In Li Mo's arms, Shenhe lifted her head slightly and said earnestly, "Ever since I came down from the mountain, I've waited here every day. Because I knew that one day, I would meet someone important here."
Li Mo: "…"
He knew Shenhe often waited here. But he had not realized she came every day. And at this hour, when it was already dark, she still came. He had been careless.
In his arms, Shenhe looked at him, her eyes filled with emotions she could barely contain. "I know you must have your reasons for not revealing yourself. But I've missed you so much."
During the years she had lost her memories, though she did not know who she was waiting for, her longing had never diminished.
Li Mo could only sigh. "Shenhe, I'm sorry. For certain reasons, I can't reveal my identity yet. I can only keep telling stories. Only then will I have the chance to reunite with you. Promise me—don't tell anyone who I am, alright?"
If his identity were exposed now, the Raiden Shogun, Ei, Makoto, and Barbatos would surround him immediately. Before long, his identity would be known throughout Teyvat. Making others cry would become even harder.
Shenhe was not surprised. She had already guessed as much from the stories. She lifted her head, looked at Li Mo's serious expression, and nodded earnestly. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. But you have to promise me—don't leave again. Promise me, alright?"
She held him tightly, afraid that the person she had finally found would disappear again.
Li Mo could only nod. "Don't worry. I won't leave again."
Just as Li Mo's warm embrace was melting Shenhe's cold adeptus heart, footsteps and voices came from the dark street across from them.
Li Mo tensed. Having one person, Shenhe, know his identity wouldn't affect his storytelling, since her story was already finished. But if anyone else—or the whole of Liyue—found out, he would not be able to continue.
"Someone's coming. I have to return to the inn. Remember, keep our secret for now. After I've finished everything, I can stay in this world and be with you."
After comforting Shenhe, he gently released her and disappeared into the night.
Shenhe watched him go, her eyes soft. She almost felt that everything that had happened today was just a dream. When she woke up, it would all vanish.
Then she heard Hu Tao, Keqing, and Qiqi behind her. They had returned from Mount Aocang.
"Shenhe, we've been looking for you," Hu Tao said. "Why are you here? Waiting for someone? At this hour, even Zhongli isn't out with his birds. Who would come here?"
She craned her neck, looking around, but saw nothing.
Shenhe quickly explained, "No. I wasn't waiting for anyone."
Hu Tao's interest was piqued. "Anyone? Who? Did you really meet that Li Mo from the story? Didn't he enter the cycle of reincarnation again? How strange."
Shenhe insisted, "I really didn't meet anyone."
Her heart was simple, and she was not good at lying. Fortunately, unless she told them, no one would guess that the storyteller's name was Li Mo.
Seeing Shenhe's flushed face, Hu Tao found it very strange. The ethereal, indifferent Shenhe was blushing? But she didn't press further. Instead, she changed the subject to repairing the grave.
"We found a big pile of stones and built him a new grave. That boy's name was Li Mo, right? He should be able to rest in peace now."
Keqing corrected her. "Not rest in peace. He entered the cycle of reincarnation."
Qiqi added, "Hu Tao almost dug him up."
Before, hearing about Li Mo's grave would have made Shenhe very sad. But now that she knew the storyteller was Li Mo and that he had returned, her entire mindset had changed.
Still, she said, "Thank you. If the reincarnated Li Mo knew, he would thank you too."
Hu Tao said proudly, "Of course. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services guarantee satisfaction."
Keqing said, "It's late. Let's all go home."
Qiqi: "Go home."
...
While Hu Tao was boasting to Shenhe, Li Mo had already returned to Wangshu Inn.
He felt as if someone were talking about him behind his back. He sneezed.
How strange. Had someone disturbed his past body? Ruined its feng shui?
Never mind. He would rest. Tomorrow, he would continue his storytelling.
The night passed uneventfully.
When Dvalin's roar sounded outside Wangshu Inn, everyone knew it was morning. Li Mo got out of bed, ate a simple breakfast, and went downstairs.
When he reached the stage, he saw that the audience was already packed, waiting for him to speak.
"Storyteller, you're so lazy. Dvalin must have woken you up. May he wake you every day."
"The fifth life is over. It's time for the sixth."
"For the sixth life, I bet he'll be reincarnated in Liyue again."
"Maybe Inazuma? He had two lives in Mondstadt and two in Liyue, but only one in Inazuma. I'm betting on Inazuma."
"Storyteller, can you grant me one small request? Tell a sweet story this time."
...
Below, the audience was already speculating.
On stage, Li Mo sat down, took a sip of tea, and began.
"You're right. In his sixth life, he was reincarnated in Inazuma again—as a powerful being."
"His name was Orobashi."