Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

As the stars appeared and night fell, merchants in Liyue Harbor lit their lamps.

"What's that?" the traveler asked, pointing to a brightly lit street.

“Night market. A traditional market in Liyue Harbor,” Zhongli explained.

"Huh? I didn't know that either." The traveler exclaimed in surprise.

These things aren't in the game. Games have limitations; art and modeling cost money.

"Want to take a look?"

"Let's go back as soon as possible. Master Hu is waiting for the medicine."

"Well, it's almost time to rest. Let's go early and come back early."

*

Return to the Hall of Rebirth.

Walnut fell asleep on the table, drool dripping all over it, muttering some nursery rhyme: "One hill... two hills..."

The traveler whispered to the person beside him, "What should we do in this situation? Won't she catch a cold sleeping like this?"

The boss is sick, who will do the work? Who will pay our salaries? Who will support us slackers?

"Put your things down and leave. Don't disturb their peaceful sleep," Zhongli advised.

"At least give her a coat," the traveler suggested.

The traveler tiptoed closer to Hu Tao, draped his coat over her shoulders, and laid out the medicine.

In her sleep, Walnut murmured, "One hill... um... two hills... Grandpa..."

The traveler, thinking of how she single-handedly supported the entire Hall of Rebirth, couldn't bear to leave her alone there.

"what happened?"

"It's not good to leave her here alone."

"Lock the door when we leave."

“Alright,” the traveler nodded.

Zhongli has worked at the Hall of Rebirth for a long time, so doing what he says shouldn't be wrong.

The two locked the door and set off on their way back to the hotel.

*

The two walked side by side on the street.

They remained silent, as if by unspoken agreement.

The person who couldn't stand being left out spoke first: "Why not investigate the doctor's mistake?"

The night was quiet, and the moonlight was soft.

It is the perfect place to tell the story in a gentle, detailed way.

"Because I believe in him."

"Just like...trusting you." Actually, it's not quite the same.

“I know some things about him through certain means, and I also spent some time with him through the eyes of a traveler.”

"Although this was our first formal meeting, I felt like I was meeting an old friend, and I was filled with joy and emotion."

"And... I didn't feel any discomfort, but he seemed to be much better."

"He brought color to my journey and even my life, and I am happy to be able to do something for him," the traveler said, expressing his inner thoughts.

Fireworks burst in the distance, their sparks reflected in the eyes of travelers.

When you come to your senses, you realize that there are many people around you, and you are not the only two people on the street.

"It's so good to meet you all. I'm so lucky to be able to set foot on this land. I never thought I would be able to tell you this feeling in person."

The last sentence grew softer and softer until the last word was almost silent.

"We met by chance, and it's a rare and precious friendship. I'm very fortunate in this life," Zhongli replied politely.

That's how he is.

That's at least true for strangers.

I've never seen him interact with his old friends...

The traveler didn't ask for much; he was already content to hear him say those words.

Instead, let's enjoy the fireworks in the distance.

"Everyone says that Inazuma fireworks are famous in Teyvat, but I think Liyue's fireworks are even better."

“Yes.” Zhongli looked at the night sky as well and said slowly, “It’s not appropriate to say these things. I hope your journey will not end abruptly and that you can stay longer.”

"Yes! It would be best if we could go during the Lantern Festival." The traveler agreed.

At that time, they did not know the hidden meaning behind the words.

"The night market has some pretty good Liyue snacks; why don't we have dinner here?" Zhongli acted as a tour guide, recommending the local specialties to the travelers.

"Alright!" How could the traveler refuse?

They strolled onto the street where the night market was open.

The place was brightly lit and bustling with people.

"Wow, so many people! Liyue's nightlife is so vibrant!" the traveler exclaimed.

"Liyue has a long history and many traditional customs. However, it is very welcoming to visitors."

"Oh...I've learned something..." Her attention was immediately drawn to the enticing aroma: "I think I can smell roasted corn, and roasted chicken legs...and roasted scallops! I want to try them all."

"Okay, buy them all." He smiled as he looked at the traveler's happy expression.

"Great! If we buy too much and can't finish it all, you can have it all."

"Hmm... leave everything else to me except the seafood."

"Let's go, foodies!" The traveler strode into the depths of the night market.

The night market not only offers local delicacies from all over the country, but also some novel gadgets.

Even Stone, one of the most familiar NPCs to players, has set up a stall: "Take a look if you're passing by, top-quality stones. Don't come if you can't afford to gamble."

"Zhongyuan Offal Soup is delicious and inexpensive!" the stall owner shouted enthusiastically.

"Try this!" the traveler said, pointing to the offal stall.

"it is good."

"I want this too!" the traveler said, pointing to the fried rice.

A vendor selling Liyue-style fried rice: "Sir, would you like a small or large portion?"

"Extra large portion." Zhongli made the decision for the traveler.

"Steamed crabs smell so good!"

"purchase."

"What are those? Spinning tops, diabolo, nine-linked rings, shadow puppets..."

"The same for everyone."

"There's also Inazuma-style oden."

"Okay, I'll take them both."

……

It has to be said that Zhongli's wallet is a mystery. He bought several large bags of things along the way, but he didn't need to put them on the bill at the Rebirth Hall.

Similarly, his stomach was a mystery. The traveler only ate a few bites of each food and was full, but he ate most of the food for the traveler without the slightest hesitation, and even recommended several delicacies to the traveler.

"I'm really curious about your structure."

"Hmm?" Zhongli didn't understand.

"Sigh..." the traveler sighed.

A burst of gongs and drums sounded, and the traveler looked over to see a red figure holding a lion's head, ready to perform.

“It’s Jiaming, let’s go see the animal dance!” the traveler suggested.

She turned and walked straight toward Jiaming on the stage.

However, the crowd surged towards Jiaming, and the traveler drifted with the flow of people, and Zhongli disappeared from the traveler's sight.

"Excuse me, may I pass?" The traveler pushed through the crowd to find him.

Her voice was drowned out by the surrounding clamor. She was surrounded by tall residents.

"Ah... there are too many people."

The cramped space was packed with too many people, the air was thin, and the travelers caught in the middle could hardly breathe.

In the struggle, I crashed head-on into a solid chest...

"Hard" would be a better word to describe it; the traveler thought he had bumped into a wall.

"Excuse me, may I pass..." The traveler lowered his head and squeezed into the crowd again.

"Traveler, turn around. I'm here." Zhongli's voice came from above, reassuring everyone.

The traveler first recognized the fragrance emanating from him—a scent that soothes the soul.

The traveler looked up and, sure enough, it was Zhongli: "I've finally found you."

"Help me walk, it will make things easier." Zhongli reached out his hand.

The traveler's brain stopped working, then started working rapidly again after a while.

I thought about everything, from the angle of holding hands to how to hold them and whether to take advantage of the situation.

Seeing her hesitation, Zhongli changed her mind: "Why don't you hold onto my sleeve instead?"

“Okay…” Oh no, a golden opportunity has been missed! The traveler was disappointed for a second, then tugged at Zhongli’s sleeve.

Zhongli led the way, and the traveler bowed his head and tugged at his sleeve.

All surrounding sounds disappeared, and the pink bubbles from the shoujo manga, accompanied by strange light effects, blurred my vision.