"So all of that happened…" Lora sighed softly. "Ah… it seems I truly was an unqualified mother."
Zhongli continued, "Focalors is also one of your Hydro Eidolon familiars, is she not?"
Lora nodded. "Yes. She is my familiar—and among the Hydro Eidolons, one of the older ones."
"I do not know what truly transpired between the Hydro Eidolons and Focalors back then—what caused their departure, or what compelled Focalors to sever all ties with the outside world," Zhongli said, looking at her. "But Rhodeia is now in Liyue, and since you have been revived, perhaps you should go see her."
Lora gave a slight nod. Gazing out the window, she let out another sigh. "As an irresponsible mother, I really should go see them. I only hope… she doesn't resent me, for abandoning them all like that."
As she spoke, Xiangling arrived carrying the remaining dishes.
She arranged them around the large bowl of spicy boiled fish. Just as she was about to say something, she sensed that the atmosphere between Zhongli and Lora was off, and asked, "Is something wrong, guests? Could it be that the spicy boiled fish isn't to your liking?"
"No, not at all—it's delicious!" Lora shook her head and praised her sincerely. "Chef Xiangling, your cooking is wonderful. Thank you for preparing such a meal for us."
Relieved to hear that it wasn't the food, Xiangling smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. Still, it's best to eat in a good mood—that's the only way to truly appreciate fine food! With delicacies like these before you, don't dwell on sad things!"
"Alright. Thank you," Lora replied, nodding. She didn't refuse Xiangling's kind advice.
After the meal, Zhongli, as usual, asked Xiangling to send the bill to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As its consultant, his reputation in Liyue Harbor was well known. Xiangling laughed.
"I've heard that Mr. Zhongli, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant, never carries Mora and prefers to put everything on a tab. Seeing it for myself today, it really is true! So, what does someone as discerning as Mr. Zhongli think of this meal?"
"Excellent," Zhongli said simply.
Just one word—but praise like that from Zhongli was no small thing.
Xiangling immediately beamed. "Oh my! Mr. Zhongli's approval is worth more than a hundred promotions for Wanmin Restaurant! There's no need to send the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor today—this meal is on me!"
"Xiangling, you're far too kind!" Lora chimed in. "If you don't want to put it on Wangsheng's account, how about keeping Zhongli here to wash dishes to pay off the debt?"
It was, clearly, not a very good idea.
"Have Mr. Zhongli wash dishes…?" Xiangling hesitated. She pictured Zhongli standing there scrubbing plates—the image was far too striking, and she quickly stopped herself. In her eyes, someone like Mr. Zhongli belonged high above the clouds, gazing down upon the mortal world.
His very presence was detached and refined, untouched by earthly concerns.
Lora clicked her tongue. "Sigh. Xiangling really is too kind-hearted."
"Hehe…" Xiangling scratched her head bashfully at the remark.
Lora and Zhongli then took their leave. Guoba stood beside Xiangling, watching their retreating figures. It called out once, hopping as it waved enthusiastically. Both of them turned back, their gazes meeting Guoba's, and fell silent.
In the end, Zhongli gave Guoba a slight nod in farewell, while Lora waved openly to it.
After they had walked some distance, Zhongli finally let out a sigh-like lament.
"To buy osmanthus and share wine together—yet it will never again be like our youthful wanderings. Alas… when will old friends meet again? Lora, this is the 'wear' that the Heavenly Principles impose upon us."
Even stone, scoured by millennia, loses its former shape.
Lora remained silent. The subject was too heavy. Zhongli was not someone who failed to read the atmosphere—it was simply that today, after seeing Guoba, and after encountering her as well—a god who had died five hundred years ago and now returned—his heart was filled with emotion.
Wear was something they would both inevitably face.
"Qingce Village lies to the northwest of Liyue Harbor," Zhongli said suddenly, glancing at Lora as they walked side by side. "If you don't know the way, I can arrange for someone to guide you."
Lora thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I don't know the way."
She said it with complete confidence.
Though she had often gone to Qingce Village while playing the game, that had only ever been a matter of teleport waypoints. Now that the game had become reality, there were no such conveniences to rely on. Finding the route on foot would hardly be easy.
Zhongli wasn't surprised by her answer. He nodded calmly. "Then follow me."
They headed toward Yujing Terrace. Upon arriving, Lora looked up at the signboard above and frowned in confusion. "Bubu Pharmacy? Why did you bring me here?"
"To find you a guide, of course," Zhongli replied, looking toward the counter.
Standing there was not Herbalist Gui, but Baizhu, the owner of Bubu Pharmacy. Zhongli was slightly surprised as well. "I didn't expect Mr. Baizhu to be here today."
"Mr. Zhongli visiting Bubu Pharmacy?" Baizhu was even more surprised. "If I recall correctly, you never fall ill."
Thanks to the white snake Changsheng that lived in symbiosis with him, Baizhu knew Zhongli was no ordinary man, even if he didn't know his true identity.
"I've come to see Qiqi. Is she here?" Zhongli stated his purpose plainly.
Baizhu laughed. "Ah, so you want Qiqi to take this young lady to Qingce Village. That won't be a problem. Qiqi may have a poor memory, but she never forgets the routes she uses to gather herbs."
Turning around, he called into the inner room, "Qiqi! Someone needs your help!"
Before long, a small zombie girl dressed in blue, with a talisman affixed to her hat, walked out. She looked up at Baizhu and asked, "Mr. Baizhu… who's looking for me?"
"It's Mr. Zhongli," Baizhu said, gesturing toward him.
Watching the little zombie girl approach, Lora's eyes sparkled with excitement.
People joked about losing the 50/50 and getting Qiqi being the ultimate misfortune—but when a real zombie girl appeared right in front of you, how many could truly resist?
Qiqi stopped in front of Lora and Zhongli, lifting her head stiffly.
"Hello. I'm Qiqi. I'm a zombie."