Chapter 130

Chirp, chirp.

"Wow!"

"Hahaha."

In the morning sunlight, Klee watched a small group of finches fly away, startled by her presence, and giggled. She turned and ran back, grabbing Yaoyao's hand as they dashed off together.

Watching the two girls run off into the distance, Hiroshi and Kuroneko exchanged smiles, holding hands as they walked towards Liyue Harbor. Today was August 15th, the day of Liyue's Rite of Descension.

The morning breeze gently played with Kuroneko's hair. She leaned close to Hiroshi, taking in the scenes around them. Even though she had visited Liyue several times before during their breaks, Kuroneko still found every corner of Liyue Harbor enchanting.

"Hiroshi, what do you think the Rite of Descension will be like later?" Kuroneko asked curiously, smiling up at him.

"Hmm," Hiroshi responded, a mysterious smile on his face. "It'll probably be quite exciting."

"Hm?"

"Haha, you'll find out soon enough," Hiroshi said, ruffling Kuroneko's hair playfully. Holding her hand, they hurried after Klee.

At Yujing Terrace, the vast square beneath the Jade Chamber was bustling with activity. People from all over Teyvat had gathered here for the Rite of Descension.

Hiroshi handed his invitation to the Millelith guard at the entrance, taking in the crowded square. In the center was a massive stone table, adorned with an incense burner encrusted with golden crystals. Around it lay an array of valuable offerings.

"Welcome, honored guests. Please hold onto your invitation," the guard said, handing it back to Hiroshi.

Holding the hands of Klee, Yaoyao, and Kuroneko, Hiroshi entered the pavilion.

"Qiqi!"

Klee waved her small hand in excitement, pulling Yaoyao along as she ran towards Qiqi, who was slowly turning around.

"Hehehe."

Klee hugged Qiqi tightly, rubbing her cheek against hers. "Good morning, Qiqi!"

"Mm..." Qiqi blinked, looking at Klee who was holding her tightly. "Good morning, Klee. Yaoyao."

"So you're Klee, huh?"

A voice came from beside Klee. A handsome man with green hair, a white snake wrapped around his neck, squatted down and smiled at her. "So, you're the one who's been taking my dear Qiqi away every day, leaving Bubu Pharmacy short of hands for sorting herbs."

"Eh?!" Klee tilted her head in confusion, looking at the green-haired man. "Who are you?"

"Me?"

"Hahaha," Baizhu chuckled as he stood up, turning his attention to Hiroshi and Kuroneko, who had just approached. "I'm Baizhu, the owner of Bubu Pharmacy."

Seeing Klee's panicked expression and Yaoyao looking stunned, Baizhu shook his head and said, "You've been coming over so often lately, and you don't even recognize the owner."

"Mm... Mr. Baizhu is... the owner of Bubu Pharmacy," Qiqi said softly, nodding her head as she looked at Klee, who seemed nervous. "Qiqi... lives there for now."

"Nice to meet you, Boss Baizhu," Hiroshi said as he walked over to the three little ones, patting both Klee and Qiqi on the head. "Are you here with Qiqi to attend the Rite of Descension?"

"Hiroshi... coconut milk..."

Qiqi tugged at Hiroshi's clothes, looking up at him with hopeful eyes as she remained in Klee's embrace.

"Qiqi... wants coconut milk... Hiroshi," she said softly.

Watching Hiroshi take out a can of coconut milk and hand it to Qiqi, Baizhu squinted his eyes. "I think I understand another reason why Qiqi has been running off lately."

Hiroshi inserted the straw into the can of coconut milk, looking at the three little girls who were now happily sharing it. He couldn't help but pull out his phone and snap a picture.

After putting his phone away, Hiroshi looked at Baizhu, who had a faint smile on his face. Hiroshi smiled back.

"I really like Qiqi, and since she's good friends with Klee, I think it's only natural for them to play together. I hope Boss Baizhu doesn't mind."

"Well, it has been quite a hassle for me lately, with Qiqi running off so often," Baizhu said with a slight smile, adjusting his glasses. "You see, Qiqi usually helps with sorting and gathering herbs at the pharmacy."

"Qiqi... is the pharmacy's... apprentice," Qiqi said quietly, holding her coconut milk as she looked up at Baizhu. "Mr. Baizhu... is the boss."

Hearing Qiqi's words, Baizhu paused, looking down at Qiqi who was nestled in Klee's arms. The smile on his face faded slightly.

"Qiqi, you're quite talkative today."

"Qiqi... just wants... to say it."

"Klee! Hiroshi! Kuroneko!"

A burst of starlight suddenly lit up between the group, and Paimon flew around Qiqi, Klee, and Yaoyao before landing beside Hiroshi.

"Hiroshi! I want coconut milk too!"

"What's going on?"

Lumine approached Kuroneko, her gaze shifting to Qiqi, who was drinking coconut milk, and then to Baizhu, who was staring at her. Lumine asked softly, "Who's this green-haired guy? And why is he staring at Qiqi like that?"

"His name is Baizhu," Kuroneko replied, pulling the three little girls closer. "Qiqi is an apprentice at Bubu Pharmacy, and he owns it."

"It seems like he was upset because Qiqi has been coming out to play with Klee and Yaoyao lately."

"And the way he spoke was odd, like he thinks of Qiqi as his property."

"Could he be... a weirdo?!" Lumine muttered, glaring at Baizhu. She rested her hand on her chin thoughtfully. "This guy always has a fake smile, and he wears a white snake around his neck. He definitely doesn't look like a good person."

"Right! Paimon thinks so too!" Paimon added, taking a big sip of her coconut milk.

Baizhu chuckled suddenly, his gaze fixed on Qiqi, who was being shielded by Kuroneko.

"Qiqi, if you want to play with your friends today, you can take the day off," he said, waving at Qiqi, who peeked out from behind Kuroneko. "Just make sure you come back early tonight, okay?"

Baizhu turned his gaze to Hiroshi, smiling with narrowed eyes. "I'll leave Qiqi in your care today. I have some matters to attend to back at Bubu Pharmacy. I'll be off now."

Carefully poking her head out from behind Kuroneko, Klee breathed a sigh of relief as Baizhu walked away.

"That was so scary. I almost got caught."

"Qiqi, that man called Baizhu... Klee doesn't think he's a good person. He gives Klee a really bad feeling."

"Eh..." Qiqi looked at her now-empty coconut milk can and spoke softly, "Qiqi... has no memories of before... and no place to return to."

"Mr. Baizhu... took Qiqi in."

"Even though... Qiqi can't remember his face."

"Then why don't you come to Klee's home, Qiqi?" Klee hugged Qiqi tightly, smiling. "Klee likes you a lot. Brother Hiroshi and Sister Kuroneko like you too, so why not come live with us?"

"Eh?" Qiqi looked surprised. She looked up at Hiroshi and Kuroneko, her voice soft. "Can Qiqi... really go?"

"Of course." Kuroneko hugged both Qiqi and Klee, smiling. "We all like Qiqi very much, and you'd be very welcome."

"Qiqi... doesn't know..." Qiqi's voice lifted slightly as she felt the warmth from Kuroneko's embrace. "But... Qiqi likes everyone too."

"I want... to stay together."

"Then once the Rite of Descension is over, come home with us," Hiroshi said gently, patting Qiqi's head. "From now on, that will be your home."

"But... Mr. Baizhu..."

"Does Qiqi not want to leave Baizhu?"

"Qiqi... can't remember Mr. Baizhu's face... but Qiqi feels... it's okay that way."

"Then Baizhu is just your boss, nothing more," Hiroshi said. "If you don't like it, just quit!"

"Mm... Qiqi... understands."

"Hehehe!" Klee rubbed her face against Qiqi's, smiling. "From now on, Qiqi is Klee's little sister."

"Qiqi... has lived a long time... so I am... the older sister."

"Hiroshi, you're here!"

Keqing's voice called out from behind. She smiled and waved. "The Rite of Descension is about to begin!"