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

"Guest, you're back..." Upon hearing this, even Hu Tao stopped smiling.

Even though she's the deputy leader and can be addressed that way, something still feels off...

Sigh, those two troublemakers must have been arguing again!

The traveler hurriedly handed the records to Hu Tao: "Master, I've finished the task you assigned me. I should get going."

"So soon? There's no rush to open a branch. Our guest elder is back too, how about we have a celebratory lunch for everyone at the Rebirth Hall today?" Hu Tao casually put down the documents and hugged the traveler's arm.

"I heard from Tianquanxing that Mondstadt's real estate market is in a slump, a good opportunity to buy at rock-bottom prices," the traveler thought of an excuse. She felt very uncomfortable standing next to Zhongli and wanted to escape.

A few days ago, the traveler returned to Liyue Harbor from the Deep Rock Abyss and met Ningguang, who invited him to work in the General Affairs Department.

The traveler was focused on the Hall of Rebirth, and Ningguang didn't force him. Upon hearing that the Hall of Rebirth was going to open a branch, she gave the traveler information about the real estate business in Mondstadt as a favor.

"It won't make a difference if it's just a little while longer. I guessed it, you two had another fight. Sigh... Life is too short. If you keep fighting, your lives will be over before you know it. Don't regret it when you're about to be buried." Hu Tao grabbed their arms and pressed their hands together.

Zhongli's long fingers naturally hooked the traveler's hand and held it.

The traveler turned his back and tried to pull his hand away, but the other man held on tightly, and the traveler was unable to pull it back, so he stood frozen in place.

"Hold hands, have a meal, and let's just let this go. What's the big deal? Liyue Harbor survived the demon god's calamity, so there's nothing we can't overcome." Hu Tao mediated, finding it really worrying that her two most capable subordinates were arguing.

"My guest has already sent me away twice. It wouldn't be right if I didn't leave soon." The traveler's voice was gentle and soft, leaving the two people present at a loss for words.

Hu Tao winked at Zhong Li and asked him with exaggerated lip movements: "Did you chase the traveler away?"

Zhongli shook his head in response.

Walnut's Lip Reading: What on earth happened?! How come I, the master, know nothing about this?!

Zhongli sighed and mouthed: "I'd like to trouble you for your help, Master."

Walnut Lip Reading: What did you say? I don't understand!

The traveler, with his back to them, sensed something amiss behind him and turned around.

Walnut's lips, combined with a pointing gesture at the traveler, read: Quickly, cheer them up!

The traveler watched the two perform a silent film with a cold expression.

Zhongli was the first to notice the traveler's gaze, and gave Hu Tao a look, indicating that the traveler had noticed their little actions.

Walnut's lip reading: Hurry up and coax him, why are you looking at me! Do you want me, the head of this hall, to coax him?

"Let go." The traveler tried to pull his hand away, but he couldn't shake him off.

"Hey! Mr. Lü, you must have misheard! Besides, the Hall of Rebirth belongs to me, how can a guest minister drive you away?" Hu Tao continued to mediate, holding the traveler's arm and leaning against her in a feignedly intimate manner.

"What if he wants me to leave Liyue?" the traveler asked Hu Tao.

"Why should I? You're a great hero of Liyue, and many people in Liyue think you're the new Geo Archon. Nobody can drive you away, don't worry! Even if the Geo Archon really comes to drive you away, I, the master, dare to say no." Hu Tao assured him.

"Really?" The traveler glanced at Zhongli, who had been silenced since the traveler addressed him as "Guest Elder."

“The hall master is right,” he agreed.

"With this hall master taking the lead, all grudges and grievances will be wiped clean. Guest Elder, you should apologize quickly." Hu Tao winked at Zhong Li.

"This matter arose because of me; it is my fault. I beg you, Miss Traveler, to be magnanimous and forgive me." Seeing that the time was right, he offered his apology.

"He's so sincere, just forgive him," Hu Tao chimed in from the side.

"Master, you misunderstand. I am the one who is wrong. I broke the contract with the guest elder. Those who break their word shall be punished by the Stone Eater. Leaving Liyue is my punishment."

"You didn't say you'd be leaving Liyue for long, so you just went out for two days to find somewhere to have fun... and then came back..." Hu Tao is a person who keeps her promises. Although contracts are not to be questioned, you can always find loopholes!

What's going on between the young couple?

“Okay.” He actually agreed with the traveler’s statement.

"Guest!" The biggest victim in the house has appeared, which keeps Hu Tao very busy. After comforting the traveler, she has to comfort the guest.

Dealing with living people is much more troublesome than dealing with the dead!

"Since you've already made up your mind, I shouldn't stop you."

"That's not what he meant!" Hu Tao was so frightened by Zhong Li's words that she almost had a heart attack.

"However, the punishment for leaving Liyue is too severe and against the rules. It is agreed that both parties to the contract should be punished together." Whenever the contract is mentioned, he becomes serious and stern.

"You...you're leaving Liyue?" The traveler couldn't believe it.

Is the Geo Archon leaving Liyue?

"That's right." He nodded in confirmation.

"Phew...good, good! You two go out and have fun for two days, then come back when you're done." Hu Tao patted her chest, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

“The journey from Liyue Harbor to Mondstadt is long, so traveling together will provide some support.” His expression softened again.

"No," the traveler resolutely refused.

What kind of long journey requires two people to travel together?

His abacus beads were about to fly from Liyue Harbor to Mondstadt.

Who knows what might happen when we're together on the street!

Zhongli was stunned.

She didn't mean to abide by the contract; she was just angry with me.

"Sigh..." Hu Tao was at a loss.

Fine, fine, keep making a fuss. Even if you can't be together while you're alive, I'll bury you together when you both die of old age.

Not bad either.

"Disperse, disperse." Hu Tao dismissed the onlookers, leaving only two people standing in the Rebirth Hall's office.

For some reason, the fewer people there were, the more uneasy the traveler felt.

The two stood there, neither of them uttering the first word.

Until the traveler could no longer bear his increasingly tight grip on the ground.

"Let me go..." The traveler didn't look him in the eye.

Why are you blushing! I'm the one in the right!

"No." He refused decisively.

"You hurt me."

"Alright." Hearing the traveler's words, he had no choice but to let go.

Her fingers slipped from his palm, taking with them a part of his soul.

"I'm leaving." The traveler didn't know why he needed to inform him at all! Wouldn't it have been better to just turn around and leave?

“You… are not required to suffer the punishment of eating rocks.”

"Why?" The traveler wondered, "Why would he break the rules he himself set?"

"A contract is not a perfect solution; it is merely a means of binding people. However, contracts also have their limitations, and appropriate handling is the best course of action," he said.

"Oh." She had never heard of this saying before.

"Stay, traveler." His voice was soft, but his reluctance was deep.

"No, thank you... Liyue is my starting point. I've lingered here for too long. It's time for my journey to begin." The traveler's heart remained steadfast despite his words.

“The journey is long, and you’re rushing too much. Take a few days to pack your bags before you set off,” he repeatedly urged.

“I disagree. I believe travel should be spontaneous. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Guest… please bid farewell to the Master for me.” After saying this, the traveler turned and strode out of the Hall of Rebirth without looking back or lingering.

The sun was shining brightly, and the spring breeze was gentle.

The streets were bustling with activity, and Liyue had regained its prosperity.

She walked through the familiar streets and headed towards Mondstadt.

Parting was not sad; she was filled with joy because of the scenery she was about to see and the people she was about to meet.

The residents of Liyue Harbor all turned their gazes toward her.

“Look, isn’t she…”

“Miss Lü Ren, the deputy head of the Hall of Rebirth.”

"She's the one who saved us!"

"Is she really Prince Yan?"

"Who can say for sure?"

"I think so! There's no mistake."

"Miss Lü, you're away on a business trip again?"

"Yes," the traveler said to the passerby who approached him.

"Where are you going this time?"

"Go to Mondstadt."

"Oh, that's so far. Come back soon."

"Okay." The traveler nodded.

"Sister Lü, have a safe journey."

"Okay." She greeted the children on the street who weren't shy around strangers.

"Miss Lü, could you please sign your autograph for me next time?"

"Wow, it's Miss Lü! How lucky! We ran into her as soon as we stepped out the door."

Everyone who lives in Liyue Harbor knows her.

She is the hero who saved Liyue and the deputy head of the Hall of Rebirth.

This is the story of the traveler and Liyue.

The traveler's story with Mondstadt is about to begin.