the lying love of his

"Aww.. Xiansheng, thank you!" Childe smiled, taking the flowers. "Remember that I love you, Childe." Zhongli said. The male looked at Zhongli with a soft smile. "I love you too!"

Lies. Complete lies. Zhongli groaned, remembering that painful memory.

"Mr. Zhongli..? Someone has requested for you." Hu Tao entered the consultant's office.

"Oh, Manager Tao.. I'll be out in a second. Just thinking about the past." Zhongli gave a weak smile. Hu Tao didn't return any smile. Her face was just covered with concern and worry.

"Okay, hurry.." she left the room in silence. Zhongli understood why she wasn't so bubbly often. He's changed ever since.. something happened. Zhongli gathered his stuff and left his office, the blinding, rising sun blurring his vision for a moment.

"Hello. Are you Zhongli?" the person asked. Zhongli nodded.

"Indeed I am. What help are you in need of today?" Zhongli asked. The person went on explaining that they have to help a family coming in from Snezhnaya, but materials were low in the harbor. "I see.. I do know of some locations to find cor lapis as well as glaze lilies. As for the fish and other sea creatures, they'll be found in nearby lakes. I'll ask the traveler for calla lilies." Zhongli said.

"Thank you sir!" the person bowed and left. Zhongli sighed. He had to go for cor lapis and glaze lilies.

Hours later, he returned to the funeral parlor.

"Manager Tao, please hand this to the client that came to me in the morning." Zhongli said. Hu Tao looked at the amounts of glazes lilies and cor lapis.

"Alright, I would do so." Hu Tao said. Zhongli put the calla lilies the traveler gave him into the pile of materials. "Mr. Zhongli.. Are you still thinking about that fatui member?" Hu Tao suddenly asked. Zhongli's eyes widened. He looked at his manager who stared back.

"Unfortunately. He can't leave." Zhongli said. Hu Tao sighed. 

"Don't you have that bard friend who's dating an adeptus?" Hu Tao asked.

"Barbatos? He's busy in Mondstadt currently. Xiao accompanied him." Zhongli said. Hu Tao thought for a moment. 

"I can't really help you then." Hu Tao sighed. She got up. "Come, let's go to Wanmin. Clear your head of that harbinger." Zhongli followed her to Wanmin.

"Oh! If it isn't the infamous director and Mr. Zhongli!" Xiangling said. Xingqiu stopped eating and looked at the pair.

"Where's that ginger, Mr. Zhongli?" he asked. 

"He's.. busy." Zhongli said. Xingqiu gave him that look saying he knows he's lying. "Please, let's not talk about him right now." Xingqiu gave off a worried look. 

"Xingqiu, let's just forget about him right now. Mr. Zhongli looks like he doesn't want Childe to be the topic." Chongyun said. Xingqiu sighed.

"Okay.."

After eating, Zhongli excused himself. He went to Guyun Stone Forest to speak to the ocean. He needed something that couldn't hear to speak too. Painful memories wouldn't leave him alone and the soft splashing of the ocean calmed him.

"Xiansheng! Look at this!" Childe ran towards the consultant. A beautiful starconch rested on the gloved hands. "The color reminds me of your eyes, Childe." Zhongli smiled. "Aww, you're so sweet, Zhongli xiansheng."  Childe said. He handed the starconch to Zhongli. "Love you, Zhongli." Childe said.

No.. you didn't love me. You fucking lied. Zhongli dug his fingers into the sand, remembering of all the sweet moments between him and Childe.

Childe ran his fingers through the soft fabric of the sweater. "Do you think this will look good on me?" Childe asked. Zhongli inspected the sweater. "Of course, Childe." Zhongli responded. Childe laughed. "You said that 15 sweaters ago." Childe commented. "You look in anything, my love." Zhongli said. Childe flushed red. "You're such a lousy romantic."