"Master, I'll come back often!" Shenhe hurriedly said to Xianyun.
Caring for lonely elderly birds is everyone's responsibility.
Xianyun continued, "Alright, alright. Your master isn't angry. Take some time to look around Liyue Harbor properly. You belong among humans—one day, you'll return to their world. Going to Liyue with Purifying Water isn't a bad thing either."
Lora stepped in to reassure her.
"I won't let Shenhe suffer in any way. With the child staying with me, you can put your mind at ease."
Hearing Lora call her "child," Shenhe's face flushed faintly.
She knew full well that Lora was an Adeptus—an ancient being older than her by an unimaginable span of years—but seeing her youthful appearance and hearing her speak so familiarly still felt oddly dissonant.
Unaware of what Shenhe was thinking, Lora continued, "If you can't bear to part with Shenhe, you could also move to Liyue Harbor. Shenhe and Ganyu are there, and Ping'er as well. You wouldn't be alone."
"Move to Liyue Harbor…" Xianyun fell silent, clearly weighing the feasibility of the idea.
"Well?" Lora looked at her, waiting for an answer.
"Relocating to Liyue wouldn't be a bad choice," Xianyun said after a moment's consideration. "But let's wait until the crisis in Liyue Harbor has passed. Only then would This Adeptus be in the mood to move."
"That works too. If you have any requirements for a residence, you can have Shenhe keep an eye out for you," Lora nodded.
"Hmph. This Adeptus is not one who chases after worldly excess. Shelter from wind and rain is enough," Xianyun snorted.
Even so, when Lora was about to leave with Shenhe, Xianyun called Shenhe aside and spoke to her in private.
While they were on the road, Lora asked curiously, "What did Xianyun say to you? Can you tell me?"
"Master didn't say I couldn't tell Purifying Water," Shenhe shook her head and replied honestly. "It wasn't anything important. She just asked me to choose a nice-looking place for her to live."
Hearing that, Lora laughed softly.
"I understand. Completely."
Birds, after all, love things that sparkle and look pretty.
When Lora returned to Liyue Harbor with Shenhe and Rhodeia, the city was already lit up in brilliant splendor. Nothing about it suggested that it was facing an imminent crisis of life and death.
As they passed by a theater stage, Lora caught a glimpse, out of the corner of her eye, of a certain social outcast sitting beneath it, leisurely sipping tea.
"Uh…"
Such a coincidental encounter felt oddly appropriate for Zhongli.
Out of professional courtesy between colleagues, Lora walked over and greeted him.
"Oh, it's you. Please, have a seat." Zhongli smiled faintly and gestured for her to sit at the side of his table.
Lora sat down without hesitation, motioning for Rhodeia and Shenhe to join her.
She then asked, "Weren't you handling the preparations for the 'Rite of Descension' with Lumine? Why are you here alone, listening to an opera?"
"I had her go prepare the remaining items needed for the 'Rite of Descension.' On my way back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I saw Miss Yunjin taking the stage, so I stopped to listen," Zhongli explained as he signaled the attendant to add tea and refill their cups.
"Miss Yunjin's operas are truly among the finest in Liyue. You likely haven't heard anything like this in Fontaine. Why not take the opportunity to enjoy it?"
Zhongli said with a smile.
Lora took a sip of tea before replying, "Opera isn't really my thing, but I can keep you company while you listen."
"No need to force yourself," Zhongli said.
Lora shook her head.
"It's fine. I don't have anything else to do right now anyway."
Onstage, Yunjin appeared in full costume, her voice flowing with graceful, winding melodies. Even Lora, who rarely listened to opera, could tell how exceptional the performance was.
When it ended, many in the audience lingered, reluctant to leave.
After changing clothes backstage, Yunjin made her way toward Zhongli and Lora's table.
"I usually see Mr. Zhongli listening to opera alone. I didn't expect him to have company today. To be seated at the same table as Mr. Zhongli, this young lady must be someone of remarkable standing," Yunjin said with a smile as she approached.
"I'm just a traveler visiting Liyue—hardly worth mentioning. But I've long heard of your reputation, Miss Yunjin. Being able to hear your performance today is truly an honor," Lora said politely.
Zhongli nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Miss Yunjin's opera is unmatched anywhere in Liyue."
"Such praise from Mr. Zhongli is rather embarrassing,"
Yunjin said with a smile.
She meant it sincerely—Zhongli's name carried great weight in Liyue, and his approval was more effective than any advertisement.
Lora poured Yunjin a cup of tea.
"Singing is tiring work, Miss. Yun. Please, have some tea to moisten your throat."
"Thank you," Yunjin replied, taking a sip.
"Have you ever considered touring in other places? For example, Fontaine?"
Lora asked once Yunjin had finished drinking.
"Fontaine?" Yunjin echoed, clearly surprised.
Lora nodded.
"Yes. I'm from Fontaine."
Yunjin looked at her with mild astonishment, then sighed with a helpless smile.
"People like you and Mr. Zhongli, who truly enjoy opera, are becoming rarer and rarer. Even though the audience seems large tonight, it's far fewer than in the past. If that's already the case in Liyue, I'm afraid Fontaine would draw even fewer people."
"Not necessarily," Lora shook her head and said earnestly. "If Miss Yunjin's opera were performed at the Opera Epiclese, I can guarantee a full house. I have some connections in the Court of Fontaine—I can help secure a performance opportunity at the Opera Epiclese."
"In that case…"
Yunjin fell into thought, but soon shook her head.
"Thank you for your kindness. Let's wait until my new opera is ready before considering such things."
"A new opera?"
Zhongli spoke up from the side.
At his age, there were few things that still sparked his interest—and news of a new opera delighted him greatly.
Yunjin nodded.
"Mr. Zhongli is a regular here, so there's no need to hide it from you. I do plan to work on a new opera, though for now, it's proving somewhat difficult."
Zhongli set down his teacup and said,
"If there are any difficulties, you may tell us. Lora and I may not be people of great influence, but perhaps we can be of some help."