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Today seems to be a tragedy for the Bubu Pharmacy. Sure, doctor Baizhu is back from his sickness, ready to take care of his patients. Sure, there are a lot of presents for him, happy to see Baizhu on his feet. Sure, everything seems back to normal
Everything? No. The day was hotter than usual, and Qiqi, despite having completely forgotten about her sunstroke, has still "drinking regularly" noted. And even if she does drink water, she also love coconut milk, commonly called "cocomilk" in the pharmacy. Because it is pretty hard to find, Baizhu had made a deal with Childe, a Fatui Harbringer : in exchange for some Everlasting Incense, the Fatui have to regularly bring coconut milk
Qiqi, after finishing to sort herbs, rush to the cocomilk drawer. Normally, it's full. The few bits of memory she has of cocomilk drawer is a full one, she is so used to this sight... But as she looks, no bottle. Nothing. No cocomilk. Qiqi closes the drawer and rushes towards her room. On her bed lies the cocogoat plushie, a mythical creature that - for Qiqi - is the origin of her favourite milk. She takes the plushie and looks into its eyes :
-Cocogoat... Qiqi doesn't have any more milk...
-...
-Do you know where we can find a non-plushie cocogoat to find some coco milk?
-...
-Mountains ?... Mmh... Mountains, far. Far away... Dangerous, says Doctor Baizhu. Qiqi must not go there unattended
-...
-Oh, right. Looking into notebook to search for help...
As Qiqi rushes towards her notebook, she starts to turn the pages... Until she see :
Ginger man, from "Fatuis", blue eyes, called "Childe". Brings cocomilk to Baizhu regularly. She doesn't know where is this "Childe", or the "Fatuis", but one must know ! Doctor Baizhu
She knocks at the exam room. Doctor Baizhu doesn't like to be disturbed during consultations if it's not an emergency, but it's an absolute emergency!
Doctor Baizhu gently opens the door, looking at Qiqi:
-Qiqi ? Is there anything?
-Um... Qiqi... Doesn't have cocomilk left...
-And of courssssse, you couldn't wait, hiss Changsheng before being stopped by Baizhu
-I understand, Qiqi. Drink a cup of water if you are thirsty. I finish my consultation and we'll try to see the Northern Bank
Qiqi slowly nods, and close the door. The zombie waits for her caretaker to get out of the exam room, as she would like to go with him to see those mysterious cocomilk suppliers
-----
Qiqi holds Doctor Baizhu's hand, walking in Liyue. Hopefully for Baizhu's health, the Northern Bank, the Fatuis' headquarters in the region, is not far from the Pharmacy. As soon as they enter, they are formally greeted by the Fatui. At the receptionist office, Ekaterina is looking at the two newcomers :
-Hello, and welcome to the Northern Bank. May I help you ?
-Yes, smiles Baizhu politely, I would like to talk to Childe, about a contract we've made.
-Oh... Um...
-Is there anything ?
-Harbinger Childe is... Arrested in Fontaine. A decision that, apparently, surprised everyone, including the Iudex, according to the Steambird...
-Oh... So... No cocomilk ? Says Qiqi with a disappointed face
-I know it's not your fault of Childe is in jail in another country, and I am sorry to learn it. But... We really need coconut milk
Ekaterine looks inside a huge book - bigger than the biggest of Qiqi's notebook - before she sighs unpleasantly :
-I'm sorry... The usual delivery will be here tomorrow. Pantalone took charge of this contract, but it still disturbed the shipping
-Qiqi wants cocomilk... Why can't she have cocomilk ?
The zombie feels a bit frustrated, and even a bit angry. She doesn't understand everything, except that her drink will not be here today. Baizhu, seeing Qiqi in such a mood, takes her in his arms in front of everyone. That seems to instantly calm Qiqi :
-Don't worry. I promise, we will find some cocomilk today
-Promise ?
-Promise
-Maybe you will find some on the docks. It's not uncommon to see some bottles here and there. To apologize for the delay of the delivery, please, take this. It should help you to get some coconut milk
One of the Fatui gives to Baizhu a small bag of moras. Not something incredible, but atleast a decent amount. Doctor Baizhu and Qiqi thank the Fatuis, before leaving the Northern Bank. Baizhu looks at the docks, from the opposite side of the city... It's maybe not the best for him to go this far only a day or two after his recovery, but on the other hand... If it's for Qiqi, it worth it
They both take firmly eachother's hand, as Changsheng whispers :
-Are you sssssssure you are in a good enough conditttttion for thisssss ?
-Don't worry. I can walk a bit. And it's good after staying in bed for too long.
-I don't want for Qiqi to be even more sssscared... Ssssshe already took weekssss to finally not be ssscared of the kitchen anymore
-I will take care of myself. It will not kill me, Changsheng, don't worry, smiles Baizhu
-Hisss... You are sssso ssstuborn sssometimesss, it'ssss exhaussssting
----------
"No, we're sorry"
"We don't have cocnut milk anymore"
"I can get you in a few days, but our last bottles are sold"
For a time that seems eternity, Qiqi and Baizhu walked on the quay and its numerous stalls. But the best they can have are some coconut. Despite how much Baizhu is determined and ready to pay for some coconut milk, there isn't any. Qiqi keeps his hand closely, helping like she can the doctor to find her favourite drink. But even despite her love for coconut milk, the frequents breaks Baizhu have to take to catch his breath makes her finally says, gently :
-Doctor Baizhu...
-Y... Yes, Qiqi ?
-Maybe we should go back to home... Qiqi doesn't want doctor Baizhu ti feel tired
-Don't worry, he says with a smile, gently touching her hair to put it back in place, I promised you cocomilk, you'll get some
_Qiqi can have cocomilk later... But Qiqi wants to have doctor Baizhu with her when she will drink cocomilk
The doctor is silent, surprised by QIiqi's attention, while Changsheng seems to have a thankful smile towads te little zombie, knowing that if Qiqi wants to go back home, it will more than probably work on him. Baizhu then shakes his head and holds Qiqi's hand
"Let's go back home then. And I'm sorry if I couldn't give you cocomilk tod... Um... Qiqi ? I liht have an idea..."
As they are in front of the Wanmin restaurant, with Xiangling, Guoba and her father cleaning the plates and tables, a thought has just traversed Baizhu's head. He kiss Qiqi's forehead, asking gentky
"Don't move. It'll take a few moments, I promise"
Qiqi nods and sits down on a nearby stonebench, looking at the surrondings, as it is for her the first time for at least an hundredth of time
The doctor politely asks to Chef Mao, asking to him with his usual warm voice !
-Good afternoon, chef Mao, and sorry to disturb you. I know you are closed, but I have something to ask
-Good afternoon, doctor. Don't worry, it's always a delight to talk with you. I just recently learnt about your recover, and congratulations !
-Haha, don't worry. I was sure I could go throught, bluffs Baizhu
-In any case, what can we do for you ?
-Alright, so... Qiqi wants coconut milk, but it seems like no one in Liyue have at least a small bottle. The best I got are those coconuts
-Oh, I see... It takes some times, maybe you'll finish it by the evening if you are going quickly enouh. Come here, I'll tell you how to do it
Baizhu, helped by an extremely attentive snake around his neck, are listening step by step how to transform those firm coconuts into a milk smoother than the smoothest silk from Liyue. Once every step memorized, all while looking regularly at Qiqi to make sure she stays around, he thanks gratefully Mao :
-Thank you. Thank you so much
-You're welcome, doctor Baizhu. It's been my pleasure
As soon as the doctor leaves the restaurant, Qiqi rushes towards him, impatient to finally go home
---------
The day starts to reach the end. Qiqi has finished her exercises, and is now reading her past notebooks, trying to remember without any help new memories. She would have asked Baizhu, but he seems extremely busy in the kitchen
And yes, busy he was. With the coconuts opened on the table, he seems to be very focused on the task :
-So... Grate the interior of the coconut...
-Be weary. It'sssss eassssy to hurt yoursssself withh thissss
-D.. don't worry Changsheng, I just... Ouch
Baizhu had a light wound, but after the initial reaction, he continues to grate the coconut in some water
He continues then the next steps to prepare Qiqi's drink. The doctor had some small cuts here and there, and feel more than exhausted. And the final result is not perfect, as some of the covonut's shell were grated too. But Baizhu seems to be proud. Really proud of what he had done
The doctor knocks to Qiqi's door, who stops her exercise, looking at her caretaker :
-Doctor Baizhu ?...
-Qiqi. Can you follow me for a second
-Yes, Doctor Baizhu !
Qiqi puts her notebook aside and follows the doctor closely. Then, in front of her very eyes, the enchanting sight of cocomilk greets her. The zombie is amazed - in fact so amazed that Baizhu is sure to notice a really small sparkle in her eyes - to see it on the desk :
-How did doctor Baizhu founded cocomilk?
-I promised to you that I'll get you cocomilk today
-Hum... Yes, Qiqi nods
-And I respected my promise
-But... Why ? Why did Doctor Baizhu made efforts to keep up a promise?
-Qiqi... I know you love this drink and you really wanted some. And I want to give you what you want, as long as it will not cause problems to you
-Thank you... Qiqi likes what Doctor Baizhu did for her, says the zombie, toiched by Baizhu's intentions
Qiqi drinks thr cocomilk. For her, it may be another cocomilk. But deep down, she knows that it was one thing that no other cocomilks will have : the patience and love from Doctor Baizhu
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