𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙀𝙮𝙚𝙨 [ 𝘼𝙐 𝙕𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙘𝙝𝙞 ]

2: Osmanthus wine

Childe listened carefully to Zhongli's words, as he tried to remember all the dishes on the menu and mentally select the ones that might match his description.

"Don't worry about the type of dish, this morning I haven't had enough time to have breakfast, so I'll advance the meal," Childe was reassured by hearing those words, since that way the options he had increased, and he would not have to worry about making a fool of himself.

"Well, in that case, how about Jade Rolls?" Childe smiled. Zhongli put his hand to his chin and closed his eyes, nodding in approval. How could he refuse the offer? The Jade Rolls were an exquisite dish.

"Seem right," Zhongli finished, returning Childe's smile. "Do you have Osmanthus wine?"

"Sure, I'll serve you right now," Childe wrote down the order in the little notebook. "Would you like anything else?"

"It won't be necessary, thanks."

Childe nodded and left the table, he headed to the kitchen, sighing in relief as he opened the hallway doors and left the main room. If Zhongli remembered him, he was glad that he hadn't mentioned anything about his trance last time. Childe was in enough trouble already to have to add a celebrity who could literally ruin his life. So he was glad to see that wasn't the case.

He opened the kitchen doors, alerting Scaramouche of a new order and setting it on the metal wall, hooking the torn paper from the notebook with one of the magnets. The cook replied without looking at Childe, as he was busy with another order. The redhead took the wine requested by Zhongli from the wine rack. He picked up a bucket, filling it with ice, and returned to the living room, addressing the taller man, who was observing the restaurant's decor and its busy workers.

Childe set the bucket on the side of the table and poured the wine into the glass, filling it halfway. Zhongli thanked, looking gratefully and a little longingly at the drink. He took the glass delicately, as if it might break at any moment, and raised the crystal to his lips, tilting his head back a little so he could take a sip of the wine. Childe put the bottle carefully into the bucket.

"The Jade Rolls will be ready soon," the redhead announced, he thought the other man seemed to be quite patient, judging by the treatment he had given him, but he still made sure not to make him impatient.

"It's fine, don't worry."

The redhead withdrew, not without first telling him that if he needed anything he would call him. Zhongli nodded his thanks. Childe didn't realize what time it was until he walked into the kitchen to see how Scaramouche was doing. His rest time had started long ago, and he was five minutes away. He gasped, leaning against the wall, feeling all the accumulated fatigue wash over him.

Scaramouche looked at him with a frown, he didn't ask if he was okay, it was obvious that he wasn't. The shorter one gave him the Jade Rolls, Childe picked up the plate, gathering himself. He returned to Zhongli's table, and finally handed him the food. Zhongli thanked again, to which Childe simply smiled and walked away, too tired to reply.

He locked himself in the break room, passing two of his companions, whom he was supposed to have been with at that time, but he didn't care. The other two looked at him confused, but decided it was best not to disturb the redhead.

Childe sat down heavily in the chair, throwing his head back and covering his face with his hands, growling in frustration. His sleep schedule was a disaster, and the overtime on the weekends was not helping him at all, adding to all the stress of his financial and family situation.

He jerked forward, resting his palms on his knees to get up. He went to the coffee pot, pouring himself a cup of coffee that one of his colleagues had prepared. The bitter liquid was drank quickly, the effects of the caffeine would not take long to give their effect.