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

Zhongli's hand holding the wine glass paused slightly, the movement so stiff it was almost imperceptible, only the gently swirling wine in the glass betrayed a hint of unease.

His pupils contracted almost imperceptibly for a moment, and then he slowly put down the carved bronze wine cup, which was almost touching his lips, and gently placed it on the table.

He raised his eyes, a faint smile curving his lips, and looked at the traveler. His eyes seemed to be filled with the gentle light of a still lake under the moon, so tender that they could almost drown a person.

The exquisite glass lamp on the table reflected a soft, colorful halo, which made his eyes shine even brighter and more radiant.

Looking at this face that once made his heart race and even made him afraid to stare at it for long, the traveler felt an unusual calm.

She had already made up her mind about this matter when she experienced her first reincarnation and recalled those complex and indescribable emotions alone.

I don't want to sit in an endless downpour anymore, helplessly reliving every detail, feeling wronged and resentful, yet only able to keep reflecting and internally drained.

Perhaps, this encounter, which was destined to torment us from the very beginning, was a mistake in itself.

“I’m sorry,” the traveler’s voice was clear and calm in the night breeze, “It seems I’ve been causing you trouble ever since I arrived here. I’ve disturbed your peaceful life.”

She paused, organizing her thoughts as she tried to clearly express the ideas that had been swirling in her mind for so long: "Actually, the reason I left Liyue to start my journey wasn't entirely because of your judgment of 'Stabbing the Rock' in my worn-out state. I really... really wanted to see the world outside of Liyue."

But now, she has an additional inescapable responsibility: to cleanse the demons and gods that have descended upon this world because of the transmigrators, and to find the first transmigrator who has mysteriously disappeared.

After that, if the rules allow her to stay, she would prefer to remain in this world to which she has already poured so much emotion.

If... the destiny of a time traveler is to leave, then she hopes to say goodbye properly to every friend she has truly connected with.

This long and exhausting emotional entanglement, this drama that forced him to search the world for her and accompany her through countless trials and tribulations...

Let's end it all today.

I don't want to dwell on the past, wasting precious time that could have been spent together easily in meaningless internal conflict, to the point that even a normal conversation becomes a luxury.

Let go of those emotional burdens that have made each other uncomfortable and heavy due to our own lack of consideration.

Let us walk together easily and purely as friends who can trust each other.

"So, you really don't need to blame yourself anymore. You don't need to leave Liyue all the way to find me with any apology. I will try my best... to get along with you simply and happily, just like when we first met."

“Let’s settle all past grievances and entanglements today, and then… let’s go back to the simple relationship we had before.” The traveler raised his glass to him, a smile of relief spreading across his face, waiting for the other’s response.

She sat opposite Zhongli and could clearly see that after she finished speaking, the faint smile on his face faded and disappeared at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His expression gradually became solemn, as if covered by a layer of frost. The watery warmth in his eyes gradually cooled and settled, transforming into a deep, unfathomable darkness. His brows furrowed, forming a very faint wrinkle.

Zhongli lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the untouched wine in front of him, scrutinizing the traveler's sudden and resolute change.

He pondered what had influenced her, prompting her to make such a decision at this moment. Should he immediately clarify some of his views, or offer an explanation, in an attempt to change her mind?

The brief silence culminated in a single action. He raised his glass again, saying nothing, but leaned forward slightly and gently touched the rim of her glass, which she had been holding up, producing a crisp yet faint "tinkle," as if afraid that she might have held it for too long and her arm would ache.

He gently placed the almost untouched glass of wine back on the table, watching the traveler opposite him tilt her head back and drink her own cup in one gulp, as if trying to sever all ties with this action. Only after she put down her empty glass did he speak again, his voice calmer and more distant than the night wind: "It's getting late, and the night wind is chilly. Traveler, you should go back to your room and rest early."

After he finished speaking, he calmly stood up, his clothes brushing against the table, stirring up a wisp of wind.

"Mr. Zhongli, you should get some rest too," the traveler replied softly, his lowered eyelashes concealing the complex emotions churning in his eyes.

Deep inside, an unbearable bitterness and a sudden sense of relief after shedding a heavy burden intertwined and tore at each other, occupying all her thoughts. But strangely, beneath this chaos, something was slowly and steadily returning to a kind of numb peace.

The night breeze tonight is indeed... a bit chilly.

*

Before going to sleep, the traveler's gaze inadvertently swept across the slightly ajar door of the study. Through the crack, she saw that the light was still on, and the figure who should have been resting was still sitting behind the desk, continuing to read and annotate those seemingly endless work documents.

Even when she pushed open the door and gently urged him to rest, he simply raised his head, gave her a faint but impeccable smile, and said in a calm tone, "It's alright. I might as well take this opportunity to share some of the traveler's burdens."

Zhongli's actions were characterized by an unusual focus, even urgency.

The traveler attributed these unusual events to the inevitable changes and adjustment period that would occur after the shift in their relationship. Perhaps he simply needed some time and space to process everything that had happened tonight.

*

The next day, when the sunlight filled the room again, the traveler, who thought he had gotten rid of his emotional entanglements and could face things with equanimity, went to the guest room to find Zhongli without any hesitation, wanting to invite him to have a proper "breakfast" together. However, he found that the bedroom was already empty, and the bed was so clean that it was as if no one had ever used it.

She found only a note he had left on the desk in the study, along with a stack of neatly organized and categorized work documents and planning suggestions.

The handwriting on the note was as steady and strong as ever, and the content was as follows:

Traveler's View:

The headquarters of Wangsheng Hall is busy with many matters today, and the head of the hall may not be able to handle them all alone, so he will return to take care of them first.

I have clarified the details of the branch hall's establishment, and the key points and subsequent steps have been noted. The hall master has specially dispatched a skilled and experienced attendant, who will arrive in Sumeru City tomorrow to assist you in handling official business. You can use him with confidence.

My trip was rushed, and I was unable to say goodbye in person. I hope you will not take offense. When we meet again someday, I will prepare some tea to apologize.

—Zhongli

He... walked so fast?

The traveler secretly marveled at his quick, even decisive, acceptance.

Holding the thin letter, she stood there, her gaze involuntarily falling on the room where he had briefly stayed the previous night. Even though only one person was missing, this luxurious suite, which had felt cramped yesterday, now felt strangely empty, as if even the air itself had become cold and desolate.