The two of them wandered the streets until very late before finally returning to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Another day quietly passed.
Yes—this was how a typical day for Qiu Nian and Zhongli went.
Plain and uneventful.
The next day.
Since the Lantern Rite would take place that very evening, there was barely any work at the parlor.
Early in the morning, Hu Tao had already put on her hat and run off to play with her childhood friends—Xiangling and Xingqiu.
Before leaving, she even reminded Qiu Nian and Zhongli to wander around as they pleased and come back in the evening so they could celebrate together.
At the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—
"My old friend, I plan to visit Jueyun Karst today."
"Would you like to come along?"
Zhongli asked.
"I'll pass."
Qiu Nian shook his head slightly.
"Could it be that, just as Streetward Rambler said, you're avoiding them?"
Zhongli teased.
"Avoiding them?"
"Haha… who knows."
"Right now I'm in Liyue Harbor. If they truly wished to see me, they could come themselves."
"Besides, they still suspect that I tried to assassinate you."
"By all rights, they should be the ones avoiding me."
Qiu Nian chuckled softly as he stepped forward.
"I'll pass your words on to them."
Zhongli replied before slowly walking away.
"Hm…"
"So where should I go next?"
Qiu Nian rested his chin on his hand.
"Wait… did I forget something?"
He paused.
Because so much time had passed, he had almost completely forgotten about the parallel Blue Star world.
"I've been too busy sightseeing lately…"
"Looks like I completely forgot about that."
"The Lantern Rite starts tonight, doesn't it?"
Qiu Nian lowered his hand with a faint smile.
Normally, the things he forgot were those he considered unimportant.
And to him—
the parallel world and popularity points were never particularly important.
Even without popularity points to restore his strength,
his power would slowly return on its own.
It would simply take longer.
It wouldn't affect his ultimate plan in the slightest.
Still—
having it was better than not.
"Hmm… it's been a while since I saw Lumine and Paimon."
"I'll go check on them."
With that thought, Qiu Nian left Liyue Harbor.
After reaching a secluded place, he rose directly into the sky.
After sensing their location, he flew toward Wangshu Inn.
Soon he landed not far from the inn.
"There are quite a lot of people here."
Walking along the wooden bridge, Qiu Nian noticed many travelers from Mondstadt.
After entering the inn, he climbed the stairs toward the upper platform.
Meanwhile, on the livestream.
"Why haven't my husband and Rex Lapis appeared yet?"
"The Lantern Rite quest is almost finished!"
Xuehua complained.
Since it was New Year, she wasn't cosplaying anyone today.
Instead, she wore a festive red hanfu.
It had been far too long since she had seen Qiu Nian or Zhongli in the story.
As a devoted fan of both, she felt like she was dying.
Of course, she also loved Xiao—
but still!
The chat quickly joked.
[Maybe Qiu Nian is out strolling somewhere.]
[Probably not. Didn't the PV show him doing something to Xiao?]
[Why doesn't Xiao go watch the Mingxiao Lantern?]
Xuehua glanced at the comments and had Lumine speak with Xiao, who stood quietly on the Wangshu Inn platform.
"So, is everything settled?"
Xiao asked calmly.
"It's settled, but…"
"Aren't you going to see the Mingxiao Lantern?"
Lumine asked.
"I've already said this."
"I do not like crowded places. Especially during these days."
Xiao replied coldly.
"This year's Mingxiao Lantern is Mountain Shaper."
Lumine added.
"Yes! It looks like a really majestic deer!"
"Let's go see it together!"
Paimon tried again, bouncing excitedly.
"Mountain Shaper…"
Xiao murmured, his expression complicated.
"But in the end, it is only a lantern."
"A lifeless object created by humans. How dull."
"You should go enjoy the festivities yourselves."
He still refused.
"Come on, come on! Why not? Just go!"
At this moment, Xuehua began literally begging Xiao through the screen.
The chat burst into laughter.
[Using the "cute begging" technique!]
[Xuehua is adorable.]
[Just lure him to Liyue Harbor with almond tofu.]
[Nooo Xiao, I want to go with you!]
[This feels like trying to help a socially anxious child.]
[Lantern Rite is when karmic debt is strongest—Xiao probably has to fight demons.]
Suddenly, Lumine seemed to think of something.
"Oh right, Xiao!"
"You probably don't know this yet…"
"Gui Xu has returned."
"Gui Xu…"
Xiao repeated softly.
"To be honest, I have never met him."
"He left Liyue three thousand years ago, and I had not yet met Rex Lapis at that time."
Xiao explained.
"Oh…"
Paimon looked surprised.
"But I know that he was a gentle god."
"And his power rivaled Rex Lapis himself."
"As the friend of my lord, he is someone I respect greatly."
Xiao said solemnly.
"Then don't you want to meet him?"
Lumine pressed.
Xiao fell silent.
He seemed conflicted.
Because he had no idea how to interact with someone like that.
"Even with the other adepti today, I rarely speak."
"And besides… he is an old friend of Rex Lapis."
"To avoid awkwardness, it would be better if I did not go."
Xiao finally replied.
The chat exploded again.
[So Xiao has social anxiety?!]
[He never met Gui Xu before.]
"Awkwardness?"
At that moment, a familiar voice sounded.
Lumine and Paimon froze.
Turning toward the voice—
they saw Qiu Nian walking toward them.
Both of them immediately smiled.
Xiao, however, looked startled.
He quickly looked away, appearing a little awkward.
"Long time no see."
"Are you here for the Lantern Rite as well?"
Qiu Nian asked with a faint smile.
Lumine and Paimon nodded.
"G–Gui Xu… Lord Gui Xu."
Xiao greeted stiffly.
"Lord…?"
Qiu Nian blinked in mild surprise.
"Xiao, there's no need to be so formal."
"Just call me Qiu Nian."
He said with a gentle smile.
"…Understood."
"Qiu Nian… Lord."
Xiao nodded after a moment.
Qiu Nian: …
On the livestream, Xuehua slammed the table and jumped to her feet.
The chat exploded instantly.
[MiHoYo really knows what we want to see.]
[My husband! I finally see you again!]
[Why does Xiao look like a shy kitten in front of him?!]
[Where did the cool Yaksha go?!]
[This version of Xiao is way too cute!]
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