Guizhong thought to herself: How long ago did I 'wrap up'? The one who saved that person's ancestor definitely wasn't me.
Guizhong had already guessed who that fairy was; she just hadn't expected Cloud Retainer to bring her up. Or rather, shouldn't she talk about Streetward Rambler's story?
Others all start with 0-frame action; how do you even have 'wind-up'? To talk about Granny Ping's matters, you have to start from when I was still around? Why not start from the creation of heaven and earth?
Xianyun pushed up her glasses, indicating: This can't be blamed on me; who made me have this talkative nature? I can't help but chat a bit more.
Xianyun's three great hobbies in life: picking up children, tinkering with inventions, telling stories.
This time, it hit her sweet spot; once she started telling, and this time everyone loved listening.
In the story, Cloud Retainer introduced Guizhong to the Traveler.
[Cloud Retainer: "Long ago, this place was still a bustling marketplace; at that time, Guizhong often called friends and companions to her home as guests, greeting everyone to gather around that largest stone table."]
["Sea Gazer was always the first to place his newly scavenged treasures on the table. Hmph, speaking of that fellow... mild-tempered, but when it comes to things he likes, he always loves to show off."]
Speaking of Cloud Retainer, tsundere personality; even passing by a dog, she'd have to comment on it.
[Cloud Retainer: "As soon as he pulls out a treasure, everyone can't sit still and immediately vie to critique it. Naturally, I and Guizhong wouldn't concede, so we'd each display our proud mechanism works."]
Looking at the illustrations and text in the book, the adepti recalled surging memories, full of happiness making their lips curve into smiles.
Then thinking of some old friends who could no longer be seen, such scenes could only be reminisced in these illustrations, immediately a sour taste in their hearts, faint bitterness coating their hearts.
The Cloud Retainer in the book, as the storyteller, was even more moved by the sight, her words gentling a few degrees, one could feel the regret in her words.
["Adepti, after all, each have their own skills, inevitably a bit arrogant. So I and Sea Gazer often argued endlessly."]
As she spoke, she seemed to get into it again; competitive spirit, activate! Even her tone carried a bit of tsundere.
["His treasures aren't made by himself, just skilled at treasure-hunting; how's that like me! Always hands-on myself!"]
Readers smiled helplessly: can only say, your competitive spirit, elder; at this time, don't let it play a role.
["...Cough, off-topic. At such times, Guizhong would start watching the fun, sometimes joining us in the squabble, more often pulling everyone to say some nonsense."]
[Paimon curiously: "What kind of nonsense?"]
[Cloud Retainer answers: "All sorts. Sometimes 'Ah, you all stop arguing, none better than me'; sometimes 'After those two finish arguing, let's go down the mountain for barbecue'..."]
Guizhong pouted: what do you mean nonsense? Isn't that the truth? Indeed none better than me.
And going down for barbecue is proper business too! Thinking every day what to eat is tiring! Unhappy!
Liyue folks unfamiliar with Guizhong thought of Hu Tao; the two women's temperaments were indeed somewhat similar.
[Cloud Retainer continued: "She always wanted everyone to be happy, but indeed had some skill; no matter what nonsense, it never made me dislike it."]
Guizhong's pouted lips turned into a smile: heh heh heh, forgive you, tsundere little bird.
["...Moreover, never called me 'immortal bird' or 'that woman'."]
Guizhong: Cough, the earlier doesn't count; forgive you, Xianyun.
[Paimon embarrassed, also hearing Cloud Retainer pointing at her: "Y-You, don't be so petty!"]
Not just Paimon; Xiangling was also a bit embarrassed; she had once called Cloud Retainer that too.
[Cloud Retainer chuckled lightly, "Ha. Anyway, while we were discussing heatedly, the Stove God Marchosius would have already brought up the delicious meals."]
["Who wouldn't give face to the Stove God? Naturally stop the debate, hurriedly clear the table, and clink glasses..."]
Potato crisp, good!
Liyue's little ones exchanged glances: really like that; when Xingqiu teases Chongyun, it's Hu Tao livening the atmosphere, Xiangling bringing food, they stop arguing.
The group was already thinking when to gather for another meal; don't know when the chance would be.
By the way, the Cloud Retainer in the story was also getting into the groove, even opening her mouth to roast the Emperor a bit; so yeah, even passing a dog she'd comment.
["Heh, speaking of which, back then I even disliked the cups the Emperor brought always too square, not suiting my habit. Hey, you all, can you get used to square cups?"]
For Cloud Retainer's words, Venti highly agreed: that broken square cup really bad! Biggest problem is capacity too small! Drinking wine like that isn't refreshing at all!
Gathering with the old man and seeing him 'savor slowly' with that square cup, Venti gets anxious: how can't you blow from the bottle with me?
Zhongli ah Zhongli, how can't you 'show off' for once?
Zhongli seemed to read Venti's mind, directly snatching Venti's wine bottle, pouring the wine into the square cup, confiscating the bottle, handing the cup to Venti.
Venti wanted to cry but had no tears; it was rare for him to 'elegantly' use a small cup once.
Others thought: the Emperor personally pouring wine; worthy of the Wind God, so much face!
The Cloud Retainer in the story was already fully immersed in memories, telling the past stories.
["We at the heights with fine wine watched sunrises and moonsets; eventually, there comes the moment the banquet ends."]
["Streetward Rambler often stayed behind, admiring flowers with Guizhong for a bit before leaving. At that time, the Glaze Lilies stretched from here to there, a sea of flowers..."]
This time not just her immersed in memories; even Streetward Rambler and Guizhong were hit by memory kill, 'life flashing before eyes' in their minds.
This was the first time readers saw Granny Ping called Streetward Rambler; previously only knew Granny Ping was an adeptus, now knew her adeptus name.
The Paimon in the story was puzzled though: though this story is nice, aren't we looking for the fairy? Could Guizhong be that fairy?
Paimon's questioning interrupted Cloud Retainer's sentiment; naturally Guizhong wasn't that fairy; she just got touched by the scene and recalled the old stories.
[Cloud Retainer sighed lightly: "Fine fine, this adeptus will now tell you the past in detail."]
The following story turned into illustrations one by one; the first one entering eyes was the scenery of Mt. Aozang, the stone table under the tree.
["Back then, this adeptus often argued with Guizhong over mechanism arts; we each stuck to our words, neither conceding."]
Three people standing at three sides of the stone table: Guizhong, Cloud Retainer, Emperor.
Worth mentioning: at this time, Cloud Retainer wasn't in immortal bird form, but human form.
Crane-feather-like clothes accentuating her figure; that big sis appearance made everyone's eyes light up: didn't expect, this big bird so pretty!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Lines · Xianyun: About the Portrait
"The drawing is pretty good, captures a bit of this adeptus's charm, but... this adeptus wouldn't pout, hmph."