Chapter Text
I’m probably the luckiest woman in all Teyvat! And, that’s an understatement, too!
Being saved from one’s certain and impending death, especially seconds, is something that no single soul — human or adeptus, strong-willed or weak-willed — can ever get over in one night. It is, of course, a mortal’s final bastion before the next world, or so Zhongli says. I wonder what made him so sure of that belief? I have my guesses as to why, though.
But enough of death.
Back in the realm of the living, Wonderful experiences came pouring down on me since then — a rarity! Out of all of them, the one that stood out the most was getting closer, friendlier, and overall more comfortable being chummy with Yanfei.
Not only did our relationship foster and grow like wildfire since that day, I got a chance to see the beauty and marvel of dear Yanyan’s adeptus form. It was only once — with her saying that transforming into her xiezhi form was something the half-adepti swore not to do without proper reason, yet her mighty and majestic form burned in my head. Maybe Ganyu doesn’t transform into her qilin form that often, too?
Still…
Proper reason… Heh, I see.
One day, I’ll become ‘proper reason’ enough for dear Yanyan to transform freely and without restraint. I look forward to that day, ‘cus Wangsheng’s 77th Director doesn’t have ‘slamming the breaks’ in her vocab!
With all that has happened and developed, Yanfei now gives me a free pass to crash at her office, but of course, telling me not to bother when her clients are there. I understand, though! Still, I’m always itching to break into her office when she’s with a client. It takes all the power of an Archon to hold that impulse in, though. I wouldn’t want dear Yanyan to kick me out, or detain me!
When I do crash at her joint, we often chat about this and that. Likewise, Yanfei now also frequently visits me at the funeral parlor. Quite a shocker, since it’s always people avoiding us with the reason of ‘reeking of death’. Can’t blame them, since we’re literally the only funeral parlor in Liyue, and this is a sacred duty not many can understand… unlike Yanfei.
And so, looking at the clock, it’s now time for our regularly scheduled lunchtime program of ‘Cheeky Little Walnut Fucking Annoys Her Soon-To-Be Xiezhi Girlfriend’!
“Zhongli! Imma go see Yanyan now!” I yelled at that not-so old fart, writing a letter for his boyfriend. With the context of my near-death experience, I have an idea what he’s writing about, too. He even looked a little stressed and worried.
“Stay safe, Director Hu. Send my regards to Yanfei.”
“Yeah, yeah. I will, Zhongli! ‘Kay, bye~!” I replied, shutting the door behind me.
Skipping giddily without a care from those stares around me, I finally arrived at the doorstep of Liyue's Top Legal Office. Before, I’d knock to make my presence known, but since I’ve gotten Yanyan’s permission, I simply open the door at this hour.
“Yanyan! I brought some lunch!” I yelled as I held up our lunch in a plastic bag.
… Huh?
Before me, there was something taking a nap on Yanfei’s heaps of papers on her work desk.
It was something… pink.
Upon closer inspection, it had Yanyan’s distinct xiezhi antlers, but it was so small… and so cute!
Oh, now I remember! It’s the exact same cute lil’ fluff-ball of Yanfei’s custom made stamp!
Aww~ it even snored cutely while napping! I wonder what Yanyan’d say if she saw this cute lil’ bundle of joy!
How dinky…
It’s just so dinky that I love it~!
…
Wait…
Don’t tell me…!
Suddenly, the little fluff-ball opened their emerald eyes; that’s all the proof I needed!
“USHA!” the cute, dinky, pink deer squeaked.
“AH!” I returned with a scream.
When the pink being jumped back in shock, a poof of warm pink clouds revealed the beloved half-adeptus in her human form.
“Tao… Taotao! I, uh, t-that wasn’t me…”
“Heh… Hahaha!”
I merely laughed and giggled like a buffoon at Yanyan’s flustered self.
“W-what’s so funny, Taotao?”
“From a mighty xiezhi to a dinky, wittuw deer… You’re really full of surprises, Yanyan! I love it!”
Afterwards, we had a nice lunch and good laugh at what had just happened, exchanging teases here and there — mostly from me, though!