"You're right."
"It's getting late, so this Hall Master will head to bed first."
Hu Tao yawned and made her way up to the attic.
"Brother, I'm going to sleep too."
"See you tomorrow!"
Qiu Yue stepped back from Qiu Bai's arms, clasped her hands behind her back, and gave him a sweet smile.
"Mm, Qiu Yue, get some rest."
"I'm heading to bed too."
Qiu Bai nodded with a smile, then also made his way upstairs.
He entered his room, lay down on the bed, and slowly closed his eyes.
...
The next morning.
Qiu Yue was still asleep, Hu Tao was out running errands, and Zhongli and Qiu Bai were quietly drinking tea.
"Old friend, let's go get something to eat.
Let's head to Third-Round Knockout,"
Zhongli said as he set his teacup down, glancing across the table at Qiu Bai.
"Alright, let's go."
Qiu Bai smiled and nodded.
They pushed open the door of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and walked towards Third-Round Knockout.
After sitting down, Zhongli, as usual, used Qiu Bai's Mora to order four dishes.
As they started eating, Tian Tiezui stepped up and began storytelling.
"Last time we left off at the story of the Immortal Lord and the Geo Archon..."
Tian Tiezui launched into his tale.
As Qiu Bai listened, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Meanwhile, Zhongli remained completely unbothered, casually wiping his mouth with a handkerchief before sipping his tea.
At that moment, two familiar figures appeared.
It was Traveler and Paimon.
"There you are, Zhongli!"
Paimon called out, flying toward Zhongli who was sitting down.
"Hey, Qiu Bai, you're here too?"
"After you left Mondstadt without a word, we spent ages looking for you!"
Paimon huffed, crossing her arms and staring at Qiu Bai.
"Haha..."
"I looked for you guys too.
But when I couldn't find you, I just came back,"
Qiu Bai said with a chuckle, calmly explaining.
"Huh?"
"So you guys are just here to listen to stories?"
Zhongli asked, glancing at Lumine and Paimon as they approached.
"No, no,"
Paimon quickly waved her hands.
"We're here to find you. Are you free right now?"
She asked Zhongli eagerly.
"I do have time."
"And my old friend here is free as well,"
Zhongli said, first looking at Lumine and Paimon, then turning to exchange a glance with Qiu Bai, who smiled and nodded back.
"We received a special commission."
Lumine sat down beside them and said politely.
"This job..."
"needs someone who knows about geology and ores!"
Paimon explained, turning to Zhongli.
"Geology and ores..."
Zhongli thoughtfully stroked his chin.
"The client claims they found the greatest expert on rocks,"
"But I want to prove to him that you're the one who knows the most about these things on Teyvat,"
Paimon said, pouting a little at the memory of Old Dai's proud look.
"This unnecessary urge to compete..."
"Where does it come from?"
Zhongli folded his arms, speaking calmly as he floated his gaze toward Paimon.
"It's not about competing!"
"It's just that Old Dai doesn't know anything about it!"
Paimon hurriedly shook her head, trying to explain.
"I just... wanted him to see for himself..."
Paimon said a little sadly, like a kid who'd just been lectured.
"Haha, in that case,"
"I'll accompany you,"
Zhongli said with a gentle smile at the little floating Paimon.
"Really?!"
Paimon's eyes lit up, practically pressing her face against Zhongli's.
"But let me be clear, while I do have some knowledge,"
"I may not necessarily be the most skilled person in the world,"
Zhongli added steadily.
"Learning never ends, and it's always good to broaden one's knowledge.
Besides, with Qiu Bai and me around, you'll have nothing to worry about.
And if there really is an expert, it would be worthwhile to learn from them too,"
he continued, glancing at both Paimon and Qiu Bai.
"Ugh... Zhongli, you really don't need to be this modest,"
Paimon spread her arms helplessly.
"Since Zhongli has agreed,"
"let's go find Old Dai!"
Paimon turned to Lumine, stomping her little foot happily.
"Sigh, how disappointing..."
"Not even asking me,"
Qiu Bai sighed dramatically, pretending to be hurt.
"Wait, do you even know anything about rocks?"
Paimon turned back, looking at him suspiciously.
"In terms of universal reason..."
"I don't really know much about rocks,"
Qiu Bai crossed his arms, mimicking Zhongli's composed demeanor.
Across from him, Zhongli's mouth twitched slightly.
"Alright then, let's go."
"Qiu Bai, Zhongli, come on!"
Paimon grinned brightly at the two of them.
Qiu Bai and Zhongli nodded to each other, then followed behind Lumine and Paimon.
...
After a while, they reached a spot not far from Liyue Harbor's docks.
They stepped inside, approaching a strong, burly man dressed in a miner's outfit.
This must be Old Dai.
"Old Dai, we're back!"
Paimon called out cheerfully.
"Ah, and these two are your friends?"
Old Dai asked with a friendly smile, looking at Zhongli and Qiu Bai.
"No, no! This gentleman here is someone I invited to help,"
Paimon explained, gesturing toward Qiu Bai, then turned toward Zhongli.
"And this gentleman..."
"is who I believe knows the most about ores and geology in the entire world,"
Paimon declared proudly.
"You flatter me."
"I only have a bit of insight,"
Zhongli replied humbly.
Hearing this, the corner of Qiu Bai's mouth twitched slightly.
Well, he couldn't deny it—he really didn't know nearly as much as Zhongli when it came to stones.
After all, only a stone understands a stone.
"Heh, you say that, but the person I found definitely isn't any worse."
"I can't explain it well, but you'll see for yourselves when he arrives!"
Old Dai crossed his arms confidently.
"Uh... would that be him?"
A man wearing glasses and traditional Liyue robes slowly walked over.
"Ah, perfect timing!"
"Let me introduce you—this is the helper I found, Kun Jun,"
Old Dai said, smiling as he introduced Kun Jun to the group.
"Kun, these two here are the adventurers I found."
"As for these two gentlemen..."
Old Dai stumbled a bit, unsure how to properly introduce Zhongli and Qiu Bai.
"Mora, do you feel it?"
"This person standing in front of us... has a familiar aura,"
Qiu Bai sent a voice transmission to Zhongli.
"I feel it too,"
"But I'm not sure who it is exactly.
There's something very familiar about him,"
Zhongli replied, frowning slightly.
Qiu Bai smiled faintly.
You don't know, but I do.