The days in Liyue Harbor continued their peaceful, happy rhythm. Ren's Cryo training with Ganyu had progressed to a point of fluid, intuitive grace, and his afternoons were often spent in the serene, sun-dappled glade of Yujing Terrace, listening to Madam Ping's endless reservoir of stories.
Ganyu would often join them after her work at the Yuehai Pavilion was done, bringing a small basket of snacks. She loved these quiet moments, sitting beside her brother and her old, wise friend, the formal pressures of her job melting away in the tranquil atmosphere.
It was on one such idyllic afternoon that a new figure approached their quiet gathering.
He was a tall, impeccably dressed man with a calm, scholarly demeanor. His dark hair was tied back in a long tail, and his eyes, a shade of brilliant, luminous amber, seemed to hold the weight of millennia. He moved with a quiet, deliberate grace, his presence commanding a subtle, unconscious respect from those he passed. It was Zhongli, the esteemed consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Madam Ping looked up as he approached, a faint, knowing smile gracing her lips. "Well now," she said, her voice a soft, welcoming rustle. "Look who the gentle breeze has brought to our little gathering. It has been a while, Zhongli."
"Madam Ping," he greeted her with a respectful, graceful bow that was a work of art in itself. His amber gaze was warm and full of an ancient, familiar fondness. "It is always a pleasure to find you enjoying the afternoon sun. I trust you are well."
His gaze then shifted, moving to Ganyu, who had straightened up, a look of polite respect on her face. "Lady Ganyu. I am glad to see you taking a well-deserved rest."
"Mr. Zhongli," Ganyu replied with a courteous nod. She knew of him, of course. He was a highly respected figure in Liyue, known for his profound knowledge of history, tradition, and seemingly everything else. The Tianquan herself had consulted with him on matters of ancient rites.
Finally, Zhongli's luminous amber eyes came to rest on Ren, who was looking up at him with a wide, curious gaze. A faint, almost imperceptible warmth entered his expression, a flicker of something ancient and deeply intrigued.
"And you," he said, his voice a calm, resonant baritone, "must be the young inventor I have been hearing so much about. Ren. It is an honor to finally meet you."
Ren felt a strange, electric jolt. He of course, already knew that he was looking at the Geo Archon, the Prime of the Adepti, Rex Lapis himself. He was face to face with the living god of Liyue, who was currently masquerading as a funeral parlor consultant. The sheer, sublime absurdity of the situation made his mind reel. He had to remind himself to breathe.
"The honor is mine, Mr. Zhongli," Ren managed to say, his voice steady despite the thunderous beating of his heart.
"Please, there is no need for such formality," Zhongli said, his gaze gentle. He gestured to the empty stone stool beside Ren. "May I?"
"Of course," Madam Ping chirped before anyone else could answer.
Zhongli sat, his movements economical and precise. He didn't look at Ganyu or Madam Ping. His entire, considerable attention was focused on the small boy beside him.
"I confess," he began, his voice a low, thoughtful rumble, "I have been following the news of your… 'heater'… with great fascination. I was fortunate enough to view the proclamation from the Tianquan. The design, as described, is a work of remarkable ingenuity."
Ganyu's chest swelled with pride, but she remained silent, sensing this was a conversation beyond her.
"To harness the raw, chaotic energy of an electro crystal and channel it into a source of controlled, gentle warmth is no small feat," Zhongli continued, his amber eyes seeming to look right through Ren, as if he could see the blueprints and schematics laid out in his mind. "Most would seek to use such power for more… destructive ends. A weapon, perhaps. Or a tool for industry. You, however, chose comfort. You chose the hearth. May I ask what led you down such a path?"
It was a simple question, but Ren knew that with Zhongli, no question was ever simple. He was being tested, his motivations weighed and measured by the god of contracts himself.
Ren looked at the heater prototype he knew was warming his home, and he thought of the cold nights. He gave the simple, honest truth. "I just noticed it was cold," he said. "And I thought it would be nice if people weren't. That's all."
Zhongli was silent for a long moment, his gaze unblinking. He then let out a low, soft hum of deep appreciation. "A motivation of pure, unadorned empathy," he mused, as if cataloging a rare and precious artifact. "It is the bedrock upon which all successful contracts are built—a genuine desire to improve a situation. It is a principle that Liyue itself was founded upon."
He looked out over the harbor, a distant, ancient light in his eyes. "To see such a principle embodied in a new generation, in a new form of creation… it is most reassuring."
He then turned back to Ren, a faint, almost fatherly smile on his face. "You have given a great gift to the people of Liyue, young Ren. A contract of warmth, offered freely. It is a gesture that Rex Lapis himself would surely look upon with great favor."
Ganyu, hearing the name of the Archon she revered above all others, felt a thrill of pride. To have her brother's work praised in such a way by the most knowledgeable historian in Liyue was a profound honor.
Madam Ping, who had been listening with a quiet, knowing twinkle in her eye, simply took a slow sip of her tea.
Ren felt the weight of Zhongli's words, the subtle, divine approval hidden within the mortal compliment. It was a blessing from the god of the land, a quiet, personal acknowledgment of his contribution. The feeling was overwhelming, a validation that resonated deep in his soul.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhongli," he said, his voice a soft whisper.
Zhongli simply gave a slow, deliberate nod, and for a moment, Ren thought he saw the amber in his eyes glow just a little brighter, a flash of the ancient, golden power that lay dormant beneath the surface of the calm, scholarly consultant.