Recalling his thoughts, Zhongli looked at Makoto not far away.
Zhongli had an impression of Makoto.
Xiao had reported before,
saying that Makoto, despite not having a Vision, could use elemental power,
which was indeed very incredible.
Zhongli was quite interested in such a special outsider.
Furthermore, Makoto's recent words had given Zhongli some insights,
so, Zhongli prepared to have a simple chat with Makoto.
Zhongli was seen striding towards Makoto's direction.
At this moment, Ningguang also noticed Zhongli, and then showed a surprised expression.
"Good evening, Mr. Zhongli, I didn't expect to meet you here."
Ningguang had already met Zhongli when she was selling goods previously.
Zhongli was steady in his demeanor and meticulous in his dealings, and had purchased Ningguang's goods.
Through their interactions, Ningguang also remembered Zhongli as a friend.
It was just a pity that Zhongli's appearances in Liyue were not regular in time or frequency.
Sometimes Zhongli could be seen every few days, while other times he wouldn't be seen for an entire year.
So, meeting Zhongli at this moment, Ningguang felt surprised.
Immediately after, Ningguang looked up at Makoto,
she was worried that Makoto might not know who Zhongli was, so she immediately introduced him: "Brother Makoto, Mr. Zhongli is a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Mr. Zhongli is very knowledgeable and very famous in Liyue!"
Ningguang paused, and then introduced Makoto to Zhongli,
"Mr. Zhongli, this is Makoto, Ningguang's older brother, and also Ningguang's current boss!"
When mentioning Makoto, Ningguang's beautiful eyes shone with brightness, and her face was filled with pride and happiness.
Zhongli nodded, and spoke gracefully: "Mr. Fang Xun, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard some rumors about you."
Makoto also politely said: "Mr. Zhongli, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Coincidentally, I've also heard a tiny bit of rumors about you before."
Perhaps Zhongli didn't know much about Makoto,
but Makoto knew far too much about Zhongli.
When playing through the game's story previously, Makoto had already completed all of Zhongli's Archon Quests,
he was still clear about many of Zhongli's past events.
Such as the Rock God Morax, who loved to listen to storytellers recount his past,
and his complex relationship of love and hate with Azhdaha, fighting and loving each other.
Few people in all of Liyue knew about these things,
if Makoto were to speak them out,
it's likely that even Zhongli would feel a ripple in his heart, wouldn't he?
At this moment,
Zhongli looked up at Makoto and slowly said: "The three of you, I wonder if you have time to go for a cup of tea together?"
"It would also serve as a thank you to Mr. Fang Xun."
Makoto was confused,
when had he helped Zhongli?
Could it be the word "rest" that he had unintentionally said to Ningguang just now?
It should be.
In Zhongli's background story, it was also mentioned that
Zhongli accidentally heard someone talk about resting, and only then did he have the idea of retirement.
Now it seems, Makoto inadvertently caused Zhongli to have the idea of retirement earlier.
But none of this was important.
What was important was,
the Rock God was inviting them for tea.
Wouldn't drinking tea cost Mora?
Makoto couldn't wait for Zhongli to spend Mora, the more the better.
This way, he could trigger the Talents of 'A Thousand Gold Scattered, Yet Returned'.
So Makoto nodded lightly and said with a smile: "Since it's Mr. Zhongli's invitation, then I am naturally delighted."
Ningguang's beautiful eyes also shone with excitement when she heard they were going for tea.
Previously, most of the tea she drank was coarse tea personally sun-dried by villagers, which was of poor quality and brewed to be particularly bitter.
However, Master Zhang, the blacksmith, had said that the tea in the Liyue teahouses was not only mellow and rich, but also had a sweet aftertaste.
Ningguang had never drunk tea from Liyue Harbor, and now she finally had the opportunity.
Moreover, drinking tea was refreshing,
Ningguang didn't want to sleep yet, so a little tea to refresh her would be good.
As for Qiqi, he didn't like drinking tea,
because tea was hot, and Qiqi didn't like hot things.
But now that Makoto was going for tea, Qiqi naturally wanted to stay by Makoto's side.
At worst,
he would drink coconut milk and not tea.
Anyway,
Qiqi was unwilling to be separated from Makoto,
even if it meant going to a place with high temperatures, he was unwilling to be separated from Makoto.
...
Seeing Makoto readily agree, Zhongli slowly said: "Then, the three of you, please follow me."
"I have been drinking tea at a teahouse for many years; the taste there is quite good."
"Perhaps, you will like it."
Zhongli introduced as he led the way.
Makoto, meanwhile, walked behind, holding the two Little Cuties.
When he saw Tian Tie Zui, he immediately realized that the teahouse Zhongli mentioned must be here.
It was well known that Tian Tie Zui narrated stories of the Lord of Geo every day at the teahouse.
Zhongli, that old sly fox,
was clearly the Lord of Geo himself,
yet he always loved to listen to storytellers recount his stories.
How shameless!
He wondered what kind of mood he was in sitting there listening to the stories.
Just at this moment,
Makoto heard Tian Tie Zui, holding a fan, say in a clear voice: "We've talked too, too many stories of the Rock God before."
"Today, let's change to something new."
"Let's talk about a story that happened a while ago."
"It is said that there was a young man from another land, who, with his own strength, withstood the breath of a demon like the Ancient Geovishap, saving the people of a village..."
As Makoto listened, he felt something was off.
Wasn't this talking about him?
The storytellers in Liyue were quite efficient,
they had already adapted what happened a while ago into a story so quickly.
Makoto looked up at Zhongli not far away, and then loudly said: "Mr. Zhongli, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and sit down to listen to the story!"