Wait, You Can Get Jealous of That Too?

[I'm here! Come on, give me a kiss (not really). What? You're asking if we didn't kiss yesterday? So what? So what?]

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(Do you want to see a male or female Zhongli and Anemo Archon?~ I'll write whichever gets more votes~)

(The picture is in the usual place.) (And thanks to reader Gu Gai while I'm here. A special kiss just for you (?)

Morning sunlight filtered through the intricately carved window lattice, falling gently across the floor of a guest room at the Heyu Teahouse like a curtain of golden gauze.

The dappled light and shadow resembled an abstract painting made by nature's delicate brushstrokes. Light and shadow intertwined, bright and dark staggered, creating a dreamlike effect.

Baichen woke in a familiar embrace. Ei's arm was still wrapped tightly around his waist, as though she feared he would slip away again in his sleep.

System, check in.

[Check-in successful!]

[Obtained: Eternal Physique (passive)]

[Effect: Permanently retain current age and appearance]

[Bonus reward: Cooking skill +30%]

Baichen blinked. The reward was truly unexpected.

Stay a little boy forever?

Not having to worry about growing old was a good thing, but never growing any taller seemed a little...

"Awake?" Ei's voice came from above him, husky with sleep.

Baichen tilted his face up and met Ei's downward gaze.

In the morning light, she had shed the Shogun's imposing air. Her purple hair hung loose, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.

He couldn't resist leaning in and giving her lips a quick peck. "Good morning, Ei."

Ei's eyes darkened. She lowered her head and deepened the kiss.

Only when Baichen was gasping for breath did she let him go. "Get up. We're busy today."

In the early morning, sunlight fell on the streets of Liyue Harbor, illuminating the bustling crowds and busy docks.

In sharp contrast to the quiet mornings of Inazuma City, Liyue Harbor was full of life and energy.

The shops lining the streets had opened early, and their owners enthusiastically called out to customers.

Shelves were packed with a dazzling array of goods, from exquisite handicrafts to fresh ingredients. There was something for everyone.

People moved through the streets, haggling and picking out the things they wanted.

At the docks, workers busily loaded and unloaded cargo as ships came and went, their whistles sounding one after another.

Merchants talked business on the shore, discussing the latest developments in trade.

Fishermen unloaded net after net of fresh seafood from their boats, ready to send it to market.

In the distance, mountains rose and fell amid swirling clouds and mist.

Liyue Harbor's architecture had a distinctive style, its ancient pavilions set off by modern buildings to create a unique charm.

Seagulls circled overhead, occasionally diving into the sea to catch tasty fish.

Morning in Liyue Harbor was a vibrant and hopeful beginning, drawing people from all over to create the prosperity and splendor of this port city together.

The morning sun shone on the streets, awakening the sleeping city.

The streets were already buzzing with voices. People made their way through the bustling crowds, some hurrying along, others leisurely and carefree.

The aroma of breakfast stalls filled the air, tantalizing people's noses.

Stall owners busily prepared all kinds of food: steaming buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, and fragrant jianbing that made mouths water.

Ei had changed into an outfit befitting a young lady from a wealthy Liyue family. It looked as though it had been tailored just for her.

Her dark blue qipao was soft and smooth, shimmering with a mysterious radiance like a deep star in the night sky.

The qipao was perfectly cut, hugging her body and showing off her flawless curves to their fullest.

Her purple hair cascaded over her shoulders, brushing gently against her fair skin and giving off a faint fragrance.

Her purple hair was loosely pinned up with an exquisite jade hairpin, a few strands falling naturally beside her ears, lending her an air of lazy elegance.

Dressed like this, Ei looked no different from an ordinary human. If not for her distinctive bearing and presence, perhaps no one would have noticed her true identity.

"Let's get breakfast first." Ei led Baichen out of the teahouse by the hand. "What do you want to eat..."

Her words came to an abrupt halt.

At a breakfast stall not far away, a familiar figure was elegantly sipping soy milk-Zhongli, or rather, Rex Lapis, Morax.

He wore an ordinary brown long robe today, but his bearing still made him stand out from the crowd.

"Is that..." Baichen asked quietly, though he knew perfectly well.

Ei narrowed her eyes slightly. "Mr. Zhongli." She deliberately used his mortal name. "The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant."

The two had just been about to go around him, but Zhongli had already spotted them.

He set down his teacup and inclined his head slightly. "Miss Ziyuan, what a coincidence."

Ei had no choice but to lead Baichen over. "Mr. Zhongli." She greeted him briefly while drawing the boy a little behind her.

Zhongli's gaze fell on Baichen, a hint of amusement flashing through his golden eyes. "And this young friend is...?"

"My younger brother," Ei lied without changing expression.

Baichen bowed obediently. "Hello, Mr. Zhongli."

He pretended this was their first meeting, but his heart raced uncontrollably. This was the Geo Archon himself, alive and well!

Zhongli seemed to see through something, and the corners of his lips rose slightly. "You have an extraordinary countenance, young friend. You share quite a deep affinity with Liyue."

He gestured invitingly. "Why don't we have breakfast together?"

Ei had meant to refuse, but Baichen's stomach chose that moment to rumble.

Zhongli chuckled and took the initiative to order three Liyue breakfast specialties-crab roe soup dumplings, almond tofu, and freshly fried dough sticks. (The bill was sent to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, of course.)

"I hear Inazuma has seen considerable change recently," Zhongli remarked seemingly offhandedly during the meal. "The Raiden Shogun lifted the Sakoku Decree?"

Ei calmly took a sip of tea. "Times are changing." She gave Zhongli a meaningful look. "Even Rex Lapis could 'pass away.' What else is impossible?"

Zhongli took no offense and instead chuckled. "Indeed. However..." His gaze turned to Baichen, who was wrestling with a soup dumpling. "The harder one tries to confine certain beings, the easier it becomes to lose them."

Baichen's hand shook, splashing broth from the dumpling onto his hand. He hissed at the scalding heat.

Ei immediately took his hand to examine it, while Zhongli offered him a handkerchief embroidered with Geo patterns.

"Careful, it's hot," the two gods said in unison.

The atmosphere turned a little awkward. Baichen took the handkerchief, his face red. "Th-thank you..."

[Zhongli's affection: 20% (initial)]

(This is also just affection. I still don't know whether you all want a male or female one.)

[Status obtained: A God's Attention]

After breakfast, Zhongli suggested taking them to see Liyue's famous sights.

Ei had meant to refuse, but Baichen's eyes were already shining. "Can we go see Mt. Tianheng?"

And so the three set off together.

As expected of an old god who had lived for six thousand years, Zhongli knew every blade of grass and every tree in Liyue like the back of his hand.

From Feiyun Slope's architectural styles to Chihu Rock's everyday culture, he explained everything in accessible terms. Even Ei listened intently.

"You know so much, Mr. Zhongli!" Baichen exclaimed in genuine admiration.

"I know only the basics."

Zhongli spoke modestly, casually catching the boy when he nearly tripped on a step. "Careful."

The gesture made Ei's gaze sharpen.

She stepped quickly forward and pulled Baichen to her side. "I'll take care of him."

Zhongli tactfully stepped half a pace back, but the amusement in his eyes deepened.

At noon, the three went to the Liuli Pavilion for a meal.

It was one of Liyue's finest restaurants, and reservations usually had to be made half a month in advance.

But Zhongli merely nodded to the attendant, and the three were shown to the best private room.

"Are you a regular here, Mr. Zhongli?" Baichen asked curiously.

"You could say that." Zhongli brushed the question aside and pushed the menu toward him. "Try the Golden Shrimp Balls here. They're just to your taste."

Ei frowned slightly. "How do you know what he likes?"

"Observation." Zhongli calmly poured a cup of tea. "His eyes light up when he sees seafood, but he hesitates a little over spicy food."

That insight sent a chill down Baichen's back.

As expected of the God of War, his powers of observation were terrifying.

The dishes arrived quickly. Golden Shrimp Balls, matsutake-stuffed meat rolls, moonlight eggs... They filled the table.

Baichen was just about to pick up his chopsticks when Ei took a shrimp ball first. She carefully blew on it until it cooled, then placed it in his bowl.

"Thank you, Ei!" Baichen smiled sweetly.

[Ei's affection: 100% (stable)]

After the meal, Zhongli suddenly suggested, "Would you be interested in visiting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor this afternoon? That child Hu Tao has been wanting to meet young Baichen."

Ei was just about to refuse, but Baichen was already nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes!" He turned to Ei, his eyes sparkling. "Can we?"

Faced with that look, Ei simply couldn't say no.

She nodded helplessly, earning a brilliant smile from the boy and a kiss on the cheek.

[Oh my, the host has learned to use his ultimate move flexibly too.]

...You're talking too much.

The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was even more solemn and imposing than Baichen had imagined.

Hu Tao wasn't there, so Zhongli showed them around himself.

When they reached the inner courtyard, he suddenly stopped.

"Young Baichen, might I have a word with you in private?"

Ei immediately grew alert. "What about?"

Zhongli smiled. "I merely have a few questions about Inazuman antiques." He looked at Baichen. "Of course, Miss Ziyuan may come along."

The three went to a secluded tea room.

Zhongli personally brewed a pot of fine Biluochun tea. Amid its lingering fragrance, he suddenly spoke.

"Eternity is a most interesting concept."

Baichen's hand shook, and tea spilled onto the front of his clothes.

Ei immediately used a handkerchief to wipe it off for him, while giving Zhongli a cold look. "What do you mean?"

"No need to be nervous." Zhongli took a sip of tea. "I was merely reflecting that the 'eternity' Inazuma pursues and Liyue's 'contracts' are both, at their core, a desire for things to remain unchanged."

Baichen's heart pounded. Zhongli was clearly implying something. Had he seen through them?

"However..." Zhongli changed tack. "True eternity may lie not in confinement, but in..." His gaze fell on Baichen. "Choice."

Ei's pupils contracted slightly.

She set down her teacup with a crisp sound. "A wise insight, Mr. Zhongli. But we should be going."

As they left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli's words were still echoing in Baichen's mind.

Ei gripped his hand especially tightly, as though he would disappear the moment she let go.

"Ei..." Baichen said quietly, "you're squeezing too hard..."

Only then did Ei realize it and let go. When she saw the red marks on the boy's wrist, a flicker of self-reproach crossed her eyes. "Sorry."

Baichen shook his head and took her hand again of his own accord. "What do you think... about what Mr. Zhongli said?"

Ei was silent for a long time before finally speaking softly. "...You're free to choose." She paused. "But once you've chosen... you have to bear the consequences."

Her words warmed Baichen's heart.

He rose onto his tiptoes and kissed Ei gently on the lips. "I choose you."

Ei's gaze softened instantly.

She pulled the boy into her arms, paying no attention to the looks from passersby. "Mm."

[Eternal Oath]

Toward evening, the two strolled along the docks of Liyue Harbor.

The setting sun dyed the sea gold, and the sight of countless sails returning to port was breathtaking.

Baichen suddenly remembered something.

"Right, weren't we supposed to meet Ningguang?"

Ei looked at the sky. "Tomorrow. She's receiving a delegation from Mondstadt today."

She suddenly pointed to a large ship entering the harbor in the distance. "Look."

It was an ornate merchant ship, with the Jade Chamber's emblem embroidered on its sails.

A figure with platinum-blond hair stood out on the deck-it was Ningguang herself.

She wore a luxurious qipao and held a pipe as she looked down over the harbor.

Even from this far away, Baichen could feel her oppressive presence.

He instinctively edged behind Ei, drawing a soft chuckle from her.

"Scared?" Ei pinched his nose. "Where's the courage you had when you sneaked off yesterday?"

Baichen muttered in protest, "That's different... Miss Ningguang is too shrewd..."

Ei gazed thoughtfully at the merchant ship as it drew closer. "True." She suddenly turned around. "Let's head back. We'll be busy tomorrow."

On the way back, Baichen kept feeling as though someone was following them.

But every time he looked back, he saw only ordinary pedestrians.

Ei seemed to notice it too, and her grip on his hand tightened slightly.

"Ei..." Baichen asked quietly, "are we being..."

"Mm." Ei gave a brief reply. "Don't look back."

Only when they returned to the Heyu Teahouse did the feeling of being watched disappear.

Ei carefully checked every corner of the room and only relaxed after confirming it was safe.

"Who was it?" Baichen asked nervously.

Ei shook her head. "I'm not sure." She frowned in thought. "It could have been one of Ningguang's people, or it could have been..."

"Yelan?" Baichen thought of the mysterious owner of Yanshang Teahouse.

Ei nodded. "We'll know when we see Ningguang tomorrow."

She helped Baichen take off his outer robe. "Get some rest first."

Late that night, when all was quiet, Baichen tossed and turned in Ei's arms.

Zhongli's words, the mysterious stalker, tomorrow's meeting... All sorts of thoughts churned in his mind.

"Can't sleep?" Ei asked softly.

Baichen nodded and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "I'm a little nervous..."

Ei stroked his back. "I'm here."

Those simple words carried immense weight.

Baichen suddenly remembered today's check-in reward. "Ei, if... if I stayed like this forever, would you..."

"Would I what?" Ei asked.

"I mean... get tired of me?" Baichen said quietly. "If I never grew up or anything..."

Ei was silent for a moment, then suddenly rolled over and pinned him beneath her:

"No."

Her violet eyes gleamed in the darkness.

"You are my eternity."

Baichen's heart warmed at her answer. He wrapped his arms around Ei's neck and gave her a deep kiss...

The pictures are in the author's note and the end-of-chapter discussion.

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