"Hello, I'm Lora Chaya!" Lora waved at Qiqi as she introduced herself.
Zhongli explained the situation to Qiqi and asked her to lead Lora. After listening, Qiqi nodded.
"Mm. Leading this woman won't be a problem. I've been to Qingce Village before. I think… I still remember the route."
"Then we'll be troubling you, Miss Qiqi," Zhongli said with a nod of thanks.
Qiqi turned back to say a few words to Baizhu, then tidied up her medicine basket and followed Zhongli and Lora out of Bubu Pharmacy.
Along the way, Zhongli spoke to Lora about Qiqi. "This child's past is rather tragic, but she possesses adeptal power and is one of the Adepti who protect Liyue. Just follow her to Qingce Village. If you happen to lose your way…"
"What if we really do get lost?" Lora asked with a smile as she walked alongside him.
Zhongli fell silent for a moment before replying, "If that happens, simply call out Xiao's name. He should hear you and come to meet you, then guide you back to Liyue Harbor. That said, with Miss Qiqi's abilities, getting lost is unlikely."
Qiqi, who was walking behind them, nodded and added, "Yes. Qiqi knows the way. So Qiqi won't get lost. Miss Lora, don't be afraid. Qiqi is very capable."
"I'm not afraid," Lora said, shaking her head. If Qiqi weren't wearing a hat, she would have loved to pat her head. How could there be such an adorable little zombie in this world?
Maybe… she should bring her back to Fontaine too?
Naturally, Zhongli had no idea what Lora was thinking. He led the two of them toward the exit of Liyue Harbor, then stopped and turned back.
"There are still some matters I need to attend to at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so I won't be accompanying you any further. Once you reach Qingce Village, I imagine you'll have a way to find Rhodeia, correct?"
"Of course. Don't worry," Lora nodded. Even if she was no longer seated upon the divine throne, she was still the most orthodox Hydro Achon in all of Teyvat. Being this close, how could she possibly fail to find her own familiar?
Qiqi tugged at the straps of the medicine basket on her shoulders and looked up at Lora. "Miss Lora, it's time to set off. Let's go."
"Mm, let's go!" Lora replied, smiling brightly as she followed behind Qiqi.
Zhongli remained where he was, watching the two disappear into the distance.
Only after they turned a corner and vanished from sight did he turn back toward Liyue Harbor. He didn't head anywhere else, instead walking straight for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
What he had said earlier about having business there hadn't been an excuse.
"Where's Zhongli? Where's the consultant? Where did he go?!"
The moment Zhongli stepped into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he heard Hu Tao's frantic voice echoing from inside. With a helpless sigh, he walked toward the sound. Passing through the corridor, he saw Hu Tao questioning the other staff. He spoke up, "Director, I'm here."
Hu Tao spun around, spotted Zhongli, and immediately rushed over. "Consultant! You're finally back!"
"Why is the Director in such a hurry to find me?" Zhongli asked, looking at Hu Tao, who was standing right in front of him and nearly pouncing on him, clearly puzzled.
Hu Tao pulled a bill out of her pocket and thrust it toward him. "What's going on with this bill? Candied hawthorns and palace lanterns are one thing, but hairpins and earrings too? Consultant, do you have someone you fancy now? Why would you buy things like that?"
Ah—so it was yesterday's bill for Lora.
Hearing Hu Tao's questioning, Zhongli couldn't help but laugh helplessly. He shook his head. "Director, you jest. How could I possibly have someone like that? This bill was sent over by a friend of mine. There's no need for concern—just deduct it from my salary."
"How could I do that?!" Hu Tao slapped the tablet in her hand and declared boldly. "You're the face of our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! If word got out that I docked your pay, who knows what people would say? They're just small trinkets anyway—this Director will cover it!"
"Thank you, Director," Zhongli said with a nod.
Hu Tao studied him curiously, then grinned and lowered her voice. "So… can you tell me what really happened? How did this bill come about? Who were the things bought for? It wouldn't happen to be that person from yesterday, would it…?"
"It was indeed for her," Zhongli replied calmly, not hiding the truth. "But she is not someone I hold romantic feelings for—only a close friend. Director, there's no need to continue speculating."
His tone was earnest and solemn. With a heart as firm as stone, how could he possibly harbor such feelings?
Hearing the seriousness in his voice, Hu Tao dropped her gossip-hungry expression and nodded. "Alright, I understand!"
Though Hu Tao was the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Zhongli merely its consultant, his standing within the parlor was no lower than hers—if anything, in certain respects, he was even more important.
With Zhongli's matter settled for the moment, news of Lora leaving Liyue Harbor alongside Qiqi quickly reached Ningguang—and it was Yelan herself who delivered the report.
"You're saying she left Liyue Harbor with Qiqi, heading toward Qingce Village?" Ningguang sounded slightly surprised.
"Yes," Yelan replied with a nod.
"What would they be doing in Qingce Village?" Ningguang folded her arms and began pacing as she thought. Soon, she stopped in front of the map of Liyue, her gaze sweeping across its marked regions.
She studied the positions of Qingce Village and Liyue Harbor. "Qiqi from Bubu Pharmacy—she's a zombie, isn't she? And if I remember correctly, she's also an adeptus. It seems Lora's relationship with the Adepti truly is out of the ordinary."
Yelan continued, "It was the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant, Zhongli, who took Lora to find Qiqi."
"The consultant Zhongli?" Ningguang glanced at Yelan, her brows knitting slightly. "I've heard that gentleman is well-versed in matters ancient and modern alike, with deep knowledge of etiquette, antiques, jade, and more. He's long been renowned throughout Liyue, and many are willing to pay a high price to retain him."
"Indeed," Yelan said.
"I once investigated him. He appears to have served as a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for a very long time, yet aside from that, I found nothing about his family background or origins. It's as though he appeared in Liyue out of thin air. Also, when Lora left her cell earlier, it seems she went to find this very consultant. And after entering Liyue, the first place she visited was the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"It seems this consultant Zhongli shares a deep connection with Lora," Ningguang said thoughtfully.
"And now he's even taken her to seek out the adeptus Qiqi. The fact that even you couldn't uncover his background suggests he, too, may be an adeptus living in seclusion within Liyue."
Based on Yelan's findings, the conclusion came naturally.
Ningguang then gave her instructions. "Notify the Millelith along the route not to obstruct Lora and Qiqi."
"Yes," Yelan replied, nodding as she committed the order to memory.