I Kept Some Transitions So You'd Know You're Reading My Writing
"You miss me that much?" A rare smile curved the corners of Arlecchino's lips on the other end of the communicator, even higher than Chlothar's.
"Mmm! Of course I want to! It's been so long since I've seen my sweet, soft, and cuddly Queen at home. I even brought those two kids out safely, can't I get a reward?"
"Heh, you're so glib." Arlecchino chuckled softly. "La Signora Rosalyne's ship is currently anchored in Liyue Harbor. Liyue is heavily guarded these days, and it's difficult for Fatui Harbinger to enter, so I can't easily disembark. When you board her ship and sail out to sea, I'll personally meet you on the high seas."
"Okay!" Xingsu then became slightly more serious. "By the way, I want to discuss something with you."
"Go ahead and speak, I'm listening."
"Next stop, I want to go to Sumeru."
"Sumeru?" The Doctor Dottore is still there working on his research. Dealing with him isn't something you'd be capable of. What do you want to do? Do you need me to help you sort things out?
"It might sound naive... but Nahida, the God of Wisdom of Sumeru, and the people there helped me a lot back then. And... I also have a promise I made with a child there."
"It's alright, I'll allow you to do whatever you want. Just let me know if you need my help."
After all... this is exactly the kind of person I like. Arlecchino didn't say it.
"Yay! I knew Pepe was the best~mua~"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the call, followed by Arlecchino's slightly exasperated voice. "Alright, I have people with me, aren't you ashamed?"
"What's shameful about being with your own wife?" Xingsu replied confidently.
"... Alright, enough with the banter. Find ' La Signora ' in Liyue Harbor in three days. I'll be waiting for you on the high seas."
Arlecchino hung up the communicator.
"Oh~ You miss me that much~ You clearly miss him terribly, when did our aloof Pepe become so haughty?" Clervie, who was having afternoon tea with Arlecchino, teased.
"... I don't miss him that much."
"Tch, I clearly heard you in bed when I passed by your room on my way to the kitchen in the middle of the night... um." Clervie met Arlecchino's murderous gaze. "I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore, really, can't I even say it..."
"Exactly, why can't we say it? What's so shameful about talking to your own wife?" Lumine said with a grin, arms crossed.
"..."
Xingsu's toes are practically digging out a three-bedroom apartment now. Why did you two have to come at this time of year when you wanted to talk to me?
"Tsk tsk tsk, I didn't expect Xingsu to be so composed in front of outsiders, but he's a completely different person in front of his wife." Paimon floated in the air, arms crossed, and teased.
"Ahem..." Xingsu coughed twice, hurriedly changing the subject, "So, what brings you two here to see me?"
"Oh right! I almost forgot the important thing, where's our Mora! We thought you were just an ordinary person with a miserable life." At the thought of Mora, Paimon immediately took a half-step forward.
"Haha, it's just a little misunderstanding... But I'm telling the truth! I won't shortchange you on the promised reward." Xingsu chuckled dryly.
"That's more like it." Paimon nodded in satisfaction.
"It's almost dinnertime again, how about I treat you to another meal?"
"Great! I'm going to try everything on Wanmin Restaurant's menu!" Paimon's eyes lit up instantly.
"Boss, one of each of these dishes, please. Thank you."
"No trouble at all! Mr. Zhongli is a rare guest, it's a rare treat for him to visit Wanmin Restaurant. Would you like to try some of my newly devised dishes?" Xiangling asked enthusiastically.
"Master Xiangling is very kind, but it's not necessary today," Zhongli politely declined.
"Alright, alright. By the way, Mr. Zhongli, are you treating us today? I've never seen you order so many dishes before."
"Hehe, I guess so. Life is full of unexpected encounters, and when we meet again, it's always with old friends."
"Okay, okay." Xiangling didn't quite understand the remark, scratched her head, and turned to disappear into the smoky kitchen.
"Roar (o^^o)♪~" Guoba waved its paw at Zhongli, then skipped and hopped as it followed Xiangling into the kitchen.
"Good evening, Xiangling, we're here again~ Let me see what special dishes we have today." Paimon flew to the Wanmin Restaurant. "Huh? My boiled black-backed bass isn't poisonous, please stop spreading rumors... What happened?"
"Traveler and Paimon? It's nothing, it's just that ever since you two had dinner last time, I've inexplicably received a lot of messages saying things like 'boiled black-backed bass'... you're poisoned... and so on."
"Good evening, Traveler and Paimon, and this friend behind you." Zhongli slowly stood up and came over to greet them.
"Mr. Zhongli is hosting a dinner today, so I won't disturb your conversation any longer!" With that, Xiangling returned to the bustling kitchen.
"Huh? But we don't have..." Paimon was interrupted before he could finish speaking.
"No problem. It's a rare treat to have this leisure time and run into a good friend, so I'll host a feast for everyone today."
"..."
Holy crap! A wild SSR! Morax!
The Seven Archons of the Mortal Realm, the Rex Lapis, the God of War, and the God of Contracts!
Xingsu was momentarily at a loss for words, stammering, "Um... you, hello, may I ask... um, what's your name?"
No, what am I asking?!
"Zhongli is merely a guest retainer of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Hello, Mr. Zhongli... Um, I didn't know you invited the Traveler and Paimon, that..."
"You're a guest, so please feel free to sit with us."
"... Alright." Xingsu couldn't quite figure out what this ancient god was thinking, so he reluctantly sat down.
The wooden table was laden with steaming dishes from Wanmin Restaurant. Porcelain bowls and chopsticks clinked gently, making a crisp, delicate sound. The hall was bustling with noise, and the laughter and chatter of the diners filled the air.
But Xingsu felt extremely uncomfortable sitting on the bench, as if she were sitting on pins and needles, and even her movements of picking up food were unusually restrained.
Ying and Paimon sat across from each other at the table. Ying would occasionally pick up a piece of food with her chopsticks and eat it, chatting and laughing with Paimon beside her. Paimon was eating with great relish, his cheeks bulging, gnawing on a chicken leg while chattering about the interesting things that happened on his journey, laughing constantly.
He alone sat side by side with Zhongli on one side.
The man beside her was elegant and composed, eating slowly and deliberately, his every move gentle and refined. Yet Xingsu could always sense that faint gaze falling upon her from time to time.
Those few simple glances made Xingsu's heart flutter with unease.
You can't be here to seek revenge on the Fatui, can you...? It was the Childe who did all that! Go find him, don't come looking for me! I'm just someone picking up a child!
Xingsu forced herself to pick up a piece of green vegetable with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth.
All he wanted to do now was get through this meal as quickly as possible and leave. What did Morax and the God of War matter compared to his wife and children at home?
The plates and dishes on the table gradually emptied, the lamplight flickered, and the hustle and bustle of Wanmin Restaurant still lingered in the air.
Paimon rubbed his round belly, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long, satisfied sigh, "Wow, I'm so full! Wanmin Restaurant's food never disappoints!"
Ying put down her chopsticks, raised her hand to wipe the corner of her mouth, and had a smile on her face.
"By the way, Zhongli, I haven't asked you yet, why did you suddenly invite us to dinner?" Paimon asked casually.
"It was just a chance encounter with you all. It would be a waste to enjoy such a delicious meal alone; sharing is better than enjoying it alone, so I've invited you all to join me." Zhongli lightly touched the rim of his cup, slowly taking a sip of his tea. "By the way, did you bring any Mora?"