Chapter Text
He never anticipated such a longing after all these years, one he had sought to suppress after making his decision so long ago. Yet, here he was once again, standing agape at a young girl he had never seen around these parts, playing with the idea of potentially bringing her back to Bubu Pharmacy.
It was supposed to be an ordinary day for Baizhu, Liyue’s infamous doctor and pharmacist. The green-haired man came out to the fields to stock up on herbs and plants, leaving his assistant Gui behind at the pharmacy to handle things. Admittedly, he should have had the foresight to bring a companion along, as the trip up to the mountains had taken a greater toll on him than he anticipated. However, the shock of finding the little girl with disheveled hair and antique clothing had overshadowed the desire to pass out where he was and nap a while.
“Excuse me.”
He watched her pluck an herb and glance up unprepared at his sudden arrival. The fear in her eyes took him aback. When she gazed up at him, he noticed the blank look in her eyes, almost as if she were disoriented. “Yes?”
“Where are your parents?”
She twiddled her thumbs. “Gone.”
“Gone where?”
“Qiqi’s parents went to another world.”
Baizhu raised an eyebrow. “Another world?” Does she mean they’re dead?
“Qiqi is all alone in this world.” She sighed, shoulders sagging. “Qiqi is...dead…”
Dead? But how?
Such a feat was unheard of in Liyue. Even his attempts at revival had come up short in his research. What was this sorcery? A new type of magic? Medicine?
“How are you alive?”
The young zombie thought hard with all her might, scrunching her eyes shut and clenching her fists. “The...the adepti.” She opened her eyes to gaze up at Baizhu. “They saved Qiqi, Qiqi thinks…”
The adepti saved this girl? What must have happened to her for them to save her? Baizhu knew the adepti cared for humanity, but rarely interacted with them these days. Perhaps an accident occurred? But if the dead can be resurrected, then perhaps...Yes.
She bit her lip. “S-sorry. Qiqi doesn’t remember much. Qiqi doesn’t know what to do. Qiqi has been alone. Qiqi has no one to take care of her.”
“No one’s taken you in?”
“No.”
How curious is this? This may be an opportunity.
“Are you genuinely thinking of taking in yet another stray, Baizhu?”
Baizhu snapped out of his thoughts, suddenly reminded of the companion nestled around his neck. It seemed Changsheng had woken up from her nap.
“Will it hurt us to take in another soul, especially one such as this?”
“Something tells me you have plans for this one.”
Baizhu didn’t smile, but simply ignored the snake and offered his hand out to Qiqi. “You’re welcome to come back with us to Liyue Harbor. We can get you some food and rest, then we can discuss more about you, Qiqi.”
The little girl hesitated, glancing back and forth between Baizhu and Changsheng, then slowly placed her hand in his, nodding. “Okay.”
He let a smile form on his lips as closed his hand over hers. With Qiqi at Bubu Pharmacy, he could finally start to make progress again on his research. All he had to do was make sure she was well cared for during her stay. He had interacted with children before, so surely it couldn't be that difficult to take care of a child.
Right?