As little Yanfei's favorability reached the threshold, the old uncle's favorite activity of fiercely cuddling cute children naturally underwent a change.
Originally, he loved to vigorously ruffle the mischievous little Hu Tao, delighting in watching that naughty child become helplessly flustered with him.
Now, when going out to play, the old uncle could only watch little Hu Tao dive into the crowd of children; to find little Hu Tao, he first had to locate little Xinyan.
Now there was one more option: little Yanfei, whom he could ruffle, and little Yanfei wouldn't run away.
Compared to little Hu Tao, whenever the old uncle first organized the children's group activities, a little Yanfei would reliably appear beside him for ruffling.
The only thing that troubled the old uncle was that ruffling little Yanfei felt a bit strange.
Simply hugging was nothing.
But little Yanfei would actively hope for the old uncle to touch her horns.
That was very problematic.
Every time he saw little Yanfei's blissful, happily limp expression.
The old uncle felt he was one step closer to becoming a dragon king and being hauled off by the Millelith boys.
Yet facing such an adorable little Yanfei who loved sticking close to him, the old uncle couldn't refuse.
"Hm? This child... actually reminds one of Ganyu when she was little. Every time, she needed one to touch her horns before she could sleep..."
Auntie Xianyun, who had just finished strolling through the antique merchants' association with old man Zhongli, saw the old uncle touching little Yanfei's horns and said this.
"Speaking of which, Auntie Xianyun, do you have any techniques for touching horns that make children feel more comfortable?"
The old uncle asked this of the senior who had experience raising children.
"Every child's horns are different, so the required methods also vary."
Auntie Xianyun leaned close to little Yanfei's face and very easily placed her hand on little Yanfei's head.
And little Yanfei also nuzzled against Auntie Xianyun's palm.
"To have such an adorable child—why entrust her to A'Ping instead of one? Could it be they doubt one's child-rearing skills?"
Auntie Xianyun was clearly taken with the young Xie Zhi, little Yanfei.
"Probably because little Yanfei is better suited to the bustling human world? Not really suited to bitterly eating qingxin in the mountains. After all, her father said she should just live happily."
But Auntie Xianyun suddenly fell into thought...
"Eating qingxin... is it really that bitter? It's clearly sweet with a hint of bitterness, highly nutritious, and untouched by worldly dust..."
After thinking for a long while, Auntie Xianyun finally asked this question.
This sentence successfully rendered the old uncle speechless.
"Ahem, one knows what you mortals are worried about—nothing more than being unable to adapt to the taste of qingxin..."
Only then did Auntie Xianyun voice what she truly wanted to ask.
"Cid, what do you think would happen if one were to reside permanently in the human world?"
"Wouldn't that be a good thing? Leaving seclusion to re-enter the world, and as an Adeptus, one could occasionally deal with the lawbreakers in Liyue."
Faced with Auntie Xianyun moving to Liyue Harbor, the old uncle was wholeheartedly in favor.
"One knew you little fellow would say that. But regrettably, the Adepti have an agreement with Rex Lapis not to interfere excessively in mortal affairs."
Auntie Xianyun gently placed her hand on little Yanfei's horns...
It seemed Cloud Retainer was also hesitating about whether to remain in Liyue Harbor.
At this moment, little Yanfei looked at Auntie Xianyun with a very happy expression.
"Cid, it appears you have considerable talent in caring for children—and small animals as well."
Auntie Xianyun evaluated Cid in this way.