to maintain the calm appearance of a passerby.
The feeling of a story she created causing ripples in reality was undoubtedly a huge encouragement and temptation for a creator.
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