…But if he sold it—
As that thought passed, the scene before Kairo's eyes shifted.
He saw the man's family holding a thick sack of Mora, smiling as they renovated the old house. They cleared out the outdated items, rearranged the courtyard, and in no time the entire place looked brand-new—full of life and vitality.
Sure enough, this was a "great fortune" transaction.
Kairo opened his eyes. A faint violet mark at the center of his brow flickered once, then vanished.
"Sell it."
"That bell is a major bad omen."
Kairo spoke again, calm and certain. "With that bell in your home… hasn't your family's health been getting worse? People falling ill? Growing weaker and weaker?"
The man's breathing caught. His eyes widened in shock. "Young master, you… you… how…?"
How could he have known so clearly?!
His family really had been constantly sickly.
Hu Tao stared at Kairo, suspicious. "Eh? Are you serious? You can tell someone's unhealthy just like that? And you can divine fortune and misfortune?"
Kairo smiled faintly. "Believe it or not."
Paimon's eyes went wide. She turned to the man. "Do you believe him?"
The man's expression shifted again and again.
But remembering what Kairo had just said so casually, he finally seemed to make up his mind. He drew a sharp breath and nodded hard. "I believe you!"
Then he stared at Kairo for a beat, clasped his hands in a deep bow. "Thank you for your guidance, benefactor!"
"I'll go home and discuss it with my family. If it works out, I'll definitely come back to thank you properly!"
With that, he turned and hurried away—his back visibly lighter than when he arrived, as if a boulder had been lifted off his shoulders.
Hu Tao clicked her tongue in amazement and nudged Kairo with her elbow. "Hey, hey—this is really something. Since when did you learn fortune-telling? Divining luck and disaster?"
Paimon folded her arms, still doubtful. "Yeah! Kairo, are you hiding some new secret again?"
Kairo only smiled, raised his teacup, and took a small sip.
The faint violet mark at his brow seemed to appear and vanish, like it had never existed.
"It's nothing. Just a little understanding."
Hu Tao froze.
Her gaze turned strange as she looked him up and down, frowning in suspicion. "Huh? Kairo… that line… why does it sound so familiar?"
She tilted her head, staring at him, eyes sweeping over his face—
Then she suddenly slapped her palm, realization dawning. "Right! That's totally Zhongli's tone!"
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes and glared at Kairo, expression weird. "Have you been hanging around Zhongli too long lately? Did he corrupt you? Even your way of talking reeks of Zhongli now!"
Paimon snapped her fingers as if struck by lightning and nodded vigorously. "Exactly! And your expression too—you're basically Zhongli, copy-pasted!"
"Have you been listening to him talk about Liyue rules, classics, and history all day? Did you get brainwashed?!"
Even Lumine couldn't help smiling, glancing at Kairo. "I think it does sound a bit like him."
Kairo: "..."
Hearing them, Kairo sighed helplessly. "Stop talking nonsense. How could Zhongli 'corrupt' me?"
"Hehe~"
Hu Tao crossed her arms and grinned slyly. "Then your reading just now was pretty accurate. So how about you read my fortune too? See if your Director has luck raining from the skies lately!"
She leaned in eagerly, eyes shining with anticipation.
Kairo rubbed his forehead. "Director Hu… you don't need a reading."
"Why not?"
Hu Tao blinked, confused.
Kairo looked at her calmly. "You were born with strong yang energy. You run Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and deal with matters that cross the boundary between yin and yang. You're not like ordinary people."
"Your 'fortune' is unique from the very beginning. There's no need to divine it."
Hu Tao blinked, paused—
Then pouted in dissatisfaction. "Tch. Boring. I thought you'd pinch your fingers, act all mysterious, and tell me I'm about to get a huge windfall…"
Kairo chuckled and shook his head. "Your 'windfall' is doing a few more ceremonies."
"Hey! Kairo! Now that's just rude!"
Hu Tao bristled instantly, waving her fists. "Everything this Director earns is through honest work!"
"Wangsheng's rules are serious business, you know!"
Paimon, chewing the last bite of dessert, looked at her strangely. "Hu Tao… you weren't seriously planning to get rich through fortune-telling, were you?"
"Hmph, maybe!"
Hu Tao lifted her chin smugly. "If I learn Kairo's trick, then in the future Wangsheng won't just handle funerary rites—we can also run a 'fortune and misfortune' service! We'd make a killing!"
"…Don't even think about it."
Kairo shook his head.
Fu Xuan's Third Eye was one of a kind.
And Wangsheng didn't need to be in the business of divining luck and disaster.
Time flowed on.
Three Cups at the Port remained lively in the night.
Nearby shops began to close. Fewer pedestrians walked the streets. Fishing boats in the harbor extinguished their lamps one by one, returning to quiet.
Even so, plenty of night stalls and teahouses were still welcoming their last customers.
Lumine propped her chin up, looked at the night scenery, stretched lazily, and sighed with satisfaction. "Liyue nights really are the most comfortable. Especially spending a whole night at Three Cups—listening to stories, eating, feeling the breeze… life feels complete."
Paimon patted her round belly and let out a pleased burp. "Yeah! Tonight's food was amazing!"
Hu Tao pouted beside them. She looked reluctant, but stood anyway. "Alright, alright. Let's call it. This Director still has to go back and check Wangsheng's accounts… ugh. Zhongli wouldn't have overspent again, would he?"
"And the Rite of Parting needs Wangsheng to prepare it too…"
At that, Hu Tao's face scrunched up. "But I still haven't seen any formal letter from the Liyue Qixing. Isn't this supposed to be handled by the Qixing?"
"Rite of Parting?"
Paimon and Lumine both froze.
"Sigh, yeah."
Hu Tao nodded, then explained a bit more, until the two of them understood.
"So Zhongli wants you—Traveler Lumine, and you too, Paimon—to gather at Wangsheng tomorrow morning."
"He said we need to prepare the Rite of Parting, and you'll be helping."
"I don't really get why Zhongli suddenly decided this, but I'm reminding you anyway."
"Mm."
Paimon and Lumine nodded.
This was something they'd already discussed earlier.
Then Hu Tao hopped away, humming to herself.
Kairo and the others headed back to the inn as well.
When Kairo returned, he suddenly remembered something and looked at Fischl.
"Where did you leave my snow lion?"
It had been two days, and the snow lion still hadn't shown up.
"Oh, right!"
Paimon floated beside them, suddenly startled. "I thought you'd put it away, Kairo! You didn't?"
"Acting Grand Master Jean borrowed it."
Barbara spoke softly. "She told me to pass on a message… but I forgot."
These two days she'd been too busy fooling around with Fischl.
Barbara's cheeks reddened slightly at the thought.
"As long as Acting Grand Master Jean is taking care of it, it's fine."
Kairo nodded lightly. The snow lion recognized his scent—it could return anytime. He'd always been the "free-range" type when it came to pets.
The girls then returned to their rooms.
Not long after—
Kairo's door opened again.
Fischl and Barbara came back.
Kairo raised a brow. "Hm? You've still got the nerve tonight?"
Fischl tossed her hair, chin lifted in pride. "Hmph. Last night was only because this Prinzessin was not in optimal condition."
"Tonight, I'll show you what 'optimal condition' means."
Barbara, cheeks red, hurriedly closed the door behind them.
…That night passed in warmth and quiet.(fade to black)
Morning light filtered through the window lattice.
Kairo opened his eyes, feeling unusually relaxed and comfortable.
Barbara lay asleep beside him, peaceful and soft, the corners of her lips faintly curved as if she were having a sweet dream.
Her golden twin-tails had come loose during the night, strands scattered messily over the pillow—some even wrapped around Kairo's wrist.
Kairo gently gathered a few strands and set them aside, careful not to wake her.
But as he withdrew his hand, Barbara stirred. She blinked drowsily, golden eyes still hazy with sleep.
"…M-morning…?"
Her voice was soft and sleepy, making Kairo pause—then smile.
"Morning. Looks like you slept well."
Barbara gradually came to, sat up slightly, and immediately realized her hair was a mess. When she tried to fix it, she found her twin-tails completely undone and tangled.
She froze—then her face flushed bright red as last night's memories caught up with her.
With a small squeak, she ducked under the blanket, only her eyes peeking out, cheeks burning. "My hair is so messy…"
"It's fine. I'll help you braid it again in a bit."
Kairo ruffled her hair lightly.
Barbara's eyes softened with warmth and reliance. She gave a tiny "mm," voice as quiet as a mosquito, but sweet. "…Then… I'll be counting on you."
Kairo smiled and helped smooth a few strands, looking at the shy but reassured girl with an unexpectedly tender feeling in his chest.
"What about me, what about me?"
Fischl suddenly popped in with a mischievous grin.
Kairo: "..."
Barbara: "..."
"You too."
Kairo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Relax."
Honestly, once Fischl and Barbara got used to things, their stamina and energy seemed to improve day by day—as if they'd adapted.
After Kairo helped them tidy up, Fischl and Barbara left the room and went downstairs.
A cool morning breeze brushed Kairo's face, clearing his head.
Standing at the inn's entrance, he looked up at the sky. The sun hadn't fully risen yet, but the horizon was already gilded gold. Clouds and mist coiled through the mountains, carrying a faint, secluded adeptal air.
Soon, familiar footsteps sounded on the stairs.
"Haa… g-good morning…"
Paimon floated down, rubbing her eyes, looking like she still hadn't slept enough. "Liyue beds are so comfy… I didn't even want to get up…"
Lumine followed behind with a small yawn, golden eyes still sleepy, though her steps were steady as always. She stretched and smiled at Kairo. "Morning, Kairo."
"We're going to Wangsheng today to meet Zhongli, right?"
Kairo nodded. His gaze swept over them. "Eat something first. If Zhongli's preparing the Rite of Parting, today will probably be a full day of errands—especially for you two."
He wasn't planning to participate much himself.
So the running around would definitely be Lumine and Paimon.
"Breakfast!"
Paimon instantly woke up, eyes shining.
They quickly found a breakfast stall. Soon hot dishes came out—wonton noodles, shrimp dumplings, thin-skin soup buns… all fragrant enough to make anyone hungry.
Paimon grabbed a soup bun and took a big bite, eyes narrowing in bliss. "Mmm—so good!"
Lumine sighed at Paimon's hurricane pace, then carefully broke open a wonton with her chopsticks, letting the aroma rise.
Kairo ate more slowly, listening to the Liyue locals talk.
Even after a full night, the Fatui's reputation was still awful—if anything, it had worsened.
"Just as expected—those Fatui have been up to no good all along!"
"I went to the Northland Bank—yep, it's sealed. Tons of Fatui got arrested. Liyue really went hard this time!"
"Hahaha! I heard some merchants were so happy they cried—saying they don't have to pay back those high-interest loans!"
"But the Geo Archon being assassinated… that's a catastrophe for Liyue. What happens next…?"
After eating their fill, Kairo and the others headed for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
When they arrived, they saw the familiar figure waiting—
Zhongli.
He stood quietly at the entrance, hands behind his back, as if he'd been waiting for some time. His black-and-gold robe looked steady and dignified, the wind tugging lightly at his sleeves. He was like an ancient statue—still, profound, and distant.
Hearing their footsteps, he turned. Golden eyes deep with quiet amusement, he nodded. "You're here."
"Mr. Zhongli."
Paimon patted her belly and floated over happily. "Ehehe, we just finished breakfast! Now we can focus on preparing the Rite of Parting!"
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