"What? Qiqi doesn't remember me? I'm Yaoyao! You remember Brother Lu Ze, but not Yaoyao? Yaoyao is so sad..."
This left Qiqi flustered, thinking it was her fault, and guilt immediately filled her face.
"Qiqi... doesn't know. Qiqi's... memory isn't good. If I didn't... remember, please don't blame Qiqi. Qiqi... didn't do it on purpose..."
Listening to her broken words, Yaoyao felt a little helpless. She was actually used to Qiqi being like this, forgetting memories at the slightest provocation. For her, it might be a bother, but for Qiqi, it was unavoidable.
After all, zombies couldn't remember much. It was fine even if she forgot; they could just be friends again.
"Yaoyao doesn't blame Qiqi! Yaoyao knows Qiqi's difficulties, how could I possibly blame Qiqi? But Yaoyao will also become friends with you again. Let's reintroduce ourselves. My name is Yaoyao, and I'm a Yaoyao who likes to take care of people."
Qiqi was biting her finger, her big pink eyes staring at Yaoyao. Perhaps her senses were a bit slow, so her reactions weren't quick, which meant she always did things a beat behind.
"Oh... Qiqi... has made a new friend. My name is Qiqi... I'm a zombie. From now on... please take care of me."
Yaoyao was the first to take Qiqi's hand and hugged her happily. Even though Qiqi's body was cold, Yaoyao didn't mind at all; instead, she enthusiastically made friends with Qiqi.
"My Qiqi has also received a lot of care from Yaoyao. When I have time, I will definitely bring gifts and pay you a visit to offer New Year's greetings to your family."
Baizhu also said slowly. If he were to give New Year's greetings, his gifts would be worth over a million. After all, none of his medicines were cheap; even a single stick of incense could sell for tens of thousands.
"Not at all, not at all. I just think Qiqi is very cute, and I'm very willing to be her friend. Qiqi! Happy Lantern Festival! I hope you have a wonderful time. When the fireworks go off the day after tomorrow, do you want to watch them with Yaoyao?"
Qiqi's thinking was still a beat behind, and it took her a long time to come up with an answer.
"Yes... Qiqi wants to go... with a new friend... to watch the fireworks. Is that okay?"
Qiqi turned her head to look at Baizhu behind the counter. He smiled gently and said without any hesitation,
"If Qiqi wants to go, then go. But don't scare anyone, and don't run around. Otherwise, during the festival, you might scare others."
After all, the Lantern Festival was such a joyous occasion, and the sudden appearance of a zombie girl might indeed be seen as bad luck. Baizhu letting her go required significant internal struggle.
"Thank you... Baizhu. Qiqi... can go out... to play. It's really... too wonderful."
It took a long time to understand her broken words, which was perhaps Qiqi's unique charm. Although this point wasn't particularly attractive, it was mainly due to her big, adorably blank eyes.
"Hehe, then I'll be waiting for Qiqi! Together with Granny Ping and Sister Ganyu, we'll watch the rising fireworks."
Yaoyao thought about it and felt it was wonderful. Although last year's Lantern Festival was lively, it was getting more exciting every year, which was what the Lantern Festival should be like.
"Qiqi... is also looking forward to it. Qiqi... wants to go out and play quickly."
Lu Ze, watching the heartwarming scene, couldn't help but smile. This was what the Lantern Festival was about: reunion, harmony, national celebration, and festive joy.
Paimon, behind them, was still pondering why her money wasn't as much as others. Although she wasn't overly bothered, there was always a hurdle she couldn't overcome.
Lumine watched everything with a casual air. As for Dvorzhak, he couldn't help but feel the urge to play a piece of music to elevate the atmosphere upon seeing this heartwarming scene.
As if sensing enough time had passed, Yaoyao finally let go of Qiqi's hand and said happily,
"Qiqi, I still have things to do. I'll come back to find you during the Lantern Festival. By then, please don't forget me!"
Qiqi nodded solemnly and quickly took out a notebook from her pocket. Soon, a few lines of text appeared on the notebook.
"Don't forget Yaoyao. I want to spend the Lantern Festival with Yaoyao and be happy... Qiqi has a new friend."
Actually, if she flipped the notebook forward, she could see many things she had forgotten, including a few pages about Yaoyao. But that was not important now; she was only thinking about how to spend the Lantern Festival with Yaoyao.
Waving goodbye, the happy Yaoyao walked ahead step by step, each stride large, her face beaming with joy. Ascending the stairs, she could see Granny Ping sitting at a table.
Besides her, a beautiful woman sat at the table. Her long black hair cascaded down, and she wore a white and blue dress. A bell sat on the table, and the two were conversing intimately.
Oh, right, she couldn't be called Granny Ping anymore. She wasn't appearing in her elderly form but in a youthful one. Beside her sat a zither, and she looked several years younger.
"Why are you all here? Come, sit, sit. I haven't seen you all in a long time; you're all so busy. It's good to be busy. As for me, I'm bored being alone."
Although her appearance had become much younger, her way of speaking remained old-fashioned. Perhaps it was out of habit? However, Guizhong, sitting opposite her, looked at the bell and smiled.
"I never expected so many things to have happened after my death. Alas... this world will eventually change, and I can't keep up anymore... Oh, where is Cloud Retainer? Call her over. The three of us should gather and discuss the changes over the years."
Since her resurrection, Guizhong had perhaps been too rushed and hadn't visited her old friends much. But many old friends had died in that war, which was truly tragic.
"We will definitely have a chance. The Lantern Festival is in two days, and I imagine Cloud Retainer will be free. Why don't we call her over that day? And her disciples too."
A Ping said with a smile. Those old companions from back then could no longer gather together, but the three sisters had finally reunited. This year's Lantern Festival would likely be very lively.
"Are you Granny Ping? Why have you become so young? Yaoyao almost didn't recognize you."
After all, for an old person to transform into a young and beautiful woman, anyone would find it hard to believe.