In the first-floor living room of the villa, Zhongli sat composedly at the center of the sofa, gently blowing the steam from his teacup.
Even though he was drinking cheap tea—just 50 yuan a pound from some online shop—his demeanor was so distinguished, it was as if he were sipping the finest Longjing worth thousands.
Lu Chen nodded silently. That was Zhongli for you—Teyvat's most refined man.
Everyone sat around, curious about how he had ended up here.
"It's quite interesting, actually," Zhongli said, a faint smile in his eyes. "Before arriving, I was at Third-Round Knockout, drinking tea and listening to storytelling. Then, when I opened my eyes again—I was here."
"Oh? Iron Tongue Tian's place?" Lu Chen asked.
Zhongli gave a small nod.
The image of Zhongli sitting there listening to tales instantly triggered BGM in Lu Chen's mind—along with those iconic lines etched into every player's soul...
"Last time on our tale, the Liyue of that age was plagued by sea demons and mountain beasts. The Geo Archon summoned the Adepti..."
"I know that place!" Qiqi's eyes lit up—her memory apparently working well for once.
Zhongli glanced fondly at his fellow Liyue native. "I didn't expect to see little Qiqi here too. While you were away, I imagine Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy must have been quite anxious."
"If word had spread that the Geo Archon vanished..." Venti said with a sigh, "more than a few people would've been worried."
Lu Chen didn't seem concerned. "Only a handful know about the Archon's fake death. Liyue's people are slowly adjusting to a life without gods."
Watching Zhongli drink tea so contentedly, Venti picked up a cup from the table. "That's good to hear. Mondstadt's Archon has been MIA for years, and everyone's doing fine..."
Lu Chen shot him a look, reminded of how Barbatos had been slacking off for centuries.
"I'd say they've adjusted too well. The people of Mondstadt have probably forgotten your name by now."
"Impossible!—Ow! Hot, hot!" Venti winced, setting the cup down with a frown. Alcohol was definitely more satisfying.
His eyes locked onto Zhongli. "How about... we switch to wine? It's been ages since I've had a drink with you!"
Zhongli saw the eager look in his eyes and chuckled, as if recalling an old memory.
"When you first came to Liyue two thousand years ago, I thought you were having trouble with your divine duties. But the first thing you said to me was..."
Venti blinked playfully. "'This is Mondstadt wine. Want a taste?'"
Turns out, the Anemo Archon had crossed the land just to invite Morax out for drinks.
As the two reminisced, Raiden Ei chuckled. Back in those days, thanks to Venti, the Seven Archons often gathered in Liyue. As Makoto's twin and her shadow warrior, Ei had taken part in those meetings too.
This scene stirred a deep sense of change in her heart. The world she knew was slowly vanishing. Most of the gods from those ancient wine gatherings... were no longer here.
"Ei."
Without realizing it, Lu Chen gently took her hand. He knew that look—she was drifting into the past again.
Raiden Ei turned to him with a small smile. She wasn't as fragile as he thought.
"It seems our young friend Lu Chen has finally recovered his memories," Zhongli said with a touch of warmth as he watched the two of them.
"If you'd just told me earlier, I wouldn't have had to take that stab," Lu Chen grumbled again at their riddling tendencies.
"There are things one must discover on their own," Zhongli replied. "Human emotion may wear thin, but its endurance is profound. I did it for your sake."
Lu Chen waved him off, exasperated. Great, the riddles were back again.
Still, he had to admit—if Raiden Ei hadn't lost control and slashed him in the first place, none of this would've happened...
He and Ei exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes reflecting one another.
"Hey hey hey! You two are at it again!" Venti groaned. "Showing off your relationship! Weren't we supposed to drink? Come on, everyone—drink with me!"
Lu Chen wanted nothing to do with it. Venti drank like a fish—enough to put someone in the hospital.
"The doctor said drinking on an empty stomach is bad for you. Don't bully a mere mortal like me."
Ei chimed in, "I don't hold my liquor well. Bad things tend to happen when I drink..."
Zhongli set his teacup down. "From a general perspective, it's poor etiquette to greet a long-traveled guest with alcohol. It wouldn't be proper."
"Huh?!" Venti looked utterly betrayed.
"So that's how it is! You're all ganging up on me!"
Seeing his dramatic reaction, Yae Miko covered her mouth with a giggle. Even Qiqi managed a faint smile.
...
That evening, Lu Chen and Ei prepared a lavish dinner to welcome Zhongli properly.
Well—Ei mostly helped on the side. Lu Chen remained head chef.
He vaguely remembered Zhongli didn't like seafood, so he stuck with a few current Liyue favorites. Sure enough, when the dishes hit the table, the old man gave his compliments.
"I didn't expect such authentic Liyue and Moonlight cuisine here. Mmm... even this spicy boiled fish is on par with Xiangling's at Wanmin Restaurant."
Zhongli nodded. "Your cooking has truly improved, young friend."
Lu Chen beamed. Praise from Zhongli was no small thing.
Everyone knew how refined Zhongli's tastes were. If he ever opened a restaurant in Liyue, just putting up a sign that read 'Approved by the Rock King' would attract customers by the thousands.
"He's always been great at cooking. It's like magic—my stomach can't live without it~" Venti said cheerfully.
"True," Yae Miko added from beside Ei, thinking back to how she'd once fallen for a humble piece of fried tofu Lu Chen had made.
"Then..." Venti narrowed his eyes. "With good food, there must be..."
"Good wine!"
He suddenly whipped out several bottles of baijiu. "Now it's not on an empty stomach! Hehe!"
Lu Chen knew this guy wouldn't change, but there was no stopping him.
"Just a little, okay?" he warned Ei.
"C'mon, c'mon!" Venti took the initiative to pour Zhongli a drink.
Zhongli gave a small nod. "It's been a long time since we've seen one another. A small toast wouldn't hurt."
Venti nodded eagerly—but didn't stop pouring. Soon, every glass was nearly overflowing.
Please—he was the God of Wine in Teyvat! No way was he letting anyone leave without having a blast.
It was a joyous occasion...
If we're not dead yet—then drink like we're dying!