Chapter Text
"Baizhu...I want to go on the roof. To watch the fireworks.." Qiqi mumbles, holding her hands to her chest and staring up at Baizhu. "It's high up there. I don't wanna disturb the finches on the ground..." Qiqi looks at a few of the birds, smiling softly at them before looking back at Baizhu.
"Oh Qiqi, finches just fly away as a precaution whenever they hear footsteps approaching. It's not because they're scared." Baizhu looks down at Qiqi, smiling back at her. "Do you mind if I touch your head? I know how you dislike some people messing up your hair."
"Yes... You can touch my hair.." She says quietly. "Do you think we could get a cocogoat, Baizhu..?" Qiqi questioned, tilting her head at Baizhu. Baizhu hums, thinking about it for a moment. "Let's see, after we finish visiting these patients we can see if we can get some cocogoat milk." He pats her head, assuring her.
"Baizhu... Do you promise that Qiqi will be able to see the fireworks..?"
Baizhu looks at the sunset, humming to himself. "I'm sure we could make it to watch the fireworks, I don't see why not." Qiqi nods, pulling at his cape. "Can Qiqi have the notebook..?"
"Well, of course, Qiqi. How about after we're done with these patients, we can watch the fireworks and feed the finches? Would that make you happy, Qiqi?" Baizhu questioned, taking out a pocket watch and checking the time. "We should go now Qiqi, we have patients to attend to. We have to collect some herbs." He hums, putting his hand out for Qiqi to take after she was finished writing down what she wanted to.
"Doctor Baizhu.." Qiqi mumbles, looking at her feet. "Do you love Qiqi?" Looking around, Qiqi tries not to meet Baizhu's eyes, a little worried at how he might react. "Now, what makes you think I don't? Of course, Qiqi, I do love you. You.. You're like my daughter Qiqi, just like Yaoyao is, maybe you will be able to meet her when we go back to Sumeru. Until then, we can go see Klee and Sayu." Baizhu exclaimed, chuckling and smiling down at Qiqi.
"I feel.. Tired.." She says quietly, leaning on Baizhu and pulling on his cape. "Dad...Can you carry me please..?" she asks, yawning.
"Qiqi...We have to- Alright, come here. We can go sleep and I'll tell you when the fireworks are going to start. We can drink cocogoat milk and draw in your notebook okay?" He says softly, picking Qiqi up and staring at her. Who could ever hate this child? What a sweet kid..
"Qiqi says.. Baizhu is a good dad to Qiqi.." She yawns, resting her head on Baizhu's arms.
"We can collect herbs tomorrow, you're more important." He sighs, looking at Changsheng. "What are you looking at, hm?~" He asks, laughing quietly as he starts to walk back to Bubu Pharmacy, trying to be as quiet as possible so he doesn't wake up Qiqi.
Changsheng looks at Qiqi, then looking at Baizhu. "You should take a break from working, Baizhu. What is your pain scale for today?" She asks, hissing at him softly. "Only a six dear, Changsheng. Don't worry about me, we are going to make sure Qiqi has a good time at the Lantern Rite Festival first before we worry about me."
"Always looking after others before yourself.. No wonder you have a Dendro vison, always obsessed with goals and helping other people before you.." She licks his cheek, as if she was trying to comfort him.
"Thank you, Changsheng. Hopefully by the time we get to Bubu Pharmacy, my pain levels will be on a low. As long as we don't run into any trouble, that is." He looks down at Qiqi, almost at Bubu Pharmacy. "Changsheng, did I wake you up before? I do apologize if I did."
Changsheng wraps her body around Baizhu's neck a little tighter. "No. I was listening in on your conversation with Qiqi. You're a good person, Baizhu. If only you knew how to care for yourself first." She hisses, shaking her head before resting her head on his shoulder.
"Changsheng.." He warns. "What? IM right." She laughs.
"We're here, Changsheng, Qiqi." He says, walking into Bubu Pharmacy and behind the desk, into the bckrooms and heading to Qiqi's room.
"Here you go, Qiqi. Sleep well." He says, quietly leaving the room and going to make some herbal tea for himself and sighing to himself. He sits down, struggling to move much without being in pain.
Changsheng slithers off of his shoulders and onto the ground. "What is your pain scale now, Doctor Baizhu?" She asks, slightly worried about him.
"Only.. An eight." He sighs, resting his hands on the table. "I feel very fatigued. Perhaps I should sleep as well." He mutters, putting a hand on his head. "Would you like to sleep in the garden, Changsheng? Or would you prefer my bed again?"
She makes her way onto the table, wrapping her body around his right arm. "I would love to have the pillow again but I think you should rest for now, don't worry about me. You have work to do tomorrow and the fireworks aren't until another few hours. Try to sleep, Baizhu." Moving up his arm and onto his neck and head, she rests her head on Baizhu's head. "I am going to rest here until you finish your tea, Doctor Baizhu."
"Alright. Let me know if you want anything, Changsheng." he mumbles, yawning and sipping on his tea. "Let me know if Qiqi wakes up at all, I don't want her to be trying to cook things again." he laughs, finishing his tea deciding to leave it there until the morning. "Come on, Changsheng."
"Sleep well, Doctor Baizhu."
"Sleep well, Changsheng."