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

A farewell dinner that began with an extremely eerie atmosphere, after a “battle” for seats (the traveler asked the waiter to bring an extra chair next to him so that Zhongli could barely sit down), was finally consumed by everyone in a superficial “peaceful” atmosphere, as if chewing wax.

No one savors the flavors of the dishes; only the occasional soft clinking of knives and forks against plates and the deliberately slowed chewing sounds prove that time is still passing.

The traveler felt extremely uncomfortable throughout the entire trip and just wanted it to end quickly.

I felt that Zhongli was acting a little off tonight. It felt like... a subtle "relaxation" that's hard to describe accurately? Or perhaps, a casualness that comes from no longer consciously maintaining a certain distance?

This feeling is unfamiliar and strange, like... like drinking too much fake alcohol. Although you're not drunk, something just doesn't feel right inside you.

Has he ever acted this "off" before?

In contrast, saying goodbye to Elhesen became the most relaxing part of this eerie night.

There were no unnecessary formalities, no lingering sentimentality; just like their previous partings, it was crisp and clean. Regarding this separation with no end in sight, Elhesen simply glanced calmly at the traveler with his perpetually expressionless face and clearly uttered two words: "Goodbye."

……

Back in the luxurious suite at the "Golden Leaf Inn," a series of problems arise.

"Unfortunately." Jin Moli, who had been sent by the traveler to the front desk to inquire about room availability for Zhongli, quickly returned with a perfectly measured hint of regret on her face. She reported to the traveler and Zhongli, "Mr. Taric regretfully informs us that all the hotel's rooms, including standard rooms and suites, are fully booked for tonight. There are not a single vacant room available."

The traveler squinted and turned to Zhongli, who had been silent beside him: "It's really 'unfortunate'. I remember when we left, we clearly saw dozens of vacant rooms on the vacancy sign when we passed the front desk. How come there aren't any rooms available when we need to stay at night?"

She deliberately drew out her words, looking Zhongli up and down: "Hmm... I feel like every time you come to Sumeru City, this inn I'm staying at is always 'just right' fully booked?"

Faced with this blatant questioning, Zhong Li remained unmoved, maintaining his calm and composed demeanor as he replied flawlessly, "Coincidences are inevitable in this world. The Deputy Hall Master is overthinking it."

"It's best if you didn't do it behind the scenes." The traveler's eyes grew increasingly suspicious as he stared intently at him, trying to find a clue in those deep golden eyes.

"Hehe." Zhongli chuckled softly, shaking his head, his tone carrying a perfectly measured mix of helplessness and self-deprecation: "Vice Hall Master is too kind. Although I am a guest elder of the Hall of Rebirth, my salary is meager, and I must carefully budget my daily expenses. Moreover, this place is Sumeru, not as familiar as Liyue Harbor, and many shops do not accept the Hall of Rebirth's accounting. With my own resources, it would be impossible for me to secretly reserve all the rooms in this inn..." He paused, looking at the traveler with a frank gaze: "It is truly beyond my capabilities, and there is no need for it."

Careful budgeting?

I have no idea who he's talking about.

The salary is meager?

Your base salary is higher than mine!

"Is that so?" The traveler snorted, clearly not entirely convinced. She always felt that every word he said might have another meaning behind it, or was simply a lie.

“Otherwise…” Compared to Zhongli’s composure, Jin Moli seemed particularly “sensible” and “considerate.” She spoke up at the right moment, her voice gentle, with a sincere intention to resolve the issue: “I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight. Mr. Zhongli has come from afar and should get some rest.”

"No way." The traveler rejected the idea without hesitation: "Those who don't follow the rules and regulations of the Hall of Rebirth and neglect their duties should be sleeping on the sofa." His words were still aimed at Zhongli.

Jin Moli was stopped by the traveler, a hint of embarrassment on her face. She leaned slightly closer to the traveler's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Vice Hall Master... Moli knows you care about me. But... but after returning to Liyue, Moli will still need to consult and communicate with Mr. Zhongli frequently regarding many work matters. Since you're not in Liyue to oversee things, you can't always support Moli... If Mr. Zhongli sleeps on the sofa today, it will be very difficult for Moli to maintain her position in the hall in the future..."

Her words were reasonable and insightful, highlighting the realities of their working relationship while also humbly shifting the burden of the problem back to the traveler.

Upon hearing this, the traveler's brows furrowed even more. He glanced at Jin Moli, whose face was sincere (and hinted at grievance), and then at Zhong Li, who seemed indifferent and waiting for the outcome. The scales in his heart swayed back and forth.

What Jin Moli said... isn't entirely unreasonable.

I can't stay in Liyue forever.

After a while, she shook her head in frustration, as if giving in or giving up: "Fine, fine! You can share a bed with me tonight."

"Yes, thank you for your consideration, Vice Minister." Upon hearing this, Jin Moli immediately displayed a polite and gentle smile.

*

It was late at night.

After washing up and changing into comfortable pajamas, the traveler leaned against the large, soft headboard of the guest room, holding a copy of "Fontainebleau Travel Guide" in his hands, and tried to plan his next itinerary under the soft light of the bedside lamp.

However, the words on the page were difficult to process; her thoughts kept drifting back to what had happened that night.

Something still feels off...

pat-

A slight sound came from inside.

Having also finished her bath, Jin Moli emerged from the bathroom. She had changed into a high-quality Liyue-style cross-collar nightgown, with a light green base embroidered with delicate bamboo leaf patterns.

She had dried her long hair, which was as black as ink and flowed smoothly over her shoulders, the ends still slightly damp. She quietly made her way to the large bed where the traveler was.

She stopped by the bedside, leaned slightly forward, looked at the traveler sitting against the headboard, and said softly with her usual impeccable gentle smile, "Vice Hall Master, I'm going to bed."

This sentence, which was just an ordinary statement and was delivered in a polite and appropriate tone, somehow felt like a tiny feather gently scratching at a tense nerve in the traveler, making her inexplicably wary.

"...Why did you have to ask that?" The traveler awkwardly tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing an embarrassed smile: "You could have just come up..." As she spoke, she moved over a bit to give the other person more space.

They had already slept in a small tent for several days back in the desert...

The moment the thought crossed the traveler's mind, he paused for a moment, then mentally retorted: Wait, that's different! In the desert, the tents offered almost no soundproofing, and the noise of the exiles filled the air all night. Moreover, the nights were bitterly cold, and we were all wrapped in thick sleeping bags and clothes, so we didn't need to take them off at all, and there was no 'privacy' to speak of... It's completely different from this feeling now, in a warm, quiet, and private hotel room, wearing light pajamas and preparing to share a bed!