Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

While Famas and Zhiyi were devising their plan, Keqing and the Traveler also arrived at the dock to conduct their investigation.

The waves crashed against the stone embankment, creating white foam, and the air was filled with a strong salty smell and the vitality of fresh seafood.

Ke Qing, dressed in a purple dress, moved like a fleeting glimpse of beauty among the bustling unloading area and stalls. Huge cargo boxes were piled up like mountains, and the shouts of porters mingled with the rough laughter of sailors.

Her gaze swept calmly over the commotion, and she spoke clearly to the traveler and Paimon beside her: "I've heard that people who fish here sometimes sell their fish to fishmongers in the neighborhood."

"Let's go ask Old Sun, the fishmonger, first."

Keqing led the travelers through the stalls along the harbor, which seemed quite familiar.

The three arrived at Lao Sun's colorful tent stall.

The fish scales on the cutting board shimmered under the lights of the dock. Old Sun was skillfully scaling the fish when he looked up and saw Ke Qing, and his movements visibly paused.

He put down the knife in his hand, grabbed a cloth next to him to wipe his hands, and showed the shrewd smile that a businessman was used to, while his tone was full of respect for the Seven Stars.

"Oh, Miss Keqing, strolling around the docks again? Is there anything you need?"

There were customers buying fish at the stall, and they all greeted Keqing when they saw her, and Keqing responded with a smile.

The reputation of this Jade Balance Star at the docks is clearly higher than travelers have imagined.

"Excuse me, Lao Sun, my two companions are members of the Liyue Fishing Club and they want to ask you about someone."

Keqing gestured with her chin toward the Traveler and Paimon, then glanced around at the customers. Hearing that Keqing seemed to have some private matters to ask Old Sun, the surrounding customers consciously sped up their transactions.

A moment later, Old Sun put away the fish-cleaning board and saw off the surrounding customers.

"Old Sun, I've heard there's a young man named Zhiyi who's an excellent angler. Have you heard of him?"

"Knowing the easy?"

Old Sun wiped the fish-killing knife in his hand, a knowing look flashing in his eyes, and his tone became more relaxed.

He thought Keqing wanted to ask something.

"I know, I know. That young man is really making waves lately, he's quite famous."

Old Sun casually slammed the knife onto the cutting board, leaned against the stall, and seemed to have started talking non-stop.

“Even my friends who work on ships have heard a few stories about his hard work and perseverance. They said that it was not easy for him when he was studying in his early years. He had to work several jobs to make ends meet.”

"As the old saying goes, 'No pain, no gain,' and I think that applies to him quite well. He's sure to be successful in the future."

Old Sun's tone carried a hint of emotion, and Paimon, swinging his legs in the air, said, "Hmm... just like we thought!"

But at this moment, Old Sun's smile suddenly faded, revealing a more genuine expression.

“However, Miss Keqing, if you and these two friends from the fishing club are going there because of his fishing skills... you'll probably be disappointed.”

Ke Qing raised an eyebrow slightly: "What do you mean?"

"Hey, that kid, he's a good guy, hardworking and reliable, but when it comes to fishing skills..."

Old Sun shook his head and pointed to the fishing area at the dock.

“Look, he occasionally fishes over there, and he brings me some of what he catches, but the catch is so-so, nothing amazing.”

"If you gentlemen are really looking, I know a few truly skilled ones..."

Old Sun then enthusiastically offered a suggestion, but Ke Qing smiled slightly and politely but directly declined: "Then forget it. I appreciate your kindness, but let's ask somewhere else and talk again next time?"

"Alright! Take care, Miss Keqing!"

Old Sun readily agreed and watched the three walk away.

After walking a short distance from the stall, Keqing slowed her pace, the lights of the dock casting dappled patterns of light in her purple eyes.

“Friends from other places have all heard about it…” Ke Qing repeated softly, lost in thought, “Let’s go, let’s ask around elsewhere.”

The traveler and Paimon looked at each other in bewilderment, then hurriedly chased after Keqing.

Not far away, another fish stall was shouting loudly, with a touch of exaggeration:

"Fresh sea fish, 300 mora for one, 1,000 mora for three, first come first served!"

"Things are valued for their scarcity, and there aren't many left today!" Old Gao, the owner of the fish stall, stood behind his stall, his voice booming as he tried to attract more customers, but his stall was deserted. The windproof lamp hanging on the stall swayed in the sea breeze, illuminating his slightly anxious face.

The price made the traveler frown slightly, while Paimon counted on his little fingers in the air, muttering incredulously, "Three hundred for one, three... a thousand? Wait, this math doesn't make sense!"

Ke Qing ignored all that and walked straight over.

Upon seeing Ke Qing, Lao Gao's loud shouts abruptly ceased, his enthusiasm freezing instantly, replaced by a barely perceptible tension. He cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure:

"Would you like to see the fish, gentlemen?"

Keqing glanced at Lao Gao's stall, then shook her head and pointed again at the Traveler and Paimon:

"Good evening, Lao Gao. These two are members of the fish price research meeting. We would like to ask you about some market conditions."

"Fish price survey meeting?"

Old Gao's eyes flickered, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on the scraper, which was still covered in fish scales.

"Uh... I have all the price information here, it's crystal clear. What fish price survey? Lady Keqing, I've never heard of that..."

Lao Gao's tone was clearly wary, but Ke Qing's tone was calm and carried a natural credibility.

"Just a routine inquiry. I heard there's a guy named Zhiyi selling fresh fish in the neighborhood at below-market prices. Do you know anything about him?"

Ke Qing shook her head to comfort him, her eyes fixed on the other person's changing expression.

"……call."

Old Gao visibly breathed a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxed, and he regained some of his slick fishmonger persona, waving his hand.

"Oh, you were asking about Zhiyi? You startled me."

"I haven't personally seen him setting up a stall and hawking fish at low prices, but... if he did it, I wouldn't be surprised at all."

Old Gao leaned back against his stall, a look on his face a mixture of shrewdness and a touch of sympathy.

Why?

Paimon immediately flew closer and asked, his tone full of curiosity.

When Lao Gao heard Paimon's question, he snorted and brandished the scaler in the air, which startled Paimon so much that he quickly shrank back.

"He's poor, that kid. It's pitiful, really. His parents died a long time ago. His adoptive father, a drunkard, owed a huge debt to the Northern Bank before he died. You know how difficult it is to borrow money from those Zhidong people. Anyone who gets involved with them is doomed."

"He was just a kid when he first started working at the docks. He was dressed in rags and had a dirty bandage wrapped around his head... I guess he must have been beaten up somewhere."

Old Gao sighed, his tone softening slightly.

"If it weren't for Uncle Tian taking pity on him and giving him some food, he might have starved to death somewhere. Even if he had survived until now, he would still be struggling to make ends meet and probably wouldn't have many Mora left in his pocket."

"So, if he really got some fish to make money, it's normal for him to sell them cheaply. Anyway, the amount he got won't affect our normal business."

Old Gao's tone carried a hint of disdain typical of colleagues, but then, as if remembering something, he glanced left and right, lowering his voice:
"However, Miss Keqing, you should just listen to this and not tell Zhiyi directly..."

Ke Qing keenly noticed his caution: "What? Are you afraid he'll mind?"

"Um……"

Old Gao stroked his chin, a complex expression on his face.

"I've dealt with him a few times. On the surface, he seems quiet and reliable, but I think deep down he actually cares a lot about what others think of him, and he seems a bit reserved."

Old Gao paused, his tone carrying a hint of the experience of someone who had been through it all:
"Of course, he's much better than us roughnecks. He's learned and upright. I just think... in this life, don't be too hard on yourself."

Old Gao seemed to be revealing his true feelings, and Ke Qing nodded slightly upon hearing this: "I understand, thank you for the information."

"You're too kind, Miss Keqing!"

Old Gao responded, then, as if remembering his duty, straightened his back and, facing the travelers and Paimon, raised his voice again, emphasizing with a hint of blatant attempt to conceal something:
"By the way, my fish prices are absolutely genuine, no deception whatsoever! Absolutely no problem!"

Paimon couldn't help but cover his mouth and chuckle, flying over to the Traveler and whispering, "This guy keeps emphasizing it, which only makes him seem more suspicious..."

Ke Qing ignored Lao Gao's explanation. Her gaze drifted to the dark sea in the distance, then returned to the brightly lit dock, and she murmured to herself:

"I have almost no savings, and I'm even struggling to afford food... So where did I get the money to buy the tea set from Xiguju?" (End of Chapter)