"My name is Zhongli, and I am fortunate to have met you!"
Zhongli's pupils constricted slightly; Yuanbao's identity was not lost on him.
In Yuanbao, he saw a shadow of his old friend, Phoenix.
This child, destined to perish, had defied fate and changed their destiny – truly a fortunate event!
"Grandpa Zhongli? My name is Yuanbao, and I'd like to offer you a steamed bun!"
Seeing Zhongli gazing at him, Yuanbao assumed the other was hungry and reached for a warm, large steamed bun, offering it to him.
"Since you call me Grandpa, I shall bestow upon you a token!" Zhongli nodded with a smile, conjuring a Celestial Star Charm between his fingers, exchanging it for the steamed bun.
Yuanbao was the child of his old friend Phoenix, and now he was in Liyue; Zhongli naturally had to look after him.
This Celestial Star Charm was a token of introduction.
Feng Yi stared, dumbfounded. Trading a steamed bun for a Celestial Star Charm – Yuanbao was truly an unassuming, yet brilliant little businessman!
This was a massive profit!
Feng Yi's gaze drifted to the ten baskets of steamed buns that had just arrived, and a daring idea struck him!
Zhongli: Stop right there! My hands would be raw and blistered trying to make that many!
"Zhongli, I believe you have already discerned Yuanbao's identity. I have a humble request: could you please look after Yuanbao for me? For no more than two hours!"
Ever since Yuanbao had caused trouble and disrupted Feng Yi's martial arts training, Feng Yi had decided not to bring him along when he practiced.
Initially, Feng Yi had planned to entrust Yuanbao to Granny Ping, but if Zhongli agreed, wouldn't that save him an extra trip?
"Your request is not unreasonable!"
Zhongli nodded. Looking after Yuanbao was no trouble at all, and he had experience in caring for children.
After finishing his steamed buns, Feng Yi entrusted Yuanbao to Zhongli and headed to the Wangshu Inn to find Xiao and learn spear techniques.
"Where is Yuanbao? Why isn't she here?"
Xiao, eating the almond tofu Feng Yi habitually brought, hesitated for a long time before finally asking.
"It might be troublesome if Yuanbao came along, so I've entrusted her to Zhongli's care!"
Feng Yi's reply, however, left Xiao feeling a pang of disappointment.
He couldn't bring himself to finish the half-eaten almond tofu.
Usually, it was his favorite!
But with Yuanbao not present today, he had no appetite; it tasted like chewing on dry wood.
He had even woken up early that morning to pick many fragrant wildflowers from the mountain top, intending to surprise Yuanbao.
Now, it seemed, that surprise would go to waste!
"Let's begin!"
For the first time, Xiao felt a knot in his chest, a desire to vent it all out.
Xiao set down the half-eaten almond tofu and spoke to Feng Yi. The training began!
"Eh? You haven't finished your favorite almond tofu yet, I can wait. There's no need to rush..."
Feng Yi was suddenly touched. Xiao was being so enthusiastic and responsible today, not even caring about his beloved almond tofu, just to help him train.
Although Xiao appeared cold and taciturn on the surface, all his concern was expressed through his actions!
Indeed... Xiao's training intensity today was exceptionally high. Even Feng Yi, with his robust physique, found it somewhat taxing.
Feng Yi expressed his gratitude to the strict Master Xiao.
Such a dedicated teacher was rare indeed!
Xiao: Phew~ That felt good!!!
After all, venting truly made him feel much better.
After this training session, with their information being so mismatched, both of their inner needs were satisfied.
The overall happiness index of Teyvat had increased by two points.
Training concluded, Feng Yi bid farewell to Master Xiao and prepared to pick up the child from Zhongli.
Feng Yi didn't need to think twice; if he was looking for Zhongli, he would surely be at a place where opera was being performed.
Passing by the Heyu Tea House, he saw it bustling with people, exceptionally lively. Feng Yi realized that Miss Yun Jin might be performing today.
If that were the case, then Zhongli, the devoted opera fan, would certainly be there!
Pushing through the throng of people, Feng Yi, relying on his "bear" strength, successfully broke through and reached a private room on the second floor.
Zhongli was indeed there, watching the opera with Yuanbao!
As Feng Yi entered, he saw Yuanbao mimicking Zhongli's posture, sitting upright, holding a small cup of clear tea, watching the performance on the stage below, and blowing away the tea leaves floating on the surface and the rising steam.
He took a small sip, smacked his lips, and then a smile of satisfaction bloomed.
Yuanbao and Zhongli's movements were astonishingly synchronized, as if they shared a single operating system.
It was truly "near cinnabar turns red, near ink turns black"!
Feng Yi suddenly recalled how Yuanbao had mimicked Guoba drinking milk tea at Wanmin Restaurant.
It was the same situation as now.
Yuanbao's learning ability was terrifyingly potent!
"Feng Yi, you've arrived at just the right time. Miss Yun Jin is performing a new play, the very one you provided, 'Farewell My Concubine'!"
"Daddy, look, look! This sister is dancing so beautifully!"
Zhongli and Yuanbao, noticing Feng Yi's arrival, spoke in unison.
"It's already been staged!? Miss Yun Jin's efficiency is truly remarkable!"
Feng Yi approached the viewing area, watched the performance on stage, and nodded approvingly.
This was a story he had provided, and naturally, he was eager to see Miss Yun Jin adapt and perform it as a play.
"Why... why is Miss Yun Jin playing the role of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Chu?!"
It was one thing to look, but this glance instantly left Feng Yi's jaw agape.
He had never expected that Miss Yun Jin would be the one playing Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Chu. She should have been more suited to play Consort Yu!
Feng Yi remembered when he and Yun Jin had performed an impromptu "Farewell My Concubine" in Elder Fan's living room.
Yun Jin's lifelike performance had vividly portrayed Consort Yu's lamentations of "alas, what can be done!", reaching a level comparable to Consort Yu herself appearing in person.
Although Yun Jin's current portrayal of the Hegemon-King of Chu was not lacking in domineering presence and unrestrained spirit, it still felt somewhat strange.
"Mr. Feng Yi, you may not know this, but when we were rehearsing, all the actors from the Yunhan Players took turns auditioning for the role of the Hegemon-King of Chu, but none of their interpretations of his charisma could earn Miss Yun Jin's approval. In desperation, Miss Yun Jin had no choice but to cross-dress and play the role herself!"
Elder Fan, passing by the entrance of the private room, heard Feng Yi's confusion and explained with a smile.
Elder Fan understood Miss Yun Jin's dedication to the art of opera.
After witnessing the brilliant performance Feng Yi had displayed that day, Miss Yun Jin's obsession with the role of the Hegemon-King of Chu deepened.
In Yun Jin's view, she would either perform it better than Feng Yi or not touch the role at all, lest she tarnish the perfect image in her mind!
Elder Fan had persuaded her many times without success and, unwilling to offend Miss Yun Jin, this golden goose, he had no choice but to let it be.
"So that's how it is! There's actually such a hidden reason..."
Zhongli looked at Feng Yi in surprise. He hadn't expected to miss such a wonderful performance by Feng Yi and Miss Yun Jin during his absence.
What a pity!