After March's mostly successful (but still mildly terrifying) cooking attempt, she had another brilliant idea.
"Dan Heng, you work too hard! You need to relax! "
Dan Heng, who had been in the middle of reading reports in the archives, looked up with mild annoyance.
"I'm fine."
March ignored him. "Nope! No more brooding, no more work—we're having a relaxation day!"
Zhongli, sitting nearby with his ever-present cup of tea, gave a small, knowing smile. "Rest is just as important as duty. Perhaps this is an opportunity worth considering."
Dan Heng sighed. "…I don't have a choice, do I?"
March beamed. "Nope!"
And so, Dan Heng's 'forced relaxation' day began.
---
Attempt #1: The "Relaxing" Tea Ceremony
March dragged Dan Heng to the parlor car, where Zhongli had prepared an elegant tea ceremony.
Zhongli gestured toward the carefully arranged teapots and cups. "Tea is a practice of patience. By focusing on the simple act of brewing, one may find clarity."
Dan Heng, who actually enjoyed tea, nodded approvingly.
March, however, had no patience.
"So we just… wait for it to steep?" she asked, poking the teapot lid.
Zhongli chuckled softly. "Yes. The best things take time."
March frowned. "Boring. I'm adding more tea leaves!"
Before anyone could stop her, she dumped a handful into the pot.
The result?
Tea so strong that even Welt, the coffee expert, coughed after one sip.
Dan Heng put down his cup. "This is… undrinkable."
Pom-Pom, who had been passing by, took one sniff and ran away.
March pouted. "Okay, okay. Maybe tea requires too much patience."
Zhongli, ever composed, simply took a slow sip. "An interesting attempt."
Dan Heng sighed. "Can we move on?"
March grinned. "Next up—spa time!"
---
Attempt #2: The "Soothing" Spa Experience
March had somehow convinced the crew to set up a makeshift spa day in the Express lounge.
Dan Heng sat stiffly in a relaxation chair, clearly uncomfortable.
Himeko, reclining nearby, smirked. "This is supposed to be relaxing, you know."
Dan Heng muttered, "I don't see the point of this."
March, wearing a mud mask, clapped her hands. "That's because you're not embracing it!"
Pom-Pom, wearing tiny cucumber slices, nodded. "Pom-Pom is at peak relaxation."
Zhongli, meanwhile, seemed entirely at peace, sipping tea with a serene expression.
Dan Heng exhaled. "Fine. I'll try to relax."
Then March shoved a face mask on him.
Dan Heng froze.
Himeko burst out laughing. "Okay, I admit, this is the best thing I've seen all week."
March giggled. "See? This is fun!"
Dan Heng, face covered in cooling gel, sat completely still.
"I regret this decision."
---
Attempt #3: The 'Friendly' Board Game
After the spa incident, the group moved on to a simple board game.
The game? Galactic Traders—a game of strategy, diplomacy, and business.
Zhongli read the rules carefully, nodding in approval. "A game centered on contracts and negotiation? Intriguing."
March, already setting up the board, grinned. "Yup! It's all about deals, alliances, and backstabbing!"
Dan Heng narrowed his eyes. "…That last part concerns me."
Pom-Pom rubbed their paws together.
"Pom-Pom will crush you all."
Himeko smirked. "This is going to be fun."
One hour later…
- March had gone bankrupt within 20 minutes.
- Pom-Pom had formed an economic monopoly and refused to trade.
- Himeko had tricked Welt into a bad investment.
- Zhongli had somehow out-negotiated everyone, despite barely speaking.
- And Dan Heng?
He was watching it all with quiet horror.
March sighed. "I thought this was supposed to be relaxing."
Dan Heng took a deep breath. "…It is not."
Zhongli smiled. "The balance of commerce is both an art and a trial."
Pom-Pom cackled. "Pom-Pom owns the entire board."
Dan Heng pushed the game aside. "I'm done."
March grinned. "Alright, one more thing left!"
Dan Heng groaned. "…What now?"
---
Attempt #4: The Ultimate Nap
March dragged Dan Heng into the lounge and threw a blanket over him.
"There!" she said proudly. "Now, just sleep."
Dan Heng stared at her. "You can't *force* someone to relax."
March smirked. "Oh? You sure about that?"
She turned to Zhongli. "Zhongli, give him a sleep-inducing story."
Zhongli blinked. "A story?"
Himeko laughed. "Oh, this I have to hear."
Zhongli nodded thoughtfully. "Very well. I shall tell you the tale of The Thousand-Year Tea Ceremony of Liyue."
March immediately lay down. "Ooooh, this sounds fancy."
Dan Heng sighed. "I—"
Zhongli began.
And within minutes, both March and Pom-Pom had fallen asleep.
Dan Heng, still awake, blinked.
He sighed. "…Fine."
Then, slowly, he closed his eyes.
For the first time in a while, Dan Heng actually rested.
And Zhongli, taking a slow sip of tea, simply smiled.
"Balance has been restored."
---
Chapter 17 Preview: A Surprise Visitor
The Astral Express takes on a new passenger.
But who are they?
What secrets do they carry?
And why do they seem to recognize Zhongli?
A new mystery begins…
---
Author's Note: ( ꈍᴗꈍ)