My Friend do you have dreams

Zhongli and Paimon leisurely made their way towards Heaven Dou City, passing through many villages and towns, and experiencing much of the local customs and culture. The place where they "landed" was right in Heaven Dou City.

One could say it was the "most beautiful" landing spot within the entire Heaven Dou Empire.

In Heaven Dou City, whether commoners or nobles, life was relatively affluent, with at least three stable meals a day.

There was even some spare money to enjoy entertainment, watch spirit fights, or listen to music.

Compared to the villages and towns they passed by, Heaven Dou City was like heaven and earth.

Not to mention the level of prosperity, just the food itself was a world apart.

Delicacies are something that can only be pursued and studied when one is well-fed.

Most commoners could only eat one meal a day, so how could they possibly have delicacies?

One day, the two passed through an unknown village.

The village was not big, with about eighty households.

"Thank you, grandpa, for your hospitality," Paimon said, holding a bowl of porridge and feeling a bit embarrassed, to an old man.

It was called porridge, but it was no different from plain water.

The people here were so poor, yet they offered her porridge, making Paimon feel somewhat guilty.

She had planned to leave, but Zhongli did not intend to leave. Instead, he was savoring the porridge carefully, talking about things like the heat while doing so.

This left Paimon puzzled.

No way, you're the Geo Archon, these people are so poor, and you still feel okay drinking their porridge?

Paimon widened her eyes, looking at Zhongli in disbelief, as if she was meeting him for the first time.

"No need to thank me. There's nothing much in my home to entertain you two. I'm truly sorry," the old man said, appearing very sincere and honest.

It wasn't because Zhongli's attire was extravagant or his speech refined that he entertained them.

Also this little one, was very endearing. In his many years, it was the first time he had seen such a magical spirit!

The little one was sweet-talking, but unfortunately, there really wasn't much food at home. Otherwise, he would surely offer more.

Beside the old man, there was a boy who looked about ten years old, wearing patched clothes and appearing skinny.

At this moment, he was looking longingly at the porridge Zhongli was drinking, swallowing his saliva.

His eyes were filled with desire, but he gritted his teeth and held back.

How could Zhongli, not know the situation of this household?

Yet he continued to drink the porridge calmly, without any distractions.

"Old man, how old is your grandson this year?" At some point, Zhongli had placed the empty bowl aside and asked the old man calmly.

This porridge was probably the simplest he had ever drunk. Normally, with his personality, he wouldn't eat it.

But this porridge was not just porridge, which was why Zhongli drank it without any distractions.

Hearing this, the old man was slightly taken aback, and the boy was also surprised. How old was he?

It seemed that several years had passed since his martial spirit awakened, four…five, or was it six years?

In a poor family, birthdays were not important.

"This lord, my grandson should be, should be twelve," the old man said.

Zhongli sighed, looking at the empty bowl and then at the skinny boy.

A twelve-year-old child was smaller than an eight-year-old in Liyue. How sad and lamentable.

This child had no spirit power, indicating he had no innate spirit power and couldn't become a spirit master.

For commoners, the best way to rise was to have a spirit master in the family. Once they had a spirit master, they could cross a social class.

"Little friend, what's your name?"

Hearing Zhongli's deep and reassuring voice, the boy felt warm all over. He blinked and said, "Sir, I…I'm called Wang Gou…" (Gou means dog in Chinese)

Zhongli: "…"

Almost, just a little bit!

Just a little bit more, and Zhongli would have lost his composure!

It was really because of this name…

Taking a deep breath, Zhongli calmed himself down.

"Wang..."

"Hmm~"

Zhongli was about to call out Wang Gou's name, but swallowed his words.

"Sir, don't laugh at us. We are not well-educated. My name is Wang Mazi, and his father, Wang Tiezhu, passed away early, so I gave him this name."

"Sir, you seem to be a knowledgeable nobleman. Could you perhaps give Gou a better name?" Wang Mazi asked tentatively. The villagers were used to such names, and there were even more peculiar ones.

But having a better name wouldn't be bad.

Hearing this and seeing the expectant expressions on the old man and the boy, Zhongli finally nodded.

Naming someone is not a trivial matter, but neither is it insignificant.

"Zhongli, your vast knowledge is finally coming in handy!" Paimon flew to Zhongli's side, smiling.

"I heard that you named Xiao as well?"

Zhongli glanced at Paimon. In fact, he had named many of his old friends.

Whenever one of them passed away, it felt as if something was blocking his heart...

"Yes, that's true."

Zhongli nodded but didn't continue the topic. Though the world might be unharmed, the heart can still feel pain.

"Sigh~"

After a while, Zhongli spoke, "Young friend, your surname is Wang. How about I give you the single name 'Chen'?"

"Wang Chen, 'Chen' as in the sun, moon, and stars."

Ordinary people might not be able to bear this name, but this child might.

"Wang Chen?"

Hearing the name, the boy's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Thank you, sir. From now on, I'll be called Wang Chen!"

'Chen' has the connotation of a dragon, soaring to the sky.

Born in the darkest corner under the stars, you will surely overcome all obstacles...

"Wang Chen, do you have any dreams?"

"Dreams?"

"I... I have no spirit power, and my martial spirit is a waste spirit..."

Wang Chen lowered his head, as if resigned to his fate.

In the Douluo Continent, those with innate spirit power, even if only level one, could have dreams. As long as one became a spirit master, most dreams could be realized.

Zhongli nodded thoughtfully and didn't pursue the matter further.

Suddenly, as if he thought of something, he said, "Oh, old man and Wang Chen, Paimon and I never accept food without repaying it."

Paimon: "???"

"Currently, I don't have anything valuable with me, so I'll use this piece of amber gem to pay for the meal." (T L - Vision but Zhongli used amber gem word here and vision is like martial spirit in Genshin. Because all power comes from vision)

After saying this, Zhongli somehow produced an amber-like "Vision Or Glass bead" and placed it on the somewhat shabby table.

"No need..."

"We have urgent matters. Farewell!"

Before Wang Mazi and Wang Chen could react, Zhongli gave Paimon a look, and the two left immediately.

"???"

When Wang Mazi and Wang Chen came to their senses, they looked at the gemstone on the table. Even though they had never seen such a thing before, its appearance made it clear that it was no ordinary item!