Yilong Wharf's compact layout and maze-like residential area made it easy for outsiders to get lost.
After asking locals for directions, Luna and the others finally found the market.
Furina read aloud, "Steamed rice noodles, rice noodle rolls, beef brisket noodles... Are there really this many dishes?"
Luna smiled. "Liyue is quite remarkable, isn't it?"
"More abundant than remarkable. So many choices, it's overwhelming! Let's just roll a die to decide!"
Lynette looked puzzled. "A die?"
Why would we use a die?
Navia clapped her hands and laughed, "When in doubt, let the random number decide!"
"Are you all having trouble choosing breakfast?"
An unfamiliar voice suddenly chimed in.
Who's that?
Furina turned her head and met a pair of golden eyes.
The man who appeared before them had refined features, yet his voice and demeanor were as steady as bedrock, leaving a deep impression.
Chiori gasped, "Oh?"
These clothes are exquisite... Layered with precision, the colors harmonize perfectly. You can tell this is a meticulously crafted piece, poured over with care.
"Forgive my intrusion," the man said. "You may call me Zhongli. I'm an Honorary Advisor at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Honorary Advisor? What does that entail?" Navia asked curiously.
"Merely minor tasks—mostly sharing my observations and knowledge. Judging by your accents, you're from Fontaine?"
Isn't that Rex Lapis? Luna thought, slightly surprised.
To encounter him here... but it's not unexpected. He does wander the mortal realm, after all. You could run into him anywhere.
Furina mused, This man feels different somehow...
Though I can't quite put my finger on what makes him special.
Never mind. We're just here for sightseeing and to investigate Luna's origins. There won't be any diplomatic issues!
Furina crossed her arms and nodded. "Are you a local? Any recommendations?"
"For an early start, there's plenty to choose from. Rice noodle rolls drizzled with sauce paired with tea from Yilong Wharf are exquisite. The smooth texture of the noodles, combined with the savory meat and egg filling, is perfectly complemented by the tea's astringency, which cuts through the richness..."
Wow, this guy just started rattling off a whole string of sentences!
He's like some old geezer.
Furina tugged on Luna's sleeve, signaling with a look: Should we just leave?
Navia forced a smile. "Ahahaha, we, we just want to grab a quick bite!"
"In that case, try the steamed rice noodles and rolls first. Freshly ground soy milk and tea will complement them nicely."
Alright, let's give it a shot.
Furina placed their order, noticing Zhongli's gaze. She instinctively hid behind Luna, shifting Zhongli's attention to Luna and Arlecchino instead.
"Hmm..."
He paused thoughtfully.
Arlecchino quickly interjected, "No need to worry, Mr. Zhongli. We're just here to enjoy the local scenery."
The unspoken implication: Mind your own business.
"Is that so? Since you're merely tourists, I won't impose further. The matter the Director entrusted me with remains unresolved, so please excuse me."
Zhongli suddenly remembered something else. "Ah, there's one more thing."
He turned to Luna and Furina.
"Your performances have garnered considerable attention, even in a foreign land. Should the opportunity arise, I suggest you consider performing in Liyue. While the theatrical styles differ greatly, the core remains the same—tales of love, hatred, and the tangled emotions between people."
Has the Geo Archon already seen through my disguise? Luna wondered thoughtfully.
Luna smiled politely. "We'll consider it."
"Very well. And, Lady Furina, Lady Luna," Zhongli added.
A question mark popped above Furina's head.
What now?
Zhongli smiled faintly. "Your performances were exceptionally captivating."
"Huh? Ah, of course! But... have you actually seen our performances?" Furina asked, completely bewildered.
Zhongli offered no reply, simply strolling away with leisurely grace.
This only deepened Furina's confusion.
"What a strange man! He doesn't seem like one of my fans. Could he be your fan, Luna? How else would he know both our names?"
"Impossible," Luna replied, shaking her head.
Arlecchino murmured softly, "This simply proves that Lady Furina's performances resonate deeply and are worthy of recognition."
Her words earned her only a look of sheer horror from Furina, as if she'd seen a ghost.
"You..."
Don't praise me! Furina felt a sudden unease.
She tugged on Luna's sleeve.
"Luna."
"What is it?"
"Praise me."
Under the piercing gazes of Chiori, Navia, and Lynette, Luna gently massaged Furina's face.
"Furina's performance was truly magnificent. After all, it directly ignited my passion."
Furina's expression finally relaxed, her soft, warm cheeks being kneaded into various distorted shapes, making her resemble a dumpling.
That's more like it!
Arlecchino praising her? Absolutely not.
Luna praising her? Perfectly acceptable.
The next moment, Luna's wrists were each seized by Chiori and Navia.
"Lulu hasn't ordered yet, has she? What do you want to eat? Surely it's steamed rice noodles, just like me!"
"How about xiaolongbao?" Chiori suggested.
Without a word, the two Musketeers pulled Luna toward the shop, engaging the boss in conversation and completely ignoring Furina's attempts to continue her pouting.
Furina raised an eyebrow. They're blatantly trying to steal her right in front of me?
But there's no need to worry! I am the absolute number one!
"Oh my, they're so impulsive! Can't they be a bit more composed?" Furina said smugly, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation.
Lynette puffed out her cheeks slightly, clinging to Luna's back and standing on tiptoe. She pointed a finger and called out, "Lululu, get that for me!"
"Why add an extra 'Lu'?" Luna asked.
"For clarity," Lynette replied. After all, there were two people present who called Luna "Lulu."
Furina: "..."
I really can't stand this! She darted toward Luna, squeezing into the group of four, joining their lively chatter.
Only Arlecchino remained seated, calmly savoring her tea.
Such boisterous children.
-
Meanwhile, at Palais Mermonia,
Focalors stretched languidly. "Ah~ Luna and the others should have arrived in Liyue by now, right?"
"It's been so many years. I wonder how Liyue has changed."
"I heard the Geo Archon Morax just suddenly collapsed and died. If you ask me, that kind of 'death' was rather perfunctory."
"He should have read more mystery novels to make his death more suspenseful."
Neuvillette, head bowed, reviewed documents, mostly arrangements for the opera house. He nodded slightly, then finished processing a stack of papers.
"Why didn't you go?"
"Go where?"
"With Luna and the others," Neuvillette said calmly.
"You claimed you wanted to become human, which implies a longing for the world beyond the stage. Yet you took over Furina's old duties and chose not to accompany them to experience the world."
In truth, Neuvillette had always found it odd that Focalors would take over Furina's work.
Furina had performed for five hundred years, and Focalors had spent the same amount of time preparing behind the scenes, all to deceive Celestia with her fabricated death.
Both she and Furina had sacrificed so much. They deserved rest.
Moreover, Focalors had claimed to want to become human, just like the other Oceanids.
Yet she still accepted the responsibilities.
"...Heh, why indeed?"
Focalors smiled mysteriously.
She gently stroked the full-length mirror.
"That would, of course, be—"
Out of guilt.