"Mm! You make an excellent point."
Hu Tao agreed wholeheartedly with Venti and continued, "To be honest, I've long suspected that our Guest Consultant might be an Adeptus traveling incognito. After all, he seems to know everything—but I've never had any proof! Now that the Vigilant Yaksha and an Adeptus disciple are both here today, why don't the two of you tell me—do you think the Guest Consultant is actually an Adeptus?"
All the pressure instantly shifted onto Xiao and Shenhe.
Shenhe lowered her head again, her thoughts spiraling around a single question.
Who am I? Why did I come here? When can I leave?
Seeing that Shenhe wasn't responding, Hu Tao turned to Xiao. "What do you think, Adeptus?"
"Huh? Th-this…"
Xiao froze, his mind racing as he desperately searched for an answer.
Zhongli spoke calmly, "I'm nothing more than an ordinary mortal. How could I possibly be an Adeptus? If we're talking about someone who seems like one, then surely Lora fits better than I do—after all, she managed to invite both the Vigilant Yaksha and an Adeptus disciple."
"That does make sense," Hu Tao said, turning her gaze toward Lora.
"Huh? Me?" Lora paused, glancing at Zhongli, then at Venti, before finally fixing her eyes on Xiao. "Adeptus Xiao—am I an Adeptus?"
"Uh… y-you…" Xiao looked at her, completely unsure how to respond.
"Miss Shenhe, am I an Adeptus?" Lora asked again, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Huh? Th-that…" Shenhe was utterly at a loss.
"Miss Xianyun, do you think I look like an Adeptus?" Lora turned to Xianyun beside Shenhe, smiling gently.
Xianyun: "…"
What did this have to do with her? Fine. Fine. So this was how they wanted to play it.
Just as Xianyun was about to blurt out Lora's true identity, Lora cut in first.
"Director Hu, see? No one's saying anything. How could I possibly be an Adeptus? Besides, I'm from Fontaine—how could I be a Liyue Adeptus?"
Hu Tao thought it over for a moment, then nodded. "Mm… you're right."
Lora raised an eyebrow at Xianyun. Trying to turn the tables on me? Didn't expect me to be one step faster, did you?
Xianyun caught the meaning behind Lora's smile and could only feel helpless. How long had it been? The gods of today had really become like this—Anemo Archon, Hydro Archon… and even Rex Lapis, who had only just retired.
My Rex Lapis… with those dignified brows and steady eyes—how did you end up joining them in this nonsense?
"Alright, alright, enough of that!"
Hu Tao waved her hand.
"Today's a festive day—let's eat! This entire table was prepared by Xiangling and Lora. You're all in for a treat!"
Rhodeia's eyes widened in shock.
"My lady… you cooked?"
"It's been a while since I last cooked, so I'm not sure if my skills have dulled," Lora said with a smile. "Once you're done eating, don't hold back your opinions. These—and these—were made by me." She pointed out several dishes, giving the Adepti pointed looks.
What?
You wouldn't dare give a bad review, would you?
"Oh my, I had no idea Miss Lora could cook!" Venti looked at the table in delight, his interest clearly piqued. "It seems I'm truly lucky today, getting to enjoy such a feast."
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded from his seat. "Such a lavish banquet today is thanks to the Adeptus and Miss Shenhe."
Xiao: "…"
Fine. Just end it already. He was tired. This was pointless.
Xianyun looked at Zhongli in silence, her expression complicated. Rex Lapis behaving like this… he must be seriously unwell.
"Thank you, Adeptus big brother! Thank you, Sister Shenhe! For letting me eat such delicious food!"
Zhongyue lifted her fruit juice, thanking them in a soft, earnest voice.
No—this is actually insane.
Xiao looked utterly stunned.
Zhongli stood, teacup in hand. Under the shocked gazes of Xiao, Xianyun, and Shenhe, he raised the cup and said solemnly, "On such a festive occasion, with a banquet this bountiful and the gathering of both old and new friends, it is truly something worth celebrating. To meet with all of you here at the start of the new year fills me with joy."
"At this moment, allow me to offer a toast—using tea in place of wine."
Xiao jolted. "Huh?!"
Xianyun coughed lightly, set her teacup down, and wiped a trace of moisture from the corner of her mouth.
Shenhe lowered her head again and whispered to Xianyun, "Master… should we run?"
Xianyun glanced at Zhongli, then at the eager-looking Venti and Lora beside him, and even at Zhongyue, who was already holding her juice and half-ready to climb onto a chair. She sighed.
"My disciple… there's no escaping this."
"Well said, Mr. Zhongli!" Venti praised cheerfully. "You've said everything I wanted to say. Though I must admit, I'm a little embarrassed—I did barge in uninvited and caused some trouble…"
With that, he stood as well, raising his teacup. "Normally, in Mondstadt, we'd be drinking wine at a time like this. But since there's only tea here, I'll follow Mr. Zhongli's lead and toast with tea instead. Thank you all for your hospitality!"
Lora rose gracefully, laughing softly. "Since Mr. Venti and Zhongli are in such high spirits, I'll do the same. Back in Fontaine, I usually only drank water at gatherings like this—this is my first time offering a tea toast!"
Rhodeia: "?"
Xiao, Shenhe, and Xianyun all fell silent.
Thank you very much—this was also their first time being toasted by gods.
"I also—" Zhongyue started, but Shenhe swiftly pressed her down, whispering in a voice only they could hear, "You don't need to."
"Huh?" Zhongyue froze, clearly not expecting Shenhe to actually stop her.
Xiao and Xianyun both cast Shenhe looks of deep admiration.
Well done, Shenhe!
Watching the scene unfold, Paimon whispered to Lumine, "Um… what do we do? Why did they suddenly start toasting? Xiao, Xianyun, Shenhe…"
Lumine glanced at Xiao and Rhodeia, then over at Shenhe and Xianyun, weighing every possible excuse she could use to rescue them. After a long moment, she sighed helplessly.
"I've got nothing. All I can say is… good luck to them."
"Good luck…"
Paimon blinked, looking at the four of them. Somehow, it really didn't look like good luck was coming their way.
All four sat stiffly, each questioning why they had come here in the first place. Still, the three troublemakers had at least a shred of conscience—they didn't actually go through with formally toasting the four.
A shred of conscience.
But not much.