when the imposetr is sus (zhongli)

Chapter 1

After Osial's wife was defeated by Liyue's people and the two brave individuals, peace returned to the nation once again. The traveler, Aether, was able to continue his journey. Meanwhile, Shenhe stayed in Liyue. When Aether and Paimon had to take a trip from Inazuma to Liyue, Paimon spoke up once they arrived.

"Oh, hey! Paimon just got an idea," she started. "Once we finish getting this letter delivered, we should go check up on Zhongli! Ooh, and we can tell him about Inazuma! Do you think we could try to get the Raiden Shogun - actually, she probably wouldn't be good with dinners. Do you think we could get Ei and Zhongli to meet? That'd be so cool! Like an archon dinner. I bet Zhongli's cooking is really good..." she mused. "But anyways, we should go check up on him!" Aether listened, considering the idea. It wouldn't be so bad, to just check up on a friend. "Sure," he said, adjusting the bag slung across his shoulder.

"Woo! Paimon wonders how things have gone," Paimon said as they walked. Along the way, they greeted several people as they passed. Spotting Ying'er wave slowly, Aether picked up his pace a bit.

"It's been a while since we've been in Liyue," he murmured, admiring the place. "It looks like everything's running smoothly, too." As they reached the person to deliver the letter to, Aether handed it over and explained who it was from. They gave him their thanks, before going back inside. Aether stepped back, thinking. "Where do you think he'd be? The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"

Paimon simply shrugged. "We could try to check there. Or maybe he's at Wanwen Bookhouse. He seems like the type of person to enjoy books," she replied. "Alright, we'll check the funeral parlor first. I hope he's not busy," Aether added. "I wouldn't want to interrupt him."

Upon arriving at the funeral parlor, a familiar face peeked out at them. "Oh, hello my valued clients, traveler and Paimon!" Hu Tao, director of the funeral parlor, greeted. "It's been a while!"

"Hi," Aether said. "Hi Hu Tao! We're looking for Zhongli. Do you know where he is?" Paimon asked, taking over the conversation. Hu Tao looked thoughtful for a moment, before shaking her head. "Nope, I don't! Haven't seen him in a few hours at most," she replied. "But last time I saw him, he said he was just going out for a walk. No clue where he went, though. Why do you need him?" She inquired, curious. "Aw, darn! At least we know he's not busy," Paimon said. "We just wanted to say hi!" Hu Tao nodded, before turning away. "Well, he might've gone to Third-Round Knockout, but I'm not sure," she explained with a shrug. "It's just a guess. But good luck on finding him!"

As they called out their thanks, Paimon turned to Aether. "So, let's check out Third-Round Knockout. Hopefully he's there, so then maybe we could all share a meal! And then Paimon could order one of those 'boom-shaka-la!' options off the menu," Paimon said. Aether sighed, laughing a bit. "Of course you're thinking about the food. Anyways, if Zhongli's not there, we could always check around other places."

Arriving at the restaurant, the two searched the area. "Huh... no sign of Zhongli," Paimon said. "Maybe he's - oh, Paimon sees him!" She suddenly broke off, pointing at the table in the far corner. "Wonder why he's so secluded. Oh well! Let's go say hi!" Aether's gaze followed where she pointed, seeing the man - seeming absorbed in thought - in the shaded corner alone. They both approached the table, and Aether waved. "Hi, Zhongli!" Paimon greeted. Zhongli blinked, before spotting the two before him. "Ah, hello, Traveler and Paimon. It's been quite a while," he greeted.

"It sure has! But of course, we saved another nation," Paimon said, putting her hands on her hips in triumph. "It was a really scary process, though. Paimon thought we were toast, like, three times!" she exclaimed. "But we're here! So all is well, I think." Zhongli nodded, a small smile forming. "Yes, I believe so. Nothing much has happened during your absence, only the inevitable passage of time. How have you been?"

"That doesn't sound ominous at all," Paimon joked. "But we're doing well! Paimon's learned about all sorts of new foods in Inazuma! And we got to meet the Raiden Shogun, too. You should meet her one day! She's really nice, when she's not in her magical realm in her consciousness." Zhongli nodded, his eyes on Paimon as he listened. "Ah, you must mean the Plane of Euthymia. Well done for having the ability to persuade her to enter," he complimented.

"Eh... I wouldn't say we exactly persuaded her..." Aether said, sighing. "But it turned out well, so that's all that matters." Zhongli nodded, before motioning to the empty chairs at the table. "Why don't you take a seat? You need not worry about the price - I'll pay," he assured them. Aether raised an eyebrow, and Paimon gasped. "No way! Zhongli? Having mora?!" she exclaimed, exaggerated. Zhongli chuckled, nodding. "Yes, I managed to make some mora by doing work," he explained. "Anyways, what would you like?" "Ooh! Paimon wants Golden Crab! It's been a while since we've had foods from Liyue, so Paimon's excited!" Paimon exclaimed. "I'll just get the Crab Roe Tofu," Aether replied.

Zhongli nodded, before approaching the counter. As he ordered, Paimon turned to Aether. "Paimon wonders what kind of work Zhongli did to get mora. Whatever job it is, it better be Paimon-applicable!" Aether laughed slightly. "I'm not sure," he said. "I'm glad he remembered, though. He's slightly different from when we last saw him, too. I guess he was right - things do change."

As Aether finished speaking, he turned to see Zhongli arrive. "I've finished ordering, so now we shall just wait," he said. "So, how would you say your adventures in the nation of the electro archon went?" Aether simply shrugged. "I mean, it went okay. There's not much else to say, though." Shooting a glance to the crowd, Aether lowered his voice. "The Fatui got ahold of the Raiden Shogun's gnosis, too. They have three now, I think." As he spoke, Zhongli nodded seriously. Paimon leaned in, curious on what he'd say. "Well," he began, "that does sound bad. I do worry a bit on what their plan is. Being retired as Rex Lapis, I have no need to aid other nations in case of emergency. So for now, I shall stay here."

Aether simply blinked. That was... sort of random? It was weird, the way he worded it. "Erm... okay," he said, pulling away. "Anyways, that's how it went." Zhongli frowned for a moment, before he returned back to his usual self. "I see," he said. He began to stand up, brushing off his clothes. "Well, I've got to go back to the funeral parlor. Do not hesitate to contact me if you're in need of assistance," he added, pushing in his chair. Aether nodded, his brow slightly furrowed. "Hey, wait," he called.

Zhongli froze, before turning around. "Yes?" There was a brief pause, before Aether spoke. "I was just wondering - did something, uh, happen? Like, are you alright?" Zhongli stared for a moment, before raising an eyebrow. "Yes..? I'm not sure why you think I wouldn't be. If I ever had an issue, I would make you aware," he replied. That wasn't the answer Aether wanted, but he leaned back with a sigh. "Okay, take care, then," he said, waving to him as he left.

Paimon turned to Aether, a confused expression on her face. "What was that for? He seemed fine to Paimon," she said. "Yeah, it's probably nothing. I'm just being paranoid, I guess. With what happened to Albedo," he replied. Paimon nodded sympathetically, watching Zhongli leave. "Yeah, Paimon gets that. But that was a whopperflower all the way in Mondstadt," she pointed out. "Besides, it's been, like, two months or something already since we've last seen him, since we didn't see him at all when we fought Osial's wife! So Paimon thinks he might've just changed a little, because everyone changes!"

As he listened, Aether nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right. Anyways, lets finish up our food. We could go check the latest news to get up to date, too," he added. Paimon nodded, letting out a muffled "Mhm!" as she ate her food.

Finishing his food, Aether set his chopsticks down. As he waited for Paimon to finish up, he cast a worried glance in the direction Zhongli had walked off to. Was his mind really just playing tricks on him? He wasn't sure. But one thing he did know for certain was that the Wangsheng funeral parlor was one way, while Zhongli had gone the other way.