farewell • xiao

chap. 5

"Are you sure that you'll need all of that for a polearm?", Xiao doubtfully scanned the list of materials for his weapon that (y/n) had noted down.

She gave him a half hearted smile, staring at the small iron chunk in her hand. "I myself am a polearm user, so you can trust me with that"

She paused, before putting the iron chunk back into a box in liyues forge. "I think we should focus on gathering Cor Lapis first. I heard there's a cave in Mt. Aozang with lots of ores"

Xiao shrugged his shoulders, not knowing anything about the stuff she was talking about. Maybe we should ask Zhongli to come along..

—

"It's the least i could do", the Archon smiled warmly at the two younger people in front of him, after agreeing on accompanying them to get the Cor Lapis.

Only a little time had passed, but some citizens already went outside to work, which is why the streets were starting to get crowded.

Zhongli stood in front of the Funeral Parlor, carrying some papers in his hands as he spoke to Xiao and (y/n).

"Well let's leave then, shall we?", the words smoothly left his mouth, but just as he was about to turn around, a happy voice stopped him.

"Zhongliii~", a small woman in black clothing appeared around the corner, a grin plastered on her face. Her dark brown hair was tied into two pigtails, as it faded into a crimson red at the tips.

"Hu Tao.. what a surprise to meet you so early in the morning", the male exclaimed, carrying an unreadable expression as he did so.

"I could say the same about you! Usually you always roam around in Liyue Harbor in the morning, instead of coming to work... Not that you have to, your shift starts at 12pm anyway", her scarlet eyes then wandered to (y/n) and Xiao, visible curiosity breaking her face as she did so.

Though before she could start speaking, Zhongli placed his hand on her shoulder with a gentle smile. "Let us talk later. We have a lot of things to do for today"

The Wangsheng Funeral Parlors Director slightly pouted, as she didn't even get to introduce herself. „Ah well, I'll see you around then"

She swiftly turned around, her pigtails bouncing in the air as she cheerfully walked away again.

(y/n) slightly tilted her head, silently wondering why Zhongli had cut her off like that. Just like he could read her mind, a light chuckle escaped his lips.

"She would have probably continued talking for hours, without interruption. If you wish to meet her again though, (y/n), just let me know", the Archons lips once again tugged up into a smile that made the females heart bloom.

—

"We could have just teleported here"

Xiao looked very unsatisfied, as they stood in said cave after a long marsh over the giant mountains and hills of Liyue.

"I agree", (y/n) nodded, her legs feeling sore from all the walking. She remembered how Zhongli would sometimes take her on top of Jueyun Karsts highest mountains as a kid, to watch the sunset together.

It was rather a rare chance to hang out with Liyues Archon, so she often considered herself as very lucky.

Zhongli looked at Xiao, his face breaking into his all so familiar smile afterwards. The older male told many stories to the two while hiking, which made him think of it as a very enjoyable time together.

—

With Zhonglis help, they mined all the Cor Lapis within the cave in the timespan of a few minutes.

The sun was already setting, when the three of them left again to return to Liyue Harbor. Xiao quietly grumbled, as he had to carry the bag with the orange ore on his back.

„This was certainly a nice day, wasn't it? How about some tea? We could invite Hu Tao, if you wish to", Zhongli requested, feeling a little guilty for sending his boss away earlier.

(y/n) nodded in agreement, meanwhile Xiao stayed quiet. He clearly didn't want to, but on the same time he didn't want to disagree with the Archon.

"I will let her know, then"

————

Zhongli the miner