As expected, Ningguang immediately stopped crying when juice was mentioned.
She took the 'juice' from Makoto's hand and then drank it obediently and quietly.
The adorable Qiqi also held a coconut milk and drank it down heartily.
Makoto breathed a sigh of relief at the sight.
Although he used a bit of a trick, at least Ningguang finally drank the medicine for her illness.
Following that, Makoto took a tissue and gently wiped the mouths of the two Little Cuties.
While wiping Ningguang's mouth, Makoto softly asked, "Little girl, how does it taste? It's not bad, right?"
Ningguang blinked her big eyes, then weakly said, "It tastes sweet, but I feel the medicine flavor is a bit strong."
Upon hearing this, Makoto subconsciously said, "Little girl, you tasted the medicine?"
When the doctor prescribed the medicine earlier, he said it didn't have a strong medicinal taste.
It was quite similar to the taste of juice.
Many children couldn't tell the difference.
He didn't expect Ningguang to still discover the difference.
Actually, after a second thought, Makoto didn't find it strange.
Although Ningguang was young, she was more mature than children her age.
Naturally, it was impossible to easily fool her.
Ningguang softly hummed in agreement, then said, "Ningguang feels a strong medicinal taste, but Brother Makoto said it's juice, so Ningguang believes it's juice."
"Whatever Brother Makoto says, Ningguang will believe."
The little girl raised her head, her eyes curving into a smile.
Makoto felt a little touched inside; he didn't expect Ningguang to trust him so much.
Her trust was so great that even if she tasted medicine in the juice, she still insisted on obediently finishing it.
Simply because Makoto told her it was juice, not medicine.
So silly.
How could there be such a silly little girl?
Makoto couldn't help but laugh.
He could feel that his importance in Ningguang's heart was growing.
And how could he not like this obedient and well-behaved little girl more and more?
Makoto squatted down, gently pinched Ningguang's little cheek, and asked with concern, "Little girl, do you feel a bit more comfortable now?"
Ningguang nodded lightly, saying in a milky voice, "Ningguang feels much better, but I feel a bit sleepy after drinking the juice and want to sleep..."
The little girl had been working all day, so she was prone to drowsiness in the evening.
Coupled with the fact that she had been feeling unwell earlier, it was understandable that she wanted to sleep now that her condition had improved.
However,
Ningguang was clearly very sleepy, yet she forced herself to stay awake.
Her appearance was truly too adorable.
This also made Makoto laugh and cry at the same time, not knowing why the little girl was so persistent.
He held Ningguang in his arms, then said dotingly, "Little girl, it's the same as always. I'll carry you back, and you can sleep peacefully now."
The little Qiqi next to him also nodded in agreement with Makoto's words: "Rest... Ningguang needs rest..."
Due to her constitution, little Qiqi didn't feel sleepy, or even any discomfort.
However, she could clearly see that Ningguang's condition wasn't very good and she needed rest.
However, Ningguang shook her head repeatedly.
"No, Ningguang can't sleep yet..."
"Ningguang hasn't even finished the task Brother Makoto assigned yet, so I can't sleep."
The little girl was also stubborn.
In her opinion, today's work had to be finished today, and absolutely could not be delayed until tomorrow.
Even if she was extremely sleepy, she had to persist in completing the task.
Most importantly, she didn't want to disappoint Makoto.
What if the task wasn't completed and Brother Makoto was disappointed?
She didn't want to disappoint Brother Makoto.
It was precisely because of this that Ningguang, even though she was extremely sleepy, insisted on not sleeping.
Makoto also realized that Ningguang's so-called task was to plan out the village's upcoming construction plan.
But how could that construction plan be something that could be decided in one night?
Ningguang was putting too much psychological burden on herself.
In response, Makoto also spoke softly: "Little girl, planning something like this isn't something that can be thought out in a day or two. It requires careful consideration and cannot be rushed."
"Besides, I didn't ask you to finish all the planning tonight, did I? Don't put so much pressure on yourself, little girl, understand?"
"You have already performed your duties very well, so now, go and rest."
Makoto spoke to comfort Ningguang, hoping she would obediently listen and sleep.
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was attentive.
When Makoto spoke those words,
Not far behind him, a man who was taking a stroll paused slightly.
He seemed to be slowly savoring the last sentence Makoto had just said.
"After fulfilling one's duties... can one rest?"
"Then, have my duties been fulfilled?"
The man was a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
His name was Zhongli.
Zhongli was knowledgeable and well-spoken, with a considerable reputation throughout Liyue.
However, besides his identity as a consultant, Zhongli also had an identity unknown to all of Liyue.
Lord of Geo,
Morax.
Zhongli had originally used his free time at night to take a walk.
From a mortal's perspective, he wanted to see if the people of Liyue were living in peace and prosperity.
He didn't expect to have an unexpected gain tonight.
When Zhongli heard Makoto's last words,
His heart, which was as hard and heavy as a rock, suddenly thumped.
Many insights emerged in his mind.
Speaking of which, Zhongli, as the God of Geo, had protected Liyue for thousands of years.
Was it time for his work to end?
Makoto didn't notice at all,
A casual remark from him,
Made Lord of Geo Zhongli generate the idea of retirement.
This idea came a full twenty years early.
"Perhaps the current Liyue no longer needs the gaze of a god,"
"Will Liyue, entering the era of human governance, become better?"
Zhongli looked at Liyue, illuminated by thousands of lights, and murmured to himself.