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

Mount Hulao.

A tea-tasting gathering of immortals.

"Your Majesty?" True Lord of the Moon-Cut Sun called out to Zhongli, who was staring at the ripples in the tea.

"Oh, I was just momentarily distracted. You don't need to worry about me." Zhongli's tea had gone cold, so he simply placed it on the stone table.

"Your Majesty, is something on your mind?" asked True Lord Lishui Dieshan.

“…” Zhongli glanced at the immortals present, sighed, and said, “Never mind.”

They want to relieve their worries, but they have neither experience nor expertise. Even if they express their thoughts, they will not find a solution and will only add to their troubles.

"I appreciate it." He looked at the setting sun and thought that the traveler should have already entered Mondstadt by now, and his thoughts became even more restless.

Instead of waiting for peace of mind, why not go out and explore the world?

*

The streets of Liyue are still bustling with traffic.

People strolled through the streets in small groups, laughing and chatting.

The surrounding noise only accentuated Zhongli's profound loneliness.

Wandering the world is supposed to be a joyful thing, but now it has become a source of distress.

"Isn't this Mr. Zhongli?" Xiangling, who had just finished buying groceries, returned to Wanmintang carrying a large bag of things. She happened to see Zhongli but not her good friend, Luren, so she casually asked, "Hey? Luren isn't with you today? Oh, I remember now, she said she was going to Mondstadt to buy property."

“Exactly.” He replied somewhat coldly.

In fact, he didn't want to talk about travelers with others.

"Why didn't you go with us?" Xiangling's words were like a knife to his heart.

Of course he wanted to go with them, but the traveler was angry with him and didn't want him to come along.

If I insist on going with her, it will only annoy her.

"There are many matters to attend to in the hall, so perhaps I can set off in a few days."

Go again in a few days, preferably under the pretext of business, so it won't seem so deliberate.

She wouldn't refuse.

"Oh, I see. Mr. Zhongli, we have some new dishes today. I'll save you a seat for tonight." In Xiangling's eyes, since Mr. Zhongli was the traveler's friend and also Hu Tao's subordinate, it was not unreasonable to save him a seat.

"No need to trouble yourself, I have no appetite today..." Before he could finish speaking, his words were cut off.

"No appetite? That's not like you, Mr. Zhongli." Tartaglia was in Liyue on a business trip and happened to run into Zhongli.

Coincidence upon coincidence, what day is it today?

"You...why are you here?" Zhongli still remembered what happened last time.

"I heard something happened to Liyue, so I was sent here by my superiors, mainly to see an old friend," the young master said.

Seeing that they still had something to talk about, Xiangling said goodbye and left.

"Old friends?" Besides himself, he has friends in Liyue?

"Of course, you know her too. She's the great hero who saved Liyue. Haha, it's only been a short time, but she's grown quite a bit." Speaking of the Traveler Tartaglia, he couldn't help but rub his hands together excitedly.

"Don't cause her any more trouble. And you mean... she's your friend?" Zhongli pondered for a moment. Could it be that something happened during the days he was away from Liyue Harbor?

"No, how could I bear to hurt her? The traveler sister is not only kind but also beautiful. Last time you injured me, she didn't hold a grudge and felt sorry for me. When she saw that I couldn't eat, she took the initiative to feed me." Dadalia didn't notice that Zhongli's expression had changed at all, and she became more and more excited as she spoke.

"What?" The last time he stepped in to seek justice for the traveler, he never expected it would become the opportunity to push their relationship forward.

Why didn't anyone tell you about this?

Alas, how could his old friends understand the reasoning behind this? Naturally, they wouldn't tell him.

The fault still lies with him.

That's all. How could a traveler feed him?

I have only ever eaten one bite of food that a traveler fed me, yet he has eaten a whole meal?

"Is she still at the Hall of Rebirth? I'll go find her now. I miss her quite a bit. By the way, I've reserved a table at the Glazed Pavilion. Mr. Zhongli, would you do me the honor of coming? I need a witness; my confession failed last time, but who knows, this time..."

"Confession?"

"Could it be that Mr. Zhongli is also interested in Sister Traveler?" D'Artagnan found his expression extremely interesting and added a few words.

"Hehe, not at all. It's just mutual affection."

"Mutual affection! You...you two? You're thousands of years old, and she's still a young girl...you two aren't a good match." Dadalia was shocked.

How could an old man like him bully a little girl? This Rock God is being a bit unfair.

"If she thinks it's suitable, then so be it." Don't be fooled by Zhongli's seemingly confident demeanor; she's just indulging in empty talk and trying to outdo him. She's not really sure what's going on in her heart.

This competitive spirit hasn't stirred up anything for years.

In a flash, I felt like I was back in my youth.

"So... have you formed a partnership?" D'Artaglia heard from her informant that the traveler probably didn't have a partner yet.

"It should be soon."

"So, I still have a chance!" Tartaglia wouldn't secretly harbor any crushes or act like a shy Liyue person confessing their love. If you like someone, you should say it openly and honestly.

If you miss the opportunity when things are going to fall apart, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

"No." His eyes flashed with a sharpness, perhaps even a murderous intent?

"Hahaha, there should be fair competition, right? You two don't even have a proper title. Mr. Zhongli, don't try to interfere with Sister Traveler's plans." The young master became more excited at times like this.

"Of course not. I only understand a little bit of what she's thinking."

"Let's talk another day, I have important business to attend to."

"Unfortunately, the traveler isn't in Liyue. You've made a wasted trip."

Zhongli suspected that the young master's visit to the traveler was likely an attempt to win him over.

"She's gone again? This traveler sister really can't stay still... No problem, I'll find out where she is." D'Artagnan was very confident.

Fools are everywhere in Teyvat, and news of travelers will not be delayed for long.

"Since you have some free time, how about we spar a few moves?" Zhongli suggested.

In whatever way, we must prevent him from going to Mondstadt to find the Traveller; we must delay him.

That's perfect, he had nowhere else to relieve his frustration.

Sigh, at this age, to still do such absurd things.

This time, we can't attribute our impulsiveness to wear and tear.

The mundane days are finally coming to an end.

“I still stand by what I said, I couldn’t ask for more!” D’Artagnan agreed.

*

night.

Zhongli arrived at the grotto inside the Dust Song Pot.

That's right, there's more than one entrance.

He often leaves himself a backup plan in everything he does.

He was the only person in the cave.

It's so late, why hasn't she come back yet?

Where are you staying? At an inn in Mondstadt?

He checked the room, but there was no sign of anyone returning.

The bed had been made.

Upon closer inspection, traces of the two individuals' elements were still visible on the mattress.

He had no idea what happened during the days he lost his mind.

It seems...everything has happened.

Ugh……

She has every right to be angry.

In his opinion, the traveler's temper was already quite restrained.

I should think of a more plausible excuse to see her.

Despite his worries, a smile crept from the corners of his mouth.

She didn't refuse.