On the streets of Liyue Harbor, pedestrians flowed endlessly. Various stalls lined the roads in orderly fashion, their vendors' loud calls, enthusiastic introductions, and bright smiles weaving together to paint a picture of bustling prosperity.
Little Klee, who had never been to Liyue before, was naturally overwhelmed by this scene. Walking down the street, she couldn't decide whether to look at the little pinwheels at one stall or the small kites at another. Her adorable little head was practically spinning like a pinwheel itself.
Seeing Klee's dilemma, Su Bai waved his hand and handed her some Mora, letting her choose whatever she liked. This way, he didn't have to worry about buying something she didn't want, and it helped little Klee practice making decisions. Multiple benefits in one go.
To prevent Klee from getting lost, Su Bai even drew a tracking talisman on her. Once everything was ready, he let Klee wander around shopping while he waited by a food stall for some Matsutake Meat Rolls.
Matsutake Meat Roll is quite a famous Liyue dish. Minced meat wrapped around matsutake mushrooms, slowly pan-fried until the mushrooms absorb the rich, aromatic meat juices. It's mouthwatering. The matsutake and minced meat—the essence of the mountains and the nourishment of sun and moon—come together in perfect fusion, bringing not only rich nutrition but also an overflowing sense of happiness.
This dish can be found not only in upscale restaurants like Xinyue Kiosk but also at street stalls. Because it requires the chef to control the heat with great precision, the quality of the Matsutake Meat Roll has become the simplest way to test a cook's skill.
On the other hand, as a rather famous adeptus in Liyue Harbor, when the vendors saw that Klee was with Su Bai, these enthusiastic merchants started shoving their products into Klee's arms. Their enthusiasm startled little Klee.
Seeing Klee about to be surrounded, Su Bai didn't even have time to enjoy his Matsutake Meat Roll. He flashed into the crowd, scooped up Klee, and vanished from the spot.
When Klee disappeared, the vendors' reactions were split. Those who had managed to stuff their goods into Klee's arms wore bright smiles, while those who hadn't looked dejected, as if they'd lost money on a deal.
"Brother Su Bai, do we really not have to pay for these things?"
"Really. Those people gave you those things because they thought you were so adorable."
Outside Bubu Pharmacy, after getting Su Bai's answer, Klee stuffed her treasures into her little backpack. Su Bai noticed that Klee's backpack actually had some kind of pocket space inside. From the looks of it, it was quite spacious.
"Brother Su Bai, do you want a little backpack too? When Mommy comes back, Klee can ask her to make one for you."
"But this backpack is for Klee's Jumpy Dumpties, so I can't give it to you."
"No, no, I don't want your little backpack."
Su Bai patted little Klee's head and tucked a small red pinwheel into the strap of her backpack. The red pinwheel spun gently in the breeze, making Klee look even more adorable.
"Let's go, little Klee. The friend I told you about lives right here. If Klee remembers the way, you can come here to play with her anytime."
"Really? Yay! Brother Su Bai, let's go inside! Klee wants to meet her new friend!"
Inside Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu was contemplating the Fatui's intentions. Changsheng, coiled around his neck, flicked her tongue in irritation. That damned Fatui agent had called her a medicinal ingredient! What a snake! If not for Bubu Pharmacy's reputation, she would have had Baizhu poison their medicine.
"Those Fatui agents bought a lot of beauty-enhancing herbs. But I remember those herbs are all non-toxic. Even if they wanted to concoct a poison, they wouldn't choose those ingredients."
Baizhu thought for a moment before giving up. He simply couldn't figure out why the Fatui wanted those herbs. Qiqi tilted her head, not understanding why Baizhu looked so troubled.
"Baizhu, I'm here to see Qiqi again."
Hearing that familiar voice, Baizhu rubbed his forehead in frustration. Every time Su Bai came looking for Qiqi, he wouldn't see her for days afterward.
He had never understood why Qiqi was so attached to Su Bai. Then one day, while applying medicine to Su Bai, he accidentally absorbed a trace of Su Bai's adeptal energy. The warmth of that sensation was so pleasant that Baizhu unknowingly prescribed Su Bai two extra doses. Only then did he understand why Qiqi liked being near him so much.
"Don't make that face. I came to introduce a new friend to Qiqi."
"Hello there! My name is Klee. I'm from Mondstadt."
Su Bai stepped aside, and Klee walked up to Qiqi, smiling as she greeted her. Qiqi bit her finger, looking between Su Bai and this new girl before slowly answering.
"Hello. My name is Qiqi. I'm a zombie."
In Mondstadt, Klee had no one her age to play with. Now, seeing Qiqi, who looked about her age, Klee was thrilled. Qiqi was even happier. She hadn't expected Su Bai to introduce a friend to her. Even though this new friend had the high temperatures she disliked, it didn't stop Qiqi from wanting to be friends with Klee.
"Qiqi, I'm entrusting Klee to you. You're older than her, so please look after her."
"Klee, don't take Qiqi fishing with bombs, or the Millelith might spank your bottom."
With that, Su Bai crouched down and handed some Mora to each of the two little ones. They took it with confused expressions.
"This is for snacks and toys. Buy whatever you like."
"Go play, but make sure you're back before dark. Otherwise, I'll have to come find you."
"Okay, Brother Su Bai! Klee will be home on time!"
"Sister Qiqi, let's go buy little kites! Klee saw a really cute one earlier!"
After pocketing her Mora, Klee grabbed Qiqi's hand, eager to go play with her new friend. Qiqi hesitated and looked at Baizhu. He nodded to let her go, so she put down her herbs and let Klee drag her away.
Watching the two little ones leave, Baizhu sighed in frustration. Looked like he'd be gathering herbs alone again for the next few days. Would his poor arms and legs give out halfway up the mountain? Changsheng couldn't help but complain.
"Su Bai, nothing good ever happens when you come here."
(A/N: In Qiqi's voice lines, she mentions that Baizhu's health is worse than hers.)
"Haha, by the way, Baizhu, could you send some blood-tonifying herbs to Wangsheng? Little Hu Tao might need them for her... condition."
"Forget it. I'll just give you a prescription instead. Some blood-tonifying herbs are toxic and not suitable for you to prepare yourselves."
"If anything happened to Director Hu, you Wangsheng people would tear down my Bubu Pharmacy."
Baizhu rejected Su Bai's suggestion. He didn't want to be sleeping peacefully one night only to have Su Bai show up with a coffin and the Wangsheng crew to demolish his pharmacy. This fox adeptus had quite a lot of influence behind him.