Original God Zhongli BG Xiao Qinglong traveled through time

Listening to opera in Yunge, cat talk to you

Dusk, like an overturned inkstone, grinds the skylight inch by inch into a deep indigo, ultimately blending into a velvet studded with stars. The rebuilt Qun Yu Pavilion now hangs suspended above this tranquil deep blue. Its glazed tiles and white marble railings, illuminated by thousands of bright lanterns, shimmer with a gentle luster, resembling a fairy palace in the clouds. The night breeze caresses the clear ringing of golden bells from the eaves, echoing the distant hustle and bustle of the myriad lights below, creating a wondrous scene of reunion between heaven and earth.

The stage had already been set up, its floor covered in red velvet and its curtains covered in brocade. The invited guests, elegantly dressed, chatted and laughed in low voices, the air thick with the delicate fragrance of tea and the sweet aroma of pastries. In this peaceful atmosphere, Shen He's figure stood out with a distinct quietness. She sat alone in a slightly off-center seat, her back straight as a cedar tree on a solitary peak. Her long, white hair and clothing seemed to blend in with the moonlight. Her icy blue eyes gazed at the stage, yet seemed unfocused, their gaze gazing into a desolate expanse beyond the reach of anyone.

Until a warm weight gently landed on her slightly thin shoulders.

This was known in the past.

The silver-gray ragdoll cat quietly arrived, her steps so light she barely disturbed the air. She first extended her pink-padded front paw and gently placed it on Shen He's shoulder, as if testing the water. Then, gracefully adjusting her stance, she unfurled her lush, cloud-like fur and settled firmly on the stage. The cat's eyes, azure blue like deep-sea glass, reflected tiny starlight in the light. She quietly glanced at Shen He, then cast her gaze toward the stage, which was about to begin.

The moment she landed, Shen He's body stiffened slightly, a long-lost, instinctive reaction to being approached. But then, the warmth and softness of his shoulder, like a handful of fresh snow falling on ice, silently melted away the tension. She didn't turn her head, nor did she reach out to touch him. But her fingers, slightly curled in her lap, relaxed slightly. An unspoken understanding flowed between human and cat—she tacitly consented to his companionship, and the cat, with its silent presence, offered support.

"clang--!"

A clear knock on the cloud board silenced all the noise. The curtain slowly opened, and amidst the dazzling light, Yun Jin appeared on stage.

Her sleeves swung open, like snow drifting in the wind; her gait shifted like a willow swaying in the breeze. As soon as she opened her mouth, her clear, mellow voice, like the shattering of Kunshan jade and the weeping of lotus flowers, instantly captured the audience's attention. The story of "The Goddess Splits the View" unfolded in her every smile, gesture, and expression. She sang of the goddess's lone courage, the demon's ferocity, the mortal's prayers, and, above all, the resolute blow that cleaved through darkness, sacrificing one's life for humanity.

When she sang the line, "From now on, the paths between immortals and mortals are long gone, cause and effect in the mortal world vanish like smoke," Yun Jin's voice suddenly rose, carrying a touch of sorrow and resoluteness, soaring to the heavens. The goddess in the opera, to protect the common people, willingly endured loneliness, the separation between immortal and mortal forever.

At the very moment this line rang out, Shen He's previously calm eyelashes trembled violently like the wings of a startled butterfly. Her breath seemed to freeze for a moment, and her hands on her knees unconsciously tightened, their knuckles turning bluish-white. Beneath the frozen sea of ​​emotions, forcibly imprisoned by the red rope, there was a roar as if a huge ice sheet were cracking.

At this moment, Xizhi, who was lying on her shoulder, moved.

The cat didn't meow or move much. She simply tilted her head slightly and gently, repeatedly, rubbed her warm, soft cheek against Shen He's cold ears and neck. Her long, fluffy tail, once naturally hanging down, now quietly lifted. The tuft of silver hair at the tip, like the softest feather brush, patiently brushed across the back of Shen He's neck.

It is a silent language.

There were no words of comfort, yet there was a soothing power more powerful than words. The warm rubs seemed to say, "I know, I know everything." The gentle sweep of the tail tip seemed to brush away the dust and coldness in her heart.

Shen He's tense shoulders gradually relaxed at the subtle yet persistent contact. She still didn't look at Mao'er, but her once stiff neck dropped slightly, almost imperceptibly, like a tacit embrace. She returned her gaze to the stage. Yun Jin's voice remained as high as ever, but the momentary shock in Shen He's eyes had quietly subsided, replaced by a deeper understanding, one tinged with pain yet also filled with relief.

Xizhimao's sapphire eyes always followed Yunjin's figure. When Yunjin sang passionately, her body twirling like a blooming rainbow flower, the cat's ears would perk up in alertness, her pupils shrinking to a thin line. When the song reached a mournful melody, Yunjin's sleeves covering her face and her voice low, a soft, almost inaudible purr would escape from her throat. The sound was not the usual soothing one, but more like a hum of empathy. Her gaze was focused and penetrating, as if she not only understood the story of the opera, but also saw through the ingenuity and compassion that Yunjin infused into every word and gesture.

At the climax of the play, Yun Jin swung her wrist like a lotus flower, her voice piercing the air as she spoke: "A high-pitched piece of music may not be unknown to others; it will always find an audience who appreciates its clear lyrics—" Her gaze, seemingly intentional or unintentional, happened to sweep in the direction of Shen He and the cat on his shoulder. That fleeting glance, almost an illusion, held immense depth—a tribute to Shen He and a token of gratitude to this special "audience."

Xizhi Maomao nodded ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, when her gaze swept over him. The amplitude was so small that it seemed like an illusion under the light, but it was indeed a response.

Finally, the song ended, its lingering sound lingering in the air. Yun Jin bowed and took her bow, and the audience erupted in thunderous, long-lasting applause.

The crowd began to disperse, discussing and admiring the wonderful performance. Shen He, however, remained seated, unmoving for a long time, as if still immersed in the world of opera. Xi Zhimaomao was in no hurry to leave; she simply stayed quietly with her, resting her chin on Shen He's collarbone, her warm breath gently caressing her skin.

Only when the clamor faded did Shen He let out a soft sigh, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. She raised her hand, her movements awkward and hesitant, but finally, she gently placed it on the cat's back. Her fingertips slid through the silky, cool silver-gray fur, feeling the warm life force beneath.

"...Thank you." These two words, as light as a sigh, dissipated in the night wind.

Xizhi knew that the cat responded to her with a series of clear and satisfied purrs, as loud as a small drum. She even raised her head and nudged Shen He's chin with the tip of her nose, leaving a wet and warm touch.

At this moment, Yun Jin, who had removed her makeup and changed back into her casual clothes, walked over gracefully with a gentle smile on her face. She nodded to Shen He first, then her eyes fell on Xizhi Maomao, a hint of knowing cunning flashing in her eyes.

"Miss Xizhi," she actually used such a name, her voice soft, "was today's play enjoyable to your ears?"

Xizhi the cat looked up at her and responded with a clear "meow" and a graceful wagging of its tail.

Yun Jin smiled and reached out to pet the cat's head, but paused mid-move. Instead, she pulled from her sleeve a small, warm jade pendant in the shape of a dried fish, tied with a red string. The jade was smooth and delicately carved. "A small token of my gratitude," she said, gently placing the dried fish pendant on the table in front of Shen He. "Thank you both for coming to my play."

After saying this, she nodded to Shen He again, then turned around gracefully and blended into the dimly lit area of ​​the Qun Yu Pavilion.

Shen He looked at the dried fish warm jade, then looked at the cat on his shoulder who seemed very interested in it. The corners of his frozen lips moved upwards very slightly, forming an almost unpredictable arc.

The night deepened, the stars hanging low in the sky. Xizhimao leaped lightly from Shen He's shoulders, landing silently. She glanced back at Shen He, as if saying goodbye. Then, like a gust of wind, her silver-gray figure vanished silently behind the shadows of the magnificent columns of the Qun Yu Pavilion, returning to the place of warm embrace and the familiar aroma of tea.

Shen He sat alone, her fingertips caressing the slightly warm dried fish jade. The fuzzy weight and warmth seemed to linger on her shoulders. She gazed at the myriad lights of Liyue Harbor, and for the first time, she felt that the sea of ​​light, once so distant and alienated, now held a palpable warmth.