After finalizing all matters related to the contract, Idris left the Jade Chamber with Nahida.
Ganyu originally wanted to follow along—but she was refused.
That refusal made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
The knot in her heart from earlier tightened even more.
It made her feel as if everything that had happened between them was nothing more than a fleeting encounter—like morning dew that vanished with the sun.
Women's emotions were strange like that.
One sentence could make them happy for half a day.
Another could linger in their hearts for a lifetime.
After leaving the Jade Chamber, Idris led Nahida through Liyue Harbor, searching for the man they had seen watching the opera earlier.
The act of tracking someone down thrilled Nahida to no end.
"Grand Sage Idris! Why are we looking for that braided guy?" she asked excitedly.
"Is he a bad person?"
Idris smiled faintly, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Don't underestimate him. He may look ordinary, but he's very rich."
Nahida's eyes lit up immediately.
"Then if we find him, will he treat us to a meal?"
"Of course," Idris replied calmly.
"Not only will he treat us well—if we run into trouble in Liyue later, we can also ask him for help."
Thinking of Zhongli, Idris couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
He was genuinely curious—
What kind of expression would the former Geo Archon make when confronted?
Shock?
Annoyance?
Or would he snap and try to fight?
Just imagining it felt delightful.
"Then let's hurry and find him!" Nahida urged.
Idris, however, wasn't worried.
Zhongli was always wandering around Liyue anyway—never staying in one place for long.
But after searching tea houses and even Yun Jin's opera troupe, they still didn't find him.
Nahida's enthusiasm quickly ran out.
"I'm tired… and hungry…" she complained, rubbing her stomach.
Idris frowned slightly as well.
Strange. Zhongli should still be in the city.
Then suddenly—
He slapped his forehead.
"How did I forget her?"
"Forget who?" Nahida asked, confused.
"I'm starving! Where's the braided guy?"
Idris chuckled helplessly.
"Alright, I know where today's payer is."
"Really? How do you know? I looked everywhere!" Nahida asked suspiciously.
Idris pinched his fingers together, closed his eyes, and spoke solemnly:
"I divined it."
He looked more like a street fortune-teller than a Grand Sage.
"Wow! You're amazing!" Nahida gasped.
"Can you teach me too?"
"Nope," Idris said instantly.
"This technique is passed down only to men."
"…That's unfair!" Nahida pouted.
Laughing, Idris led her toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
If nothing unexpected happened, Zhongli had definitely been dragged here by Hu Tao.
Either to do free labor.
Or to keep her company.
Sure enough.
From afar, they spotted Zhongli standing beside Hu Tao.
Idris pointed at him.
"See? That's today's sponsor."
"That's him?" Nahida tilted her head.
"He looks… kind of familiar."
She was certain she had never met him before, but something about him felt off.
She did recognize Hu Tao, though.
When they first arrived in Liyue, Hu Tao had asked Idris many questions—but never paid him a single Mora.
Nahida had been holding a grudge about that.
She was already planning to bring it up later.
No way was she letting her Grand Sage be taken advantage of.
"Hu Tao!"
At Idris's call, Hu Tao instantly stood up and rushed over.
Zhongli, meanwhile, looked puzzled.
Why was Hu Tao treating this man with such respect?
He hadn't paid much attention to Liyue's recent developments.
He was simply staying here, quietly watching the land he once protected.
After living for so long, many things no longer stirred his heart.
"Grand Sage! What brings you here?" Hu Tao asked cheerfully.
"I came to find him," Idris said, pointing straight at Zhongli.
Zhongli's eyes narrowed immediately.
He recognized this man.
This was the one who had discreetly probed his strength earlier at the opera.
That alone was enough to irritate him.
"You're looking for me?" Zhongli asked coldly.
"Do I know you?"
Nahida tugged on Idris's sleeve and whispered,
"He's scary… Grand Sage, did you get the wrong person? Someone like him doesn't look like he'd pay for our meal."
"It's fine," Idris said calmly.
"Just wait and watch."
Then he stepped forward and casually slung an arm over Zhongli's shoulder.
Zhongli's expression darkened instantly.
Hu Tao stared in confusion.
Since when were these two so close?
Lowering his voice, Idris leaned in and said softly:
"Relax. Just let me say two things."
"…Rock King."
Zhongli's pupils shrank.
He immediately glanced at Hu Tao—
then quietly exhaled when he realized she hadn't heard.
"What do you want?" Zhongli asked, his voice icy.
"I skipped lunch. Bad mood," Idris said with a grin.
"So I want the Geo Archon to treat me to a meal."
Then he added softly, almost playfully:
"You don't want everyone to know, do you… Mr. Zhongli?"
Zhongli's face went completely dark.
After a long silence, he finally spoke—
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