A misunderstanding

A lone tower framed the moon above; the lovely view painted smiles below.

Liyue's nighttime scenery never failed to soothe the heart.

As Lin Yi watched the passersby strolling leisurely, chatting and laughing,

his mood brightened as well.

It was already late. The restaurants and theaters had closed, and only the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor still had its lights on, with occasional sounds coming from inside.

"I've got nothing else to do anyway. Might as well take a look."

With that, Lin Yi headed over to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Peering through the window, he saw Hu Tao busily sanding and polishing coffins that had sat unused for so long they had even grown mold.

He pushed the door open and walked right in.

Hu Tao glanced at Lin Yi, then remained absorbed in her work.

"Looks like everyone in Liyue living peaceful, healthy lives is really hurting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business."

Hu Tao smiled. Poor business had affected her life somewhat, but most of her income came from adventuring outside the city anyway.

"Isn't there an old saying in medicine? Better for the medicine on the shelves to gather dust than for anyone in the world to suffer illness."

"These coffins of mine, made from premium timber, have grown mold and fuzz. That's not necessarily a bad thing."

Hu Tao was very optimistic now, but on a continent where danger lurked at every turn, everyone had a moving story and past.

Looking at the powerful Pyro damage dealer before him, Lin Yi knew he would have to put her abilities to good use in the future.

The Monster-Clearing Incentive Plan, for instance, was still short on people.

"By the way, Hu Tao, why not take a break for a bit? You've probably seen the incentive policy. Clearing monsters pays really well."

Hu Tao seemed a little tempted. After a brief chat, she decided to take Lin Yi's advice and explore the Guili Plains tomorrow.

"If there's nothing else, I'll get going. You should get some rest early too, Hu Tao."

Lin Yi was about to leave when, just as he turned around, someone knocked on the front door.

"A customer?"

Hu Tao raced over to open the door. She was just about to introduce their latest discounts when she took a closer look and realized the person who had returned was Zhongli.

"Well, well, Zhongli, you actually remembered where you live! Do you have any idea how busy the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has been these past two days? Meanwhile, you went running off and vanished for days."

Hu Tao's tone was rather sarcastic, but given her personality, there was certainly no malice behind it.

During their last conversation, Hu Tao had briefly stepped away when Zhongli's true identity came up, so she naturally had no idea he was Morax.

Zhongli did not want too many people knowing his true identity either, so Lin Yi simply watched without saying anything.

Still, watching Hu Tao scold her employee Zhongli like a boss gave him a certain secret satisfaction.

Realizing that he was indeed at fault, Zhongli lowered his head.

"My apologies. I traveled for a while and visited a few old friends. I became so absorbed in the scenery that I lost track of time."

As Zhongli said this, he shrugged, then turned his gaze toward Lin Yi.

Lin Yi said nothing, though he wondered why Xiao had not come along.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Yi left.

Zhongli seemed to have something he wanted to discuss, but before he could speak, Hu Tao ordered him to help her with her work. With no other choice, he had to leave it until next time.

Leaving the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Lin Yi walked along the now-empty streets.

Having nowhere to go really was an unpleasant feeling.

Thinking it over, he could not keep staying in Ningguang's Jade Chamber forever.

"This makes me feel like a live-in son-in-law. Looks like I'd better hurry up and get a courtyard residence of my own."

Lin Yi made decisions quickly, and he was just considering finding someone to build him a house tomorrow.

As he walked, his foot suddenly caught on something.

Had his strength not improved, he would have stumbled and gone flying.

He twisted in midair and landed gracefully on the ground.

He was just about to curse whichever little bastard had been littering,

when he looked back and saw Ganyu lying there unconscious.

??

"What's going on with this girl? Why is she sleeping here?"

Lin Yi knew a little about basic illnesses and medicine. After examining her, he found that, despite her adeptal constitution, the strain of working for so long meant Ganyu still needed some physical and mental rest.

He looked at the delectable beauty lying on the cold ground.

With his heart already belonging to someone else, Lin Yi had no ulterior thoughts.

"Anyway, you can't sleep here. There's nowhere else to go this late at night, so I suppose I'll have to take you to Cloud Retainer."

Taking Ganyu into his arms, Lin Yi considered the route, then quickly set off.

Unbeknownst to him, just after he left,

Childe emerged from the Northland Bank a short distance down the street.

He stretched, intending to go hunt some game and treat himself to a fine meal.

But when he glanced toward the end of the street, he spotted Lin Yi hurrying away with a blue-haired girl in his arms.

His eyes immediately widened in shock, clearly unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Isn't this guy together with Ningguang? What's he doing taking another woman somewhere in the dead of night?"

Childe hurried after him, but by the time he reached the end of the street, Lin Yi had already vanished.

"He isn't actually cheating, is he...? No, he's the Geo Archon, after all. He can't be doing something like that. I need to tell Ningguang about this."

From the looks of it, Tartaglia was more concerned about the Geo Archon than the people of Liyue were.

Without wasting any more time, he rushed toward the Jade Chamber.

Even late at night, the Jade Chamber still exuded gilded splendor and luxury.

Childe was wealthy too, but he generally did not bother with assets that consumed so much time and energy.

After a quick look, he discovered that, despite the late hour, the lights in the Jade Chamber were still on.

"Lady Ningguang, you should get some rest. Lord Lin Yi will be back soon."

"Exactly. Where else could he go this late at night? He'll have to come obediently back to your side, Lady Ningguang."

Baiwen and Baishi tried to persuade Ningguang.

"All right, you two should go get some rest. Besides, I'm merely having trouble sleeping. I'm not waiting for that man."

Ningguang said one thing while meaning another, something her secretaries had long since grown accustomed to.

There was little more they could say now. After setting out some soothing tea, they withdrew to rest.

Knock, knock, knock. Just as Ningguang was distractedly toying with the Solar Pearl,

she heard someone knocking on the door outside.

She sprang to her feet in excitement, and the first person who came to mind was Lin Yi.

Barefoot, she hurried to the door on her pale, delicate feet.

"So you finally remembered to come back?"

The moment she opened the door, Ningguang believed she had won their little cold war.

Of course, she had also been at fault for locking Lin Yi out so late at night.

She had intended to explain herself properly and apologize, putting the whole matter behind them.

Besides, Lin Yi had stolen her first kiss, so that made them even.

But when Ningguang looked up and saw Childe, Tartaglia,

she felt as though she had plunged into an icy abyss.

"Hi there! Good evening, Lady Ningguang!"

!?

"Childe... why are you here?"

With that, Ningguang slammed the door shut. A moment later, she changed into her usual clothes, opened the door, and welcomed Childe inside.

The scene just now had naturally been mortifying.

But with Childe at the door rather than Lin Yi, the unease in Ningguang's heart grew even stronger.