"Ahh..."
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Orion, who was currently discussing business expansion with Master Hu in Mondstadt, suddenly sneezed.
"What's wrong, what's wrong?"
Hu Tao hurried over, looking worried.
"You're not in great health. Why don't you go rest for now—we can continue tomorrow."
Orion shook his head slightly.
"No, let's keep going."
"Forget it. I don't want your next business to be your own funeral," Hu Tao pouted.
"Wuyupo hasn't been very peaceful lately—I'll go check it out myself."
She dashed off without waiting for Orion's reply.
Just like in the game—quirky and swift.
Orion smiled and shook his head, suddenly remembering the "little pity" he met ten years ago.
Back then, he had just crossed over into Teyvat.
Stormterror hadn't yet descended on Mondstadt.
The Geo Archon hadn't faked his death.
Even the Qixing were strangers to him.
Only Ganyu, the Qixing's secretary, remained unchanged.
Too bad she was away that day—he hadn't seen her.
But he did visit Bubu Pharmacy.
He saw Qiqi and Baizhu.
He wandered through many places, searching for familiar faces.
Most weren't there.
It was as if he'd time-traveled…
Back to years before the Genshin Impact plotline.
Exactly how far, Orion couldn't tell.
He was a transmigrator—but not one blessed with a system, golden finger, or even a Vision.
Just an ordinary man.
So what was the purpose of his crossing?
A wish born from obsession with Genshin?
Touched the heavens through sheer devotion?
He shook his head. Too nonsensical.
Then he met that pale-haired, red-eyed child—
Unmistakably similar to Ningguang.
Excitement surged in him. Ningguang had always been his favorite character.
But when he asked her name—
She said nothing.
He nearly walked away.
But her story was too pitiful.
He stayed.
Took her in as his sister.
Relied on her for strength, even teasingly nicknamed her little pity.
As they spent time together, Orion realized something else—
This girl had astonishing business talent.
She was practically Ningguang in miniature.
He spoiled her endlessly.
But she grew too reliant on him.
Still, it felt fine…
Until one day—he coughed up blood.
He rushed to Bubu Pharmacy.
Baizhu examined him.
The diagnosis was grim: a severe illness, uncertain lifespan.
Was there a more tragic transmigrator in the world?
Others were commanding wind and thunder, blessed with cheats and systems.
Not him.
Orion had no golden finger.
No power.
Just sickness.
He accepted it without complaint—he'd always lived a Buddhist life.
But then the worry set in…
What would happen to little pity after he was gone?
After much thought, he devised a plan.
He would fake his disappearance.
Leave behind 200,000 Mora.
Teach her a final, cruel lesson:
Don't trust anyone easily.
It would hurt her.
But it would make her grow stronger.
And with her talent, she would surely thrive.
He used to think she was pitiful.
Turns out… it was he who was truly pitiful.
A powerless, sickly transmigrator.
Still, maybe his mindset saved him.
Ten years passed—and miraculously, he recovered.
Even Baizhu was amazed.
But what had become of little pity?
She had been twelve when they met.
Now, she would be twenty-two.
A grown woman.
Would he even recognize her?
Would she recognize him?
Due to his illness, he appeared paler now—but otherwise unchanged.
So he disguised himself.
Changed his name to Orion.
No doubt, with her business talent, she was a wealthy elite by now.
Maybe she'd forgotten him completely.
Maybe she'd even surpassed Ningguang.
Oh, speaking of—
He heard that the title of Tianquan had recently changed hands.
It was Ningguang.
His favorite character.
Still hadn't met her in person… but he would, eventually.
For now, Hu Tao had just succeeded her grandfather as master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She had a lot on her plate.
The 75th hall master had passed less than half a month ago.
Hu Tao must be grieving.
Orion had heard people mention it and came to Wangsheng to help out.
She was only thirteen.
No matter how capable—she couldn't handle everything alone.
That's just who Orion was.
After all, every character in the game—wife or daughter—deserved protection.
Suffering was not an option.
Estimating the timeline, Hu Tao was thirteen.
Her grandfather had recently passed.
And when she turned sixteen…
It's time for the Genshin Impact plot to begin.
So count the age...
His little pitiful—it seems to be about the same age as Ningguang.
---
Unconsciously, Hu Tao had returned.
Seeing that Orion hadn't obediently gone to rest, but was instead sitting there in a daze, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Suddenly, she rushed to Orion's side and shouted,
"Hey!"
Orion didn't react in time.
He was shocked.
Looking up and seeing Hu Tao, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"How many times have I told you not to scare people like that?"
"Someone's going to get scared to death, you know?"
"I'm going to get scared to death."
Hu Tao snorted coldly.
She took a sip of her tea.
Then said,
"You, scared to death? I don't believe it."
If she hadn't taken this guy to Wuwang Hill for business and seen how calm he was when encountering ghosts, maybe she would've believed it.
Of course, Orion wasn't afraid.
Even though he'd been living in this world for more than ten years, deep down—
It was still just the world of a game to him.
Who's afraid of ghosts in a game?
Besides, Genshin Impact is a 12+ title.
Ghosts aren't scary at all.
---
"By the way, when I came back today, I saw someone," Hu Tao said, suddenly serious.
"Not a person, to be exact... It was a zombie."
The corners of Orion's mouth twitched.
"This zombie... isn't it called Qiqi?"
Sure enough, it must have been her.
Back when Orion played the game, he loved watching the plot unfold—Character quests, weapon lore, everything.
He was what you'd call a rare plot party.
In Hu Tao's story, there's a segment where she discovers Qiqi is a zombie.
She becomes very persistent in wanting to cremate her—Send her off properly.
Of course, in the end Hu Tao didn't succeed.
Orion remembered it well.
Still, he didn't want to meddle in this world.
It wasn't his place.
-----------
End of chapter.