[✓] 𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐀 || 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟 𝕏 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣

11. ZHONGLI

ԃ | 𝐢 | L | ҽ | ɱ | M | α 

"Or perhaps we have met before?" 

The air suddenly becomes tense, and you let out an ambiguous smile before chuckling. 

"I believe not, I'm just a journalist from Rome. It's my first time here." 

Those lies naturally come out as you shrug. Even he can't spot your lie. You really are such a great liar, aren’t you? 

"Um... Zhongli, this is (Y/N), a journalist from Rome Post, we met her earlier in Wangshuu Inn. And (Y/N), this is Zhongli, a consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Paimon says, feeling uneasy with the situation. 

You force a smile, "Well Mr Zhongli, nice to meet you, I hear you're preparing for the Rite of Parting with Aether and Paimon. Do you mind if I join? Don't worry, I won't write bad news," you hold out your hand for a formal handshake. 

"I don't mind, it's nice to make your acquaintance, Miss (Y/N). I heard you say you are willing to pay for this jade?" Zhongli is dry, his gaze sharpening as he shakes your hand. You can tell that he's suspicious of you. 

"Yes, and I'll pay for the rest if Aether and Paimon agree to let me join," you shift your gaze to Aether and Paimon. 

"I don't mind," Aether smiles, and Paimon nods energetically, “Paimon doesn't mind either! You always buy us food at the end of the day after all." 

"Paimon..." 

"What?! It's true, right?" 

You chuckle, "Yes, shall we process with the payment?" You pull out a check and begin to write on it. 

"Wait! Is it really alright, (Y/N)? It’s the Rite of Parting. It might be a boring piece of news!" 

You smile, understanding her concerns, "Anything related to Honorary Knight of Mondstadt is not boring, so just leave it to me." 

Zhongli looks at you, "Well, we've got the jade, shall we get going?" His face is tense and his eyes are looking for something. This is not like him and he realizes it, but there's something about you that makes him feel uneasy. 

You clench your hands behind your back, the urge to punch him is getting stronger, but you calm yourself down with a fake smile, "You’re a stern one, aren't you?"

"If the people of Liyue are like this, I wonder what the Geo Archon’s personality is like." 

You see Aether and Paimon tense up from the corner of your eye, not expecting your passive-aggressive statement. They look at you in disbelief. 

"(Y/N), you can't just say that! And Zhongli, a-ah... (Y/N) can be so blunt sometimes, please don't take it to heart," Paimon is frantically trying to explain to Zhongli. 

Zhongli just nods, and you notice his eyebrows furrow a bit as he walks. You smirk as you slightly lean into his personal space, "Ah, sorry about that, Mr Zhongli, I didn't mean to offend anyone." You grin as you follow behind him to the next destination. 

'I’m glad if you feel offended,' you internally scoff. 

Aether and Paimon just look at the two of you from behind in confusion. "Aether, is it just Paimon or (Y/N) and Zhongli seems to dislike each other?" Paimon whispers. 

"I feel that way too, but they just met, right?" Aether answers quietly. 

Paimon makes shrugs as they silently approach you from behind. You silently chuckle, knowing they don't realize you can hear them.