"You're just Zhongli, aren't you? Of course I know you!" Lu Lin replied with a look of innocent confusion.
"Heh, that's correct." Zhongli smiled faintly. "I would like to make a trade with you."
A trade?
The Geo Archon was known for honoring contracts and fairness. A deal with him would never be disadvantageous. Lu Lin immediately grew interested.
If Zhongli was serious about a transaction, it would not be ordinary.
As for how Zhongli noticed that Lu Lin recognized him—it wasn't surprising.
Zhongli had lived for thousands of years. His ability to read expressions had long reached perfection. Lu Lin hadn't deliberately concealed his reaction.
"Please, Mr. Zhongli."
Zhongli took out an exquisite wooden box and placed it on the table.
"Inside is a Talisman of Universal Peace. The adeptal power has nearly dissipated; it now serves mainly as a token.
Three days from now, something unusual will occur at the Rite of Descension. At that time, please give this talisman to the foreign blonde Traveler and ask her to seek out the Adepti.
The details and exact wording are inside. Please read it later—and keep it confidential."
"Something unusual."
Meaning he planned to stage his own assassination.
Lu Lin almost felt bad for Ningguang.
First she'd been thoroughly provoked by him—and soon she'd be blamed for Rex Lapis' "death."
However, in the original storyline, it had been Childe who gave the Traveler the talisman.
Why was Zhongli entrusting it to him instead?
It seemed his arrival as an Outlander had caused subtle butterfly effects. The general direction remained unchanged—but details were shifting.
"It's not complicated. I accept."
He had wanted to connect with the Traveler anyway.
Opportunity delivered itself.
After putting the box away, he asked, "Why me? You seem to foresee what will happen."
Zhongli took a sip of tea.
"Fate is difficult to predict. But with sufficient information, one can make reasonable deductions.
I am not omniscient. I know something of your origins, though I do not know how you recognized me.
Still, I believe you may bring interesting changes to Liyue—and to this world."
Lu Lin understood.
Zhongli had deduced enough.
And he knew Lu Lin was an Outlander.
The Traveler was one as well.
What special significance did that identity hold?
"Now, about compensation."
Zhongli produced a jade box and pushed it forward.
Lu Lin opened it.
A familiar green glow shimmered inside.
"The orb from Guizhong's palace?"
"Yes. It records Guizhong's lifetime of knowledge in mechanism arts. I believe giving it to you is appropriate."
Guizhong's mastery surpassed even Cloud Retainer's.
Her life's work was invaluable.
And with Lu Lin's [Innate Insight] trait enhancing his comprehension, learning it would be efficient.
"This feels too precious."
"My contracts are always fair. What you offer is worth it. And I trust you will not waste it."
"Then I'll accept."
"Thus, the contract is formed. The one who breaks it shall suffer the wrath of stone."
At that moment—
"Hey hey! What are you two chatting about so happily?"
Hu Tao entered carrying dishes.
"Mr. Zhongli is knowledgeable. Even casual conversation is enlightening," Lu Lin replied smoothly.
"Come try the dish I personally made!"
Hu Tao proudly set the food down.
Her cooking was… unusual.
Fortunately, only one dish was hers. The rest were prepared by the parlor's chef.
After lunch, Zhongli excused himself.
Only Hu Tao and Lu Lin remained.
"Wangsheng's quiet today. I've got time—want to go out?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"I have a gift for you. Want to see?"
"Oho? What gift?"
"To the Serenitea Pot."
He held her hand and activated the mark.
They appeared in front of the Haunted Ghost Manor.
"Whoa! Haunted Ghost Manor! Are there ghosts inside?" Hu Tao's eyes lit up.
"Don't get too excited."
She rushed inside.
The décor mixed Liyue-style eerie aesthetics with vampire and demon elements.
She darted from room to room, delighted.
Finally, they entered the bedroom.
It was spacious.
With two beds.
Hu Tao froze, cheeks flushing.
Two beds?
She had assumed—
One would have sufficed.
She lacked experience.
Those with experience understood the importance of separation.
"Well? Like it?"
"Mmm~ I love it. So this is the gift?"
"Correct."
"Then I'll gladly accept."
She stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, breath warm near his ear.
"You gave me such a nice house… how should this Director repay you?"