Qiqi and little Yae ran through the bustling snack street of Liyue Harbor, far livelier and more curious than ordinary children.
"Hmm… Qiqi, this smells awful. Should we try it?"
Little Yae pulled Qiqi's hand and stopped in front of a food stall selling stinky tofu.
"Smelly… don't want to eat."
Qiqi tried to step away, but Yae held her hand tightly.
"My instincts tell me this tofu must be delicious. You have to trust me!"
Yae glanced at a young man nearby who was happily eating a bowl of stinky tofu. The satisfied look on his face made it seem incredibly tasty.
Not far behind them, Ren Kai and Guizhong watched the two children.
To avoid unnecessary attention, both of them had disguised themselves.
"Guizhong, have you ever tried the stinky tofu from this shop?"
Ren Kai asked curiously.
"Hehe. I'm just like Yae."
"I've always wanted to try it but never dared."
"If someone eats it with me, I might give it a taste."
Guizhong said with a grin, her eyes fixed on Qiqi and Yae. She was clearly waiting for them to buy some so she could follow suit.
In the end, Qiqi was successfully persuaded by Yae.
She bought the first serving.
Yae bought the second.
Guizhong immediately bought the third.
But Qiqi pinched her nose and ran over to Ren Kai with the stinky tofu.
"Big brother… Qiqi treats you to tofu."
She looked like she was asking for help.
Ren Kai glanced at Yae and Guizhong.
Both of them were staring at him expectantly.
So the spectators had turned him into the guinea pig.
Fortunately, he had eaten stinky tofu before.
It couldn't be that bad.
"Hmm. The taste is pretty good."
"Just a bit spicy."
He said after taking a bite.
"Hehe! My turn!"
Yae immediately began eating.
"Mmm. The taste really is good."
Guizhong also started enjoying hers.
"It's true… hehe."
Seeing everyone else eat it, Qiqi reluctantly took a small bite.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
The rest of the afternoon followed a simple pattern.
Anything that looked delicious—they tried.
Anything strange—like stinky tofu or durian—
They made Ren Kai taste it first.
Eating while strolling through the streets, they wandered around until sunset.
"Oof… Qiqi can't walk anymore."
Qiqi waddled over to Ren Kai with her belly sticking out.
"Me too…"
Little Yae followed with the same stuffed expression.
"Alright. Let's go home."
Ren Kai picked both of them up—one in each arm.
"I want that too."
Guizhong rubbed her own belly and looked enviously at them.
"Go, go. Find your Zhongli."
Ren Kai rolled his eyes.
"Bleh."
Guizhong stuck her tongue out playfully.
When they returned to the residence, Guoba had already finished preparing dinner.
There were also two new guests.
"My dear Ping'er, Cloud Retainer—why are you two here?"
Guizhong asked in surprise when she saw them in the hall.
"Greetings, Mr. Madara."
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer greeted Ren Kai politely.
"Welcome. Please make yourselves at home."
Ren Kai nodded with a smile.
"You moved houses without even telling us."
"Liyue is the joint creation of you and the Geo Archon. How could you just hand it over to the Liyue Qixing?"
Cloud Retainer immediately began scolding Guizhong.
"This matter really was sudden."
Ping'er said seriously.
"Leading Liyue to prosperity and allowing the people to live in peace—"
"That was Zhongli's and my goal."
"Now Liyue has the strength to protect itself. It's the strongest nation among the Seven."
"So we simply released power to the Liyue Qixing and returned it to the people."
Guizhong explained calmly.
"…."
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer fell silent.
"But moving out like this is too sudden!"
"We couldn't even find you!"
Cloud Retainer said angrily.
Ren Kai, sitting at the head seat, could see the real reason for her anger.
She simply hadn't been informed.
"Ahem."
"If you're blaming someone, blame Guoba."
"He moved here first."
"You know my appetite."
Guizhong shamelessly shifted the blame again.
"…."
Guoba rolled his eyes and continued arranging dishes on the table.
"Does the Geo Archon know about this?"
Ping'er asked.
"Him?"
"He's the one who encouraged me to let go."
Guizhong said proudly.
"…."
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer were speechless again.
"What about the matter of the subterranean world?"
"Will the Geo Archon and the Dragon King intervene?"
"We can't expect the people of Liyue to face it alone."
Cloud Retainer asked seriously.
"Yes. The Geo Archon will intervene."
Guizhong said.
Then she suddenly pointed at Ren Kai with both hands.
"See? This is the 'Archon' who will handle it."
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer both frowned.
With Ren Kai's displayed strength, he might be able to fight the Lava Beast.
But he was a warrior from Inazuma.
Simply calling him an "Archon" and asking him to handle it sounded absurd.
Their minds were spinning.
Just what relationship did Guizhong and the Geo Archon have with this True Martial Emperor?
How could they trust him this much?
"Relax."
"Mr. Madara already agreed."
Guizhong said confidently.
Both women looked toward Ren Kai.
"Yes."
"I'll take care of that guy."
Ren Kai said casually while playing with Qiqi and Yae.
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer exchanged a strange look.
Then they looked back at Ren Kai and Guizhong suspiciously.
"Hey! What kind of look is that?"
Guizhong rolled up her sleeves angrily.
"You two want a beating?"
"Ahem… the probability is very low."
Ping'er said.
"Indeed."
"After all, you and the Geo Archon share deep feelings."
Cloud Retainer added seriously.
"Hmph. At least you know better."
Guizhong sat back down and began drinking tea.
Qiqi and little Yae listened to the conversation in confusion.
They clearly felt they were hearing gossip—
But had no idea what it meant.
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer continued probing Guizhong, trying to uncover Ren Kai's identity.
Ren Kai felt extremely awkward.
They were basically investigating him right in front of his face.
"Lord Madara, dinner is ready."
Guoba placed the final dish on the table and reported respectfully.
"Come."
"Let's eat together."
Ren Kai invited Ping'er and Cloud Retainer.
"Thank you, Mr. Madara."
The two adepti replied politely.
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