"I don't know either. I hadn't been wandering long when a Fatui soldier told me," Lumine shook her head, recounting her recent experience to Ying.
"Uh-huh... Alright, alright, let's hurry then. Where are we meeting?"
"The Third Round Knockout."
"The Third Round Knockout?! I know, I know! Liyue's two great cuisines..."
Paimon perked up immediately, launching into a lengthy explanation of the Third Round Knockout's stories with such professionalism that Lumine broke out in a cold sweat.
"You know so much when it comes to these things..."
"Hahaha, since Paimon knows so much, I'll leave the navigation to you. I'm terrible with directions~"
(Hehe... I can get a free meal now~ ๑乛v乛๑)
The group quickly evaded the Millelith and reached the agreed-upon location with Childe.
"Yo~ You're here," Childe waved, greeting everyone.
"Yeah, how did you find someone so quickly? I thought it would take at least a day or two, ow o," Ying immediately voiced her confusion.
"Hahaha, it was quite a coincidence. I hadn't been out long when I ran into that gentleman on the road. After a brief conversation, he agreed to my request."
"Oh... alright then..." (Going out for a walk and waiting for a table of delicious food...)
"Mhm, let's go, that gentleman is already waiting inside for you."
"Okay."
The group followed Childe towards the Third Round Knockout. Ying's subtle expression caused Paimon, who was walking beside her, to ask softly,
"Host, are you feeling unwell?"
"Mhm... It's not a physical discomfort, I just feel like the current plot deviates a bit from my memories."
"Uh-huh, considering the host's presence, a slight deviation seems rather normal, doesn't it?"
"That's true... but I have a feeling that even more deviations will occur later. This event might not be the simple confrontation between Archons and Childe from the game..."
(After all, as the female lead, I'm sure I'll have some plot points exclusive to me...)
"Host, are you being too suspicious? Where would so many unexpected things come from~"
"Emm... You really have no sense of caution... Sigh... Never mind, never mind. At least the plot hasn't strayed too much for now..."
"Hehe~ Right, right~"
"Look at you, so happy..."
While Ying and Paimon were whispering, Childe had already led the group inside.
"Wow~ I can already smell the aroma. Hehe~ Finally, I can taste delicious food again~ (⌒▽⌒)"
"I never thought I'd find common ground with you," Paimon said, looking at Paimon with kindred spirits.
"It's just about good food, look how happy you are~"
"Actually, Host, aren't you happy too?"
"No, no, no~ My happiness is different from yours~"
"Oh? How is it different?" Lumine, walking ahead, was also drawn by Ying's words.
"Hmph hmph~ What excites me is of course Mora. If all these valuable things here were sold, I wouldn't have to work a day in my life (✪▽✪)"
"Emm... Be serious!" Lumine tapped Ying's forehead with her finger and said.
"Ouch! Ouch, ouch... I was being serious... Ouch! Not serious, not serious! I know I was wrong, stop tapping qa q"
"Hmph~ If there weren't so many outsiders here, I'd teach you a lesson."
"Wuwu... Lumine is a meanie..."
"Hahaha, alright, come out from behind the door. Let me introduce you. This is a man of the underworld, a guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli."
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Isn't that Hu Tao's business?"
"Oh? I didn't expect you to have heard of our Director's name."
"Mhm, she's friends with your Director. She even slept in the same room as her a few days ago →_→"
"Uh... Why do I feel anger in your words, Lumine... Σ(|||▽|||)"
"Hmph~" Lumine huffed angrily, turning her head away without replying.
"Since you are friends with our Director, you must have some understanding of our organization, right?"
"Ah... Yes, yes. Hu Tao told me about it and even recommended her discount activities, saying it was twenty percent off or some such."
"Discount activities? A place like Wangsheng Funeral Parlor even has activities?" Paimon looked at Ying in disbelief.
"Hahaha, it does seem a bit outlandish..."
"But... why can a guest consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor help us?" Lumine asked, puzzled.
"Because, I have a way to let you see the Jade Chamber's true form."
"You have a way to let us see the true form?!" Paimon looked at Zhongli in surprise.
"Uh... Wait a minute, shouldn't Paimon be the one saying that?" Ying voiced her confusion.
"Ahem~ I want more lines too, okay? (*￣з￣)"
"Emm... That's a rather well-reasoned excuse..."
"Mhm, Traveler, I heard about your situation from Childe. Since you have some acquaintance with the Anemo Archon... Could you, together with me, prepare a farewell ceremony for Rex Lapis?"
"This... Ying, what do you think?" He looked for her.
"Huh? You're asking me... Of course, I'll agree~ (^～^)"
"Why do you agree?"
"Uh... Well... Because... I like it!"
(Should I say that even if you refused, Paimon would convince you... And if I really refused, then I wouldn't know the subsequent plot (*￣з￣))
"I didn't realize you liked this sort of thing..." Lumine looked at Ying's face with suspicion, feeling like she was looking at a patient.
"Emm... What kind of look is that? Let me tell you beforehand, it's not what you're thinking, okay!"
"Uh-huh... Alright then..."
"Mhm, if you agree, please follow me. We'll discuss the details on the way."
"Okay," Lumine nodded and got up to leave.
"Huh? Wait a moment! We haven't eaten yet!" Ying protested.
"That's right... Shall we eat first then?"
"Mhm... Forget it, forget it. You go with Mr. Zhongli first. You still need to see the Geo Archon to inquire about clues regarding your brother. Don't be late."
"Huh? Actually..."
"It's fine~ I'll catch up with Paimon and Paimon after I finish eating. Don't you agree? (^～^)"
"Yes, yes, yes! Ying, you understand me the best! (✪▽✪)"
"Uh... Host... I'm already full..." Paimon said, covering her stomach with one hand and raising the other.
"Ah, this... When did you start eating?!"
"Just... just now..."
"Wow! Eating while people are communicating is very impolite, do you know that!"
"Huh? I really didn't know..."
"You... you're really embarrassing me (t^t)"
Childe: "Hahaha~ It's okay, everyone makes mistakes. As long as they correct them. Have you decided?"
"Mhm... Since Paimon has finished eating, you go with Lumine. I'll catch up with Paimon later~"
(Provided she can change... but her personality is just like mine, I can't imagine her correcting herself...)