After putting on the [Golden Circlet], Durin went from a rampaging disaster to a harmless, ordinary-looking girl.
Xia Zhi spent one point to custom-order a new set of casual clothes from the system.
"You still haven't finished that cake?"
"It's delicious! I can't bear to finish it…"
"It's just a little cake. You can have one every day from now on."
"Really?"
"Really. Come on, eat it up, then put these clothes on."
"Okay~"
The girl stuffed the remaining half of the little cake into her mouth all at once. Her cheeks puffed up adorably, and she wore a look of pure, blissful satisfaction.
Then she took the clothes Xia Zhi handed her and, a bit clumsily, changed into them.
"I'm dressed, Daddy!"
"Mm."
They were still speaking in the language of the monster race. If he wanted to bring her back home, Xia Zhi would have to help her solve that language problem.
He flipped through the [Shop] and found an item he had purchased once before.
"[Beginner Liyue Language]: Cost, 1 point."
"[Advanced Liyue Language]: Cost, 10 points."
Last year, when Xia Zhi had first arrived in Liyue Harbor, he'd been so short on points that he could only afford the beginner-level language experience book.
Now that he was far more comfortable with points, he could buy the more expensive, advanced-level language book—but since he already had [Advanced Teyvat Language], it was of no use to him personally.
But for Durin, it was perfect.
He selected to buy it.
A strange glowing orb immediately appeared in his inventory.
"Durin, come closer."
"Oh!"
The girl stepped forward.
Xia Zhi reached out and gently pressed his hand to her forehead.
The glowing orb melted into her.
"It might feel a little uncomfortable."
"Okay."
The girl closed her eyes, brow slightly furrowed.
Xia Zhi withdrew his hand.
After a moment, she opened her eyes again, looked up at Xia Zhi in front of her, and spoke: "Daddy."
This time, what came out of her mouth was a perfectly natural, fluent Liyue accent.
Xia Zhi nodded. "Good. From now on, you're my disciple. Let's head back."
"Back?"
"Back to Springvale. The rest of the family is there. I'll introduce you to them, and from now on, we'll all be living together."
"Um…"
Hearing she'd be meeting other strangers, the girl's clear eyes widened, and her expression grew visibly tense.
She had never feared strangers before, but the tragedy five hundred years ago had left deep scars on her heart, making her shy and withdrawn.
"You don't have to worry, everyone is very easy to get along with," Xia Zhi comforted her. "It's just that your original identity is a bit…special. We can't let outsiders know about it, so we'll need to make up a new name and background for you."
"A name!"
"You'll take my surname, Xia. Xia Du… no, that doesn't sound good. Xia Lin, maybe? Xia Lin sounds better… okay, Xia Lin it is."
"Xia Lin?"
"Right. From now on, your new name is Xia Lin. As for that unlucky name, Durin, let it stay buried here in this snowy mountain along with your old bones. Xia Lin—remember it?"
"I remember!"
The girl nodded earnestly.
"Good."
Xia Zhi drew a line through the air with his hand.
A rift suddenly opened up before the two of them.
"Let's go."
Xia Zhi stepped forward into the rift, filled with countless eyeballs, and his figure vanished.
Xia Lin turned back, taking one last glance at the endless snowstorm, then stepped into the rift as well.
The scenery before her blurred, and in the next moment, Xia Lin found herself in a quiet, withered forest.
She could feel the air was much warmer than on the snowy mountain.
Xia Zhi stood right beside her.
"This is Springvale."
"Springvale!"
"Follow me."
"Okay!"
Xia Zhi headed out of the forest, with Xia Lin sticking close behind him, curiously observing her surroundings.
Night had fallen by now, so they didn't encounter any townsfolk on the way.
Before long, the two of them arrived in front of Diona's house.
Through the window, they could see that the lights inside were already out.
Mr. Draff had probably gone to sleep.
"Keep it down so we don't wake anyone," Xia Zhi reminded.
"Mm."
In a corner of the yard, a hovercar was parked.
Xia Zhi led Xia Lin onto it and entered the Serenitea Pot.
Instantly, a lush, spring-green scene opened before Xia Lin's eyes, making them shine with wonder.
It had been five hundred years since she'd seen such scenery.
On the snowy mountain, all she ever saw was the unchanging white blizzard.
On a patch of open ground, a bonfire was lit. Everyone was sitting around it in loose pajamas, chatting.
Sensing the fluctuation of space, Madame Ping, who had command over the Power of Serenitea Pot, was the first to glance over. When she saw the unfamiliar girl behind Xia Zhi, she froze for a moment.
The other girls also turned to look.
"Boss, you're back!"
"Huh? Who's the little girl?"
"Cousin, where did you pick up someone like her?"
The girls gathered around curiously, sizing up Xia Lin with different gazes.
Xia Lin first looked at Xia Ci, then at Xia Zhen, and seemed to get scared. She instinctively hid behind Xia Zhi, tugging at his clothes and softly calling, "Daddy…"
??!!
That one word sent the previously cheerful air into dead silence.
Aside from Shenhe, everyone stared at Xia Lin in disbelief.
Daddy? What the heck?
Xia Zhi kept a calm expression and gently pulled the girl out from behind him, explaining, "Let me introduce her. She's a disciple I just took in. Her name is Xia Lin."
Oh, a disciple… Wait, then why does she share the same surname as Boss?
"Hello!"
Even though they were still confused, the girls all smiled and greeted Xia Lin.
Xia Lin timidly replied, "Hello, everyone."
Xia Zhi continued, "Xia Lin will be living with us from now on. She's pretty shy, so please take good care of her."
"Of course, Boss!"
"And about how she addresses me—though it sounds odd, just don't mind it."
"Got it!"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Xiangling, come here a sec."
Xiangling came over. "Master?"
Xia Zhi pointed. "Xia Lin, this is Xiangling. She's your senior sister. If you ever get hungry, just look for her."
Xia Lin committed it to memory. "Mm, hello, Senior Sister Xiangling."
Xiangling smiled. "Hello, Junior Sister Xia Lin. If you ever need anything, just come straight to me."
Xia Zhi went on, "Qiqi, come here."
Qiqi came over.
"Master."
Xia Zhi continued, "Xia Lin, this is Qiqi, your second senior sister."
Xia Lin obediently said, "Hello, Senior Sister Qiqi."
Qiqi nodded calmly. "Hello, Junior Sister Xia Lin."
Then Xia Zhi introduced, "This lady is Xia Ci, my cousin, and this elder sister is Xia Zhen, my older cousin."
Xia Lin glanced at them, nervously greeting, "Hello, aunts…"
Xia Ci immediately cut her off. "What do you mean, aunts? Just call us sisters!"
Xia Zhen added, "That's right, call us sisters."
Xia Lin looked up at Xia Zhi for permission. Seeing no objection, she changed her address. "Hello, sisters."
After introducing all the inner circle and those who shared the surname Xia, Xia Zhi briefly went over the names of the others so Xia Lin could at least remember who was who.
As for the rest, there was plenty of time to build familiarity later.
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