"Cid left, so we all decided together to choose someone to commission for taking care of the children."
After Cid uncle left, having experienced the joy of having someone watch the children, the parents couldn't let it go.
"Children can't be completely left to children to manage; we should also put proper protective measures in place. Everyone, suggest the requirements for the caretaker?"
"There are so many of us, so we definitely have to hire the best. I think at the very least, they should have a Vision!"
"I agree. The children's safety is very important. When Cid was here, he would even tutor the children with their studies, so this adventurer should also be profoundly learned!"
"Then we'd have to look among the gentlemen, but everyone knows that Cid took such good care of them mainly because he could get along with the children, so the gentleman definitely can't be too stern—he has to be able to blend in with the children."
"And also, I think this person has to be found in Liyue Harbor; commissioning someone who lives here permanently would put us at ease!"
"And they have to be very free, so they can focus on the children's matters!"
"Oh dear, aren't these requirements a bit too many? Has a Vision, intelligent and courageous, profoundly learned, mild temperament, ample time, Liyue Harbor residency—would someone like that come to watch children? People like that would have gone to become civil servants, right?"
"We're just listing the requirements first and then scaling back~ Let's go ask Katherine."
And so, the parents flooded into the Adventurers' Guild.
"You're saying... you want to find someone who is intelligent and courageous, profoundly learned, has a Vision, mild temperament, ample time, and is a Liyue resident to commission?"
"Yes, is there an adventurer like that we can commission?"
"Our guild doesn't have an adventurer like that..."
Katherine answered thus.
The parents felt somewhat helpless. Indeed, though there was plenty of money, aside from Cid that good person, who would be willing to watch children?
They could only scale back the conditions a bit...
"But I know someone who has a lot of free time and fits the conditions very well."
"Who is it?"
The parents were overjoyed.
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest consultant, Mr. Zhongli."
"This is good! I think it's fine! I'm one hundred percent reassured about Mr. Zhongli's knowledge!"
"Has a Vision, mild temperament, and he's on good terms with Cid, so he definitely won't be far off!"
"And Lord Rex Lapis once even descended upon the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
"Mr. Zhongli! Hurry and invite Mr. Zhongli!"
In the end...
Mr. Zhongli, who had finally managed to shake off little Hu Tao's pestering at the Yun-Han Opera Troupe after watching the performance, was surrounded by people as soon as he stepped out.
"Mr. Zhongli, please help us take care of the children...!"
Old man Zhongli looked at the Liyue citizens who held hopeful expectations toward him. As the instinct of the Geo Archon Morax who loved his people, he accepted this child-watching contract with almost no hesitation...
Subsequently...
"Mr. Zhongli, I heard you've recently started watching children?"
Xianyun, visiting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as a guest, asked this.
Old man Zhongli was as calm as ever, but his gorgeous clothes now had some additional doodles belonging to the children.
"Yes, with Cid gone, the children always need someone to look after them..."
"It must be quite tiring, I imagine? It's a pity I still need to teach Shenhe first... otherwise I could come help..."
"It is indeed somewhat busy, but fortunately when Cid left, he arranged for Xinyan and Yanfei, those two children, to help manage things..."
Zhongli looked toward the south—that was the direction of Inazuma...
"Zhongli! I brought friends to find you!!!"
This was little Hu Tao's incomparably lively voice.
Birds of a feather flock together; people form groups with their own kind.
Little Hu Tao's friends were also not the sort of children who would let anyone relax.
Zhongli set down his teacup and walked toward little Hu Tao.
Today, he would be watching children again...
The third day after young friend Cid's departure.
Miss him already.