svetikya Chapter 86 Side Story: The Traveler
Chapter 86 Side Story: The Traveler
If it weren't for encountering Zhongli again at the Northern Bank, after experiencing the events of fighting with the Prince for the ancestral artifact and protecting Liyue with the Seven Stars and the immortals, Kong would have almost forgotten about the invitation.
This time, after learning from the female executor of the Fatui that Zhongli was the Rock God Morax he had been searching for, his gaze towards Zhongli changed.
"Why are you looking at me like that, traveler?" Zhong Li asked, raising an eyebrow.
The two had already left the Northern Bank. With the two troublesome executives no longer present, Kong organized his thoughts and boldly spoke up: "I was just thinking that Mr. Zhongli's hobby of holding funerals and weddings together is quite peculiar."
Judging from his tone, Kong was very dissatisfied with being forced into the situation without his knowledge.
Zhongli showed no remorse whatsoever: "The traveler has also gained a lot from this journey, hasn't he? You helped Seven Stars in such a critical situation. Whatever you do in the future, Liyue can provide you with assistance, just like these missing person notices posted all over the city."
With the full support of one nation, he would be able to receive news immediately should Sora's sister appear in Liyue.
Kong knew this too, and in the end, he could only turn his face away and sulk in silence.
Paimon looked left and right.
The oblivious guy wasn't particularly angry, but he still didn't dare to interrupt and could only idly stare ahead.
Upon closer inspection, one could spot a woman wearing a veil standing not far away.
Paimon looked at the sky, puzzled. "Is the sun really that big today?"
That's not quite right. After all, the battle with the demon god Osel has just ended, and the weather is even a bit gloomy.
Before she could figure out whether such a cloudy day was suitable for wearing a veiled hat, Zhongli suddenly quickened his pace, passed her, and walked straight to the woman's side.
Xun Ming.
The man's face held an expression Paimon had never seen before. Although the curve of his lips was similar, the light in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Hey, look, Kong..." Paimon whispered the Traveler's name.
Kong turned around in confusion, only to unexpectedly witness the woman taking out a handkerchief and reaching out to wipe non-existent beads of sweat from Zhong Li's forehead.
He hurriedly looked away, his accusing gaze fixed on Paimon.
The usually mischievous little guy suddenly felt guilty, his eyes darting around: "Hehe, anyway, when we get the invitations to the wedding, we'll be eating dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), so maybe seeing it early will help us get used to it?"
Yes, based on Zhong Li's unusually enthusiastic attitude and their interaction, she had already guessed that this must be the wife Zhong Li was talking about.
There's absolutely no way you can get used to this!
Kong's eyes were resolute, vowing never to bow down to the evil forces of the Teyvat couple.
Perhaps they had been standing there motionless for too long, and the woman on the other end was a little confused. When Kong finally made up his mind to look again, he found that she and Zhongli were also looking at him.
He took the initiative to approach them and led Paimon to their side.
Zhongli introduced, "Xun Ming, these two are the traveler and his guide I mentioned to you before."
Xun Ming lifted his veil, revealing a beautiful face with a smile as radiant as peach blossoms: "I have often heard you two mentioned by the master, and it is truly an honor to meet you today. You two are indeed as extraordinary as the master has said."
Kong doubted whether Zhongli had said this, because someone looked surprised after she finished speaking, and then chuckled after a long while.
Paimon, on the other hand, was delighted by Xun Ming's flattery because she hadn't noticed these little details, and kept asking her all sorts of questions.
Kong was worried about how easily she was deceived and decided that he would definitely find a professional to give her a lesson on fraud prevention when he had the chance.
Just as Paimon was so coaxed that he wanted to hug Xun Ming and kiss him, Zhong Li promptly interjected, "I thought you wouldn't be coming here for a while after you returned to Chenyu Valley."
A few days ago, Liu Yun was bored and had nothing to do, so he dragged Li Shui Die Shan and Xiao Yue Zhu Yang to study human wedding ceremonies. They accidentally came across a custom that the couple could not meet before marriage.
Moreover, this seems to be a custom from Shenyu Valley.
After a discussion among the three—actually, it was mainly Liu Yun who, on a whim, decided to let Xun Ming stay at her parents' home for a while, and then have Zhong Li personally go to Chenyu Valley to pick her up on the wedding day.
Xun Ming hadn't initially intended to agree, but Zhong Li's stubbornness—as if he was completely leaving the decision to her and didn't care that they would be separated for a long time—made her reluctant to go along with his wishes and she chose to accept.
Thinking of the man's hesitant expression that day, Xun Ming's smile deepened: "That was originally the plan, but with such a big commotion in Liyue Harbor, I can't rest easy without coming to check it out."
"So it turns out this is a blessing in disguise," Zhong Li chuckled, shaking his head. "Then, are we going back this time?"
"Of course I will." Xun Ming said, then put down the thin veil hanging on his hat, put his index finger to his lips and winked at him, "I came here secretly this time. If Liu Yun sees me, I won't be able to escape a scolding."
Zhong Li then looked hesitant again, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Xun Ming smiled slightly, then turned and left.
Feeling neglected once again, Kong and Paimon couldn't help but go over and pat Zhongli, who was still standing there in a daze: "If you can't bear to part with him, then go after him."
"Reluctant to part?" Zhong Li was somewhat taken aback. "Does the traveler mean I don't want Xun Ming to leave?"
"Isn't this obvious? Even I could see it at a glance!" Paimon muttered, hands on his hips.
Zhong Li composed himself and explained, "I once said that I would respect all her choices. This is her decision, so naturally I must agree. Even if I am reluctant to let her go, there is no reason for me to keep her here."
Kong sighed and rubbed his forehead: "How can you say that, sir? Since you're going to be husband and wife, you two are naturally one, and you should discuss everything together. Besides, this kind of thing is more like a romantic gesture, isn't it? I bet if you told Miss Xun Ming, she would be happy instead."
Kong didn't know their story, nor did he know why Zhongli had such thoughts. If he did know, he would definitely say that it was an overcorrection.
He was right. Zhongli knew Xun Ming well and quickly realized the latter's true intention in not choosing to use magic but instead returning to Shenyu Valley.
"The traveler is right. Please excuse me for going first."
Kong and Paimeng both expressed their understanding and watched him hurry off to catch up with Xun Ming, who hadn't gone far.
As soon as Zhongli left, Paimon burst out laughing: "Kong, you always say you want to stay away from these young couples, but every time you see them talking, you get more anxious than anyone else, constantly coming up with ideas."
This was the same last time I was with Diluc and the others in Mondstadt.
After being persuaded by Sora, Diluc went to talk to his lover on the spot. The cheerful and straightforward Erinda immediately burst into laughter through her tears and gave him a kiss in front of everyone.
Paimon still remembers how pale his face turned green back then.
Kong clearly remembered this scene as well, and his face began to turn green again. After a long while, he sighed heavily: "Well, at least we didn't have to face this scene directly this time, which is a blessing in disguise."
The two walked forward while talking, intending to go to Xinyuexuan for a luxurious meal to reward themselves for a hard day's work. However, the next second they saw two figures intertwined.
—We've gone the wrong way! This is the direction Zhongli just left!
Paimon glanced at the empty space beside him.
Well, his face turned green again.
(End of this chapter)
作者说:感谢在2024-05-01 23:27:40~2024-05-03 14:00:46期间为我投出霸王票或灌溉营养液的小天使哦~
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Mingyueye (49 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!