[Hu Tao comments: "Indeed, the wording falls a bit short. If it were this Hall Master, I'd probably write it as—"]
["'An old melon on the wisteria vine, yet blooming at the top.'"]
What new house old house—old geezer, no, an old melon blooming new flowers isn't more interesting?
Here, Lucian gives two close-up illustrations. For the old melon, the close-up is the flower on Venti's hat; for the second half, it becomes the flower on Hu Tao's hat.
The readers are a bit confused. What does this sentence mean? Is it saying: You're all a thousand-year-old cucumber, why paint yourself green? Acting young!?
[Venti stands up: "Oh oh, what a fine poem! Unique imagery, rolls off the tongue!"]
[Hu Tao's tone seems a bit touched: "I knew I wasn't wrong—this Venti young man has such good taste! Handshake, handshake!"]
[Venti echoes: "Handshake, handshake!"]
The Zhongli and Xiao on the side are both silent. Have these two synced wavelengths?
This isn't as simple as 1+1; this is 1x2!
In reality, the two of them have long known each other at Lucian's home. Back then, they synced wavelengths and became friends.
For Zhongli, this is his superior and a roasting buddy becoming good friends—painful!
In the story, with Hu Tao and Venti acting so 'kindred spirits,' Xiangling even starts doubting her own literary attainments.
She speaks to Xingqiu: After the meal, recommend a few books to her—ones with good prose. This is historically known as—Xiangling studies poetry; after three days apart, one should look with new eyes.
[Chongyun: "I think... it might not be your issue..."]
So the question arises: When viewing problems, we must find the problem, so the key to this problem lies in the problem itself—thus, who is the key to the problem? And who is the key to the problem?
[Lumine: "Paimon, study this well. It'll be useful for nicknames in the future."]
This is historically known as—Lumine advises learning.
The readers are extremely satisfied. This is simply the best 'skit' of the year—can't stop laughing.
In the story, Paimon asks why Venti is in Liyue. Venti explains that he's here as a musician to watch the music festival, although this music festival was only decided to be held on a whim.
This is obviously just an excuse. He's actually just been drinking his way here, conveniently participating in the music festival and mooching a meal.
[Venti: "Speaking of which, earlier I saw you all entering Xinyue Kiosk one after another, yet not one person noticed me nearby."]
[Venti switches to a dead fish eye, glancing sideways at Zhongli ( ﹁ ‿﹁ ): "Should I say I hid too well, or that some people ignored the wind sounds..."]
Now everyone understands why no one noticed Venti this kid making 'whoosh whoosh' sounds with his mouth outside—he was blocked by the Lord!
No wonder opening the door brought a 'gale.' Venti had been waiting outside for half a day.
[Zhongli ( - ‿- ): "Heh heh... Every Lantern Rite, Liyue Harbor is bustling with voices."]
["Everyone's busy admiring lanterns, strolling streets; when the mood strikes, impromptu outings are inevitable—who can predict others' movements?"]
Meaning: It was too noisy outside, I didn't hear. Plus, you act on whims, so it's hard for me to anticipate you'd come.
After finding excuses, Zhongli starts shifting the topic.
["To gather with everyone here at the start of the new year is truly heartwarming."]
["In this moment and scene, allow me to substitute tea for wine and toast everyone a cup."]
Venti: Ah? What! Substitute tea for wine!? Did I wait outside half a day for this?
Xiao: Ah? What? Toasting me a cup? Me? Me???
In the illustration, Zhongli raises his cup, Xiao has a blank-faced shock Σ( °- ° ), as if a '!' is about to pop from his head.
[Venti: "Well said, Mr. Zhongli! You've said everything I wanted to say!"]
Venti thinks about it and feels relieved. Kids' table indeed can't have alcohol—normally it's Kazuha who sits at this table.
["In Mondstadt, at times like this we all drink, but since Mr. Zhongli insists on tea, I'll also use tea water to toast everyone a cup! Thanks for the treat!"]
Though relieved, he still has to remind Zhongli: We drink alcohol! Next time you don't drink, don't come!
Xiao is sweating profusely Σ(ﾟ - ﾟ;≡;ﾟ - ﾟ). Two gods 'toasting'—double the lifespan reduction!
Two wishes, fulfilled in one go!
[Hu Tao: "You're welcome! This Hall Master is treating—everyone eat well, drink well, climb high in the new year!"]
The one with the lowest seniority doesn't care at all.
Lucian writes another voice line: Hu Tao: 'Eat full, drink full, safe travels all the way!'
The readers also see through it. Shikikan is doing it on purpose—he's not targeting anyone; no matter whose line, he tears it down!
Hu Tao can't help but hug Lucian from behind, throttling him directly in a naked choke!
But she doesn't use much strength. Lucian just feels his back being poked uncomfortably—more than his neck being choked.
In the story, the two gods' tea toast really puts Xiao in a tough spot. Two old geezers adding up to over ten thousand years old toasting you tea—who can withstand that.
Fortunately, the Traveler has high EQ and helps Xiao out of the bind, speaking to invite Xiao to go out for a walk. Paimon is unusually left behind.
The left-behind Paimon acts very panicked. She seems very nervous about separating from the Traveler, but the readers don't know why.
The Traveler leaving doesn't hinder Zhongli and Venti from escalating their performance.
[Zhongli: "This new friend seems to know his alcohol well."]
[Venti: "Where where, I can only drink for the fun—can't compare to Mr. Zhongli's discernment."]
["Good thing this time it's tea; otherwise, if my tolerance is low and I get drunk and spout nonsense, wouldn't that make the newly met (emphasis) Mr. Zhongli see a joke?"]
Drunk? Diluc says nothing, recalling the time Jean had her birthday.
Back then, the party hadn't even ended, and Venti had already drunk 37 cups, yet he showed no sign of intoxication at all.
For an ordinary person, forget drunk or not—at least they'd be waterlogged.
[Zhongli: "How dare I. You're a guest invited by Hall Master Hu—how could I laugh at you?"]
The readers express: Hypocritical! But we like it!
Yes, that's it—we want to see exactly this!
We just love seeing you two talking with layers, playing dumb while fully understanding.
Speaking of which, from Hu Tao and Xiangling's dialogue, the readers also learn that Zhongli didn't push the sesame oil buying task onto Xiao. He went himself.
Mm, he went to Chioriya Farm, where he got the sesame oil.
Chioriya Farm! Almost to Fontaine! You went all the way to Chioriya Farm just to buy sesame oil? Walked there on legs?
Your expenses along the way—weren't they reimbursed by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
But no matter what, Hu Tao is very satisfied with Zhongli's 'work performance' and decides to give him more errand tasks in the future.
Looks like Zhongli's travel expenses weren't reimbursed by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
See that, friends? Don't do too well on tasks outside your duties assigned by your boss, or next time it'll still be you. Be careful, and you'll become a professional 'water cooler watcher.'