The next day, as the sky was just beginning to brighten and even the morning markets in Liyue Harbor hadn't fully come to life, Lovia set out on the road to Wangshu Inn.
She purposely woke up early, firstly to avoid the crowds and reduce the possibility of being noticed by anyone (especially a certain Adeptus).
Secondly... she had hardly slept at all last night. As soon as she closed her eyes, those cold golden pupils and the words "unpleasant" swirled in her mind. She figured she might as well set off early to finish this "journey of atonement" sooner.
Along the way, she wrapped herself up even tighter than usual, her large hood almost covering half her face, leaving only the tip of her chin visible. She hurried along, wishing she could simply teleport to the base of Wangshu Inn.
The closer she got to Dihua Marsh, the faster her heart beat. The air seemed permeated with a faint, cold aura, making her look around nervously from time to time, always feeling that a dark green figure would suddenly flash out from the reed marshes.
"Calm down, Lovia, calm down!" she whispered to encourage herself. "You're here to deliver an apology gift, to express goodwill! As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, and someone delivering tofu shouldn't be hit either... right?"
Trembling with fear all the way, she finally saw that massive structure standing above the wetlands of Dihua Marsh: Wangshu Inn.
Looking up at the treehouse that towered into the clouds and the faintly visible eaves at the top, Lovia felt her legs go a bit weak.
Up there was where the Conqueror of Demons occasionally stayed.
Could he be up there right now, watching her?
...It felt a bit chilly.
Lovia took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself, before lowering her head and quickly walking into the inn's lobby.
At this time, there were very few guests in the lobby. Only a few merchants who had woken up early for their journey were eating a simple breakfast, and the boss was standing behind the counter clicking an abacus.
Lovia walked quickly to the counter and spoke in a childish voice: "Boss, excuse me, I'd like to order one... no, three servings of almond tofu."
Fiorgolde looked up and seemed a bit surprised to see the tightly wrapped child, but she quickly regained her professional smile: "Alright, three servings of almond tofu. Will you be eating here or is it for takeaway?"
"Takeaway!" Lovia replied immediately, then quickly added, "Um... could I trouble you to help me deliver it to the top floor?"
Hearing this, the smile on Fiorgolde's face became somewhat subtle. She looked Lovia over and smiled knowingly: "Did you hear the stories in Mr. Lovia's new book and want to try your luck at seeing the Adeptus's style?"
Lovia: "!!!"
She nearly choked on her own saliva and forced herself to stay calm while shaking her head: "N-no! I just... I admire the Conqueror of Demons. He works so hard protecting Liyue day after day, so I've come to show my appreciation! Just a small token!"
"By the way, how did you know the Conqueror of Demons lives here?"
Huh?
Lovia suddenly noticed this plot hole.
"Ah? This... that..." Lovia's brain worked at high speed, "The book said that the Conqueror of Demons often appears in Dihua Marsh, and Wangshu Inn is right near Dihua Marsh with an excellent view from the top floor. I-I just guessed that the Adeptus might rest here..."
Fiorgolde smiled and didn't ask further. She nodded: "Your sincerity in running all the way here so early in the morning and ordering three servings of almond tofu at once is indeed very special."
"I'll have the Shop Assistant take it up. However, the Adeptus's movements are elusive; he might not be there, and he might not take it. You should be mentally prepared."
"It's fine, it's fine! As long as it's delivered! As long as it's delivered!" Lovia waved her hands hurriedly and quickly paid the Mora.
Watching the inn's Shop Assistant carry those three carefully packaged servings of almond tofu up the stairs leading to the top floor, Lovia's heart was in her throat.
She both hoped Xiao was up there and would accept it directly, and feared that he would actually appear.
Actually, deep down, she still had a tiny bit of anticipation to see Xiao in person. After all, that was the living Xiao!
Back then, she had started playing Genshin Impact during the Lantern Rite Festival on Xiao's banner. His appearance really appealed to her, and her first five-star character goal was to pull for Xiao.
Now that she had a chance to see the living Adeptus Xiao, she was still somewhat eager to try.
Of course, better to meet later; for now, forget it... Lovia stood in place with her ears perked up listening for a long time, but there seemed to be no special movement on the top floor. There were neither visions of Adepti arts appearing nor the sound of the Shop Assistant running down in a panic.
Everything was as usual.
After a good while, the Shop Assistant came down slowly and shook his head toward the boss and Lovia: "Boss, there's no one up there. I left the food box on that small table."
No one?
Lovia's antennae twitched slightly, and for a moment she didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
But on second thought, this was fine too! The items were delivered, the sentiment was conveyed, and the risk of a direct confrontation was perfectly avoided!
"Thank you! Thank you!" Feeling as if she had been granted a grand pardon, she thanked Huai'an and the Shop Assistant repeatedly, then almost bolted out of Wangshu Inn. She dashed toward Liyue Harbor without looking back, as if countless Illuminated Adepti were chasing her.
Only after running a long distance did Lovia finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"It's... it's over..." She patted her chest, feeling like she had finally come back to life.
Conqueror of Demons, Adeptus Xiao, I know I was wrong! You are a great person, please don't come and beat me up QAQ.
Although she wasn't sure if Xiao would actually eat that almond tofu, or if he would feel slightly more "pleasant" if he did, at least she had made an effort to make amends.
The sunlight became bright again. Lovia touched her coin purse; although it had shrunk a little, her mood was much lighter.
"Alright! Crisis averted!" She perked up again, her sapphire blue eyes regaining their luster. "Next... well, I'll go back and stew those Crabs! Time to celebrate!"
She hummed a light tune and walked toward home with light steps, starting to ponder whether steaming them or a spicy stir-fry would be more delicious.
What Lovia didn't know was—
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after she left, on the top floor of Wangshu Inn, a breeze blew by, bringing the moist vapor of Dihua Marsh and a very faint scent of karma.
On the empty terrace, a dark green figure quietly appeared. His posture was upright, and the mark on his arm shimmered in the sunlight.
Xiao's gaze fell upon the food box sitting alone on the small wooden table, his golden pupils unreadable.
He walked forward in silence and opened the food box.
Three servings of delicate, white almond tofu, emitting a sweet Almond fragrance, lay quietly inside.
Next to them was a small note, written in handwriting that was slightly messy but still legible:
[To express apologies and respect. — A Reader]
Xiao's gaze lingered on the word "apologies" for a moment.
He remembered that book from two days ago.
He had indeed been unsettled by that book, and even the agitation of his karma last night seemed a bit harder to ignore than usual.
The feeling of being pried into and orchestrated, especially regarding his height and the Geo Archon, had made him uncharacteristically restless.
But those emotions had long since dissipated.
Was this reader feeling apologetic for mocking an Adeptus after reading the book?
Xiao let out an imperceptible sigh.
He was not an Adeptus who required worship from mortals, yet this sentiment had been transmitted through this carefully selected food.
Forget it.
For some reason, Xiao made an exception. He reached out, his slender fingers picking up one of the servings of almond tofu, the cool sensation transferring through the porcelain bowl.
He did not crave worldly pleasures, but... an occasional taste was not out of the question.
The Yaksha Adeptus turned his back to the myriad sights of Liyue, lowered his head slightly, and took a small bite.
The sweet and delicate texture dissolved on the tip of his tongue; it was a familiar taste.
He ate quietly, with only the sound of the wind wailing around him.
After finishing one bowl, he picked up the second, and soon, all three bowls of almond tofu were in his stomach.
A fresh breeze swept through again, and the terrace was once more empty.
The apology seemed to have been received.