Chapter Text
When the duo had arrived at Qingce Village, Lumine was already walking over towards the fields where the Glaze Lilies were.
"Lumine! Wait up!",
Paimon called out, Lumine paid no mind to it and continued to walk at a fast pace, not minding the rope bridge she had to pass through.
When she arrived at the plains, she grew worried.
It was still morning time and thus the glaze lilies were still closed. She could sing to make them open but after that Whopperflower incident.
She wasn't ready to risk it.
" Miss Lumine?",
Lumine recognized that voice as relief washed over her
It was Qiqi, the herb gatherer of Bubu Pharmacy and, from what she has seen, Zhongli's essentially adopted daughter. Kinda.
" Hello Qiqi", Lumine greeted with a smile and the zombie waved a small hello.
" What is Miss Lumine doing here?",
Lumine was wondering if she should tell the truth. Qiqi has been around Zhongli much more often when she had free time from the pharmacy.
Because he is the only guard for Qiqi to safely walk around the Harbor without the adults bothering her...and a certain Funeral Master.
She was worried that Qiqi may accidentally reveal her gift to Zhongli but then again, maybe she can rely on that poor memory of Qiqi for once.
"I'm looking for a Glaze Lily...", Qiqi tilted her head to the side and the blonde quickly added, "An open one I mean"
"Ah, I saw one over there Qiqi will show you", Lumine was over the moon.
Qiqi led them to a much more secluded area.
And in the distance, they could see a singular open Glaze Lily under the shade.
"Wow", both Paimon and Lumine said in awe.
"It's a wild Glaze Lily", Lumine mumbled and went closer to the flower.
Not only did the petals seemed much vibrant in color but also the scent that wafter from the flower was much stronger and pleasant.
Lumine took out the Kamera she had gotten from Xu
Qiqi was interested in the device that Lumine had brought out.
She saw a flash and Lumine peeking through the device. After a while, Lumine seemed content with her work and stood up.
"This will do for reference, shall we head back to the Harbor?"
"Before that, mind telling us what you are planning to do?", Qiqi nodded, agreeing to Paimon's words.
Lumine grew flustered when she realized that she hadn't told Paimon about her plan but then again Paimon was chatter mouth.
"I plan on making that raindrop cake from Inazuma", Lumine said and Paimon remembered said sweet.
"Oh and so you plan on decorating it with a Glaze Lily to look like it's in entrapped?", Lumine nodded and Paimon nodded happily to the idea.
"Paimon approves!"
The trio headed back to the Waypoint and before they could teleport back to the Harbor. Qiqi tugged on the ends of Lumine's dress.
"Miss Lumine? Can I borrow that device you used for tomorrow?", Qiqi asked and Lumine nodded, happy to help the zombie in return for the flower.
When they arrived at the Harbor, Lumine accompanied Qiqi back to the pharmacy.
After that she went over to Xu to get the pictures printed and then to Xianling's, she asked if she could borrow their kitchen.
Chef Mao was more than happy to have extra help in return.
When night had come and it was closing time did Lumine finally start her gift.
Remembering all the steps that the merchant taught her and how to etch a design to the sweet. She first made a batch to test the sweetness of the cake.
After deeming that the taste was perfect.
She then decided to create a new one to etch a design on it. She gave the clear one to Paimon and saved one for Xianling and Qiqi.
After she was done, she had stored it away in a cool place.
"Just have to wait and see tomorrow then", Lumine sighed nervously.
They cleaned up the utensils they used and retired for the night.
The following day, she went to the Pharmacy to pick up Qiqi and lend her the Kamera. She wasn't sure why Qiqi had wanted it in the first place.
When she walked up the steps she had already seen Qiqi waiting.
Lumine greeted Dr. Baizhu and then they left.
Apparently, Qiqi wanted to give something to Zhongli but wasn't sure, though the child has seen some people carrying around pictures.
"Is that why you wanted to use the Kamera? Do give pictures to Zhongli?"
Qiqi nodded enthusiastically,
"Qiqi wants to give him lots!", Lumine giggled and showed Qiqi how to operate the Kamera.
She should let the child take a picture of what Zhongli likes and she would just be there as an assistant.
When the sun was setting, they went to Xu and had the photos printed.
"This...are a lot and well taken too", Xu was amazed and Lumine just patted Qiqi's head and has a proud parent look on her face.
"Lumine! Are you almost done?!", Paimon called out,
"Wait a moment Paimon!"
When the Qiqi's pictures were all printed and Xu even put them all on a photo album, they went to Wanmin Restaurant.
Xianling and her dad agreed to host Zhongli for his birthday.
Liyue was still bustling, with the approach of a new year, everyone wants to greet it.
Childe agreed to distract Zhongli for the day so everything could be set up.
When the evening was near, they had seen Childe with Zhongli approaching Wanmin Restaurant.
"Everybody get in your places!"
When Zhongli entered the restaurant, he was taken aback by
"Surprise!"
Everybody greeted Zhongli and some gifts were left as some senders couldn't come personally.
"Did I miss the party?", Zhongli turned to see his old friend, Venti, holding a vintage wine bottle.
When everybody had eaten and it was time for dessert, Lumine went to the back.
Lumine came back over with a small plate.
"Well, my gift is more of a sweet", She explained and placed the plate in front of Zhongli.
Everyone was in awe, it was a raindrop cake with a Glaze Lily design on it.
"Happy Birthday Mr. Zhongli",
Zhongli couldn't help but smile, a smile so soft that it was different from the smiles he had given to the others.
This was a much softer one.
He liked Lumine's birthday present the most. Even though he couldn't keep it forever else it will go to waste.