Back in Mondstadt, the festive air hadn't changed much. The monster attack had been dealt with so quickly most people probably didn't even realize it had happened—maybe just wondered about that sudden tremor.
Xia Zhi rejoined the girls.
Klee was animatedly telling everyone about how she'd saved Mondstadt with her Gatling gun.
Charlotte had even snapped a bunch of photos—one in particular was striking enough it might end up as the paper's front cover.
The morning's mahjong results were in—only Ganyu had made it to the afternoon finals.
A shame, really—it should've been him, Xia Ci, and Xia Zhen joining her. That would've looked impressive.
At lunch, Xia Lin barely ate. She said she was saving room for the afternoon eating contest.
He didn't think it was worth it—after all, the Dragon King was competing. No way a little girl could out-eat that old man.
Still, it was rare to see her so eager, so he decided to back her up.
After lunch, the group split up—half to cheer for Ganyu, half for Xia Lin.
He had no choice but to go with the little girl. Ganyu could be rewarded later that night.
At the venue, he spotted Fischl—wearing a new eyepatch and speaking with less of her usual chuunibyou flair.
"Mr. Xia."
"What a coincidence."
"Indeed."
Not a coincidence, actually—her eyepatch had some sort of link to him, letting her know exactly where he was.
After a quick greeting, Fischl's gaze fell on a girl just behind him—Qiqi.
Likewise, Qiqi's eyes fixed on Fischl the moment she saw her. Both possessed magical-girl transformation items, so they instantly recognized each other.
After a moment's stare, Qiqi looked away and sat beside Xia Zhi.
Fischl touched her eyepatch, smiling faintly.
Oz shivered. "Milady, are you alright?"
Fischl's tone slipped back into dramatics. "Oz, my loyal friend… I have met my ultimate nemesis…"
Oz murmured, "Milady, perhaps act normal. Mr. Xia likely prefers normal girls."
She paused, then smiled brightly. "Oz, you understand me."
"Read it in a book," he replied solemnly.
The eating contest began.
Most contestants hit their limit quickly, until only Xia Lin and the Dragon King remained—both eating leisurely.
The crowd was impressed.
In the end, Xia Lin began to slow, looking a bit uncomfortable. Xia Zhi was about to tell her to give up when the Dragon King raised his hand and forfeited.
The older generation knew how to be gracious.
Xia Lin won the championship, beaming. She didn't even realize the Dragon King had let her win—and that was just fine.
Offstage, she jumped into his arms.
He patted her head, praising her, making her smile until her eyes narrowed.
Kids starved for affection were easy to please.
Meanwhile, Ganyu easily took the mahjong finals, sealing a Liyue–Mondstadt double victory.
He gave both winners a Black Iron Treasure Chest.
After opening so many for others, Ganyu finally got to open her own—inside was a pair of colored contact lenses, just like Shenhe's.
She blushed faintly and tucked them away.
Xia Lin, imitating her, handed her chest to Ganyu to open—inside was a telescope, the same kind Yaoyao had.
She'd always been envious of Yaoyao's, but too shy to keep borrowing it. Now she had her own.
Klee, seeing both her friends with telescopes, looked positively green with envy.
Xia Zhi noticed but said nothing.
---
That evening, as usual, they walked by Cider Lake.
Even more anglers lined the shore than before—the fishing contest started tomorrow, and tonight was their last chance to practice.
After the walk, they returned to Favonius Cathedral and entered the Serenitea Pot.
He gave everyone massages.
Yesterday, Cloud Retainer had been relaxed; today she was oddly fidgety—probably because of that dream in the morning.
When it was over, she sat up, glanced at him washing his hands, opened her mouth, then thought better of it and slipped into the bath.
Madame Ping noticed her troubled expression. "What's with you now?"
Cloud Retainer sighed. "Ping… you wouldn't understand."
Ping snorted. "How would I, if you won't say anything? I'm not a worm in your stomach."
Cloud Retainer frowned. "So crude. How can a musician be so vulgar?"
Ping shot back, "And you? You tinker with gadgets—you only ever play with fakes."
Cloud Retainer shut her mouth.
Alright, my mistake for thinking I could spar verbally with this venom-tongued old bat.
She soaked quietly for a while.
Ping suddenly asked, "What are you so afraid of?"
"…Huh?"
"I said, what are you so afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid," Cloud Retainer said after a pause.
Ping didn't bother replying.
Soon after, Cloud Retainer left the bath and returned to her room.
She took out the sachet, hesitated, then tied it back around her neck.
---
Not long after Cloud Retainer left, Shenhe and Ganyu finished their massages and entered the bath.
"Madame Ping."
She waved them over. "Shenhe, come here."
Though puzzled, Shenhe stepped closer.
"You know about your master's situation?"
Shenhe nodded. "I do."
Ping's face softened a little. "She's the reclusive type—stubborn mouth, small courage. As her disciple, give her a hand when you can."
Shenhe bowed her head slightly. "I understand."
---
Shenhe returned to Ganyu's side.
Curious, Ganyu asked, "Junior Sister, what did Madame Ping just say to you?"
Shenhe answered honestly, "About Master."
"Master?" Ganyu tilted her head in puzzlement.
Shenhe lowered her voice slightly. "That pill from last time."
Ganyu's eyes widened. "Ah? Madame Ping knows about that too?"
Shenhe shook her head. "She doesn't."
"Then why did you say…"
"She just hopes we can give Master a little push."
Ganyu frowned. "How can we… Besides, we don't even know for sure what Master is thinking. What if Master…"
Shenhe gave her an odd look. "Senior Sister, the boss is Master's savior."
"I know, but—"
"Master's willing to go for a massage every day."
"That's just a massage…"
"Full essential oil treatment."
"…"
Ganyu fell silent for a moment, then murmured, "I'm just worried Master might not be able to accept that kind of relationship."
Shenhe replied calmly, "Aren't Adepti supposed to have no taboos?"
Ganyu's lips twitched.
Shenhe studied her for a moment before lowering her voice. "Actually, Senior Sister, you're just worried that you wouldn't be able to accept it, aren't you?"
Ganyu dropped her gaze. "I… Junior Sister…"
"Compared to me, you and Master have been together far longer. Your relationship's probably already not just a simple master-and-disciple bond."
Ganyu let out a helpless sigh. "Junior Sister, you're so perceptive… Honestly… I could accept it."
"I know."
"Hm?"
"You talked in your sleep last night."
"Eh?"
---
When Xia Zhi got back to his room, Qiqi wasn't there—Xia Lin had come over alone to knock on his door, saying she wanted to sleep with him.
Since the little girl had just won a championship today, giving her a reward seemed only fair.
He nodded and agreed.
She happily climbed up onto the bed.
Xia Zhi finished his daily tasks, then sat on the bed as well.
The little girl pulled out her new telescope and asked, "Papa, why doesn't mine see as far as Yaoyao's?"
"Because I upgraded hers."
"Then I want mine upgraded too."
"Alright, give it to me."
He put the telescope into the [Evolution] page, evolved it, then handed it back. Sure enough, now it could see much farther.
She ran to the window and peered through it enthusiastically for over ten minutes before returning to the bed and whispering, "Papaa."
"Mm?"
"I want to give this telescope to Klee."
"Why?"
"Because Klee really wants one too."
"If you give it to her, you won't have one anymore."
"If I'm with Yaoyao, I can borrow hers."
He smiled and lifted her into his arms. "Just having that thought already makes you a good girl."
"Eh?"
"It's just a telescope. I'll make you another one."
"Really?"
"Of course."
He took out the [Replication Box], charged it fully, placed the telescope inside, and poured out two identical telescopes.
The little girl's eyes went wide. "It really turned into two!"
He handed them to her with a smile. "Here, give one to Klee tomorrow."
"Thank you, Papa!"
And for some reason—probably picked up from somewhere—she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
He poked her cheek. "Next time, you don't have to do that."
"Why?"
"You'll understand when you're older."
She nodded blankly.
"Alright, time to sleep."
Lying in bed, Xia Zhi could hear two voices—one from Qiqi's prayers, and one from Fischl's longing.
Come to think of it, today he'd gotten a Silver Chest and a Gold Chest from Fischl and a lawachurl, then given Fischl a platinum-tier item. So far… probably a loss.
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