Liyue Harbor buzzed with life. Merchants pushed carts through the streets, their voices rising above the din as they hawked their wares. Children chased kites that danced in the wind, their silvery laughter blending with the vibrant energy of the city.
A Geo construct slowly descended beside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's threshold. Fine grains of sand, as if imbued with life, burrowed into the cracks between the paving stones and vanished without a trace, leaving Yunqin gently placed on the icy-cold threshold.
She remained curled in her sleeping posture, arms wrapped around her knees, her cheek pressed against her arm. A faint smile played on her lips, and a tiny bubble of snot quivered at the tip of her nose with each even breath, making her look soft and cuddly like a little kitten.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the doors of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor swung open.
Hu Tao skipped out, humming her parlor's promotional jingle: "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor services—professional and efficient, no scams! Rest assured you'll depart peacefully and sleep soundly!"
She turned to close the door when a figure caught her eye in her peripheral vision. Her steps froze mid-stride.
"Hmm? Whose little... Yunqin?" Hu Tao recognized the girl instantly. Curiosity piqued, she crouched down to study Yunqin's face.
The girl's eyelashes were remarkably long, and her skin glowed with a healthy blush.
Hu Tao couldn't resist reaching out and gently poking Yunqin's soft, chubby cheek. The plump, yielding sensation made her eyes light up, and she couldn't help but poke it again.
Seeing that Yunqin still didn't react, a mischievous idea popped into Hu Tao's head.
She quietly retreated two steps, cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone, took a deep breath, and prepared to shout loudly to startle Yunqin awake.
But just as Hu Tao opened her mouth, Yunqin moved.
She braced herself with one hand on the ground and sprang to her feet. Her right leg lashed out with a sharp, swift kick aimed straight at Hu Tao!
The movement was so fast and precise that it betrayed no sign of her having just woken up.
"Whoa! Not this move again!" Hu Tao yelped, startled, instinctively raising her arms in a cross-guard to block.
A dull thud echoed as Yunqin's kick struck her arms. A wave of numbness surged through Hu Tao's limbs, the force traveling from her forearms to her shoulders, forcing her back three steps until her heels bumped against the staircase, barely keeping her on her feet.
Looking back, Yunqin was now standing on the ground, her eyes still closed, her body swaying slightly as she stood upright. Her arms hung limply at her sides like a puppet's, clearly still asleep.
"Damn, this automatic defense mechanism is way too sensitive!" Hu Tao rubbed her numb arm, rolling her eyes in exasperation.
Hu Tao recalled the last time Yunqin had slept here.
She had tried to wake her, but as soon as she approached, Yunqin, still asleep, unleashed a flurry of "combo moves" that sent Hu Tao stumbling back.
In the end, Zhongli had arrived just in time and gently popped the snot bubble on Yunqin's nose, finally stirring her awake. Flustered and red-faced, Yunqin had apologized profusely.
This time, I can't get beaten up again, Hu Tao thought. She tiptoed carefully around to face Yunqin, her eyes fixed on the glistening bubble.
Holding her breath, she extended her index finger and gently poked it.
With a soft pop, the bubble burst.
The next moment, Yunqin's eyes snapped open.
Her clear, sleep-hazed eyes still held a lingering drowsiness, like a thin mist clinging to her gaze.
She glanced down at her upright posture, then at Hu Tao, who was rubbing her arm with a slight frown. Yunqin's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Hu... Hu Tao?"
"I'm so sorry! I... I activated my automatic defense again, heh heh~ Did I hurt you again?"
"No, no, it's fine," Hu Tao waved her hand dismissively, moving closer to Yunqin. She rubbed her arm and chuckled. "Honestly, your self-defense mechanism is amazing! If I could drum up business for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor while asleep, our profits would double!"
"Hmph~ Don't be jealous! I earned my slacking off fair and square," Yunqin declared, puffing out her chest and tilting her chin proudly.
Hu Tao burst into laughter at her earnest demeanor.
Just as she was about to retort, Yunqin suddenly grabbed her wrist, her eyes sparkling like fallen stars. "Oh, right, Hu Tao! Do you know where Zhongli is? I need to talk to him about something!"
"Zhongli the Consultant, huh..." Hu Tao stroked her chin, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Same as usual, probably listening to storytelling somewhere?"
"Really?!" Yunqin's energy surged instantly. She tugged Hu Tao toward the teahouse, her steps quick and urgent. "Then let's go find him and have dinner together! My treat!"
"Oh? You're treating?" Hu Tao raised an eyebrow, skepticism flickering in her eyes, but she quickened her pace to keep up.
Yunqin nodded matter-of-factly, showing no embarrassment whatsoever, her smile widening even further. "This time, I'm definitely treating! But... Zhongli will cover the bill!"
Hu Tao's lips twitched involuntarily, and she sighed in exasperation.
-
The "Third-Round Knockout" teahouse buzzed with chatter, its wooden octagonal tables filled with eager listeners.
Iron Tongue Tian stood at the center, dramatically unfurling his folding fan with a snap. The characters "Liyue's Past" emblazoned across the fan stood out sharply. Clearing his throat, he announced in a voice as resonant as a bell: "Hear ye, esteemed listeners! In the ancient days when the Archon War swept across Teyvat, Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon Morax, wielding his Stone Spear, battled fiercely against hordes of demons in Jueyun Karst. With a single strike, he forged mountains and rivers, securing a hundred years of peace for Liyue Harbor!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, mingling with the clinking of teacups and shouts of approval, filling the hall with boisterous energy.
Zhongli sat by the window, gently caressing his celadon teacup. The warm tea inside swirled in delicate ripples.
Listening to the tale of his own past exploits, a faint warmth flickered in his eyes, as if he had been transported back to that era of raging war and burning passion.
Just as he was about to take a sip, a slightly sweaty hand darted out from beside him and snatched the teacup away.
Zhongli blinked in surprise, turning to see Yunqin standing beside the table, panting heavily. Her hair was slightly disheveled, stray strands clinging to her flushed cheeks, dampened by beads of sweat. Her chest heaved violently, evidence of a recent sprint.
Before Zhongli could speak, Yunqin raised her teacup, tilted her head back, and drained it in one gulp.
Tea trickled down her chin, dripping onto her lapel, but she paid it no mind. After finishing, she smacked her lips, looking unsatisfied. "Not enough, not enough!"
No sooner had she spoken than she reached for the teapot, twisted off the lid, and poured the remaining tea straight into her mouth.
The glug-glug-glug of her swallowing echoed clearly through the bustling teahouse, drawing frequent glances from nearby patrons.
The teapot emptied quickly. Yunqin finally set it down, wiped the tea stains from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, and exhaled deeply. "Ah~ Finally quenched my thirst!"
Zhongli and Hu Tao, who had arrived shortly after, exchanged embarrassed glances.
Hu Tao pressed a hand to her forehead, shaking her head helplessly. "Yunqin, you certainly don't treat the Consultant with much respect, do you?"
Sensing their exasperated gazes, Yunqin scratched her head and awkwardly took a half-step back.
"Hehe~ I just ran here so fast, that's all! I'm sure Mr. Zhongli is broad-minded enough not to be angry, right?"
Zhongli shook his head in resignation, but there was no anger in his eyes, only the indulgent affection of an elder toward a younger person.
He gestured for the waiter to bring another pot of tea before saying, "It's fine. Tea is meant to quench thirst, after all."
"Yunqin, my young friend, I presume you didn't come all this way just for a cup of tea?"
"Oh, right!" Yunqin instantly forgot her earlier embarrassment. Her eyes lit up as she leaned closer to Zhongli, as if she'd discovered a new continent. "Mr. Zhongli, Wanmin Restaurant has almond tofu today! I've been waiting for it for half a month! Let's go together, okay?"
As she spoke, Yunqin blinked her eyes earnestly, her expression utterly endearing.
Zhongli was about to nod when a figure darted to the table like a gust of wind, shattering the group's peaceful atmosphere.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr. Zhongli, Miss Hu Tao, and our renowned martial arts expert—Yunqin!" Tartaglia announced with a hearty laugh.
Before anyone could respond, he familiarly pulled up a chair and sat down, his movements as casual as if he were in his own home.
The waiter had just arrived with a freshly brewed pot of tea. As soon as he placed it on the table, Tartaglia snatched it up with lightning speed.
Mimicking Yunqin's earlier gesture, he tilted his head back and poured the hot tea straight into his mouth. After draining the pot, he let out a satisfied "ha" and wiped his lips. "Refreshing! No wonder Yunqin drinks tea like this!"
Zhongli's fingers froze mid-air as he stared at the now-empty teapot, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly.
Tartaglia, oblivious to the strange atmosphere, locked his gaze on Yunqin, his voice brimming with barely suppressed anticipation. "Yunqin, our promised duel from last time never happened! We're both free now—how about we find a place and have a proper match right away?"
The moment Yunqin heard the word "duel," her eyes, which had been sparkling just moments before, instantly dimmed. She secretly rolled her eyes, mentally cursing Tartaglia eight hundred times over.
To her, the most important thing in life was eating delicious food, followed by finding a comfortable place to sleep. As for dueling and cultivation? Utterly irrelevant!
Yet, in a moment of impulsive recklessness years ago, she had provoked this martial arts fanatic.
She still remembered their first meeting. When Tartaglia learned she was a disciple of Cloud Retainer, he insisted on challenging her to a duel, clamoring about "sparring with Liyue's strongest warriors."
Yunqin, already frustrated with her training, decided to unleash her full power, thinking it would scare him off. Instead, Tartaglia showed no anger; he simply roared with delight, shouting, "That was exhilarating!" and immediately demanded a rematch.
Ever since then, Tartaglia had been like a persistent burr. One day he'd block her path at intersections, the next he'd be waiting at the docks. Even after Yunqin beat him into a yelping mess, he'd grin with satisfaction, muttering, "This is how I grow stronger!"
Yunqin couldn't take it anymore. To shake Tartaglia off completely, she had deliberately held back during their last spar, feigning defeat and dramatically gasping, "Ah... is this the end...? Gah~"
She had hoped this would discourage Tartaglia, but the boy only grew more excited, immediately challenging her to another match that very day.
Annoyed by the hassle, Yunqin had been avoiding him ever since.
Yet, today at the teahouse, she had unexpectedly run into him again.
Seeing Yunqin's lack of reaction, Tartaglia leaned closer, his voice even more fervent. "So, what do you say, partner? Let's choose Guili Plains as the venue—it's wide open, perfect for us to stretch our limbs. How about we head there right now?"
Yunqin's mind raced. Suddenly, she slammed her eyes shut, slumped sideways onto the table, clutched her throat, and forced out a series of exaggerated, muffled coughs. "Ah—I... I choked on my tea! I can't breathe!"
"You didn't choke! You win! Gah~" With that, she buried her face in her arms, motionless, feigning death.
Tartaglia froze, blinking down at the "dead" Yunqin sprawled across the table.
The three of them were enveloped in an eerie silence.