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

His handwriting seems a little different from before.

The brushstrokes were lighter than before, and the finishing strokes weren't as sharp as they used to be.

Did someone else write it for you?

The traveler sighed; even such a small matter required so much thought.

Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, and I've been so busy that I've overlooked the festive atmosphere outside my window.

The world seemed to fall silent until the traveler discovered that the sounds of firecrackers, drums, and laughter followed one after another.

The traveler both eagerly anticipates and dreads this day.

He said, "See you again."

Does this mean we'll never see each other again?

The sounds outside the window disappeared again, and the whole room was filled with a suppressed sadness.

The voices in my head started clamoring.

"He is just a character from a different dimension than me, I don't need to take him too seriously."

It is the traveler's first thought upon arriving in this world.

This is not reality.

"He is someone I can see and touch, someone who truly exists, someone I like."

Risky and irrational ideas.

So-called passion is all impulsive; weighing the pros and cons is too cold a choice.

*

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the streets are decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and even the interior of the temples for the deceased is transformed from its usual somber atmosphere.

Fireworks have been going off non-stop since morning.

The traveler was the only one left in the staff dormitory. She watched the dazzling fireworks in the sky, with new clothes she had never worn laid out on the bed behind her.

It's still far from nightfall; there's plenty of time to get ready.

Time to prepare the ingredients.

*

All the shops on the street were open, and everywhere was packed with people.

The market stalls were crowded with children.

This year's theme is the Rock King Emperor, and his majestic figure is depicted on kites and lanterns.

The people of Liyue must miss the Geo Archon very much.

From a divinely ruled kingdom to a human-ruled kingdom, Liyue finally exchanged its prosperity for the people of Liyue after thousands of years. The gods behind it all retired and disappeared from the world.

After finishing this chapter, I was deeply moved and overwhelmed by the sublimity of the gods.

As an observer, I was already deeply shocked; if you were to experience it firsthand, your feelings must be even more complex.

"Lu Ren!" Hu Tao's voice came.

The traveler turned around and saw Hu Tao, Xiang Ling, Chong Yun, and Xing Qiu sitting in Wanmin Hall through the gaps in the crowd.

The traveler waved to Walnut.

At the street corner, I brushed past Xianyun, Shenhe, and Ganyu.

"Master, let's have lunch at Wanmin Hall."

"Very well, now you've integrated into the human world. Gan Yu, is there any official business at the General Affairs Department today?"

"I'm off today, so you don't need to go back unless it's urgent."

After buying the ingredients, we headed home, the streets still bustling with activity.

On the open-air stage, Mr. Yun Jinyun performed a set of fancy spear tricks.

"it is good!"

Cheers and applause could be heard from the crowd.

On the hastily erected platform opposite her, Xin Yan stepped onto the stage. After an impromptu performance, the lion dance boy Jia Ming also appeared on the stage, combining rock music with animal dance.

The applause of the audience was thunderous.

A particularly pleasant chuckle caught the traveler's attention. She looked up and saw Ye Lan on the second floor of the teahouse looking at her and raising her teacup.

The traveler responded with a smile.

At the clay figurine stall, Bai Shu took the freshly made slime figurine and handed it to Qi Qi. In a casual glance, she saw the traveler waving at her.

A troop of Thousand Rock Army soldiers led the way, and Tianquan Ningguang, surrounded by them, strolled through the streets to inspect the area. Her gaze swept over the pedestrians, who all lowered their heads and looked away.

As expected of the Star of Heavenly Power, he exudes an extraordinary sense of oppression.

Ningguang's gaze fell on the traveler, and she nodded slowly, as if greeting him.

I hope she doesn't mind that I couldn't keep our appointment last time.

I continued walking alone, letting my body engulf me.

In an open space, a group of Liyue musicians gathered, playing dozens of instruments in harmony, including Granny Ping.

The melodious sound of the piano brought a sense of tranquility.

Yan Fei and Yao Yao were by her side.

A white cat slipped between the traveler's legs and jumped into the arms of the purple-haired girl; it was Keqing.

She shed her weariness, picked up the cat, and headed towards the most crowded area.

Who else haven't we seen yet?

Beidou, perhaps at this moment she is sailing on a merchant ship, braving the wind and waves to reach the distance.

There's also Xiao, who usually stays at Wangshu Inn and is rarely seen in Liyue Harbor.

Today felt like the end of a movie, the Liyue arc was coming to a close, so the actors explained their endings.

The traveler quickened his pace, for he had an important appointment to attend.

Perhaps infected by the festive atmosphere, they were in a good mood and moved more lightly.

*

In the bathroom of the staff dormitory of Wangshengtang, only the traveler was present. She wiped the fog off the mirror, dried the water droplets on her body, and applied Chunxiangyao's Neon Flower Fragrance Balm to her neck.

It was the bouquet of flowers from yesterday that gave her inspiration.

Since it's a holiday, we should dress up in a festive way.

She wore a red jacket and skirt, with a light golden-brown outer garment draped over her shoulders.

She gathered her hair up, inserted a hairpin, and put on a necklace.

She dabbed bright red rouge on her face with her ring finger, making her makeup more dramatic today.

After checking himself in the mirror and finding nothing amiss, he picked up the prepared lunchbox and headed out to his appointment.

*

Tianheng Mountain Teleportation Anchor Point.

The traveler saw him as soon as he arrived at Tianheng Mountain.

He stood with his back to the travelers on the edge of the cliff, looking at Liyue Harbor, which was tinged with orange in the twilight.

The letter did not specify the exact location within Tianheng Mountain.

The traveler guessed that when he first arrived in Teyvat, Zhongli had shown him the location of Liyue Harbor under the morning light, and then teleported him to the vicinity.

Whether it's this place or not, he will definitely find me.

"You've come." He didn't turn around.

The traveler walked up to him. There were loose stones underfoot and a cliff in front of him, but of course, there was also a beautiful view.

"Be careful." Zhongli reached out his hand, gesturing for the traveler to help him.

The traveler did not refuse and placed his hand on the traveler's palm.

He was wearing new clothes today, the kind the traveler recognized—the ones from Sanxingdui. The scent of sandalwood on him was strong, different from usual; it used to be a faint, pleasant fragrance.

"You're early." He seemed so engrossed in looking at Liyue Harbor that he hadn't yet met the traveler's eyes.

Yes, the traveler arrived too early; night had not yet fallen.

"Didn't you arrive quite early too?"

He arrived even earlier than me, so why is he complaining about me?

“I want to stay here a little longer,” he said.

"Oh, then I'll go get ready first. You can come find me when you're all set."

The food box the traveler was carrying was surprisingly heavy; her arms were aching.

"Traveler, stay with me for a while." Only then did he turn to face the traveler.

Oh dear, you won't let me leave? Well...

"Here you go." The traveler handed him the food box.

"Hehe, okay." He chuckled and took the food box.

"What are you laughing at?" the traveler asked, blushing.

Could it be that my outfit is weird today? Or my makeup is weird?

"It's nothing, I just often forget that Miss Traveler is not an immortal."

"Even a sage would get tired carrying something so heavy." As soon as she finished speaking, she remembered the scene where Shinhaku, who was not a sage, was carrying a giant rock.

"Perhaps." He knew the answer, but he didn't refute it.

The traveler took his hand and stealthily moved closer to him, greedily inhaling the fragrance emanating from him.

"What do you think of Liyue now?" He put away his smile.

"Still prosperous. Peace and prosperity are my favorite places."

"Yes. A few years ago, I gave the people of Liyue a question, and the people of Tianquan and Ningguang submitted a satisfactory answer. There was also a question that had been going on for several years, and it has now been completed."

"My final contract with Liyue must end."