Zhongli: I'll Give You a Surprise Tomorrow!
Luo Li: Playing Dead, Are You?**
Inside the private room.
Only after Lady Signora left did Ganyu finally relax, savoring the chance to have her teacher all to herself.
However, with outsiders present, she didn't dare to be as bold as Rosalyne had been.
Even so, this was already more than enough for her.
Below, without anyone noticing, the second opera had reached its conclusion.
Breathing lightly, Yun Jin sang the final passage on stage. The lingering notes echoed through the hall, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste.
As she sang, her gaze occasionally drifted toward where Luo Li and Zhongli were seated.
When she completed the final pose, her alluring makeup accentuated her features. Her peach-tinted eyes, clear as autumn water, swept over the audience.
Her soft, boneless hand traced the trailing edge of her sleeve. The girl closed her eyes and entered stillness.
In the next instant, thunderous applause erupted, nearly lifting the roof.
Opening her eyes again, Yun Jin smiled faintly and gently pressed her hand downward.
"Thank you all for your generous support. Today's meeting has been a rare delight. One piece of Walking Through Snow and one of Linked Heart Pearls—we shall end here."
Though reluctant, the audience rose one after another, chatting animatedly about the brilliance of the two operas. Even after leaving Heyu Teahouse, they continued discussing them with enthusiasm.
It would give them something to savor for quite some time.
Watching the audience depart, Yun Jin steadied her breathing before stepping down from the stage.
Without even removing her makeup, she headed straight toward the upper private rooms.
Before long, Luo Li heard a voice outside.
"Is Mr. Zhongli here?"
The crisp, lively voice rang out as Yun Jin knocked politely.
"Mr. Yun, please come in."
When Yun Jin pushed open the door, she found three guests inside.
"Oh? Are these two friends of yours, Mr. Zhongli?" she asked in mild surprise, noticing Luo Li and Ganyu beside him.
She was used to seeing Zhongli alone. It was rare for him to be accompanied.
"Indeed," Zhongli replied with a smile. "This friend of mine is named Luo Li. He is also extremely well-versed in opera—no less so than myself. If Mr. Yun ever encounters anything unclear in her art, she is welcome to seek his counsel."
Hearing this, Yun Jin was even more astonished.
Opera traditions were passed down through generations, filled with countless rules. There were many aspects she understood only on the surface, not in depth.
Yet Zhongli could explain them effortlessly. That was why she deeply respected him as an audience member and was delighted by his presence.
After all, who could refuse such a knowledgeable listener?
She hadn't expected there to be another.
Luo Li did not deny it. Setting aside the countless abilities he had acquired over the years and his exceptional appreciation skills, even the abilities gained through sign-ins alone covered all manner of common and uncommon arts.
He examined Yun Jin up close. Though she wasn't wearing heavy makeup or full headgear, her light cosmetics and costume still gave her a strikingly refined appearance.
"I've yet to hear Mr. Luo Li's name before. Allow Yun Jin to offer her greetings."
The girl performed a courteous salute, her movements measured and elegant.
Luo Li nodded in return. He remembered that when Yun Jin had first risen to fame, she hadn't been like this. Back then, buoyed by audience adoration, she had been somewhat arrogant.
If she didn't like the script, she wouldn't sing it.
If the stage was too small, she wouldn't sing.
If there were too few spectators, she still wouldn't sing.
In other words—she had acted like a diva.
Later on, as she matured, she likely felt deeply ashamed of that period.
"Mr. Yun's performance was excellent," Luo Li said. "Listening closely, the rises and falls of your voice, the unity of sound and form—it's as though a small stage reveals the weight of ages."
This was no empty flattery. It was Luo Li's genuine impression.
Her foundation was something few could ever reach. Talent and effort—neither could be missing.
"You flatter me," Yun Jin replied modestly, though inwardly delighted. "As the saying goes, excellence comes from diligence, not indulgence. After years of hard work, I've finally achieved some results."
She then added eagerly, "By the way, I've recently been planning a new opera. When it's completed, I hope the two gentlemen will grace it with your critique."
Zhongli and Luo Li naturally had no reason to refuse and agreed at once.
"In that case, I won't disturb the three of you any further."
She came in a hurry and left just as quickly. Before departing, however, she handed Luo Li a token.
With it, he would be considered a guest of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe.
In the future, attending performances would come with certain conveniences.
Opera was a craft, but without knowledgeable critics to offer guidance, how could Yun Jin bear to present flawed performances to her audience?
At times like this, connoisseurs such as Zhongli and Luo Li were indispensable.
With their insights, flaws could be corrected, and the art would only continue to improve.
"Mmm. Today we've enjoyed fine opera and reunited with old friends—my spirits are high," Zhongli said. "Why not go drink and have some fun? Liuli Pavilion just introduced a new dish yesterday. It's worth a taste."
Though the performance had ended and the crowd dispersed, Zhongli still intended to take Luo Li out for drinks.
"Uh… do you have Mora?" Luo Li asked skeptically.
Though he himself could easily create Mora with a Gnosis, Morax—disguised as Zhongli—seemed unwilling to use divine power.
Otherwise, how would he later end up wandering around with Lumine and making Childe pay the bill?
"Mora? That's something I overlooked," Zhongli said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Then he added, "We'll just put it on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account."
Impressive. Truly a master of freeloading—someone else always footed the bill.
Luo Li couldn't help but suspect that Zhongli's early infiltration of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had been planned all along.
Ganyu looked at Zhongli curiously, puzzled about who he really was.
From the conversation, it was clear he was close to her teacher. Thinking it over, there were only a few such figures in Liyue—but none she recognized.
Could he be from another nation?
But his attire and manner didn't quite fit either.
While Ganyu cycled through guesses only to dismiss them one by one, Luo Li happily accompanied Zhongli to Liuli Pavilion.
"Never tire of fine food, never tire of delicate cuts"—a philosophy the two shared with perfect tacit understanding.
Or, more bluntly put, they had the same tastes.
Throughout this time, Zhongli pretended not to know Ganyu at all.
As sunset approached and they parted ways, Zhongli spoke meaningfully.
"Tomorrow is the Qixing's Rite of Descension. It will be quite lively. Be sure to attend and take a look."
Though he had hinted at stepping down, he still kept the manner of it secret. Zhongli wanted to give Luo Li a surprise.
Coincidentally, Luo Li—fully aware of everything—pretended not to know.
The two men, each with their own designs, exchanged veiled words, leaving Ganyu utterly confused.
"What are Teacher and this gentleman talking about…?" she muttered softly, puffing out her cheeks in mild displeasure.