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-When was the last time you took some rest, Baizhu ?
-I... Can't really recall, Jiangli. It must have been before I took Qiqi
-You are exhausted, and yet you are pushing yourself to your limits, says Gui
In Baizhu's room, there were three persons : Jiangli, a doctor that studied with Baizhu, Gui, an employee of the Bubu Pharmacy and friend of Baizhu, and Doctor Baizhu himself. Around Baizhu's neck, Chansheng, a white snake with pink eyes, looks at her master.
It was in the end of the evening. Baizhu do not want Qiqi or the patients to see him in this state, so he assured it was past the closing hours, and that Qiqi was in the bed. Jiangli was doing examinations on the doctor, she was called after he starts coughing an unusual amount of blood. After she looked at his throat and his chest, listening to his heart, Jiangli sight
-Your lungs are more damaged than the installations of the Chasm, and because of your body being more and more exhausted, they can't heal themselves. And it's not helped by your... Contract. The doctor looks in the eyes of the snake
-I am doing my bessssst to warn thissss bull-headed doctor about hissss condition. Yet he sayssss that it'ss nothing, and here we are now, Baizhu
-I don't want to let my patients down...
-In any case, sighs Jiangli, I will prescribe you some green tea, and some Violetgrass powder. One cup of both, twice a day, for one week. And for the love of the Archons... Take at least one day-off
-And... The pharmacy ?
-I will take care of it, says Gui, with a smile, I will not die from a few extra hours one day. You helped me multiple times
-Alright...
Baizhu closes his eyes as Jiangli writes the prescription on a paper. The doctor opens his eyes when he thoughts he heard some lights footsteps running in the corridor, and asks :
-Can I go see Qiqi ?
-Wait a second... And... Done, Jiangli gives the paper before taking her tools in a bag, I will check on you next week.
-That's alright... How much I...
-I take care of it, Baizhu, interrupts Gui with a smile, don't worry.
Gui and Jiangli comes out of the room. Baishu breathes, and looks at his pet snake, yawning. The doctor puts her in a small vivarium, and kiss the tip of Chansheng's head, wishing her good night before going to the room in front of the one next to his. As he opens the door, he sees Qiqi jump and rushing to her bed, acting like she was sleeping not realizing that Baizhu has seen her. He smiles cutely, and sits to see what the zombie had wrote on her book...
Qiqi was a small girl, but not only that. This young girl is a zombie, that was fond in ember after centuries of sleep. Even if he kept her at first to study immortality with her, the doctor grew fond of her, and starts to see her as his daughter. He protects her from everyone afraid of the zombie, from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor director that tries to bury her, and from her condition. Many would be tired of staying with an amnesic girl that forgets almost everything after a day or two, but not Baizhu. Many would have been tired of taking her almost every night while she gathers herbs despite saying that it's not necessary, but not Baizhu.
This night was one of the few nights Qiqi accepted to sleep in her bed. Baizhu looks at the small notebook that he gave to her to help with her memory, and reads a bit
"Baizhu sick... Qiqi feels not good of seeing Baizhu sick." "Baizhu left the counter sooner. Chansheng says that a doctor will see him. Isn't Baizhu a doctor ?" "A young girl came with Gui. She said "Day off". Will Baizhu be okay ?"
"Oh, smiles Baizhu with a bit of sadness, thinking, she wasn't sleeping during my examination"
Baizhu looks at Qiqi and kiss her forehead. Before he could stand up again, Qiqi's small arms surronds his neck. With her monotone voice, Baizhu can still hear concern :
-Will Baizhu be okay ?
-Don't worry, Qiqi. Tomorrow, would you like to go for a stroll ?
-Stroll ?... Qiqi taks her notebook, and after searching for a bit, exclaimes, Oh, a stroll ! Qiqi likes doing strolls with Doctor Baizhu
-Yes, we'll do a stroll, he kiss her forehad again, and tucks Qiqi in her bed, But for now, rest
-Okay. Resting, Qiqi looks at the doctor, feeling comfy, Good night, doctor Baizhu
-Good night, Qiqi
She closes her eyes, holding the blanket with her small hands
Baizhu then put off the candle, and goes to his bedroom too, taking his glasses off, and starting to fall into a deep sleep
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The suns starts to shine. Baizhu opens his eyes, and starts to prepare himself for the day : bath, hairstyle, clothing, and taking Changsheng around his neck. Soon after, as he prepares a small breakfast, some almond tofu with some green tea for his treatment. As he puts two plates of tofu, one for Baizhu and one for Qiqi, and puts the rest in a box for Gui, he also prepares a cup of coconut milk for young girl. He gives to the snake some thin meat slices
Qiqi starts to get out of her room, and climbs on a chair, looking at the doctor
-Good morning, Baizhu
-Good morning, Qiqi. Did you slept well ?
-Qiqi... Thinks.
-I prepared some almond tofu and some coco milk
-Coco milk ! The zombie is almost jumping, coco milk is one of the thing she likes the most. She likes it so much that like Baizhu, Gui or Changsheng's names, she managed to remember this without having to note it
-Yes. Get ready after this, we will go for our stroll soon
-Alright
They both starts to eat, even if Qiqi doesn't really feel the taste a lot, she feels warm about eating it. She can feels that Baizhu cooks this for her, and that's makes her feel confortable. She then drinks her cup of milk, before looking at Baizhu once her meal is finished :
-I will sort herbs, doctor Baizhu
-Qiqi, the doctor smiles and takes her hand, today, we will be together. No herbs sorting or gathering
-But... Qiqi has to help Baizhu
-Don't worry. If you want to help me, you'll keep an eye on me for today
-An eye ? Got it. Keeping an eye on Baizhu.
-Now change yourself. Before we go for our stroll, you'll just have to do your strechs
-Got it, the zombie gets out of her chair, and goes toward her room
-She has forgot about your day-off, did she ? Asks Changsheng
-When she will reach for her notebook, she will remember
-She issssn't the only one who forgot, thought. Jiangli ssssssaid that you need to resssst...
-And what is a better way to rest than a day with Qiqi ?
-Baizhu, sighs the snake, I could give you ten thingssss that could be more ressssstfull than taking care of a child that scared the entire harbour for months
-Do you really think that I could stay an entire day in bed ?
-You should really stop being this stubborn...
-Doctor Baizhu, says the child, with her everyday clothes and her hairs being arranged, I am ready
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"One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten."
Qiqi was outdoors, stretching with the help of Baizhu. Her zombie's condition weakens her muscles, and stretchings helps her to counter that :
-Great, Qiqi. Let's do them one last time, alright ?
-Got it. One, two...
Baizhu smiles at her, proud of what she is doing. Every day, she is performing better than the day before. It's easier for her to move every day, and even if Qiqi cannot remember of how hard it is, Baizhu does, and could almost cry when he sees that she can moves almost naturally nos. It's far from being perfect, but that's enough for him to melt his heart
The sun indicates that it's noon, and his gurgling stomach shows that Baizhu starts to get hungry. And Qiqi had understood that naturally :
-Baizhu is hundry. Qiqi will search food
-Don't worry. Just takes your notebook, and we will go to the Wanmin Restaurant
-Oh ? Why ?
-Today is our day, Qiqi
-Our day ?
-Look at your notebook, says Baizhu with a warm voice
After she nods and come to search her notebook, she says with a joyful voice - at least for Qiqi's standards :
-The day-off ! It is Baizhu's day-off !
-Exactly, and I want to spend it with you
The snake seems to rolls her eyes, knowing that it's not a good idea, but Baizhu doesn't care. For him, spending the day with his "daughter" worth it
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-What would you like to drink ? Says a girl in yellow, with short blue hair and a joyful voice
-I would like some tea with Sweet Flowers, please, miss Xiangling, says Baizhu
-And you, little girl?
-I would like... Uh... Coco milk ?
-O... Okay, notes Xiangling, the girl in yellow, rather surprised by this unusual choice, And what would you want to eat ?
-For me, I would like some Jade Parcels
-And me... Uh... A... Warm thing
-She would like Boiled Fish from the Wanmin Restaurant
-It's... Hot ? Says Qiqi with a curious voice
-Really, and spocy. I hope that will not be too spicy, even for you
-I'll put some bread if it burns you. I'll be there in a minute
Xiangling leaves, Qiqi seems to read her notebook for a moment :
-Qiqi never went to a restaurant...
-I hope that you will like it
-This girl... She knows you ?
-She went sometimes to the Bubu Pharmacy, mostly to get ointment against burning from boiling oil. And I sometimes went here to see some friends
-Like Gui ? Asks Qiqi
-For example. But that's not the only one
-Friends bring friends to restaurant?
-Sometimes. You are still a child for now however. You have time, says Baizhu with a warm smile
-So... Qiqi could invite her friends ? When I will not be a kid anymore? Says Qiqi
-Yes. When you will not be a child anymore, says Baizhu, not even sure if Qiqi will age up
As Qiqi tries to figure out herself as a grown up, Xiangling arrives with the drinkings, and soon with the two plates:
-Enjoy your meal, exclaims Xiangling
-Thank you, says Baizhu
-Thank you... You too, stammers Qiqi, used to eating with Baizhu
-Qiqi, laughs Baizhu in a gentle way, It's gentle, but we are the only one to eat
-She issssn't used to ressstaurantss, whispers Chansheng
-Don't worry, doctor Baizhu, says Xiangling with a cute smile, it's not the first time someone is doing this mistake. If you need anything, don't hesitate!
Both starts to eat, Baizhu gives some thin parts of ham to Chansheng, while he drinks his tea. Qiqi, after some weird attempts, finally manages to eat correctly her Boiled Fish. She soons turns red, due to how spicy and hot the meal is, and drinks her coco milk :
-It's really hot
-Yes. And the Jueyun Chili doesn't help. Eat slowly
-Got it. Eating slowly, Qiqi eats her meal slower, eating some bread to calm the spice
-Is it good ?
-Yes, Qiqi nods, I feel... Warm, eating it. Qiqi likes it
-You should note it. If we return to the restaurant, you could take this again
Qiqi slowly writes on her notebook the name of the plate, with some indications "Warm the tummy" "Eating slowly" "Likes it"
They finishes the meal. Bakzhu looks at her, making sure that she eats slowly and carefully. The little girl looks then around her, and looks at Baizhu in the eyes :
-What do Doctor Baizhu thinks about Qiqi ?
-Why do you ask ? Answer Baizhu with a curious voice
-Qiqi feels curious... From my notes, people were afraid of me. But your name was always with positive feelings. And Qiqi doesn't want to be a burden for Baizhu
-I see... For me, you are a little girl that wasn't lucky with her fate. I don't know exactly what happened before you were in ember, but when I first knew you... You intrigued me. You were a zombie, and as a doctor, it fascinated me. I took you in consultation and... Baizhu seems to feel emotional, when I examined you and learnt that you had nowhere to go, I decided to keep you safe, in order to fully understand you, and more importantly... To protect you
-Qiqi doesn't remember her past life... I don't even remember the face of my family or the feeling of having one... But Qiqi feels... Good. I don't feel a lot of emotions, but I feel safe... And, am I really the one you like the most ?
-Well, Baizhu seems a bit confused, you are, with Changsheng. One is keeping me alive as a doctor, he pets Changsheng, and the other is my main motivation as a person, he strokes gently Qiqi's hair
-Oh... That explains something, she writes everything in a notebook
-Again, I don't know how many times you were keft in ember, I don't know if there's family left, but... I would love to stay with you
Qiqi stops to write, surprised, but feels good hearing this. Before she can continue, a small bear brings two Lotus Flower Crisps. The bear then do a melodic sound, before going back to the kitchen. Baizhu starts to eat, while Qiqi notes what she thinks about this sweet snack. It feels good. Qiqi seems to feels a bit more sweetness than before, and to like it...
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"This one, please"
An old lady gives to Qiqi a small stuffed toy, a blue goat with red horns and a small face. The old lady then looks at them with a smile "It would be 600 Moras, please". Baizhu gives to her the coins, while Qiqi seems to look at her plushie, visibly happy to have it. The seller has a sweet laugh:
-Your daughter seems happy to have it
-My... Baizhu is surprised, but smiles as he looks at Qiqi moving the legs of the goat, like it was dancing, Yes. Qiqi is adorable. I can't figure what my life would be without her
-It's good to see you taking some time for yourself, doctor. You have done a lot for Liyue, it is reassuring to see that you have a family
-Qiqi is extremely important for me. And I know that I count for her too
-It must be exhausting to take care of such a girl, says the lady looking at the zombie, almost dancing with the goat plushie, Does this girl has a mother, or someone else to take care of her with you ?
-Well... There's Gui that helps me to take care of her when I am extremely busy, but I don't want to rely on him. He has is own family
-It's a shame that such a handsome man is single... At least I hope you're happy, smiles the seller
-I am. I have Qiqi with me, smiles Baizhu, before looking around him, seeing other families coming over there, I will not take the line for too long. See you later
-See you later, doctor Baizhu
Baizhu takes Qiqi's hand, Qiqi is also holding the leg of her plushie. Baizhu thinks of what the old lady says. He knows why he has no one except Qiqi, Changsheng and Gui. He doesn't want to have a story with someone, because he doesn't know how much time there's for him. Changsheng, however, seems to mock this :
-It'sssss a sssshame that ssssuch an handsssome man issss ssssingle
-You know exactly why, Changsheng...
-Doctor Baizhu... What were you talking about with the old lady?
-Nothing to worry about, says Baizhu, she was just saying how cute you were with your plushie... By the way, did you have any ideas for a name ?
-No... Qiqi has to think about it, she says, looking at the goat, and what is Changsheng talking about?
-Oh, um... Nothing. It's just that...
-He doesn't want to have someone becaussse of hisss health, mocks Changsheng once again, and prefersss to be alone inssstead to take care of you and the consssultations
-Is it annoying for you, Doctor Baizhu?
-No, no. Don't worry. I haven't any problems with that
They continue to walk, while the sun is close to set...
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Qiqi is on Baizhu's knees, looking at the opera led by the top actress of Liyue, Yun Jin. She notes some moments that she manages to understand, and doesn't hesitate to asks to Baizhu if anything isn't clear. The play is about the history of Liyue, and the Guili Assembly. The zombie tries to follow it, enjoying the music, Yun Jin performance, the atmosphere, and being close to Baizhu. As the play starts to reach its end, however, Qiqi starts to feel her eyelids becoming heavier and heavier...
Baizhu notices it. At the end of the play, after a round of applause, Baizhu starts to take her in his arms. That's maybe a huge effort for him, but Qiqi deserves it. The young girl grabs his clothes, while the goat plushie and the notebook are on her. He walks for a while, before being in the pharmacy. Gui, who was still there, smiles by seeing Baizhu :
-Doctor. Did you rested well ?
-I have spent an amazing day with Qiqi. In fact... I don't think I had so much pleasure for years
-Did you took your treatment?
-Yes... The doctor coughs, I took it
-You still seems tired... We are worried about you ! If you are too sick... I will not ne the only one worried, but Qiqi too
-I will not let her alone. I will be there for Qiqi. Forever, he kiss her on her forehead, I will pit her to bed
-Alright... But please, rest yourself too
Baizhu slowly puts Qiqi in her bed too, and tucks her. She slowly opens her eyes, asking to Baizhu :
-Before you turns off the candle... Can I finish to write?
-Alright. I will put Changsheng in her vivarium
The zombie nods. Baizhu leaves her room, and let the white snake slowly run downwards his arm before going to her resting place. She says she goes on the branch :
-You are really a bullhead when it comess to her...
-You never had any predecessors with children ?
-She issssn't really your daughter... And I'm sssure she would rather sssstay inside rather than finding you unconscccioussss
-If my research doesn't ends up on anything, I want at least for her to have precious memories on her notebook
-Please then, do nmt complain if you are sssstill sssick
Baizhu rolls his eyes before kissing the snake on her head "Goodnight, Changsheng"
He then untie his hairs, and goes toward Qiqi, who is already back into bed. Out of curiosity, Baizhu looks at her notebook.
"The happy day"
"Baizhu wanted to go on a stroll. We went onto a stroll. Then to a restaurant. Took Boiled fish. Was good. Baizhu was happy. Qiqi too. We bought a plushie. Qiqi loves it ! Soft! Huggable! Baizhu talked about having someone with an old lady. Qiqi doesn't know why. Qiqi is already good with Baizhu. Is it forced fir people to be with someone? Not sure. Has to asks to Baizhu. Finally, we went to opera. Love the play. Sadly didn't stayed awake... For once, Qiqi felt tired. Is it a good sign? Is Qiqi more human ? Qiqi wants to"
Next to it, there's some sketches : Baizhu and Qiqi doing stretches, them at the restaurant, the plushie, with a heart next to it, smiling Qiqi holding smiling Baizhu's hand, Qiqi on Baizhu's knees looking at the opera, and finally, Baizhu having a warm smile, saying "I will not let her alone. I will be there for Qiqi. Forever"
Baizhu smiles, having a tear in its eyes, before he coughs. Blood gets out of his mouth. Even more than before. Maybe he should have rested. But he looks at Qiqi, looking peaceful, safe and sound. He looks at the notebook, a sign of how Qiqi is happy. He looks at the plushie, that she is holding closely against her. The doctor smiles. He wants even more to get immortality now. But not for him. For Qiqi. No matter the sacrifices, he wants for her to stay peaceful. For her to write more about being happy. He kiss her forehead, blow out the candle, and says quietly before going to his bed "Sleep well, Qiqi. No matter what happens, Baizhu will still be there for you"