Xiao already wanted to run away a bit. Why is the Lord here too? He didn't notify me in advance!
Help! I came to a gathering and ended up seeing my boss. The problem is, the boss is still playing the pig to eat the tiger, asking me to pretend not to know him.
He even found himself a boss!
I'm not playing anymore. My karmic debts are acting up. I won't disturb you all—I'm leaving.
The Xiao in reality also realized what he was about to go through, as if he instantly lost his 'courage.'
This is different from reality. In the story, the Lord's identity hasn't been exposed, so he has to help cover it up. Just thinking about it is tormenting.
[Traveler is also a bit surprised: "!"]
She didn't expect that Xiao would actually attend this kind of gathering. This doesn't seem like an activity he would agree to participate in?
Be honest with your bros—did Hu Tao threaten you with Zhongli?
Dear Immortal, you wouldn't want your family Lord to have his salary deducted, right?
[Zhongli stands up and cups his fists: "So the esteemed guest is actually the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons. I've long admired you."]
Readers: ...That does feel like a long time.
Who would have thought? The Lord is also an old drama bone. No, with that face, he should be a young fresh meat?
He really is young fresh meat. His 'acting skills' aren't quite up to par yet. How can he act so nonchalant upon seeing the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons?
This... cough cough, I must not disrespect the Lord.
[Zhongli sighs: "When the Hall Master invited me for a small gathering, she didn't explain. I truly didn't expect that the guests would include not only a young hero, but also the Golden Peng Immortal who maintains peace in all four directions of Liyue."]
"Great Sage Who Conquers Demons, Golden Peng Immortal..." Xiao covers his forehead, feeling a bit dizzy.
Who could have imagined that one day he would be addressed so respectfully by the Lord? This, this is truly disrespectful to the immortal ancestors.
His mental fortitude is pretty good, at least. He can still 'hold steady' and won't expose the Lord's identity by showing excessive respect.
If it were Kujou Sara being treated this way by Ei, she'd get soaked on the spot—I mean, she'd start bleeding from the nose, stammer out something like 'I am filled with trepidation,' and immediately reveal that Ei's identity is unusual.
All I can say is, it's a good thing Xiao is a quiet kid.
[Zhongli continues: "To be able to gather with everyone like this is truly an honor that brings light to my face."]
The readers smile bitterly. Whose face is really getting the light here?
[Xiao: "Uh..."]
Lucian—wait, Lucian—gives Xiao a close-up shot. Speechlessness is already written all over his face.
Xiao is already not much of a talker, and now he's even more speechless, truly not knowing how to face this situation.
His body is still standing here, but his soul has already flown away for a while.
At this moment, the Xiao in the book, who is lost in thought, inserts a segment of recollection.
On this day, Zhongli suddenly comes to find him. Xiao is very puzzled. With the festival approaching, why has the Lord come at this time? Is there some urgent event?
Xiao is somewhat serious. At this joyous festival, he absolutely cannot allow magical beasts to cause disturbances.
Any who offend Liyue, Xiao shall strike down and shatter!
However, Zhongli merely sighs:
["Sigh, the Hall Master's temperament really leaves me at a loss..."]
Xiao is even more puzzled. The Hall Master's temperament? What does this have to do with that Hall Master? What matter has caused him such sorrow?
Do not worry, my Lord. Behold this spear!
Hu Tao pouts in dissatisfaction. What words! What are these words! What's wrong with this Hall Master's temperament? This Hall Master is naturally beautiful, innocently playful, and possesses heavenly grace and national beauty!
Regarding Zhongli's words, Lucian and Hu Tao have discussed it. Lucian's take was 'harsh criticism, don't look.'
[Zhongli: "The Hall Master instructed me to procure sesame oil for the festivities."]
[Xiao: "...?"]
Readers: ...?
Pantalone: ...?
Sesame oil?
["Then, my Lord... how did you manage to make your way all the way to Wangshu Inn..."]
Right! That's what we want to ask too! Why does buying sesame oil lead you all the way to Wangshu Inn? Is there no sesame oil for sale in Liyue Harbor? Liyue Harbor is done for!
And what about Tartaglia? Can't even buy sesame oil?
In the book, Zhongli also answers irrelevantly, not mentioning why he came to Wangshu Inn, but instead talking about how he chatted with Chef Yanxiao and got some seasonings.
The word 'got' is used very well. So he's here to stock up for free.
So the Lord has been 'begging alms' his way here?
He even takes out the things he got to show Xiao, including matsutake mushrooms and ham, but no sesame oil.
What's even more ridiculous is that Lucian even draws an illustration for this scene. In the illustration, Zhongli has one hand open with a few matsutake mushrooms on it, and the other hand gripping a ham.
This wouldn't be anything on its own, but paired with Zhongli's serious, earnest expression, it's genuinely a bit funny.
Pantalone: ...( ◠‿◠ )
Dori is thinking about cropping this image to make 'wealth god talismans'—does she need to pay copyright fees?
"Pfft." Hu Tao laughs, forgiving Zhongli for his earlier 'harsh criticism.'
The people of Liyue laugh too. After laughing, they think again: Disrespecting the Lord! Sinful!
They quickly punish themselves by flipping back to look at the Lord's long robe outfit and divine attire, firming their resolve.
But in comparison like this, why does the Lord feel more and more like the neighboring Electro Archon or Anemo Archon? He looks a bit dazed, a bit carefree! Could it really be the Ei-bao virus?
The recollection ends here. That's right, it really is just a quick sketch of Zhongli going to Xiao and casually chatting a couple of sentences. He has no idea about the purpose of Zhongli's visit.
He doesn't even know if Zhongli ended up buying the sesame oil or not. Maybe he pushed the task of buying sesame oil onto Xiao?
The readers always feel like this story is purely comedic, so it should be safe to relax.
The Xiao in reality has a blank look on his face. The Lord came to find him just to talk about this trivial matter? Why?
He doesn't get it, but others do. The Lord really has nothing going on; he just simply wanted to go see Xiao.
As for that casual chat and the ingredients he casually got from Yanxiao, they're all just incidental. With the New Year approaching, he just wanted to see Xiao.
Just like mortals visiting relatives during the Lantern Rite—nothing special about the reason.
From this, it can be seen that the Lord is indeed integrating more and more into mortal life, just as Streetward Rambler said: One day, we will settle into the dust and return to the red dust.
The recollection ends. Hu Tao interrupts Zhongli's polite pleasantries and arranges for Xiao to sit next to the Traveler.
In Hu Tao's view, among the people present, the one most familiar with Xiao is the Traveler. For someone with Xiao's personality, sitting with acquaintances will make him a bit more relaxed.
It has to be said that although Hu Tao seems carefree and bold, her little thoughts are actually very delicate, and her emotional intelligence is even higher than Ei-bao's after halving it.
Once the seating is arranged, the dishes are almost all served. Next is the time for eating and casual chatting.
But Lumine is thinking: Have Xiao sit with me? Does that mean sit on my lap?
Only after seeing the illustration later does she realize it means sitting next to her.
In the illustration, everyone except Paimon is seated, but in the end, one seat remains empty.
This makes readers with OCD very uncomfortable. Paimon, go sit!
However, Paimon still doesn't sit. The group has already entered the chatting phase.
The first to speak is Chongyun, greeting Xiao.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line · Zhongli: About 'In Public and In Private'
"Such an amusing affair—it's a pity I cannot experience it firsthand again."