???
Three question marks popped up above the old uncle's head.
When I have question marks, either something's wrong with me, or something's wrong with you.
A bit didn't catch that. Little Kokomi said my big wife is Stargazer? How pitiful?
"Old Uncle, from now on I'll serve you properly…!"
As the future [Divine Priestess], Little Kokomi's eyes were brimming with tears, her tone extremely serious.
The old uncle also sensed this earnest emotion.
Oh, but the result seems pretty good. Hmm, Little Kokomi's service—I think I can accept that.
The old uncle suddenly shook his head.
No no, better sort out the situation first.
Just now, the conversation between Little Eula and Little Kokomi… I did hear it…
Little Kokomi just heard Little Eula say that Stargazer is fictional, and then that Old Uncle's paper-person big wife…?
(′ཀ｀」∠)
Lies don't hurt people. The truth is the sharp blade.
This feeling is different from Little Hu Tao's teasing.
Little Kokomi is genuinely heartbroken that my wife is a paper person…
Little Hu Tao can still be written off as a child's innocent mischief. But Little Kokomi—she really thinks I'm pitiful, with not even a sliver of room to argue back…
This kind of concern… really makes a person feel pitiful…
Ah, this feeling of being hurt inside…
It's been a long time since I've felt this way…
"Then… I'll have to trouble Little Kokomi to look after Old Uncle me from now on…"
The old uncle reached out and gently patted Little Kokomi's head.
What a good kid…
Sigh… but this old uncle is actually a useless uncle who doesn't even dare to strike up a conversation with girls…
Because I don't dare chat up girls, at most I only dare to talk with children and elders…
Little Kokomi looked at the old uncle whose eyes now carried a trace of sadness, and her inner guess was confirmed.
Meanwhile, Little Eula beside them was somewhat dazed…
Hmm… Little Kokomi must have taken my explanation to heart?
Then she sadly said she'd take good care of the old uncle…?
Hmm… combining that with how the old uncle in Liyue got completely broken by Little Hu Tao's paper-person-wife mockery…
Little Eula nodded, showing she understood everything.
She then walked over to Little Kokomi's side as well.
"No need to worry. You still have me now."
Although right now I seem to be stuck because I'm not mature enough, at least there's still a chance, right?
Little Eula's meaning: The old uncle doesn't necessarily only have a paper-person wife.
Little Kokomi's understanding: Sister Eula and I are on the same side. We'll take care of the consecutively widowed old uncle together.
In the end, Little Kokomi nodded.
This misunderstanding was finally resolved.
And the culprit behind the misunderstanding…
"Zhongli, when is the old uncle coming back…"
Little Hu Tao lay bored on the tea table.
In the past, when the old uncle was around, I liked playing with other kids. Even when he held me in his arms, I'd still think about struggling free.
Now that the old uncle is gone, Little Hu Tao was fine at first, but after not seeing him for so long, she misses him more and more.
"Little Hall Master Hu, you saw Cid's reply letter too. He really is very busy in Inazuma right now. We can't judge when he'll be back yet."
Master Zhongli simply sat beside the tea table, looking through some documents.
"Ah… so boring… Everyone just finished eating. We can't gather to play together now…"
Little Hu Tao picked up the Seele iron plate the old uncle had given her.
Sigh… Old uncle, when are you coming back? I won't call you paper-person wife anymore…
…
"Zhongli! Play with me!"