I'm In Genshin & Stalking the MC But The Side Characters Are Strange!!

Chapter 9

Zhongli, a man with a tall physique, politely dressed in his signature brown suit- like outfit. He knew all the faces in Liyue, but he knew that she was new. Which was weird considering she looked like she originated from here.

"Hello there," he decided that he would strike up a conversation.

Jingyi slightly jolted back to reality, "hm?"

"I didn't mean to startle you. I just don't recognize you around these parts. I'm Zhongli."

"O-oh! I'm Jingyi."

"May I ask what family you are from?"

"I come from the Lee family."

"Ohh, any relation to Pengfei Lee?"

Jingyi's eyes widened, "my uncle?"

"So you are his niece, how is he doing these days?"

Jingyi hesitated, "I wouldn't know, my parents and I don't keep in touch with our Liyue family..."

Sensing the discomfort Zhongli was quick to apologize, "I'm sorry for my tactlessness."

"It's no problem! How could you have known?"

The two were cut off by the upbeat voice of a young man. Zhongli and Jingyi turned to see a man with a head of ginger hair. A monochrome outfit draped with a red scarf and red fatui mask resting on top of his head. Jingyi's expression and body stiffened, which amused the harbinger.

"Greetings Zhongli, I see that you were in the middle of conversing with this young lady here. Sorry to interrupt."

"Oh no, we're done talking away," Jingyi said, "don't let me get in the way."

"Oh you're not in the way, believe me," Zhongli assured, "in fact, would you like to have dinner with me after I finish talking to my friend here? It seems you're interested in Liyue and I could give you a bit of a history lesson."

Jingyi's ears perked up, "okay that does sound pretty good."

"Whoa whoa, I didn't have anything in particular I was planning on discussing with you Zhongli. I was just stopping by since I was bored but if you two are going to dinner let me tag along! My treat!"

Zhongli ponders, "I see, what would you like to do Jingyi?"

Having the spotlight suddenly thrusted on her she gulped, she looked at the ginger who is undoubtedly a harbinger she decided the safest option was to not have any bad blood.

"I don't mind, especially since you said you would be treating mister...."

"Call me Childe!"

"...Child?"

"Yeah it's spelt the same way but the end has an E."

Zhongli interjected, "it's best not to think about it too hard, he is a strange man."

"Yeouch! I thought we were comrades."

"See what I mean?"

Jingyi couldn't help but giggle.

"Har har, make fun of the poor little ol' me. Let's get going, I'm starved!"

Zhongli led the three of them to the Wanmin Restaurant where he chatted a bit with chief Mao before ordering all sorts of food.

"Am I missing anything?" Zhongli asks while looking at Jingyi.

"I trust your judgment Zhongli!"

After ordering, the trio went to look for a place to sit and wait for their order number to be called. People came and went from the humble restaurant and a good majority of them when they noticed Zhongli either greeted or stopped to have a conversation with him. It was at that point that Jingyi realized the history lesson may have to wait for another time. Noticing the girl look downtrodden, Childe wanted to give her some words of encouragement.

"This happens all the time, Zhongli is just that guy."

"I see..."
"I don't think you ever formally introduced yourself yet."

"Oh snap, I'm sorry. I'm Jingyi, an adventurer."

Childe smiled, "An adventurer? So you know how to fight?"

Jingyi felt a bit intimidated, "well, what I know gets me by. I usually stick with doing smaller stuff."

"Hmm an adventurer huh, makes me think of a certain traveler..."

Jingyi's face lit up, "Lumine right?"

Childe was surprised for a second but quickly composed himself.

"Oh? Are you a fan?"

Jingyi smiled brightly, "you can call me that, I just think she's so cool!"

Zhongli suddenly joins the conversation again, "it seems our food is ready, I'll be right back."