𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐞

26 | The Consultant and the Astrologer (2)

Over the course of eight thousand thirty years I've been alive, there were many things I've learned and thought about and thought about some more. Thinking was an integral part of who I was. Whether it be deciding on what to eat for breakfast or other more important things. While I loved a good bit of thinking, I'd also found it led to things I didn't want to think about. One of which was the many unsaid things between Zhongli and I. They occupied my mind constantly and left me on edge around him.

Any conversation we had about the aforementioned "things" seemed to always prove unfruitful. That was tiring in of itself alone. Xiao and Lei-li were playing xiàngqí in his room (only because she'd asked until the poor man said yes). It was a quiet day...but my mind was not quiet. I knew for as long as I was being hunted that I'd never be comfortable in one area for so long, but I'd made up my mind that I'd stay until after Lantern Rite and then I could leave.

I glanced up from my book when Zhongli settled on the couch in front of me. The elephant in the room was definitely drawing my attention right now. My book was far more interesting, though. I'd managed to piece together words but had not dared utter them aloud, for I knew that I was still horribly awkward at Liyue's language. It didn't bother me out in public but it felt different when it came to Zhongli himself. Ah, I'm worrying again.

"Something troubling you," questioned the aforementioned man, drawing my attention away from a particularly hard to identify word. Many things-everything I'd dare say-seemed to be some form of trouble coming to wreak havoc upon my already messy mind. What would be next? Childe appearing and causing an even bigger mess? I hoped that hadn't jinxed me-knowing my track record with predictions, I no doubt had doomed myself to eternal unrest.

Holding up the book, I gestured to its cover, "Why do so many characters look so similar but mean drastically different things," a horrible pronunciations tumbled from my mouth and I cringed internally, "for instance: the characters for tǔ and shì look almost identical. Tǔ is literally dirt and shì means scholar or warrior..." The amused look in his eyes (that he wasn't even trying to hide) made me want to tie my hair around my eyes and pretend I couldn't see anything. Smug asshole.

"I would say it is rather impressive you've pieced together that much considering how long it's been since you've last been here. Would you like some help?"

I debated agreeing-thinking about it for what felt like forever but had only been a few seconds-and ultimately decided that continuing to be stubborn about this wouldn't get me anywhere. I nodded and begrudgingly got up to sit beside him, opening the book to the first page. Though I thought I'd made progress, it seemed like every time I opened the book back up I forgot what any of the words meant. It frustrated me to no end.

Zhongli analyzed the page for a moment before he spoke. "How much can you read alone?" he questioned me.

"Well, I recognize the characters for dirt and scholar or warrior...and a few other things as I said. I'm afraid that I'm not making as much progress as first thought." I didn't like admitting defeat over things such as language learning but sometimes defeat was necessary. Even if it were embarrassing for me.

Zhongli nodded in understanding, holding his chin in thought. "Let's make a deal, I shall teach you the basics and gradually increase the difficulty as you learn. The more characters and phrases you're able to remember, the better the reward I give you as I see fit."

That was an interesting way of putting it, but I could work with that. Besides, getting possible free food just for learning how to read sounded amazing. "I accept your conditions," I agreed. I wonder if this would be something I regret. No matter, it would be worth it, hopefully, and besides it could lead to talking about the things we still needed to discuss. Anyways, he pointed to the first word expectantly.