Wangshu Inn.
Xiao’s figure reappeared on the railing of the highest floor.
He gazed at the spot where they had left earlier, and the corners of his mouth actually curved into a faint, barely noticeable arc.
Havria, Indarias, Sea Gazer…
After the Archon War, all he had experienced were partings.
Familiar friends left one after another.
Now he had seen an old friend again.
It was worth celebrating after all.
He turned around, pushed open the door, and went downstairs.
Verr Goldet, the owner of Wangshu Inn, was sitting behind the counter, playing with a small cat.
When she saw Xiao, she was startled.
It was already difficult for her to see Xiao even once on normal days.
What was going on with Upper Immortal Xiao today?
Moreover, he looked like he was…
Quite happy?
She must have seen a ghost!
Verr Goldet was shocked in her heart.
She quickly stood up and put on a smile.
“Upper Immortal Xiao, did something good happen?”
Xiao nodded.
“Yes.
An old friend has returned.
It calls for a celebration.”
“Then I’ll have Yanxiao make you a serving of Almond Tofu.
I’ll send it up later.”
“Mm.”
Verr Goldet watched Xiao’s departing figure, her thoughts in turmoil.
An old friend?
An adeptus’s old friend was most likely also an adeptus.
Not long ago, during the Rite of Descension, the Lord had met with an accident.
Now another adeptus had appeared.
Liyue Harbor right now was like a powder keg — one spark and it would explode.
Sigh.
She wondered how Lady Ningguang would handle this.
Verr Goldet sighed and walked into the kitchen.
“Yanxiao, make a serving of Almond Tofu,” she called out.
“Got it.
Which guest ordered it?”
“Xiao.”
“…How rare.”
Yanxiao muttered and quickly began preparing it.
Inside the guest room.
Xiao took out the book Velina had given him and couldn’t help but recall his past conversations with the Lord.
The Lord had said that Guizhong once told him she wanted to write novels.
Once she wrote them, they would definitely become popular across all of Teyvat.
“Heh.”
Xiao let out a soft laugh.
It seemed that this time, his old friend had finally fulfilled her dream.
Then he flipped to the first page.
When he saw the line written there — “Cannot form bonds, only adds to loneliness” — he fell into silence.
No.
This rare good mood had just been stabbed by his old friend without warning.
…
Slime Slippery Mushrooms, Jueyun Chili Mixed with Slime, and Frosted Slime.
Please enjoy slowly, you two.”
Xiangling placed three dishes of different flavors in front of Hu Tao and Velina.
“Xiangling, aren’t you eating?”
Velina’s throat moved.
She looked up and asked Xiangling, who was still holding a spatula.
“You two eat first.
I’ll eat after you’re done,” Xiangling said.
“Hu Tao, why aren’t you eating?” Velina turned to Hu Tao.
“Ahem, Velina, you try it first,” Hu Tao declined.
“No no no, you go first.”
“You come, you come.”
“You go first.
You’re much stronger than me.”
“Wow, Velina, is that a compliment?
It sounds kinda weird.”
Hu Tao finally softened.
She picked up a piece of Slime, put it in her mouth, and her eyes immediately lit up.
She nodded repeatedly.
“How is it, how is it?” Xiangling couldn’t help asking.
Hu Tao continued nodding, making “mm mm” sounds from her mouth.
She looked like she was enjoying it immensely.
At the same time, she didn’t forget to point at the dishes in front of them with her finger, signaling the other two to hurry up and try.
Velina felt relieved.
Together with Xiangling, each of them ate a piece of Slime.
In an instant, a slippery, strange texture filled their entire mouths, along with the peculiar chill unique to Ice Slimes.
“Ugh… bleh bleh bleh.”
Velina couldn’t help spitting out what was in her mouth.
Xiangling had the exact same reaction.
Only Hu Tao was laughing loudly.
“Waaah, Hu Tao, you’re too mean!”
Xiangling couldn’t help shouting.
So mean.
She glared with her eyes.
“Good things should be shared together,” Hu Tao giggled.
“Besides, Xiangling, this is a dish you made.
Would you not believe in your own cooking skills?”
Xiangling’s specially made delicacies naturally had to be tasted by everyone.
The remaining Jueyun Chili Mixed with Slime and Frosted Slime were also tasted by Velina and Hu Tao after Xiangling’s repeated requests.
They were somewhat better than the first dish.
But they were still far from being delicious.
In any case, Velina couldn’t bring herself to like them.
Fortunately, Hu Tao had the foresight to catch a few fish from the river.
Otherwise, they really would have gone hungry.
Starlight rippled and gathered into a river.
There was none of Liyue Harbor’s bustling noise — only the pleasant chirping of insects echoing across Dihua Marsh.
Velina yawned.
“Let’s go back.
We’ll stay one night at Wangshu Inn.”
Hu Tao stood up and stretched.
“Velina, the Almond Tofu made by Yanxiao, the chef at Wangshu Inn, is absolutely top-tier.
“I heard Almond Tofu is Upper Immortal Xiao’s favorite dish!” Xiangling said.
“But the ones I make aren’t bad either!”
“Mm…”
Velina had just stood up when a sharp pain shot through her ankle, making her frown.
“Velina, what’s wrong?”
Hu Tao immediately asked with concern.
“I accidentally twisted it earlier.
It shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Velina shook her head.
She tried to take a tentative step, but the pain became even more intense, making her suck in a breath of cold air.
“Then should we spend the night outdoors?
I just checked — there aren’t any monsters nearby.
It’s pretty safe,” Xiangling suggested upon seeing this.
“No.
We’re going to Wangshu Inn,” Hu Tao shook her head.
“This situation calls for proper rest.”
“But Velina doesn’t look like she can walk that far,” Xiangling said, scratching her head in distress.
Although Wangshu Inn’s lights were visible if they looked up, there was still some distance.
“This is easy.”
Hu Tao grinned.
She walked up to Velina, turned around, and faced her back toward her.
“Come on, I’ll carry you over.”
“Huh?” Velina was clearly stunned.
“Hurry up,” Hu Tao urged.
“This…” Velina hesitated.
Hu Tao was shorter than her, and having someone carry her made her feel guilty inside.
“Velina, you don’t want to spend the night in the wilderness either, right?” Hu Tao continued when she noticed Velina’s hesitation.
Velina: ?
This Liyue friend, please calm down.
“Then… I’m coming up.” Velina pressed her lips together.
“Besides, I’ve even carried corpses before.
Velina, do you know how to carry a corpse?
Carrying a living person is definitely much easier than carrying a corpse.” Hu Tao didn’t forget to explain.
“Don’t say such weird things,” Velina said helplessly.
She gently leaned onto Hu Tao’s back.
Hu Tao felt the weight and warmth gradually pressing against her back and sighed inwardly.
Much lighter than she had imagined.
And…
Hehe.
So soft.
“Let’s go, let’s go!
Xiangling, keep up!”
Hu Tao felt strength surging through her entire body.
She called out once and rushed toward Wangshu Inn.
“Hey, wait for me!” Xiangling quickly followed.
Heaven knew where Hu Tao got such good stamina from.
Velina only felt the fierce wind rushing against her face, making it hard for her to even keep her eyes open.
“Hu— Hu Tao, slower…”
“Ah?
What did you say?
The wind’s too loud, I can’t hear you.”