Feng Yi returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and found Zhongli leisurely sipping tea in the study.
"Zhongli, I heard that during the 'Seven-Star Rite of Invocation,' the Geo Archon was assassinated. Do you know about this?"
Feng Yi looked at the 'murderer' of the Geo Archon, leisurely enjoying his tea, and couldn't help but tease, smiling.
"You ask what you already know."
"Hahaha..."
Zhongli poured a cup for Feng Yi as well, and the two sat in the study, admiring the beautiful scenery outside the window while comfortably sipping their tea.
Having spent so many years together, Zhongli knew that Feng Yi was aware of his true identity, yet he still came to ask what he already knew, inevitably guessing something.
"Master Zhongli, Mr. Feng Yi, a young gentleman has arrived with gifts, requesting an audience with Master Zhongli..."
Before long, Butler Fu, the old butler of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, hurried over.
"Please invite him in."
There was no need for Butler Fu to elaborate on the visitor's identity. Zhongli already knew. He was waiting for this person; otherwise, why would he be sitting here? He would have gone to a teahouse to watch opera long ago.
Zhongli put down his teacup and nodded lightly, saying.
Butler Fu acknowledged and went out to bring the young gentleman in.
"Mr. Zhongli, it's been a while. I hope you've been well. This is a teapot I specially commissioned skilled artisans to craft. I hope you like it..."
Childe had met Mr. Zhongli several times during his last visit to Liyue. Later, he learned that Mr. Zhongli enjoyed antiques and tea, so he specially prepared this meeting gift.
"Eh? Feng Yi, you're here too?"
Childe suddenly noticed Feng Yi's presence and was somewhat surprised. He had planned to find Feng Yi for a chat after he finished his business here.
"Just bored, came to find Zhongli for some tea. Dàdá yā, long time no see. You received the letter I wrote to you, right?"
Feng Yi smiled. He knew Childe would come looking for Zhongli.
It seemed the fate of his wallet was sealed.
"Mhm, I received it. We can talk about that later. I'm here mainly to see Mr. Zhongli today and need his help with something..."
Although he really wanted to chat with Feng Yi now, business was more important. They could chat slowly after the important matters were settled.
"Please, sit down and tell me."
Zhongli gestured for Childe to sit and poured him a cup of hot tea.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhongli..."
Childe didn't stand on ceremony, sat down directly, handed over the gift, then picked up the hot tea and savored it.
"As expected of Mr. Zhongli. Even such ordinary tea, in Mr. Zhongli's hands, can be brewed into such an astonishing taste..."
Childe: A little trick for social interactions, flatter someone before asking for a favor to build rapport.
Zhongli: Because I can only afford tea at this price point right now...
"What is it, tell me."
"It's like this, I have a friend who wants to get a close look at the body of the Geo Archon. I believe that besides the Liyue Qixing, only the omnipotent Mr. Zhongli can make this happen..."
Childe got straight to the point.
At this moment, the benefit of being a tool became apparent. If he had proposed to visit the Geo Archon's body himself, the difficulty would have been on a completely different level due to his status as a Fatui Harbinger.
"The Geo Archon's burial indeed requires the services of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. However, the Geo Archon has just been assassinated, and various factions are stirring. They are all watching the Geo Archon's body. To visit at this time is not an easy task..."
Zhongli: This matter is a bit difficult, you know what I mean... It requires more money!
"To show our sincerity, the Fatui will cover all expenses for the Geo Archon's funeral. Furthermore, this Mora gold card with a limit of five hundred thousand is for Mr. Zhongli's hard work..."
Childe smiled faintly and handed over the gold card he had prepared in advance.
"In that case, I will do my best."
Zhongli nodded. If someone was paying for the Geo Archon's funeral, shouldn't the funeral's grandeur be maximized?
Using someone else's money to do things for himself, making the other party willing to participate, and on top of that, an additional income of 500,000 Mora...
He had truly won this deal!
"It's a deal. This afternoon at four o'clock, I've invited you both to 'Liuli Pavilion' for a gathering. Firstly, to thank you for your past care, which prevented me from starving or becoming homeless when I had no money; secondly, I wish to introduce my friend to you both..."
Childe, seeing his objective achieved, immediately finalized the time and left with a smile.
"Feng Yi, you've known this person for a while. He is currently the eleventh-ranked Fatui Harbinger, codenamed 'Childe,' and serves the Tsaritsa. What do you think he truly wants?"
After Childe left, Zhongli picked up his teacup again, blew on the steam, and asked Feng Yi.
"You ask what you already know."
Feng Yi threw Zhongli's earlier reply back at him and said no more, proceeding to drink his tea and bask in the sun, enjoying the pleasant afternoon.
The two sat until half-past three in the afternoon. Seeing that it was almost time for a meal, they put down their teacups and headed to 'Liuli Pavilion,' waiting for the dishes to be served in the top-tier luxury private room arranged by Childe.
Meanwhile, by the roadside outside Liuli Pavilion, Childe was waiting for Lumine and Paimon, who were returning from their quest to see the adepti.
"Yo, you're back. Judging by your looks, you seem to have had good fortune... The arrangement is complete. I've found someone who can help you – someone who can solve the problem of the 'Geo Archon's immortal body being hidden by the Seven Stars'!"
Childe laughed heartily.
"So, where is this person?"
"At 'Liuli Pavilion.' Come with me. I've prepared a... well, in this country, it's called a 'banquet' meeting ceremony."
Childe led the way, pointing to Liuli Pavilion not far away, reminding them not to keep the guests waiting too long.
"Wow, it's Liuli Pavilion! I've heard others talk about it, their dishes are so expensive. Lumine, we're finally going to have a good meal today!"
Paimon's eyes lit up at the mention of Liuli Pavilion.
She had heard that the ingredients there were extremely expensive and that only the wealthy and noble could afford it.
Such a feast was definitely a rare opportunity!
Lumine shook her head and followed with Paimon. She didn't care about the feast; she just wanted to clear her name quickly.
"It is an honor to see you again, Young Master. Our humble establishment is graced by your presence. The private room is ready, and the other guests have already arrived."
The proprietor personally led the way to greet such a distinguished client as the Young Master.
"Thank you, Proprietor. Let's go in."
Childe nodded and led Lumine all the way to the reserved private room.
"Yo, you two, I've brought my friend."
Childe pushed open the door and waved to the two people inside.
"Feng... Feng Yi?! What are you doing here?!"
Paimon saw Feng Yi gnawing on a chicken drumstick and thought she was hallucinating, quickly rubbing her eyes.