Don't question me archon...

Childe

|This chapter is going to start with Zhongli in liyue|

Zhongli was at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor sorting threw some papers as Hu Tao lively as ever walked in

H "Well hello there Mr.Zhongli, good morning!"
Z "Good morning Hu Tao."
H "Sorting threw those papers I asked of you to do finally?"

Hu Tao said as she walked up to Zhongli's desk and sat on the edge which Zhongli did not take a liking to but ignored it

Z "Uhm..yes.Apologizes I have been too caught up dealing with..other matters. But I assure you that it won't be a problem."
H "Ooo~other matters you say? Did someone die!"
Z "N-No..Hu Tao.No one died."
H "Aw really? Bummer. Well if it's not death what other matters are you dealing with?"
Z "It's nothing of importance at this moment and time right now Hu Tao now please get back to work. Here are the papers."
H "Perfect! Thank you mister Zhongli!"
Z "You are very welcome Hu Tao."

Zhongli handed the papers to Hu Tao which she then grabbed with a smile as she jumped off the desk and walked out of the room
Zhongli sighed

Z "I really do wonder how that child can be so lively..in a place like this."

Zhongli muttered to himself
A knocking sound then came from the outside of Zhongli's window to his office which quickly caught Zhongli's attention but when he turned to look who it was there was nobody there
Though he thought it was just a young child playing a prank he still went to go check soon making it outside and turning the corner of the Parlor to the same side the window was on and was greeted by Childe laughing

C=Childe

C "Haha! Did you enjoy my prank Zhongli?"
Z "I presume this "prank" was just to get my attention?"

Childe walked up to Zhongli moving Zhongli's bangs out of his face while smiling

C "Oh Zhongli, as smart as ever!"
Z "Childe stop it. Were not doing this again."

Zhongli said as he shoved Childe's arm away

C "What..? Did you just..ignore my compliment?"

Childe said while looking at Zhongli curiously with a smirk

Z "*Sigh*..What do you want Childe."
C "Well before you so rudely ignored my compliment I was going to ask you if you wanted to accompany me for a drink."

Zhongli felt bad for being rude but he had a feeling there was something more to the situation than Childe was letting on but he couldn't put his finger on it

Z "My apologies..I just have been busy lately."
C "Perfect! That means you can go get a drink with me. As a break!"
Z "Childe..I shouldn't."
C "But you want to. Come on.. it is just going to be a few drinks is all."

Childe was right about Zhongli needing a break since he's been so busy dealing with Diluc and work also with a few other matters and like Childe said it would only be a few drinks not like it would contribute anything besides giving him company

Z "Hm..alright.I'll meet you at the tavern when I'm done here."
C "Great! It's a date!"
Z "Do not call it that."

Zhongli glared at Childe as he turned around and walked back to the parlour
As Childe waited for Zhongli to get out of earshot his smile faded and his eyes darkened

C "Oh don't worry Zhongli.. it's a date wether you like it or not."

Childe then walked away

|Back in the parlour |

H "And who was that? Childe, I presume?"
Z "Yes..anyways I will be getting back to work."
H "Alright!"

|Timeskip|
It was getting late and night overcome Liyue as the city lights soon lit up
Zhongli finished up some papers and sat them on Hu Tao's desk as he got his things getting ready to leave