"Morning, Su Bai. What did you and Ningguang talk about last night? You were sitting here when I went to bed, and you were still sitting here when I woke up."
Paimon flew out of the room Ningguang had arranged for them. Lumine, still rubbing her eyes, followed close behind. The bed in that room had been so comfortable that she had to grit her teeth just to get up.
"Nothing important. How did you two sleep last night?"
"We slept great! That bed was so soft, so plush. It felt like sinking into a cloud. So comfortable!"
Su Bai smiled slightly and changed the subject. The things he had discussed with Ningguang were better left unknown to Lumine and Paimon. Hearing him ask about their sleep, Paimon showered the bed with praise. Lumine nodded along—it was the most comfortable bed she had slept on since arriving in Teyvat.
"If you two like it, I can have a bed sent to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Oh, we couldn't! That would be too much trouble for Lady Ningguang."
"It's just a bed. It wouldn't be the first time I've sent one to Wangsheng. Besides, I quite enjoyed the Slime Condensate Frosting you brought yesterday."
Ningguang glanced at Su Bai with a knowing smile. Su Bai coughed awkwardly. She had been the one to give him those things. That had nothing to do with him.
"But this bed looks so expensive. We can't accept it."
Though Lumine was reluctant to part with it, the bed was far too exquisite and surely carried a hefty price. Accepting such a valuable gift would put her in Ningguang's debt.
"If you're worried about the cost, how about helping me with something instead?"
"You've both seen the current situation in Liyue. I'm swamped with matters and have no time to oversee something as important as the Rite of Parting."
"I'm concerned that someone might try to sabotage the ceremony. I'd like to ask for your help. In return, I'll do my best to provide whatever you need."
Lumine hesitated. Having learned that the Geo Archon wasn't the god who had stopped her and her brother, she didn't want to get further involved. But Paimon thought otherwise. The little one immediately agreed, patting her chest and assuring Ningguang they could handle it.
Thus, under Ningguang's smiling gaze, the three of them floated down from the Jade Chamber on a piece of floating stone. Only then did Paimon realize the atmosphere among them had grown tense. Lumine and Su Bai were both staring at her with strange expressions.
"Um, are you two hungry? I have some apples you can have. You don't need to save any for me."
For the sake of her own safety, Paimon, the emergency food, decided not to fight Lumine over food. Trapped between Lumine and Su Bai, she knew she couldn't escape.
"Forget it. Look how scared Paimon is. Since we've agreed to do this, we have to follow through. In Liyue, contracts are very important."
Su Bai held his forehead. The Rite of Parting was both simple and complicated. Simple because there were specialized people to purchase the necessary items. Complicated because the list was so long it would take at least a day or two to gather everything.
Still, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Being involved in the preparations would give him a chance to see Rex Lapis's Exuvia.
"Let's go back to Wangsheng first. The Rite of Parting is being hosted by the funeral parlor. We can ask Hu Tao what she needs help with."
---
Back at Wangsheng, Hu Tao, who normally disliked reading, was poring over a pile of ancient texts. She muttered to herself as she flipped through the pages, "I know it's in this book somewhere... why can't I find it? That doesn't make sense. Did I use that book to start a fire for roasting pigeons?"
Meanwhile, Wangsheng's second consultant, the great astrologist Mona Megistus, sat in a chair gnawing on a Mora Meat bought by one of the staff. Even though her current salary allowed her to eat meat with every meal and still have leftovers, Mona still loved Mora Meat. It was convenient, quick, and delicious.
"Hu Tao, I'm back! Huh? What are you doing?"
Su Bai looked at Hu Tao frantically flipping through books and hesitated. He looked up at the plaque above the door—this was indeed Wangsheng. What was wrong with little Hu Tao? The girl who never liked to read was actually reading today. Was she so happy about hosting the Rite of Parting that she had gone a little crazy?
"Um, Hu Tao, should I go get Baizhu from Bubu Pharmacy? I think you might be..."
"Shoo, shoo, don't bother me! I remember there was a book that mentioned the highest规格 for the Rite of Parting. Why can't I find it?"
Seeing Hu Tao dive back into the pile of books, Mona explained the situation. She also told them that Zhongli had already gone out to buy the necessary items for the ceremony. If they wanted to help, they might find him at the market.
"Why do we have to walk so far? Liyue Harbor is way too big! I'm so tired~"
---
At the Liyue Harbor market, Paimon floated weakly in the air. Even after eating some snacks, she still felt exhausted.
"Paimon, you have no room to complain."
Lumine half-closed her eyes, hands on her hips, with a sly expression. Watching all this, Su Bai rubbed his chin. For some reason, he felt that as Lumine grew stronger and her视野 expanded, her personality was becoming increasingly sly. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
"Hehe, Ningguang said the reward would satisfy us. So agreeing to help was for your sake, Lumine."
"Anyway, let's just find Zhongli first. We've searched almost the entire Liyue market. If we can't find him, we'll have to go back to Wangsheng."
"Do you think Zhongli might be hiding somewhere slacking off? Hu Tao once said he's never home—either at the opera or listening to storytelling. She even said he's gone bird-watching and played with dogs."
Lumine complained weakly. Zhongli's hobbies were just too broad. They had spent an entire morning just looking for him. If not for the contract with Ningguang, she would have given up long ago.
"What a coincidence, running into you all here."
A magnetic voice came from a nearby tea stall. Lumine turned her head. Damn it. Zhongli was sitting at a tea stall drinking tea. Judging by the empty pot on the table, he had been there for a while.
"What's with those looks? If you don't mind, you're welcome to join me for some tea. This vendor's secret recipe is excellent. It clears heat and relieves the summer heat. Perfect for a midday cup."