Xingsu Is the Man Who Could Become My Mother

Xingsu took off his outer garment, dipped it in the last of the kerosene, and carefully wiped Nikolay's body, trying to use the evaporation of the alcohol to take away some of the high fever and help him cool down. But this treatment had little effect; the boy's body was still frighteningly hot.

"Is there any soup left? Judging from his appearance, he hasn't eaten for at least several days."

The group exchanged bewildered glances, their faces showing distress, their eyes filled with guilt and helplessness. The large pot of hot soup had long been devoured by these Fatui and nearly exhausted soldiers. No one could have predicted that the person who had single-handedly lured away a large number of monsters and had been missing for days would actually reappear alive in this mine.

"... I'll think of a way." Xingsu sighed softly.

"Katarina."

Upon hearing the call, Katarina immediately stood up. She gave Xingsu the most solemn military salute, her voice firm and unyielding. "Lord Xingsu, please give your orders. Who else but me will do it!"

Xingsu raised his hand and gently patted her trembling shoulder, solemnly handing her all of Nikolay's collected notes and the old harmonica that had been repeatedly repaired.

"We've done everything we can. Whether he survives depends entirely on his own ability to pull through... I'll try to think of something else, but you must take good care of him."

After saying that, Xingsu leaned down slightly, gently cupped her tear-streaked cheeks in his hand, and softly wiped away her tears with his fingertips. His voice was gentle yet firm, carrying a power that struck straight to the heart. "Everything will be alright, believe me."

His voice, like a starlight in the cold night, possessed a soothing magic, calming the panic and despair surging in Katarina's heart. She nodded heavily, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes, thank you for everything... thank you."

"After we escape from here," Xingsu quietly, looking at her, "Remember to go home and visit."

Xingsu turned to Anton and whispered a few words: "If Antony... doesn't make it through, you must keep a close watch on Katarina. If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible."

"Yes!" Anton replied in a deep voice.

Xingsu said no more, turned around and walked silently out of the dark and damp temporary camp.

Katarina lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the harmonica in her palm, which had been repeatedly repaired. The metal casing was covered with dents and scratches, and the edges were worn shiny.

She slowly brought the harmonica to her lips, her mind filled with familiar melodies from her hometown in Snezhnaya, and gently began to play that tune from her homeland.

The music wasn't loud; it carried a slight crackle, a sign of Erosion and tear from repairs. The melody was low and mournful, drifting and echoing through the damp, cold mine tunnels.

The soldiers of the Ninth Company, who had been standing quietly all around, could no longer suppress the grief that had been building up in their chests as they listened to the familiar melody of their homeland.

Someone lowered their voice and began humming along in a hoarse, broken tone.

Immediately afterwards, the second person, the third person... all the soldiers echoed softly. Their voices, weary and choked with sobs, were intermittent, sometimes high, sometimes low, echoing between the rock walls.

The song, both tender and mournful, enveloped the unconscious Nikolay, becoming the only sound in this deathly silent mine tunnel.

Strings, oh strings

Please sing for me on a winter night

Please tell me the truth.

On this vast snowfield

In this hometown that belongs to me

Who gets to enjoy freedom?

Who can be free from sorrow?

Don't worry, my dear.

What separates us is the long night and the high walls.

Your beauty remains in my heart like a zither.

Burning like thunder breaking through the night, dispelling pain

Sing, sing and your heart will be filled with joy.

Forget that unbearable pain completely.

Outside the camp, Yelan and Ying stood quietly waiting. Xingsu slowly stepped out, softened his tone, and sincerely thanked them, saying, "Thank you."

Yelan raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with a hint of mockery. "Heh, you're quite polite. You're so protective of your own people, but how come you're so ruthless towards my subordinates?"

Xingsu's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "If I really wanted to kill them, they wouldn't even have a chance to scream. The trackers were full of flaws, unable to even detect the simple traps I casually set, which shows their training was inadequate. In my opinion, you've been too lenient with them; you should give them extra training when you get back."

Lyney, far away in Fontaine, suddenly shivered, scratched her head blankly, and looked around.

"What's wrong, brother?"

"It's nothing," Lyney shook her head, "I just felt like someone was talking about me just now..."

I won't say anything more; I hope you'll keep your promise.

"Traveler, thank you again for your help. I will repay your kindness if I have the opportunity in the future."

After reaching an agreement with Yelan and Ying, Xingsu returned to the ground alone. He stood on the edge of the cliff, the mountain wind whistling past his ears, and calmed himself down to sort out the current predicament.

"Food might be found from Treasure Hoarders or Hilichurl camps, but to get it, we'd have to climb out of this valley and try our luck on the outskirts. As for further medical treatment, we'll need to find a professional healer."

If we were to head to Liyue Harbor, the journey would be far too long, taking almost a whole day to make and receive it.

"Sigh... I really should have studied more of the medical books of the Amurta back in the Akademiya."

Memories flooded back. Back when he was a librarian, he had personally witnessed the students of the Akademiya studying medicine. Their desks were piled high with books, and they had heavy dark circles under their eyes, buried in those endless volumes.

But at that time, he was completely focused on the research of the Wisdom Network System. Looking at those vast medical books, he eventually gave up.

Xingsu stepped onto a protruding rock platform, the biting mountain wind ruffling his clothes. He looked up, his gaze fixed on the west.

"Master, look! There's movement in that Withering Zone!" Collei climbed onto a thick, gnarled branch of an old tree, stood on tiptoe, and peered into the distance.

Tighnari looked in the direction Collei was pointing and said, "Let's go check it out. Someone might have wandered into the Withering Zone!"

The master and apprentice determined their location in the jungle and then hurried towards it.

Within minutes, the two arrived at the Withering Zone. A figure pierced the vital point of the last monster, leaving only their backs to the two.

"Excuse me, sir..." Collei cautiously stepped forward, about to ask.

Xingsu heard the familiar voice, paused, and slowly turned her head.

Upon seeing the person's face, Collei's eyes widened instantly, her voice filled with surprise and delight. "You are... Mr. Xingsu?!"

Tighnari was also taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, before she exclaimed, "Xingsu? It really is you!"