The Barrier Between Dimensions

(The Brain Storage Area)

Lin Yiyi cried out in alarm. He had not expected the girl to directly call out Zhongli's true identity, so he immediately cut off the conversation between the two girls.

He quickly pulled the girl aside and whispered, "Listen, she's in character right now. Just pretend she doesn't know the Geo Archon is Zhongli, okay?"

The girl was initially bewildered, then suddenly understood and gave an embarrassed smile. "Oh, oh, okay. Sorry."

The lively, playful Pyro girl was now filled with immense curiosity. "What Geo Archon?"

"Hey, colleague, you aren't hiding something from me, are you?"

Lin Yiyi's hairs instantly stood on end. He hurriedly explained with a guilty laugh, "Ahaha, it's just that everyone knows he's Liyue's god, so they'd ask whether you, as someone from Liyue, have seen the Geo Archon. Ahaha."

The girl nodded repeatedly. "Mm-hm! Hall Master, have you seen the Geo Archon? Do you know him?"

Fortunately, Hall Master Hu had not played Genshin Impact and had not experienced everything that happened in Liyue, so she did not know that most people had already learned Zhongli was the Geo Archon. Since she had never played through the story, she instinctively assumed that people in this world, like her, did not know that the Geo Archon had already passed away.

Hu Tao folded her arms over her flat chest and said, "The Geo Archon has been gone for more than three years now."

"They say a dragon fell from the sky with a great crash back then. That was the Geo Archon's remains, and afterward, the Millelith released the news that the Geo Archon had failed his tribulation."

"During that time, a Traveler came from another world and held a Rite of Descension for the Geo Archon together with Consultant Zhongli."

Even though the girl knew all these things, she still listened carefully as Hu Tao recounted the story.

She's so beautiful...

She stared at her without a word. At that moment, Hu Tao seemed like a living, breathing girl who had truly crossed dimensions into reality.

Lin Yiyi saw the affection in the girl's eyes.

Lin Yiyi listened to Hu Tao's story and smiled faintly.

Hearing her say that, the boy recalled that it had been almost four years since his journey through Liyue.

"I would buy osmanthus wine and sail together again, but it would never be as it was in our youth."

Time truly flew by. Starting from Mondstadt, the land of freedom; passing through Liyue, the land that walked with gods; then arriving in Inazuma, the nation that worshipped eternity; and afterward, Sumeru, the city where wisdom stood tall.

Now, the journey through Fontaine, the Court of Justice, had also temporarily come to an end. The Traveler—or rather, all of us—had passed through years of changing seasons. More adventures awaited ahead, but the road was also filled with thorns and perilous heights.

"The road ahead is long and far; I shall search above and below."

The boy looked toward the two who were chatting animatedly, then suddenly remembered that he had come to buy snacks. He told them to stay where they were before turning around and entering the convenience store.

The two sat on the bench. Hu Tao was still telling stories about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, tales of the past the girl already knew inside and out.

Yet she still patiently listened to the voice of the person she loved.

Lin Yiyi bought snacks quickly. In less than thirty seconds, he had purchased a huge pile of them. However, because there was still a funeral rite to perform the next day, he had no choice but to eat bread and milk, or even just soy milk and steamed buns.

After paying, he noticed that the two seemed to be getting along well, so he did not go over to disturb them. Instead, he played Genshin Impact nearby. They truly seemed like a couple, leaning against each other. Since they were girls of similar age, Hu Tao did not mind the other girl pressing so close.

The girl watched her virtual lover tell stories of Liyue, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.

Because soon, she would leave, together with that boy who looked so gentle.

Hu Tao, my lover from another dimension, take me away from the third dimension. I'm really so tired...

The pressure of my final year of high school is so overwhelming. They even said I wasn't a qualified Hu Tao fan. I saved 400 pulls for you.

I only wanted your first constellation and your signature weapon, but I lost the 50/50 all the way to hard pity, and I even had to hit the maximum Fate Points twice for the weapon.

I couldn't even get you another constellation.

My world is really so dark, but I liked you so much when I played your Story Quest.

I really love you, but I did my best too.

My family keeps a tight rein on my allowance. I only bought this much merchandise for you, but they all say my devotion isn't deep enough, that I'm not a qualified fan.

I'm so sad, Hu Tao... What am I supposed to do...?

The girl's nose stung. Her life in the third dimension truly seemed suffocating. Her nose stung again, but she did not want to embarrass herself in front of her favorite.

Even if she was only an incredibly skilled cosplayer, she looked so accurate—so accurate that it was as though Hu Tao had truly stepped out of another world.

She could only bury herself in her own body, trying to conceal her shattered self.

She's so radiant. She seems to stand at a height I'll never reach in this life.

For some reason, warmth settled on her shoulder.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

"Did you cry because this Hall Master talked too much?"

The lively and cheerful girl placed a hand on her shoulder, her face still carrying a smile.

The girl sobbed, not daring to face the glittering Hu Tao.

"Hu Tao, I really, really like you. Can you take me away from this world...?"

The girl seemed to have too many grievances bottled up inside, leaving Hu Tao stunned for a moment.

"Ah, ahhh, I'm sorry, miss!"

The girl realized she had said something wrong and hurriedly apologized.

"Hehe, I never thought someone in this world would be so obsessed with this Hall Master. Ah, it seems this Hall Master is quite famous!"

The girl froze.

"This Hall Master has arranged many funerals. Everyone feels regret for the departed. You have a life that belongs to you—how can you give it up so easily?"

"Miss, you must stay strong and keep living. This Hall Master will come see you then."

"Before that, if you really leave, you can only become this Hall Master's client."

"But someone as cute as you—how could this Hall Master possibly be willing to hold a funeral for you?"

The girl suddenly raised her head. Tears clung to the corners of her eyes as she stared at Hu Tao in disbelief.

Hu Tao grinned slightly, her plum blossom eyes looking at her. At that moment, perhaps the crack between dimensions had truly been broken open.

Love could cross dimensions. The person you loved would patiently pick up every shattered piece of you.

"But I'm really conflicted. They say I'm not devoted enough as a fan..."

"Giving them the best you can within your means is already your most fervent and sincere love."

The two were drawn by the voice that suddenly came from behind them. Beneath the dim yellow streetlamp stood the silhouette of a boy.

"No matter who you like—whether they're a two-dimensional character or mere virtual data,"

"No matter how much money you spend—whether you buy little merchandise or piles of it,"

"No matter what others say about you, even if everyone doubts you,"

"People may be virtual, but love is not,"

"Love will always be great, and passion will always be invincible,"

"The world often holds miracles. What if the person before you really crossed dimensions to see you?"

"Hehe—" Hu Tao rose to her feet, clasping her hands behind her back. She was like a ray of sunlight, warming everyone around her.

"Of course this Hall Master is the real deal. How could anyone cosplay this accurately, right?"

The girl stared at the two standing together, utterly shocked and unable to believe it.

The lights along the food street were bright, allowing her to see both of their faces clearly.

When she looked at the person on the left, the girl was briefly stunned.

It really does seem like Hu Tao...