EN | An encounter she will never forget | ᴄʜɪʟᴜᴍɪ

7 - Daily life in Liyue

Childe left, leaving Lumine and Paimon stunned. The little fairy remained strangely silent, as well as Lumine who was trying to make some order in her confused mind.

Childe is... a Harbinger? Those who use any means to achieve their goal, no matter if innocent people are involved or even killed? A Harbinger like the one who worked in Mondstadt to steal the Gnosis, the source of power, from Barbatos disguised as a simple bard called Venti?

But then Childe is an enemy?

For an unknown reason, Lumine didn't want to believe this last possibility.

Her brother had told her numerous years ago that the eyes were the reflection of a person's soul. Even though the person tried with all her might to show in public a totally different person to what she was intrinsically, something deep down her eyes would always reveal her true nature and feelings.

As Childe said goodbye, a strange glow that Lumine couldn't quite identify shone deep in his blue orbs. However, she was certain of one thing: he didn't seem happy to reveal his true identity, and not for the sake of anonymity. It was as if he feared the judgment of others.

But despite these suppositions, Lumine shouldn't forget that he was a Harbinger she had to avoid at any cost.

Without considering him an enemy, I will have to be wary of him. For the sake of Diluc, who warned me.

Zhongli, who had given the two companions some time to think, broke the silence that had fallen.

"How about a nice dinner, ladies?" which immediately rallied Paimon to his cause. "The Wanmin restaurant is the best in town. The dishes are culinary masterpieces that are worth enjoying in good company," he continued. "Moreover, it seems that it is the exceptional chef Xiangling who is cooking tonight."

"I want to go, I want to go, I want to go!" Paimon implored, looking at Lumine.

Lumine agreed without delay, curious herself about the dishes Zhongli was praising. They both followed Zhongli as he headed for this famous restaurant.

◆ ◆ ◆

When they arrived, Lumine noticed that the restaurant was crowded and very busy. The greeter noticed Lumine with Zhongli and smiled at him.

"Welcome to Wanmin Restaurant, would you like a table for two, Mr. Zhongli?"

"For three," corrected Paimon, slightly offended at having been forgotten.

"Oh, forgive me, miss... fairy?" resumed the employee, even though he still looked shocked. "This way please."

He immediately took them to one of the rare available tables in a corner of the room. A waiter took over to take the group's orders. With unfailing efficiency, the waiter returned a few moments later with their food.

Paimon was quick to attack her dish of Boiled fish, the chef's specialty. Lumine followed suit and tasted her 'Come and get it' dish (ramen), which was truly exquisite.

"It's really good!"

Giving a faint smile, Zhongli seemed proud to have converted these two young ladies to the cuisine of the Wanmin restaurant. As Paimon continued to stuff her face, Zhongli spoke up, destined especially to Lumine.

"You know, Childe is a man before he is a Harbinger. You should get to know him before you form a negative opinion of him."

"How do you..."

"Your backward movement."

"Ah."

Of course, Zhongli was in reality far more observant than what Lumine suspected. Turning her gaze to her dish, Lumine started playing with her chopsticks while she thought of the explanation she could give to Zhongli.