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

“Mr. Zhongli, this is not right.” The traveler refused to let him go.

“It’s about time for dinner,” Zhongli changed the subject.

"Don't you feel any remorse?" the traveler persisted.

If we tolerate him now, imagine how outrageous he'll become later. The traveler begged him to abide by some of the laws he himself had written.

"Oh, you're asking about the Heart of God. I already made a deal with the Ice Queen using it," Zhongli answered the traveler's question smoothly.

"This is the last time." The traveler had no choice but to compromise.

"I promise you." He knew when to stop and didn't press the issue further.

That sounds nice, but who knows if it will happen again?

"Let's put it in writing!" the traveler roared.

"We're friends, so there's no need for a written agreement. I guarantee with my integrity that I won't go back on my word," Zhongli said, trying to get closer to him.

"Next time you'll say that you have no personality, only divinity, so it doesn't count." The traveler figured out his trick.

"Sigh... Alright. Miss Traveler is exceptionally intelligent, so I'll grant your request. However, please read the items on the bill to me." Zhongli sat down opposite the traveler, picked up his teacup and began to sip, seemingly unmoved by anything in the world.

"Ahem. The cloth shop has made twenty-six men's garments and fifty-eight women's garments." The traveler finished reading the first line.

“That’s right, the men’s clothes are my size, and the women’s clothes are your size. Continue.” Zhongli put down his teacup, sat upright, and exuded an overwhelming sense of confidence.

"Hmm... lunch at Wanmin Hall, some jewelry from Mingxingzhai..." The traveler understood Zhongli's intention.

Most of the items in the account were bought by Zhongli for travelers, so she naturally felt embarrassed to take their gifts and then pressure them.

Sins must be repaid.

From today onwards, I should never be able to hold my head up in front of Zhongli again.

"Miss Traveler, how do you think this agreement should be written?" Zhongli asked knowingly.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, let's just forget about the written agreement." The traveler conceded defeat.

“Yes, great minds think alike.” Zhongli’s wish came true.

"I will pay you back." The traveler slumped onto the table, utterly defeated.

The travelers suffered a series of defeats, and Master Hu's money was in grave danger.

"The Hall of Rebirth handles all funeral services in Liyue, and also has a partnership with the Adventurers' Guild, so there's no need to worry. Let bygones be bygones." Zhongli walked over to the traveler and patted her head.

"It's my fault for having too high moral standards." The traveler hadn't recovered from the failure.

"Let's change it."

The traveler mentally complained about the gods: the wind god was always drinking and owing debts, the rock god was spending other people's money everywhere, and the thunder god would kill people at the slightest disagreement... In comparison, the grass god and the water god were far more morally upright than them.

It's also possible that human moral standards differ from those of the gods, or that real-world moral standards don't apply in Teyvat.

In short, people with too high moral standards are prone to suffering losses.

"What do you want for lunch?" Zhongli asked.

"My heart aches so much I can't eat," the traveler said.

"As the Rock God once said, if you're not enthusiastic about eating, there's something wrong with your thinking. Let's change that too," Zhongli patted the traveler on the shoulder.

“Yes, sir.” The traveler gave up the struggle and resolved to become an immoral person.

She believed that with Mr. Zhongli's guidance, she would make rapid progress.

"Since you haven't tried the food at Liuli Pavilion, go here." While the traveler was feeling discouraged, Zhongli had already decided what to have for lunch.

There is no time for internal strife when you are a god.

I imagine the days to come won't be dull or boring.

*

The white horse passes through the gap.

The traveler and Zhongli spent their days slacking off, visiting scenic spots, eating and drinking, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The traveler was already familiar with the work at the Hall of Rebirth and had completed the spearmanship course; all that remained was for him to practice more on his own.

The traveler's wardrobe was overflowing with clothes, and she still frequently wore the same business suit she was wearing. Her room was full of life, with trinkets filling the cabinets.

Most importantly, after a whole month of hard work, I'm finally going to get paid.

She beamed with joy when the heavy Mora was handed to the traveler.

There's still no clue as to how to return to reality. Is she going to travel all over Teyvat like a traveler looking for clues?

On second thought, staying here isn't so bad. I just don't know if I've become a missing person in reality.

"Mr. Zhongli, could you practice shooting with me for a bit? I'll treat you to dinner tonight." The traveler patted his bulging money bag.

"Practice shouldn't be delayed, let's start now." Zhongli put down his pen and stood up.

Upon hearing this, Hu Tao joined the conversation: "Are you two going out?"

The traveler exclaimed: "Caught slacking off!"

"The weather's nice today, why don't you go fly my kite for me?" Hu Tao said, taking out her special kite.

“No problem,” Zhongli replied.

*

Once outside, the two of them walked along the streets of Liyue Harbor, each carrying a kite.

"How can we practice shooting skills while flying kites? Please enlighten us, sir."

"It shouldn't be difficult for someone with the Eye of the Wind Element."

"If I can touch the statue of the wind god, I'll be able to use the wind element," the traveler thought.

“It takes time to get familiar with elemental power. How about I take you to meet someone?” Zhongli didn’t reveal the person’s specific information directly, keeping him in suspense.

Here we go again, Mr. Zhongli's cryptic pronouncements.

*

The top floor of Wangshu Inn.

There were hardly any people at Wangshu Inn today; the entire rooftop was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat.

The traveler secretly approached Zhongli; what did his heartbeat sound like?

After spending a month together, she became more open-minded.

"What's wrong?" Zhongli asked.

"It's nothing, I just noticed you didn't have a heartbeat. Oh, by the way, you gave your heart to the Ice Queen." The traveler extrapolated from this.

I'm still holding a grudge about losing to him last time!

"What kind of talk is that?" Zhongli frowned, not out of displeasure: "Come closer."

The traveler shifted his body, bringing his ear close to Zhongli's, leaving a one-centimeter gap, not pressing it against him.

The traveler once again regretted not being a pervert, as he never dared to put his erotic fantasies into practice.

"No." The traveler wondered if he had gone deaf, as he could hear nothing but his own heartbeat, which was racing rapidly in the ambiguous atmosphere.

"And now?" Zhongli gently moved the traveler's head until her ear touched the front of her dress.

The traveler could hear his own heartbeat even more clearly...

The sound of rocks breaking came from his chest, ringing rhythmically.

The traveler never expected Zhongli's heartbeat to sound like this.

"What brings Your Majesty here today?" A cold male voice came from not far away. He was clearly shocked for a few seconds by the sight of the two people's posture.

"Ah!" The traveler quickly stood up straight and tidied his posture.

As expected, the handsome young man before me is—Xiao Bao!

"You've come at the right time. I'd like to introduce you to someone. This is my colleague, the traveler."

"Ah... does this... does she... have any other identities?" Xiao asked nervously.

“Yes, she has another identity in Liyue, she’s a distant relative of mine,” Zhongli replied.

Zhongli then introduced Xiao to the traveler: "This is Xiao, the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons of Liyue."

"Greetings, Immortal." The traveler greeted him politely.

"Please... just call me Xiao." Xiao avoided the traveler's gaze.

“Okay,” the traveler replied.

"I've come here to ask for your help. My traveler and I were just about to practice our spear skills, and then Master Hu asked me to fly a kite. I'm currently unable to do both at once," Zhongli explained.

"The spear techniques of immortals are difficult for mortals to learn. Why don't you ask the True Lord of Gechenlang City if he can teach you spear techniques?"

“No, I mean I’m entrusting the kite-flying to you,” Zhongli explained.

"So, Your Majesty... you're going to personally teach spear techniques?" Xiao's eyes widened suddenly.