After obtaining the Glaze Lilies, the Traveler and Zhongli prepared to return to Liyue Harbor, accompanied by Ganyu and Shenhe.
Upon arriving back in Liyue Harbor, Ganyu returned to work, while Shenhe departed first.
Earlier, during their sisterly chat, Ganyu had recommended some jobs to Shenhe.
Now, Shenhe was off to work—after all, as an elder sister, how could she let her junior take care of her?
The job Ganyu recommended was at Yun Jin's opera house, which was hiring cleaners for post-performance tidying.
Shenhe arrived just as the opera was ending. With Ganyu's referral, she was likely to be hired.
As for Lumine and Zhongli, they continued gathering the remaining items needed for the Rite of Parting.
Truthfully, Lumine already knew what was required. Zhongli's continued accompaniment was simply an excuse to share various stories about Liyue with her.
He spoke of Liyue's past—after all, since she already knew he was an Adeptus, wasn't it natural for an Adeptus to have lived a long life?
He told her many old tales, ensuring she remembered them well.
The procurement of Noctilucous Jade for the Rite became much easier.
The gem merchant, knowing it was for the Exuvia of Rex Lapis, didn't even make them pick—he simply gave them the finest quality.
In fact, the merchant didn't even want payment, but Zhongli insisted, as the funds came from the Northland Bank anyway.
The same happened when purchasing materials for incense—no merchant wanted to profit from this occasion.
Thanks to the second volume of Lucian's book, their businesses had recently improved.
The reason? Their deep reverence for Rex Lapis had earned them the respect of Liyue's people.
Springvale's business had also flourished, with Ying'er's infamous charm now widely recognized by Liyue's citizens.
When the Traveler sought Ying'er to make the incense, she endured a round of Ying'er's suggestive remarks in person.
Zhongli didn't accompany them this time—had he been present, Ying'er might not have dared to unleash her usual antics in front of an Adeptus.
In the original timeline, Lumine might not have caught on, but having read the book beforehand gave her more time to think.
Now, with her mind tinted by certain implications, she understood things she shouldn't have.
Remembering how she had responded in Lucian's book—"Don't worry, I'm quite experienced"—filled her with embarrassment.
Under Ying'er's guidance, Lumine successfully prepared the incense.
The only thing left was the "Everlasting Incense" from Bubu Pharmacy.
Arriving at Bubu Pharmacy, they found the place empty. Lumine walked straight to the counter, where she found Qiqi, who was even shorter than the counter itself.
Though she had never met Qiqi before, Lucian's book had already spoiled the surprise.
This was the confidence that a prophetic book gave Lumine.
"Ah… customers…"
"Welcome… to Bubu Pharmacy… I am Qiqi," Qiqi said slowly.
"Wow, she really is this tiny!" Paimon gasped.
"Speaking of height, Paimon, you're even shorter," Lumine teased.
"Hmph! That doesn't count! If I fly, I'm taller than you!" Paimon floated up a bit higher, now half a head above Lumine.
Lumine chuckled but didn't argue, turning back to Qiqi.
"We'd like to buy Everlasting Incense."
She even pulled out a prescription and handed it to Qiqi.
Since she already knew Qiqi operated based on "orders," she might as well play along—getting a doctor's prescription wasn't hard.
"Mmm… Everlasting Incense… Qiqi… will go look."
Qiqi took the prescription, then turned to the medicine cabinets behind her, standing motionless.
Her tiny finger tapped her chin as she tilted her head up, staring at the cabinets as if deep in thought.
Seeing that Qiqi needed time, Lumine and Paimon waited patiently.
"Lumine, back when we read the prophecy book, I didn't think much of it, but now I feel like someone fits the description of the 'Cocogoat'," Paimon mused.
At the time, they hadn't met Ganyu yet.
"Goat horns, half-Adeptus beast… doesn't she remind you of Ganyu?" Paimon counted on her fingers.
Lumine nodded—it really did match.
"Do you think Qiqi would be happy if we brought Ganyu here?" Paimon asked.
"Probably not… unless Ganyu brought coconut milk," Lumine replied.
"After all, what Qiqi truly loves isn't the Cocogoat, but the coconut milk."
The two chatted idly, debating whether Qiqi would actually like Ganyu.
Just then, Zhongli arrived.
"Zhongli, where'd you go?" Paimon complained.
"Ran into an old friend and exchanged a few words," Zhongli replied.
After some small talk, they realized something—why was Qiqi still standing there, unmoving? Had she not found it yet?
Growing impatient, Lumine asked, "Qiqi, did you find it?"
She had assumed Qiqi forgot where the Everlasting Incense was, but instead, Qiqi nodded.
"Found it… but… too high… Qiqi… can't reach."
She remained in her thoughtful pose, tilting her head up, but now she was straining on her tiptoes.
"Ah. From a universal rationality standpoint, this was indeed my oversight," Zhongli admitted.
Lumine finally realized—Qiqi hadn't been pondering the incense's location, but how to reach it.
Little Qiqi… why didn't you just ask for help?! They'd waited all this time for nothing!
"Then why didn't you ask us for help?" Paimon flew over and asked.
"Because… you are… customers," Qiqi answered.
Lumine facepalmed. Of all times for Qiqi to be professional about customer service…
Paimon hovered above Qiqi and pointed at one of the cabinet drawers.
"Is it this one?"
Qiqi shook her head.
"This one?"
Qiqi nodded.
Paimon opened the drawer and retrieved the Everlasting Incense.
"Phew, finally got it! Now we have everything."
"Payment… three million… Mora," Qiqi stated.
Just as Lumine reached for her purse, Paimon stopped her. "Wait! I have something to say!"
She cleared her throat, her expression turning solemn, and spoke in Zhongli's tone:
"Hmm… three million. At first glance, it may not seem much, but from a universal rationality standpoint, it is indeed somewhat troublesome."
"..." Zhongli remained silent.
What was with Paimon and Lucian stealing other people's lines?
Come to think of it, in Lucian's book, Paimon had also stolen someone's lines—was this her hobby?
Lumine sighed. What could she do? If her Paimon wanted to roleplay, she'd let her. She paid Qiqi the Mora.
Paimon had wanted to mimic Zhongli's speech for a while now, but the previous merchants hadn't charged them, leaving her no opportunity.
Luckily, Qiqi—as always—paid no heed to whether Zhongli was an Adeptus, finally giving Paimon her chance.
Now, she excitedly stomped her feet. "Well? Did I do a good impression?"
"Indeed. It was quite accurate," Zhongli acknowledged.
Say what you will, but Paimon's mimicry was impressively lifelike.
"Might Paimon consider imitating young Lucian next time?" Zhongli chuckled.
"Impersonate Lucian?" Paimon stroked her chin, genuinely considering in what scenario she could mimic him.
Meanwhile, Lucian had just finished watching the opera. The one cleaning his table happened to be Shenhe.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Qiqi: About the Prophecy Book
"What book? Qiqi… doesn't know…"