Tartaglia gazed at Yunqin, who was "playing dead" on the table. A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by resignation.
Though obsessed with sparring, he wasn't the type to pester someone relentlessly and make a fool of himself.
Just as he was about to tease her—"Isn't this tactic a bit too half-hearted?"—a figure swiftly cut through the teahouse crowd and stopped beside their table.
It was a Fatui Skirmisher—a Pyroslinger Bracer in uniform.
Leaning close to Tartaglia's ear, the Skirmisher lowered his voice until only the two of them could hear, his words tumbling out with the urgency of a critical military report.
The smile instantly vanished from Tartaglia's face. His relaxed brow furrowed slightly, and the cheerful glint in his eyes hardened into seriousness.
He rose, gave Zhongli a slight nod, then turned to Yunqin, who was still buried in her arms. "My friend, it seems our match will have to wait. I'll find another chance to settle the score with you."
Yunqin immediately lifted her head from her arms, deliberately drawing out her words. "In such a hurry? Don't tell me you're off to do something heinous?"
"Eh?" Tartaglia clutched his chest dramatically and took half a step back, his tone dripping with mock hurt. "We're friends, and you think so little of me?"
"Ugh, so dramatic." Yunqin waved her hand dismissively, though a smile danced in her eyes. "Let's make a contract, then. If you really dare to cause trouble, I'll trap you in the amber of Mt. Hulao and discipline you thoroughly!"
"Deal! The contract is sealed!" Tartaglia roared with laughter, amused by her threat. He didn't slow his pace, but as he reached the teahouse entrance, he turned back and shouted, "A life-or-death duel with you, my friend, would be a truly exhilarating experience!"
With that, his figure vanished into the bustling crowd outside, leaving only the swirl of his coat in the wind.
Yunqin watched until he was completely gone before patting her chest and letting out a long sigh of relief. She muttered under her breath, "Finally got rid of that troublesome guy. Acting really is the best way to dodge a fight."
Hu Tao, propping her chin on one hand, couldn't help but chuckle at Yunqin's puffed-up expression.
"You know," she teased, "you always beat him until he's howling, yet you still complain about the trouble. Who was it just now, playing dead with their eyes shut?"
"That was tactics!" Yunqin immediately puffed out her chest and lifted her chin proudly. "The Adepti taught me that flexibility is the true essence of cultivation! I was merely putting their teachings into practice!"
As the two bickered, Iron Tongue Tian on the stage suddenly snapped his folding fan shut with a sharp crack. His voice boomed like a bell: "Esteemed audience, today's chapter of Liyue's Past concludes with Rex Lapis pacifying the sea monsters. We shall meet again tomorrow!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, and the listeners gradually dispersed.
"Let's go, let's go!" Yunqin grabbed Hu Tao's hand, then turned to Zhongli. "Mr. Zhongli, let's go to Wanmin Restaurant for Almond Tofu! I've been craving it for half a month!"
The three made their way to Wanmin Restaurant.
The fragrant aroma of cooking drifted on the wind, tickling their noses.
Wanmin Restaurant was bustling with activity, a long line snaking out from the entrance.
Yunqin stood on her tiptoes, trying to see the end of the queue.
The dense crowd stretched from the doorway all the way to the end of the street. People in line kept craning their necks to peek inside, clearly all drawn by Chef Mao's renowned culinary skills.
She lowered her gaze, her jaw dropping at the sight of the packed tables inside.
In the game, Wanmin Restaurant was tiny, but the real-life version is massive—big enough to be several restaurants combined!
It wasn't her first time here, but every visit still made her grumble inwardly:
I should have come earlier!
Standing on her tiptoes again, Yunqin leaned over the back of a nearby diner's chair to peer inside. She immediately spotted the busy figures of Chef Mao and Xiangling.
"Chef Mao! Xiangling!" Yunqin waved her arm and shouted, her clear voice cutting through the surrounding clamor.
Chef Mao looked up and saw her, a broad smile instantly spreading across his face. The spatula in his hand paused mid-air as he nodded his chin in her direction. "Yunqin! What brings you here today?"
Yunqin's friendship with Xiangling was just like her bond with Hu Tao—they had all been close friends since childhood. Plus, whenever Yunqin ate in Liyue Harbor, she always chose Wanmin Restaurant first, so Chef Mao was very fond of the young girl.
"Yunqin!" Xiangling hurried over to greet her. "I thought you wouldn't be here until after the Rite of Descension! Didn't the Adeptus make you train today?"
Yunqin quickly made a shushing gesture and lowered her voice. "Shh! Not so loud!"
She whispered, "That woman's ears are sharp as a hawk's. If she finds out I snuck down here, who knows what kind of punishment she'd dream up."
Xiangling immediately clapped a hand over her mouth and nodded vigorously.
"Right, right!" Seeing Xiangling's reaction, Yunqin grinned happily. "I pre-ordered Almond Tofu with Chef Mao last month. Is there any left today? I've been looking forward to it for so long!"
"Don't worry!" Xiangling laughed, taking Yunqin's hand and leading her toward the kitchen. "I saved a warm portion just for you!"
The two walked into the back kitchen, where Xiangling brought out a porcelain plate.
The Almond Tofu wobbled delicately, drizzled with an amber-colored syrup and sprinkled with finely chopped almond slivers. Steam rose from it, carrying a sweet aroma that wafted toward them.
Yunqin leaned in to smell it and couldn't help but swallow. "It smells amazing!"
"This girl," Chef Mao's voice came from the side, his eyes filled with amusement, "ever since she knew you wanted Almond Tofu, she's been setting aside the best ingredients every day, worried you'd arrive and not get a warm portion."
Xiangling's face instantly flushed crimson, the blush spreading from her ears down to her neck. She quickly picked up the Almond Tofu and began ushering everyone out of the kitchen.
They chose a table by the window and sat down. A waiter handed them a menu, and Yunqin's finger flew across the pages as she ordered Golden Shrimp Balls, Sweet Madame, and several other dishes.
When she closed the menu and handed it back, she said to the waiter with a perfectly straight face, "When it's time to pay, just ask this gentleman, Zhongli."
Zhongli calmly set down his teacup and murmured a soft "Mm," adding, "Just put it on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab."
"Huh?" Hu Tao's eyes widened in disbelief. She pointed at herself, her expression incredulous. "Why put it on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab? Did you two conspire to scam me?"
"Aiya, we're all friends! Why keep such a strict count? Come on, try Chef Mao's cooking before the food gets cold!"
Hearing Yunqin's words, Hu Tao couldn't shake the feeling that she'd been set up.
But the thought lasted only a moment before she dismissed it. They were close friends, and Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's income was more than enough to support Zhongli and Yunqin. Though she complained, she wasn't truly angry.
Yunqin carried the Almond Tofu to the table and enthusiastically called out, "Zhongli, Hu Tao, hurry and try it!"
Zhongli picked up a piece with his chopsticks. The Almond Tofu was silky smooth, sweet but not cloying, with a delicate almond fragrance lingering in the syrup.
He praised softly, "Excellent. The texture is refined, and it's delicious."
Hu Tao eagerly scooped a large spoonful into her mouth, mumbling indistinctly, "So good, so good! Hey... Yunqin, don't you dare fight me for it!"
"Hehe, you snooze, you lose."
Laughter, like the chiming of silver bells, filled the air around the table.
Zhongli watched Yunqin and Hu Tao playfully snatching food from each other's bowls while Xiangling stood by, saying, "There's more, don't fight!" A rare smile touched his lips.
Days like these were truly pleasant.
Unnoticed, the sky outside the window gradually darkened.
After bidding farewell to Xiangling and Chef Mao, the three of them slowly walked to the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao gazed at the dark night sky, where stars were beginning to twinkle. She enthusiastically pulled Yunqin's hand. "Yunqin, stay at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor tonight! Tomorrow we can go see the Rite of Descension together, and we'll even get to see Rex Lapis!"
Yunqin hesitated, glancing toward Mt. Aocang.
She gently shook her head. "Liyue Harbor is lively, but Mt. Aocang is home. A person must always return home."
With that, she activated her Vision.
A faint golden Geo element spread from her palm to the ground, quickly coalescing into a flat Geo platform. Thoughtfully, a low Geo ridge formed a semi-circle around its edge.
She leaped onto it lightly, settled into a comfortable lying position, and waved to Zhongli and Hu Tao. "See you tomorrow!"
"Remember not to get caught by the Adeptus!" Hu Tao called out with a wave, her eyes filled with reluctance to see her go.
Zhongli also nodded slightly, his voice as gentle as the evening breeze. "Travel safely. Be careful on your way."
The Geo platform slowly ascended, carrying Yunqin toward Mt. Aocang.
In the night, the faint golden Geo element glowed like a small lantern, gradually disappearing into the horizon.
Hu Tao watched Yunqin disappear into the distance before turning to Zhongli. "That girl... she says she's afraid of the Adeptus, but her heart is still set on Mt. Aocang."
Zhongli gazed in the direction Yunqin had vanished, a faint smile in his eyes. "Home always calls to people. No matter how far they roam, they'll always think of returning."
Hu Tao clapped Zhongli on the shoulder and led the way into Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. "Alright, let's get some rest too!"
She stretched lazily, muttering through a yawn, "The Rite of Descension is tomorrow. We need to be well-rested."
Zhongli watched Hu Tao's retreating back and sighed softly. "The Rite of Descension, hmm? Interesting..."
Then, he too slowly walked into Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.