On the other side, Xingqiu and Chongyun are also chatting. Chongyun asks about the relationship between Xingqiu and Venti.
[Chongyun: "You and that Teacher Venti, could you be business partners?"]
The readers laugh. Business? Venti is so poor he's about to sell his underpants— what business is he doing?
If Venti knew this thought, he'd have to say:
'Don't comment if you're not buying.'
Cough, joking. In the story, Xingqiu is very satisfied with Chongyun's self-assumed brain supplement and quickly follows his words, indicating agreement.
[Xingqiu: "You understand my family. Many commercial secrets aren't convenient to discuss at the dinner table."]
Big bro, you understand me. If it were me, I'd absolutely not just buy his underpants.
Cough cough, back to the main topic.
Outside Xinyue Kiosk, the Traveler and Xiao are chatting alone. Xiao confides his 'predicament' to the Traveler.
It's not that he hasn't seen the world. He's actually participated in similar scenes before. After all, among the adepti in the past, there were those idle ones who liked gathering for chats and would drag him along too.
Guizhong's gaze sharpens. It always feels like the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons is saying I'm the one who gathers randomly.
Xiao indicates that he's mainly a bit unable to handle this gathering's... intricacies, because the adepti gatherings in the past were all straightforward expressions from the heart, hearty and unrestrained.
Unlike Venti and Zhongli, the two of them with sixteen hundred scheming minds.
Thinking about it, that's true. These two toasting tea—who can withstand that? Xiao not being able to handle it is normal.
Xianyun's gaze sharpens. It always feels like the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons is saying I'm lacking in scheming.
The two women shake their heads together. It's all Venti and Zhongli's fault, making everyone seem passive-aggressive now no matter who they look at.
The Traveler in the story also says: It's all Zhongli's fault.
[Xiao hurriedly denies: "I didn't mean that!"]
["On the contrary, Zhong... the Lord is very good at integrating into human life. One could say he's perfectly at ease."]
By general rational standards, that's true. In fact, one could say he's a bit too at ease, like a social recluse. He's skipped many 'stages of life' and directly become a retired old man.
Seeing Xiao deny it's Zhongli's issue, the Traveler then says to blame Venti.
[Xiao hurriedly denies again: "N-no, that's not what I meant..."]
["As expected, you know his identity, so I'll speak straightforwardly."]
["The Anemo Archon is free-spirited by nature, and his temperament is as carefree as his flute music. For such a god to get along harmoniously with humans... it's effortless."]
That is indeed free. Just seeing his face at his entrance, the readers were already imagining his 'ehehe' expression.
The readers also get it. Xiao is quite respectful toward these two gods and doesn't want to offend either side.
Since that's the case, why not blame Ei-bao?
All her fault for not coming to participate. Otherwise, with her airheadedness, it's hard for her to perceive the tacit understanding between the two old geezers. She might have exposed them all.
Ei's gaze sharpens. It always feels like someone is calling her dumb.
The Xiao in the story sighs that he probably won't be able to integrate into humans like these two gods in this lifetime.
The Traveler consoles him: No need to learn from them. Xiao just needs to be himself.
The readers nod. Yeah, what we like is Xiao, just that.
Xiao also says that when he came, he was mentally prepared. He just didn't expect there to be gods among the guests—and two of them!
Yeah, who could expect that? Maybe someone thought of Zhongli, but who thought there'd be a Venti too? This old kid actually ran over from Mondstadt to mooch a meal.
[Xiao: "General Kapisas often said one should seize the day for pleasure and enjoy surprises. Perhaps that's what he meant."]
["...Though what he meant was probably the outfits he designs for those around him."]
["Those clothes are exquisitely designed, but too inconvenient to wear. Big Brother Bosacius never gives him face."]
Mind Monkey, Floating Shed—the readers don't know who they are, but the readers also know that Xiao had brothers and sisters in the past. These must be them.
Seeing these two names appear, several sighs come from Lucian's home. It seems some adeptus is recalling the past because of these two names.
The Xiao in the story also mentions that the clothes Zhongli is wearing right now were designed by General Kapisas.
Chiori's eyes light up. She's not interested in the rest, but this catches her very much! This General Kapisas has quite the skill! If she could meet him, that would be even better.
During the two's conversation, Lucian also draws some illustrations, mainly beautifying Xiao and Lumine. The readers say Lumine looks better the more they see her.
And sharp-eyed readers spot two figures in the background—Sumida and Kama!
No way, you two don't worship the Anemo Archon, do you? To actually run from Inazuma to Liyue?
Outside Xinyue Kiosk, as the two chat, Xiangling comes out too. She's here to call the two of them back. Desserts are already being served inside after the meal.
And after the Traveler left, Paimon became listless, unable to taste sweet or salty in the sweets.
[Traveler: "Can still eat. No big issue."]
"Lumine! How can you say that!" Paimon looks at the Traveler aggrievedly.
Lumine gently strokes Paimon's head. Everyone thought she was going to wax poetic, but she says, "Your duty is to properly fatten up."
This makes Paimon almost turn into a 'face-hugger,' hugging Lumine and 'acting spoiled.'
Leaving aside the playful duo, the reason Xiangling came out to find them in the story is actually because she's worried about Xiao.
After all, Xiao was very reserved during the gathering. Xiangling thought maybe Xiao wasn't used to the food.
The readers break out in sweat. In front of those two old geezers, it's impossible not to be reserved. Xiao's mentality is already considered good.
Ignorance is bliss, but unfortunately Xiao knows everything.
[Traveler reminds: "Xiao, no suddenly standing on wind wheels."]
The readers are a bit puzzled. Standing on wind wheels? What does that mean? An idiom?
Only after seeing Shikikan's annotation later do they know that standing on wind wheels is Xiao's move. Normally he xiu-xiu's around like that. Lumine's meaning is to tell him not to sneak away.
[Xiao: "...How could I? Since that's the case, let's go back."]
[Xiangling stops them a bit: "Ah, please wait a moment. Actually, I volunteered to come find you two because there's something else."]
The something else Xiangling mentions is 'Almond Tofu.' This is something she specially prepared for Xiao.
Hu Tao is a person with very high EQ. Before inviting people, she did her homework thoroughly, which included asking Xiangling what dishes to order.
What dishes everyone likes, what flavors they love, salty or light—Hu Tao inquired clearly. So this meal can be said to be to everyone's satisfaction.
The only problem is the uninvited Venti. If she knew he was coming, she wouldn't have come.
No, she means, if she knew he was coming, she'd have prepared some drinks.
Hu Tao told Xiangling the guest list, so Xiangling also knew there was Xiao among today's guests and specially made a portion of 'Almond Tofu' for Xiao together with Guoba.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line · Yae Miko: About Almond Tofu
"Liyue's Almond Tofu has no tofu in it. Looks like I need to find other cuisine for the little ones."