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"So...."
"So?"
Hu Tao crossed her arms and stared at the horizon before them "I really doubt the bard and our consultant are just mere acquantances..."
"I also feel the same..." Xinqiu added "Based on their interactions, at the very least, they seem like they are hiding something."
"But why would they pretend like they don't know each other? It doesn't make sense..."
"AH!! I KNOW WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO!!!"
"Please tell me it doesn't involve being ridiculous...."
And that's how they got into tailing a person named 'Zhongli'
"Zhongli-xiangseng, with all due respect, it's fine you don't have to assist me." Chef Mao sighed, placing a new set of used plates in the sink, "It was my decision to let my daughter off to enjoy the Lantern Rite. And, this is out of your scope of work."
"I was only following the orders of our director." Zhongli was in the middle of giving Guoba some spices for the next order. Even though he was assisting inside the kitchen, he still refused to remove his gloves nor even roll up his sleeves. It was one of the tiny reasons Chef Mao wanted the consultant out of his kitchen. He just didn't have the heart to kick him out just yet--not when he knows Zhongli meant well. "And I find it enjoyable that I get to spend time with an old friend."
A sigh, "Sir, the night is still young, my heart is more at ease if you actually roamed around and enjoyed the event rather than being cooped up in this messy kitchen." The chef readied his chopping board and placed the next set of vegetables to be prepared. "It would do both of us well."
Zhongli seemed to take it into consideration. Chef Mao considers this as a win.
After a few more minutes of contemplating from Zhongli's part, he nods, "Very well. I will tell the director that this was your decision."With a bow, he collected himself and headed to the door, "Happy Lantern Rite, Cheff Mao, Guoba."
Guoba waved his hand in reply and went back to preparing new food.
With a smile, the cheff waved his laddle, "And to you too, Zhongli-xiansheng. Happy Lantern Rite."
"Hu Tao...." Xiangling started. She turned her head to said girl who was unabashed with the scene of Zhongli walking out of the Wanmin Restaurant "I already told you that Guoba was more than capable in helping around the kitchen.... And you gave him even more work right after we ate......"
"Hmph. Not my fault he was willing to actually help."
"Such a thing as work hours exists, Hu Tao." Xingqiu shook his head in disdain, "You are lucky, Zhongli-sensei is tolerant... is that even the right word..." He could only sigh when Hu Tao ignored his remarks in pursuit of their consultant.
"I'm actually even more surprised that Zhongli-sensei even complied because you know... he looks like someone who shouldn't even be working in the first place..." Chongyun added, tailing not to far behind the group.
"That's exactly why he's even more mysterious!" The director whispered-shout, "He appeared out of nowhere!" She tugged Xiangling as they hid behind a huge tree.
Zhongli was making a purchase in the antique shop and it looked quite expensive at that.
"Aiyah, I hope he actually has mora on him."
"?"
Noticing the questioning gaze, Hu Tao clarified "He keeps forgetting to bring his wallet and a lot of times his purchases gets tabbed on the parlor. I oh--"
Zhongli procured a bag of mora and handed it to the frontdesk. The four noticed that Zhongli had an unfamiliar emotion brought in front. It was so foreign to see the man look anything but stoic. With a bow, Zhongli grabbed the expensive wine and smiled. If ever the stalking group noticed that the person tending in front got flustered, they pointedly ignore it.
Zhongli made his way next to a stall that sells flowers. He bought an assortment of Liyue specialty flowers but more importantly was that he also bought a few Cecilias. A Mondstadt flower.
With this Xiangling internally squealed, "He's buying for someone!!!" Then
she sent a look towards Hu Tao, "And you made him work!!!!"
The director held up her hands, defeated, "How was I supposed to know he was going on a date?!"
With a huff, Xingqiu commeneted "Maybe you could've learned to ask before throwing orders around."
Hu Tao sent a guilty look, "Aaaaaaaaaa"
"Guys, he's moving." Chongyun
"We must make haste! I wanna see Zhongli's lover!" The director has once again tugged on Xiangling's arm as they make chase.
At some point, they lose Zhongli along the way. Which was ridiculous because there were four pairs of eyes set on him. How they lost him, it will remain a mystery.
"Wait. Yunyun, didn't you tell me one time that you have this tracking technique?"
Apprehensive, Chongyun took a step back, "It's an art for tracking the evil spirit. Zhongli-sensei is far from an evil spirit..."
"But a spirit nonetheless!" Hu Tao was suddenly on her knees, clearly trying to pull an antic, "PLEASE!!!! At least try to track him!" She clapped her hands together as if performing a prayer.
"........."
Chongyun sighed and pulled out his talismans. "I can try..."
The talismans floated and formed a circle in front of the cryo user.
Chongyun recited a mantra under his breath. Another circle formed under Chongyun and glowed light blue. He opened his eyes but his vision clearly focused on somewhere else. He tilted his head to the side, confused but kept his gaze pointed there. Moments later the talismans over glows similar to an explosion.
The exorcist shook his head and grabbed a popsicle out of nowhere. His face was red, "Nnnn."
"Sooo..?" Hu Tao watched him expectanly
"Mount Aocang."
They teleported to the said mountain and Hu Tao had also begged Chongyun to cast a presence hiding spell considering that there weren't much hiding spots in that place.
And true to Chongyun's tracking, the consultant really was at Mt. Aocang.
He was preparing the stuff he bought on the table in the middle of the lake. There was a mysterious aura surrounding the man. He picked out one blooming Glaze Lily from his boquet and placed it on an empty seat.
Hu Tao knew what it meant. In memory of someone who used to sit here.
From the distance, the four can tell that it was an obvious moment of silence before Zhongli mouthed, "Happy Lantern Rite, Guizhong" He sat down and poured himself some wine. They didn't miss how he also poured wine for the empty seat next to Guizhong.
"Hu Tao.... I don't think we should be seeing this." Xiangling, tapped on Hu Tao's shoulder. This was too private for them to even view.
"Hu Tao, we should get go--" Xingqiu stopped on his words and held his breath. He gripped Chongyun, who in turn grabbed Hu Tao and Xiangling's attention.
The bard walked past them.
They've never felt even more grateful for the concealing spell Chongyun casted on the group.
Venti casted a wind current and glided to the table.
Zhongli placed down his glass and received a landing Venti.
"Yo, I thought they're just aquaintances?"
"How would I know? "
"They look terribly close for people who just met"
"This... this could be a good premise for the next story"
"Xingqiu what?"
"Nothing."
They observed from the distance that Zhongli and Venti looked way too comfortable with each other for people who just met hours ago.
Venti cupped Zhongli's cheeks and was saying something. Too quiet for them to hear and too minute movements for them to decipher whatever he had said. But whatever it was, it made Zhongli, THE ZHONGLI, pout and kissed Venti's right palm.
A kiss on the palm, followed by a kiss on the forehead, a kiss on the cheek and finally capturing a kiss on the lips. Zhongli seemed to be whispering something which in turn caused the bard to laugh. Said bard, peppered the consultant with kisses. Zhongli then lead the other to the table, gave the boquet of flowers and slid the wine glass to his direction.
This earned a pleased squeal from the bard and gave Zhongli more kisses.
"You mean to say.... they are lovers????"
"Does that mean they were pretendintg to be starngers all along?"
"BUT WHY?!"
"We will never know..."
...
"We should get going. At least we know that Zhongli-sensei''s lover wasn't the least bit angry that their plans got moved a bit." The young chef said. The two boys nodded and started making their way out of Mt. Aocang.
"Hu Tao, let's give them the privacy they deserve. We've intruded for far too long."
The director was unable to take her eyes away from them. A tap to her shoulder was enough to snap her out, "Yeah.. we better go."
Zhongli and Venti stilled when they felt the four's presence slowly fade and disappear.
A sigh.
"My dear, was it necessary to display much levels of affections?" Zhongli started, pouring wine for his anemo god.
A giggle, "If we didn't display at least a little bit of PDA, they wouldn't leave us." The bard drank a good half of what Zhongli poured, "Nevermind that. Why did you act like you didn't know me?"
A mumble, "I felt your presence but I did not expect you to barge in."
"So... you were nervous?"
"... And I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut if the topic is about you."
"I love you too, blockhead."
~ o 0 o 0 o ~
- An Extra that I couldn't find how to squeaze in -
"Now that we're alone, can you relax in front of me?" Venti pulled his puppy face. It was his best weapon if he wanted to win Zhongli.
"Whatever do you mean, my dear?" The consultant feigned ignorance. He knew what Venti wants. But that meant revealing his adeptal origins out in
public.
Venti removed his cape, folded it and placed in on one of the stone heads. He called the winds and for a moment he was covered by clouds and leaves.
Wings slowly materialized and stretched out, "Here. So we're even." He stradled Zhongli and massaged his scalp, "So please let me see you."
Zhongli was a weak man. He put down his wine glass and kissed Venti tenderly on the lips. He let the younger man sit on him while he removes the outer part of his coat. He glowed a vibrant gold and his horns slowly materialized.
Venti was staring at him, waiting.
Zhongli could only tilt his head to the side, unsure of what was lacking.
It didn't take long before Venti understood. He giggled again and slid his hands against Zhongli's, "You will forever be a blockhead, don't ever change." His fingers slid under Zhongli's gloves.
This in turn made Zhongli move his other hand up to remove the glove with his mouth.
The primary reason why Zhongli never wore short sleeve shirts and never removed his gloves were due to his arms having the color of earth that turned gold at his hands. It was a dead giveaway that he was far from human.
With his now barehand, he cupped Venti's cheek and caressed him tenderly, "And you will forever be the silly wisp who came to my life, please never change."