Xingqiu looked at the four of them, their appearance somewhat comical.
He cleared his throat softly and asked a little awkwardly: "Right… what did you all come looking for me for?"
Paimon loosened her grip on Shenhe and replied: "Oh! I almost forgot the important thing. Xingqiu, do you know where Chongyun is?"
At the mention of "Chongyun" Xingqiu stroked his chin, trying to recall where he was.
After a minute, he shook his head apologetically.
"I really don't know where Chongyun is. After all, ever since I returned from Inazuma to Liyue, I've been tangled up by family matters, helping manage the family business."
Still, since he and Chongyun had a close relationship, Xingqiu had some guesses about his whereabouts.
"But logically speaking, he's most likely in the Liyue wilderness right now, exorcising demons and evil spirits."
Paimon spread her hands helplessly and sighed: "Ah? How unlucky is that…"
Scratching his head, Xingqiu asked curiously: "By the way, why are you all looking for Chongyun?"
Paimon glanced at Shenhe, then gave Xingqiu a brief explanation of Shenhe's situation.
At the mention of Chongyun's "aunt," Xingqiu suddenly remembered something Chongyun had told him not long ago.
Clapping both hands together, he said with a trace of excitement: "Chongyun's aunt! Oh, I remember now. Chongyun told me about this."
"One day, when he was battling an Abyss Mage in the wild, he encountered the aunt whom his family had long believed to be dead. He even described her appearance to me. And he asked me to help search for her."
Then Xingqiu looked at Shenhe, puzzled.
"But Miss Shenhe, didn't you already meet Chongyun? Why would he still ask me to look for you?"
Shenhe replied calmly: "Because, I never told him where I live. After defeating the Abyss Mage, I simply returned to my master."
"After all, Master once said that meeting is a matter of fate. If fate allows, we will meet again in the future."
Xingqiu, Lumine, and Paimon couldn't help but twitch their lips awkwardly at this explanation.
Shao Yun even slapped his forehead helplessly, thinking to himself: What on earth has Cloud Retainer been teaching her?This method of 'leaving it to fate' is even less reliable than Lumine's shoe-insole divination…
Paimon coughed softly twice and sighed: "Then where do we go to look for him? Liyue is so big. How are we supposed to find Chongyun?"
As soon as Shao Yun heard they needed to find someone, he immediately thought of that half-useless code.
In his heart, he muttered: System, I need your help. Please tell me Chongyun's exact location.
The System quickly displayed a prompt.
[Chongyun's current location: Wanmin Restaurant.]
Seeing this information, Shao Yun silently gave thanks and said: Thank you for the map navigation function.
With precise intel in hand, Shao Yun clapped his hands and casually suggested: "Why don't we eat something first? We haven't had breakfast yet. How about Wanmin Restaurant?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances, then touched their stomachs at the same time and nodded.
They agreed with Shao Yun's reasoning.
After all, only by eating their fill would they have the energy to search for someone.
…
Meanwhile, inside Wanmin Restaurant, a boy with ice-blue hair dressed in the robes of a Liyue exorcist sat at a table, looking dispirited.
He was none other than Chongyun.
Ever since the day he encountered his aunt Shenhe in the wild and informed his family, they had been searching relentlessly for this long-lost relative.
Yet, until now, they had found no trace.
Though, plenty of monsters had been vanquished along the way.
Just then, Xiangling emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray in her hands.
She set down a spread of chilled, non-spicy dishes before him with a cheerful smile.
"Here you go, Chongyun! These are the cool dishes you wanted, without any spice at all!"
Seeing the food he had ordered, Chongyun forced himself to perk up.
"Thank you."
Xiangling noticed his weary state and asked with concern: "What have you been busy with lately, Chongyun? It feels like I haven't seen you in ages."
Chongyun picked up his chopsticks and sighed.
"I've been searching for my aunt."
Xiangling tilted her head curiously.
"Your aunt? What happened?"
Chongyun told her about how he had encountered Shenhe in the wild a few days ago.
Then he added with deep emotion: "She really is my aunt, Shenhe! Our family thought she had died long ago. But she's still alive!"
At the mention of "Shenhe," Xiangling suddenly recalled what had happened two days earlier.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait a second—Chongyun, you said your aunt's name is Shenhe?"
Chongyun nodded vigorously, noticing the look on Xiangling's face as if she had seen his aunt.
"That's right! Why? Xiangling, do you know my aunt?"
Xiangling scratched her head, hesitant.
"Well… I wouldn't say I know her exactly…"
She didn't want to mislead him, so she described the woman she had seen.
"Does your aunt have silvery-white hair, wear a Glaze Lily hairpin, and look a little… aloof?"
Chongyun's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's her! Exactly her! Xiangling, you've seen her!"
Xiangling quickly told him everything that had happened two days prior.
"Yes, I did! About two days ago, Lumine, Paimon, and a man named Shao Yun brought her to Wanmin Restaurant for a meal!"
Hearing this, Chongyun jumped to his feet in excitement.
"Really?! That means Aunt is in Liyue Harbor!"
He then pressed eagerly: "Xiangling, do you know where Lumine, Paimon, and… and…"
He hesitated for a moment before adding: "…Shao Yun are now?"
(*Chongyun didn't know Shao Yun personally, but he was acquainted with Lumine and Paimon from his Hangout Event. Back when Lumine and Paimon first met Chongyun, Shao Yun had been off at Iron Tongue Tian's storytelling stand.)
Xiangling shook her head apologetically.
"I don't know. But why not check the Adventurers' Guild? Since those three are adventurers, they're bound to show up there often."
Chongyun didn't even touch the food anymore.
"Thank you! I'll go right now!"
He rushed toward the door in a hurry.
Xiangling quickly called after him.
"Chongyun! You haven't even eaten your food yet! Even if it's cold dishes, wasting food will make Guoba angry!"
The stove god, Marchosius—better known now as Guoba—when angry, would let out furious "lu lu lu" sounds that could scare (or rather, charm) anyone senseless!
But Chongyun dashed out regardless, calling back: "I'll come back and eat later! Please keep it for me, Xiangling!"
The very moment he stepped out, he bumped headfirst into Shao Yun.
Chongyun staggered backward as if he had run into a stone wall, just like Amber once had.
"Ugh… oww…"
Holding his head, he groaned in pain and fell to the ground.
Shao Yun, amused by the sight, chuckled.
He extended his hand.
"Hey there, are you alright? You really remind me of a certain red-haired girl I know, blue-haired boy."
He helped Chongyun back up.
At that moment, Paimon's eyes widened.
"Chongyun! I can't believe we actually found you here!"
Rubbing his head, Chongyun blinked back to his senses.
He looked up, then called out in surprise: "Paimon? Lumine! And… Aunt!"
Shenhe's eyes widened faintly, disbelief flickering within them.
So Master was right—"those fated to meet, will meet again."
If Shao Yun had heard this, he would have rolled his eyes and muttered some choice sarcasm.
Shenhe looked a bit stiff, but she tried her best to greet him.
"Hello, Chongyun… we meet again…"
Chongyun quickly stepped forward, overjoyed.
"Aunt, we've been looking everywhere for you! Ever since I ran into you in the wild, my family hasn't stopped searching!"
Paimon blinked in surprise.
"Wait—'we'?!"
Chongyun nodded firmly.
"That's right. My father, my mother… everyone has been trying their hardest to find you."
Shenhe froze at the sudden news, stammering: "This… I've troubled you all…"
Chongyun could hardly contain his emotions.
"I have to tell my parents right away! Aunt, please don't leave Wanmin Restaurant!"
Without another word, he bolted off toward home at full speed.
Shao Yun watched him go, then turned to the others.
"You know, he could've just brought us to his house instead…"
Lumine shrugged helplessly.
"He's probably too excited to think straight."
Paimon nodded eagerly.
"In any case, let's eat first!"
…
Since Chongyun was bringing his parents to meet Shenhe, Paimon ordered enough food for seven people.
Shenhe sat quietly, emotions swirling within her heart.
To think she still had family alive… the realization was overwhelming.
Even after so long, it still felt like a dream.
And for someone who had spent most of her life in the mountains, suddenly being surrounded by relatives—by people bound to her by blood—was a daunting trial.
Noticing her unease, Lumine and Paimon leaned closer.
They reassured her not to worry, promising that if things became too overwhelming, they would support her without hesitation.
Shenhe nodded slowly, gratitude in her eyes.
Just then, Chongyun returned—along with his parents.
But to everyone's surprise, it wasn't just them.
It was… practically the entire extended family.
Aunts, uncles, cousins, distant relatives—all of them had come.
In a great bustling crowd, they poured into Wanmin Restaurant, their chatter filling the room.
"Ah, Shenhe! Let your cousin take a good look at you! Are you hurt anywhere? How have you been all these years?"
"Shenhe, you've suffered so much! If only Fourth Uncle had arrived a few days earlier, your father wouldn't have done that foolish thing…"
Shenhe was overwhelmed, unable to cope with the sudden flood of attention.
Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun stood frozen in shock.
They had never seen such a massive family gathering before.
Wanmin Restaurant was completely packed with Chongyun's relatives.
The reunion was thunderous, voices of regret and relief all mingling together.
But in the chaos, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon were squeezed right out the door.
Outside, Shao Yun stared at the spoon in his hand, then at Lumine and Paimon holding their utensils with equally baffled looks.
"…How did we end up outside?"
Lumine sighed as she looked back at the crowded scene.
"Chongyun's family sure is… enthusiastic."
From inside, Chongyun's distressed voice could be heard.
"Aunties, let me through! Uncle, don't push me—I can't breathe!"
"Don't cause trouble, Chongyun!"
And with that, he too was shoved right out the door.
Shao Yun quickly helped him up.
"Chongyun, your family is… impressive."
Chongyun scratched his head sheepishly.
"Sorry about that. I told my parents Aunt was alive, and they immediately called every single relative. And… some of them are still on their way."
Shao Yun could only laugh softly.
"I guess today I've witnessed the full power of a Liyue family clan… truly lively."
After all, that was the legacy of an exorcist family.
Just then, Xiangling's clear voice rang out from inside: "Everyone, please find a seat quickly so nobody trips and gets hurt!"
Shao Yun glanced at the packed restaurant and muttered inwardly: "Looks like Wanmin Restaurant will make great business today. But what about us? There's no way we'll find seats in there."
…
Since Shenhe was safe amidst her family, Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Chongyun went to a nearby street stall selling Zhongyuan Chop Suey instead, quietly waiting.
Hours passed.
Only when the sun set and night fell did Chongyun's relatives finally disperse.
His family could really talk.
Though his parents were warm and welcoming, even begging Shenhe to stay with them, she politely refused.
At parting, Chongyun's mother clasped Shenhe's hand tightly, reminding her over and over to take care of herself, and even giving her the family address.
She insisted that if Shenhe ever needed a place to stay, she must come to them.
After Chongyun and his parents left, Shenhe's eyelids began to droop, heavy with exhaustion.
Lumine and Paimon quickly moved to support her.
"Shenhe, are you alright?"
Shenhe shook her head softly, trying to stay awake.
"It's nothing. I'm just… not used to dealing with so many people all at once."
Paimon urged: "Then let's get you back to rest quickly."
Shenhe nodded faintly.
"…Alright."