Zhongyue pulled Xiao over and seated him, but he immediately felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. To his left was Lora, while Zhongli and Zhongyue sat to his right. All three kept glancing his way, smiling.
Zhongli swept his gaze across the room and said with a sigh of admiration, "Who could have expected that today's gathering would include not only youthful heroes, but also the Vigilant Yaksha who safeguards peace across all of Liyue? To be able to sit together like this truly brings honor to us all."
Xiao: "…"
Shenhe: "…"
Xianyun: "…"
"Exactly, exactly! Although I'm not from Liyue, I've been here for quite some time, and this is my first time dining with so many people—let alone having a legendary Adeptus join us. I'm honestly overwhelmed," Lora followed up cheerfully.
Shenhe lowered her head. Xianyun pushed up her glasses and glanced around. Xiao sat stiffly in his chair, utterly at a loss.
Overwhelmed?
Whether or not he felt honored was debatable—but startled, he certainly was.
Watching the scene unfold, Paimon leaned over and whispered to Lumine, "Lumine… don't you think the atmosphere feels kind of weird?"
"How could it not?" Lumine sighed helplessly.
Those poor Adepti…
Zhongyue added enthusiastically after Zhongli and Lora, "That's right! I've always heard from my family that Adepti are incredibly powerful. I never imagined I'd actually get to sit with one—this is amazing!"
Xianyun looked at Zhongyue, shock written plainly in her eyes.
This is… Azhdaha?
Zhongli and Lora being shamelessly good at acting was one thing—but when did her acting get this convincing too? Xianyun glanced at the utterly flustered Xiao, then at Shenhe with her head bowed, and could only sigh inwardly.
"Oh? By the way, Miss Zhongyue, where is your home located?" Hu Tao asked with interest.
"Around the Nantianmen area," Zhongyue replied.
"Then you probably don't come to Liyue Harbor very often. You should really enjoy yourself today!" Hu Tao said with a grin.
Zhongyue nodded. "Mm! Thank you!"
And indeed, she was having a wonderful time.
As everyone chatted merrily, the sound of ceaseless wind drifted in from outside. A youthful voice, smiling and light, carried in with it:
"The wind carries stories as seeds…"
"…And time makes them sprout!" Paimon replied instinctively, only to freeze a moment later. "Ah! I accidentally finished the line. But that voice sounds really familiar…"
Lumine glanced at Xiao and nodded. "Mm. You guessed right."
Hu Tao turned toward the door. "If I heard that right, is someone outside? Guest Consultant, don't just stand there—go open the door!"
Zhongli looked toward the entrance, but made no move.
The person outside laughed. "No need to trouble yourself. I can come in on my own."
As his words fell, a strong gust of wind blew the parlor doors open. Venti stepped inside with a grin. "Ahh, finally made it in."
He stood there and greeted everyone brightly. "Hi hi! Everyone—whether we've met somewhere before or not, let's treat today as a brand-new encounter! Old friends, new friends—happy festival to you all!"
"Whoa, it's the bard!" Paimon exclaimed, eyes sparkling as she stared at Venti.
Hu Tao's excitement was immediate.
"Oh my, this young man looks so spirited! He's exactly the type I'd befriend! A guest is a guest, and meeting is fate—no need for words. Please, sit! Help yourself to the food—I'll have them bring you extra tableware! Guest Consultant, hurry and get him a bowl and chopsticks!"
Zhongli expressionlessly set a bowl and chopsticks in front of Venti.
Watching this, Lora suddenly recalled a line: On a certain day of a certain year, the Geo Archon personally set the table for the Anemo Archon.
"Mmm! Just look at this young lady's bearing—bright as flowers and the morning sun. She's clearly the one in charge here!" Venti said as he took the empty seat, lavishly praising Hu Tao. "With so many good dishes, I won't hold back!"
"Venti, what brings you to Liyue?"
Lumine asked curiously.
Paimon nodded along. "Yeah, yeah—why are you here?"
"Well… of course, the wind told me there were people here worth befriending, and such a grand feast besides. So naturally, I followed it here," Venti replied with a smile.
"Oh? Then this young man is an acquaintance of the Traveler?" Zhongli said slowly, turning to Venti.
"Not just that," Venti added with a grin, looking straight at Xiao. "I'm also friends with the legendary Vigilant Yaksha who purges demons and guards this land."
"Huh? Why would he suddenly say that…" Paimon gasped and looked nervously at Lumine. "Xiao isn't going to be scared, right?"
Lumine glanced at Xiao and nodded. "Mm. He is."
"Huh?!" Xiao stiffened, meeting Venti's smiling gaze. After a moment of silence, he nodded. "Y-Yes… that's right. Back in Dihua Marsh, I once… met this… this…"
"It's 'the bard,'" Venti kindly reminded him.
"…Yes. 'The bard,'" Xiao said, nodding again.
"I see. Hello, I'm Zhongli. I currently work at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. It's a pleasure to meet you, my new friend," Zhongli said, putting on a look of sudden realization.
Lora also greeted him from Xiao's side. "Hello, I'm Lora. I'm from Fontaine. Currently unemployed."
"Meeting two new friends in one trip—this has been quite rewarding indeed!" Venti laughed, returning their greetings.
"Huh? But don't Zhongli and Lora already know Venti?" Paimon whispered to Lumine as she watched them exchange pleasantries.
Lumine gently patted Paimon's head. "Just watch the performance. Don't say anything."
"Performance?" Paimon scratched her head in confusion, but obediently floated beside Lumine and watched.
Xianyun had already lowered her head just like her disciple, silently hoping the three overly playful elders wouldn't notice her.
They didn't—but Zhongyue, sipping her fruit juice, shifted her gaze toward Xianyun and Shenhe.
"I heard that Miss Shenhe is also a disciple of an Adeptus—how incredible!"
Her clear voice rang out.
Everyone's attention immediately turned toward them.
Shenhe snapped her head up, staring blankly ahead. "Huh? What? Me? This…"
"I never imagined Miss Shenhe was a disciple of an adeptus. How astonishing!"
Hu Tao said excitedly, then let out a heartfelt sigh.
"Who would have thought that my little Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would play host to both an adeptus's disciple—and even the Vigilant Yaksha himself!"
"That only goes to show," Venti said with a smile, "that Director Hu truly has adepti ties. Who knows—there might even be other Adepti here, quietly hiding their identities!"