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

After a long absence, I picked up a brush and wrote down the terms and conditions dictated by Jin Moli on the delicate Xuan paper.

With the brush tip fully dipped in ink, and only a few strokes made, the traveler's uneasy feeling became increasingly clear.

First of all, it was clearly her who exaggerated and lied about the military situation, so how did it come to the point that I was being aggressive and needed to make compromises? And then she wanted me to write this almost "guarantee" note myself, what kind of logic is that?

Sitting at the large desk in the suite's living room, the traveler tilted his head slightly, his gaze passing over the spread-out Xuan paper and brush holder, secretly glancing at the slender figure busy in the open kitchen.

Jin Moli stood with her back to her, a simple apron tied around her waist, skillfully wielding a spatula to cook the sizzling dishes in the pot. A familiar aroma of Liyue vegetables, mixed with scallions, ginger, and soy sauce, wafted slowly over.

Hmm... while she's focused on cooking and not paying attention, I'll secretly add a tiny line of text in the corner. I hope... she won't notice?

A cunning thought arose in the traveler's mind. She held her breath, her wrist twitched slightly, and the tip of her brush was about to touch the blank space at the edge of the rice paper...

Just then, Jin Moli, who was stir-frying the vegetables, turned slightly to the side, picked up a leaf with her long chopsticks, and tasted it to check the saltiness. She turned her face, and her gaze naturally met that of the traveler who was stealing a glance.

Jin Moli smiled gently, her eyebrows curved, her expression as soft as the warm afternoon sun. There was no trace of the "childish temper" she had shown earlier when she cried her eyes out in a secluded place and threw a tantrum.

Her smile was clean and serene, as if the turmoil just now had nothing to do with her, and she was simply a considerate subordinate preparing a delicious dinner for her boss.

The traveler, feeling guilty, immediately straightened his posture and pretended to write seriously, his handwriting unconsciously becoming neater.

……

Finally, the dried ink on the document, which contained clauses such as "no arbitrary scolding" and "patient communication is required," was carefully folded by Jin Moli with her well-maintained hands, her fingertips tinged with light pink.

Instead of putting it in her purse or sleeve pocket, she gently lifted the collar of her outer garment and carefully placed it in the inner pocket closest to her chest, even patting it gently to make sure it was secure.

After doing all this, she raised her eyes and looked at the traveler who was already sitting at the table, holding chopsticks, his eyes darting around, clearly observing whether she had noticed the "little trick" on the document. A smile that was a mixture of satisfaction and gentleness, quite "wifely," appeared on her face, and she asked softly, "Deputy Hall Master, is the food to your liking?"

“Oh… um,” the traveler was brought back to his senses by her question. He quickly turned his attention back to the bowl and plate in front of him, picked up a chopstick of stir-fried vegetables, put them in his mouth, chewed a few times, and commented, “Your cooking is… very light.”

The traveler looked down closely and saw that although the dishes on the table were simple and homely, the knife skills were meticulous. The vegetables were cut into even and beautiful shapes, retaining their bright green color and natural hue. The meat dishes were prepared in a refreshing and non-greasy manner, cooked to perfection. The overall flavor was light and fresh, emphasizing the original taste of the ingredients, with restrained seasoning and a proper balance of meat and vegetables. It was clear that the cooking method was very health-conscious and nutritious.

Jin Moli had clearly come prepared, bringing some long-lasting local vegetables and special seasonings from Liyue. This meal, from its flavor to its texture, exuded the "homey" taste of Liyue.

Moreover, the preparation process was clearly very meticulous, with each dish presented exquisitely, showing that a lot of thought and effort had been put into it.

Did she herself feel that she had gone a bit too far before and felt somewhat guilty towards me, which is why she went to such lengths to prepare dinner and try to ease the tension?

It must be said that this familiar, "hometown" flavor, coupled with the well-cooked and comfortingly light taste, was indeed like a clear spring, extinguishing most of the remaining sparks in her heart.

However... the taste is just okay.

The traveler took another sip of the Jade Pearl White Jade Soup and objectively judged it to himself. It was one of the better dishes made by an ordinary person, but it was still far inferior to my skills. After all, my master was Xiangling.

"Mmm, it's delicious." The traveler put down his chopsticks, nodded thoughtfully, but his gaze drifted back to the golden jasmine.

Undeterred, she tried to discern even the slightest resemblance to an acquaintance in the seasoning, cooking techniques, and even the plating of the dishes...

Damn it! That Zhongli guy... he's only cooked for me once, and I can't even remember what his cooking tasted like or what his style was! How am I supposed to compare?!

"That's good." Seeing that the traveler seemed satisfied, Jin Moli nodded slightly, a faint smile spreading across her lips, her eyes appearing particularly gentle under the warm lights of the restaurant.

“Oh, right,” the traveler said casually, as if suddenly remembering something, “these ingredients and seasonings must be expensive, right? Don’t worry, these are all considered reasonable travel allowances. When you get back to Liyue, remember to organize the receipts and get reimbursed by the general affairs department.” She kept a close eye on Jin Moli’s reaction.

“Hehe, thank you for your trouble, Vice Hall Master,” Jin Moli waved her hand gently, her tone natural. “No need for reimbursement. These are some everyday necessities I bought before I left, thinking that I might not be used to the food on the road and when I first arrived in Sumeru. They are things I use for cooking on my own. If I don’t eat them soon, they will probably go bad, so this is a good opportunity to use them up. It’s not an extra expense.”

"..." Upon hearing this, the traveler stopped what he was doing, unconsciously touching his chin with his fingers, a thoughtful look flashing across his eyes.

Surprisingly... they didn't take the opportunity to put it on the account of the Rebirth Hall?

Normally, when ordinary employees encounter such an opportunity to get reimbursed, even if it's just for a few vegetables and seasonings, they would most be happy to go through the process and recoup some costs.

Is she genuinely indifferent to this small amount of money, perhaps due to a wealthy family background? Or... is she deliberately avoiding spending habits?

"Oh, right, there's something I need to tell you in advance." The traveler put aside his doubts and got down to business. "Tomorrow I need to go with Seno and the others to the depths of the desert to investigate clues about the remnants of the demon god. It might take several days before I'm back. I'll leave the supervision of the branch's construction progress and the daily communication with Kavi to you."

"The desert?" Upon hearing this, Jin Moli's gentle eyes lit up instantly, as if she had heard something extremely interesting. She put down her soup spoon, stood up, and gracefully walked to the empty seat next to the traveler. She placed her hands naturally on the armrests of the traveler's chair, leaned forward slightly, and said in a soft voice with a hint of pleading, "Wow... I've never been to the desert before. I've only heard about the magnificence and mystery of that golden sea in books and other people's stories. Vice Hall Master, this is a rare opportunity. Will you take me with you? I promise I won't cause any trouble, and I can even help with some notes and chores."

“Jasmine,” the traveler immediately adopted an understanding yet helpless expression, reaching out to pat the back of Jasmine’s hand, which was resting on the chair, and began to play the role of a “rational boss” with a serious tone: “I really understand how you feel, and I would also like to take you to see it. Unfortunately, there are only the two of us from the Hall of Rebirth here in Sumeru right now.”

“If we both leave, what if there are any emergencies at the branch, or if there are any projects that require immediate decision-making and communication? Wouldn’t there be no one in charge? Someone has to stay in Sumeru City to oversee the project; that’s an important responsibility too.” She tried to make her tone sound pained and helpless.

“Deputy Hall Master…” Jin Moli watched the traveler’s performance quietly, and only spoke softly after he finished speaking, her tone calm but getting straight to the point: “Don’t you believe that Mr. Kavi can handle engineering matters independently?”

"Of course I believe in his professional competence and sense of responsibility!" the traveler immediately denied, then pulled out her go-to excuse: "However, this is the rule of the organization; important projects must have our personnel stationed at the site." She tried to brush it off with bureaucratic jargon.

“If…” Jin Moli tilted her head slightly, the tassels in her hair gently clattering against the dangling Eye of the Rock Element, making a few crisp “clinking” sounds. Her gaze was clear, as if she were simply curious: “If in Sumeru City, you, the Deputy Hall Master, are truly the only one fully responsible for the branch's affairs, and the investigation in the desert does indeed require your personal presence, then would you choose to stay in Sumeru City to oversee the project, or go to the desert?”

"That...that was a special situation!" The traveler's inner alarm bells rang slightly, but her face maintained a solemn and sorrowful expression. "At that time, it concerned the remnants of a demon god and the potential threat to countless lives. It was a matter of righteousness, a necessity driven by the circumstances. Considering the bigger picture and the far-reaching impact, I had no choice but to go. It was a difficult decision made after weighing the pros and cons." She tried to elevate the significance of this operation to shut Jin Moli up.

“In other words,” Jin Moli nodded gently, following her logic, her tone still mild, “it’s not absolutely necessary for our high-ranking personnel to be on-site at all times for the branch project. The key lies in the priority and urgency of the matter. In that case, the current desert investigation is ‘a matter of life and death,’ and it is also of paramount importance. Although Moli’s strength is limited, she wants to share the burden of the deputy branch leader and do her part for the stability of Sumeru.” Her reasoning sounded perfectly justified, even full of selflessness.

"Don't worry! With me and Seno and the others, we have enough manpower!" the traveler quickly emphasized.

“I see…” Jin Moli lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them. She pondered for a moment, then looked up again, her gaze clear and unwavering, as if she were simply engaging in a logical deduction: “Then if… Moli is truly worried about the Deputy Hall Master’s safety, and knows that her words carry little weight, unable to persuade him, she has no choice but to write a letter, explaining in detail the importance of the Deputy Hall Master’s desert trip and Moli’s earnest and anxious feelings of staying behind…”

"I'm sure the Master is a man of great principle and compassion for his subordinates, so he will... surely understand, right?" Her tone was gentle, even tinged with worry, but the implication in her words sent a chill down the traveler's spine.

She... how could she use the same trick I used to scare her to threaten me in return?!

"Of course she'll understand!" the traveler said, forcing himself to remain calm. "The leader is the most reasonable person!"

“Yes, yes, I think so too.” Jin Moli nodded repeatedly in agreement, but then subtly changed the subject, muttering to herself, “The Hall Master is generous and open-minded… He wouldn’t think that the Deputy Hall Master is neglecting the branch’s affairs to run off and take on side jobs to earn extra money, would he? Nor would he… be so petty as to think that, in the Deputy Hall Master’s heart, the strangers and potential dangers in the desert are more important than the Hall Master himself, would he?”

She sighed softly, shook her head, and said with just the right amount of pity and emotion: "After all... that child lost his loved ones at a very young age and has to shoulder such a large family business on his own. He should have long been used to being put after other people and other things."

"She's so strong and sensible... Even though the deputy leader put her and the branch in second place this time, prioritizing the desert investigation, she must... understand. It's just that she'll inevitably feel a little disappointed."

"..." Hearing these words and seeing Jin Moli's sincere expression that said "I am doing this entirely for the sake of the hall master," the traveler felt an invisible pressure gripping his throat.

Damn it...

Don't try to play the emotional card like that! Every word you say hits me where it hurts most!

The image of Hu Tao, always sporting a bright smile yet occasionally revealing a lonely silhouette when no one was around, uncontrollably surfaced in my mind. That seemingly carefree girl, who actually carried too much responsibility...

The traveler took a deep breath, finally slumped down, and his voice was muffled as he squeezed it out from between his teeth: "...You...come with me."

"Excellent." Jin Moli's face instantly blossomed into a bright smile, like spring flowers. Her tone was light and cheerful, filled with a sense of relief: "Desert conditions are harsh. With me here, I can better take care of the Deputy Hall Master's daily life and share your burdens, allowing you to focus more on investigating important matters."

"As for the branch hall, Mr. Kavi is a sincere and capable man who values ​​his promises. Entrusting him with the supervision of the project and communicating with him regularly should not cause any problems. The deputy hall master need not worry."