"You seem to be troubled by something." The elderly Zhongli put down the teacup in his hand.
"Indeed, it feels like I've stayed in Liyue for too long." At this moment, Cid, squatting beside the small table, patiently adjusted little Hu Tao's sitting posture over and over again. "I feel it's about time to head back to Mondstadt."
Zhongli looked at Cid. For some reason, Cid had the feeling that he was being completely seen through.
Hiss… Cid instinctively shrank back a little. Right now, the way Elder Zhongli felt to him was exactly like being stared at by a stern elder in the family, being questioned about where he'd been fooling around all night after not returning home.
Something's off. I don't think I've been out fooling around, and there's nothing I'm hiding or can't talk about.
After all, that blonde guy still hasn't woken up, and the future I know can't exactly be considered accurate.
With that thought, Cid chose to meet Elder Zhongli's gaze openly.
First glance: Elder Zhongli is really handsome. Second glance: Elder Zhongli truly has an air of refinement. Third glance: Elder Zhongli's eyes really do seem to be looking at me?
"Never mind, I must be overthinking it." The elderly Zhongli stopped looking at him and instead focused on savoring his tea.
Cid felt a slight confusion, but at that moment…
Clang clang~ Little Hu Tao directly picked up the teapot Elder Zhongli had been using to pour tea and ran off with it.
Then Elder Zhongli looked at his now-empty teacup, then turned his gaze back to Cid. How should he put it? It gave Cid the feeling of a desolate autumn wind—pitiful and pleading for help.
…
Is something wrong here? Lord Emperor, you haven't yet relinquished your divine seat, have you? Why do I get the sense of an old man helplessly watching a child snatch away his favorite toy?
Cid stood up and began chasing after little Hu Tao, who was holding Elder Zhongli's teapot high above her head. "Be careful! Don't fall!"
Cid wasn't worried about the teapot at all. After all, he knew that teapot. The last time he'd played with little Hu Tao, he'd personally heard Elder Zhongli say, "Send the bill to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor." So if the teapot broke, it broke—as long as little Hu Tao didn't get hurt, it was fine.
Wait a second… When I started running, the look in Elder Zhongli's eyes…
Never mind. I should still look after the teapot and try not to let it break.
But speaking of which, isn't little Hu Tao running a bit too fast today?
Could it be that she's upset because I'm leaving?
That makes sense. I really should have asked little Hu Tao's opinion first before saying that.
In the end, Cid still caught up to little Hu Tao.
He lifted her high into the air with both hands, while little Hu Tao still clutched the teapot.
"Uncle, when do you plan to leave?" Little Hu Tao's voice sounded a little downcast.
"I'm not sure, just sometime soon." Cid felt like scratching his head to cover his awkwardness, but since he was holding little Hu Tao up, he could only honestly tell the truth.
"Then I suggest Uncle leave as soon as possible." Little Hu Tao kept her tone cheerful.
"After all, as the next Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I'm fully capable of treating you like a dead person. Once you're gone, I'll think of you every day while staring at your coffin."
Seeing an object and thinking of its owner—grand filial piety that brings the house down in laughter…
Those were the words that flashed through Cid's mind in an instant.
"How about I discuss it with your grandpa… see if I can take you with me to Mondstadt?"
For some reason, Cid's heart was actually pounding when he made this suggestion.
After all, it would really be quite dangerous for him.
The last time he crossed the snowy mountains to get here, he'd encountered plenty of hilichurls along the way, and he'd even been chased by a Geo Hilichurl Chieftain.
He could manage on his own with room to spare, but bringing little Hu Tao…
"Really!?"
Even though he couldn't see little Hu Tao's expression, Cid could genuinely feel the joy in her tone.
Alright, after all, I'm an adult now.
Even if my mind is still that of a child, my body has already grown into an adult's!
I'll discuss it with Hu Tao's grandpa!
As long as her grandpa doesn't agree, it won't be my fault!
After all, if I took little Hu Tao away without the family's permission, I wouldn't be an adventurer—I'd be a human trafficker abducting a child!
Mm…
Cid felt little Hu Tao happily swinging left and right in his arms…
But I should still put in a little effort.
After all, adults can't casually disappoint a child's happiness…
Especially an uncle like me who still has the heart of a child.
Worst case, I'll just stay in Liyue.
Once Hu Tao grows up and no longer minds me leaving, I'll head to Mondstadt then!
But little Barbara seems to still be waiting for me…
Adults really do get troubled over certain things…
Especially when it comes to cute children…
If it were a bratty kid, it'd be easy—one punch each. I remember a news story about a bratty kid provoking a wanted criminal who was eating, and the criminal ended up taking out the bratty kid along with the bratty parents.
Facing a cute and well-behaved child…
Uncle Cid fell into the greatest dilemma of his life so far.