Playing Genshin in Genshin! [1]

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Lu Qianzhi looked at the figure sleeping soundly on the bed and sighed softly. She immediately put on a stern expression and said coldly, “It’s time to get up, brother.”

The young man on the bed didn’t respond at all.

“It’s already nine o’clock, hurry up and get up!” Lu Qianzhi shouted impatiently.

The young man frowned slightly, pulled the blanket over his head, and mumbled softly, “Let me sleep a little longer, just a little longer.”

Lu Qianzhi was silent for a moment and then said calmly, “Of course, you are free to sleep as long as you want. But whether or not I give you your allowance is also my choice."

"I’m about to go to work at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so, brother, you have one minute to make your decision.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the figure under the blanket froze. After a moment, a head peeked out from under the covers, and the young man gave a cold smile toward the girl, “Listen up, Qianzhi. It’s not because you won’t give me my allowance that I’m getting up."

"I just happened to have slept enough...”

As he spoke, he began dressing under the covers, muttering, “Your threats are nothing.”

Seeing the dark circles under her brother’s eyes, Lu Qianzhi didn’t expose him. She tossed a bag of Mora onto the bed and said, “Here’s today’s allowance. Brother, can you look for a job today?”

Lu Shiyuan finished getting dressed, clutched the money pouch in his hand, stood up, and declared firmly, “No!”

Lu Qianzhi took a deep breath, “What will it take for you to agree to work?”

“When the chickens finish the grain, the dogs lick the flour, and the fire burns through the chains, and when I obtain a Vision,” Lu Shiyuan said solemnly, “only then will I consider working. Until then, dear sister, you’ll have to take care of me.”

Lu Qianzhi had heard this same response for six whole years. She instinctively touched the orange gem hanging from the belt around her waist and murmured, “A Vision, huh? But that’s the one thing I can’t give you, brother.”

By then, Lu Shiyuan had already begun wandering leisurely toward the door. Watching his back, Lu Qianzhi frowned and asked, “Brother, six years ago, you told me you were searching for your own path. But it’s been six years, and what exactly is your path?"

"Were you lying to me, or are you content to be a drifter in society?”

Lu Shiyuan paused in his steps, his lazy gaze becoming more serious. Without turning back to her, he said softly, “I haven’t found it yet, but I haven’t given up.”

With that, his languid demeanor returned in an instant as he walked out, hands clasped behind his back.

Lu Qianzhi stood in place, clenched her fists, and determination flickered across her delicate face. “Don’t worry, brother. I won’t let you turn into a useless slacker!”

---

“So sleepy!” Lu Shiyuan yawned widely as he strolled through the streets of Liyue Harbor. He rubbed his stomach and muttered, “Hungry too.”

With that, he made his way toward Wanmin Restaurant.

Upon entering, Lu Shiyuan greeted Master Mao and then turned to the energetic girl running around the restaurant. “Xiangling, I’ll have my usual.”

“Got it, Brother Lu!” The girl named Xiangling nodded and dashed into the kitchen. Not long after, a plate of Crab Roe Tofu and a dish of Boiled Black-Back Perch were served. The rich aroma of the food made Lu Shiyuan’s mouth water, but he maintained his composure, eating slowly and deliberately.

“Hmph, mooching again, I see.” Just as Lu Shiyuan was happily eating, a cold snort came from the table next to him. He turned to see a young man glaring at him.

Without hesitation, Lu Shiyuan glared back. After a while, the young man’s eyes began to hurt, and he had to look away. Still, he muttered, “What’s so special about having a rich sister? You think you’re something?”

The man’s words didn’t affect Lu Shiyuan’s mood. He continued eating happily. After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth and waved to Xiangling as he stood up. “I’m heading out, Xiangling.”

“Alright, take care, Brother Lu!” Xiangling replied cheerfully.

“Hmph, just as I thought—mooching,” the young man said with a smug expression. Feeling a bit puzzled, he asked Master Mao, “Master Mao, aren’t you going to do something about him eating for free?”

Xiangling quickly answered, “If it’s Brother Lu, I’d welcome him here every day!”

The young man was speechless. He thought to himself, “Could it be that this young chef has a thing for that guy?”

But with the owner’s approval, he had no choice but to shake his head and drop the matter. Still feeling indignant, he sighed, “How could a man like that compare to me?”

---

Lu Shiyuan hadn’t gone far. He sat down at a table outside "Third-Round Knockout" and overheard the man’s complaint. Satisfied, he nodded.

Then he paid no more attention to the gossip, focusing instead on the storyteller, Tian Tiezui.

Just then, a familiar figure entered Lu Shiyuan’s sight—a tall, elegant man dressed in a black and brown robe, adorned with intricate patterns, exuding a cool and otherworldly aura, like an adepti.

Seeing the man here made Lu Shiyuan’s eyes light up. He picked up a small stool and moved closer, greeting the man with a grin, “Hey, isn’t this Mr. Zhongli? Have you eaten yet?”

“It’s been a while, Young Lu,” Zhongli smiled slightly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I come here often, you just haven’t run into me,” Lu Shiyuan chuckled, grabbing the teapot and pouring himself a cup. Casually, he asked, “How’s business at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor lately?”

“Thanks to you, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has been quite busy. It’s lively. I finally found some time to come listen to stories and drink tea.”

“Aren’t you just a guest consultant at Wangsheng? Why bother with all those trivial matters?”

“That’s not how it works. Every funeral we handle is of equal importance. Regardless of wealth or status, everyone deserves a dignified and solemn ceremony. How could that be trivial?"

"Besides, Master Hu doesn’t care whether I’m a consultant or not. When it gets busy, she’ll grab me to help.”

“True enough. If I said something wrong just now, don’t hold it against me.”

“No offense taken.”

“By the way, how’s my sister doing lately? Has she been working hard?”

Zhongli’s expression became a bit strange at this question, thinking, “Is it really appropriate for someone as lazy as you to be asking that?”

However, considering that Lu Shiyuan was his apprentice’s brother, he answered earnestly, “Your sister is exceptionally talented. Whether in martial arts or history, she’s unmatched among her peers."

"Not only that, she has broken away from traditional thinking and, based on her own discoveries from exploring ruins, firmly declared that the Geo Archon is not the Stove God. That’s the most commendable part.”

“Really now.” Lu Shiyuan nodded, praising him, “That’s all thanks to your excellent teaching, Mr. Zhongli.”

Inwardly, Lu Shiyuan thought, “Looks like the money I spent on that apprenticeship banquet at Xinyue Kiosk, and the hefty tuition fees, were well worth it.”

“You flatter me,” Zhongli responded with a smile.

The storyteller, Tian Tiezui, then resumed his tale, and the two fell silent, listening attentively.

“As we left off, the stone-born monkey Sun Wukong reached the end of his lifespan and was taken away by the black and white impermanence of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. However, the Great Sage was not one to be trifled with. He caused a great commotion, crossing out his and his monkey subjects’ names from the Book of Life and Death. From then on, they could live forever, free to roam the heavens and earth."

"And now, as the story continues, with his name erased, Sun Wukong upset the balance of yin and yang, disrupted the five elements, and a group of immortal monkeys came into being."

"This grave matter could not be resolved by the Funeral Parlor’s current master alone, and so they sought the counsel of the Geo Archon…”

Zhongli sipped his tea with a hint of amusement at the story, finding it quite entertaining.

Before they knew it, “Third-Round Knockout” was packed with people, even standing room outside the shop was filled with listeners captivated by the tale of Journey to the West.

Time passed, and soon it was afternoon. The story had reached its conclusion.

“The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, with his indestructible body, even survived the alchemical furnace of the Tusita Palace. Instead, the furnace tempered his eyes, granting him fiery golden vision."

"After the furnace was opened, Sun Wukong leaped out, overturning the furnace and startling the Grand Supreme Elder Lord. He then stormed the Hall of Heavenly Purity and battled the deities of Liyue…"

"To find out what happens next, tune in next time.”

Tian Tiezui paused for an intermission, beaming at the day’s earnings, while the crowd slowly dispersed.

Zhongli, satisfied with the story, stood up to leave.

Just then, a waiter approached with a smile and said, “Sir, please settle your tea tab.”

Zhongli froze, searched all his pockets, but found not a single coin. Helpless, he turned his gaze to Lu Shiyuan with a wry smile, “Young Lu…”

“Oh, Mr. Zhongli, leaving already? Don’t forget to settle the bill,” Lu Shiyuan interrupted with a cheerful smile before Zhongli could finish, making sure to twist the knife.

Inwardly, Lu Shiyuan thought, “You took all that tuition from me and still want me to pay? No way!”

Zhongli’s expression stiffened slightly. After a moment’s thought, he sat back down and said with forced calm, “I wasn’t planning to leave, just stretching my legs a bit.”

In his mind, Zhongli thought, “I didn’t bring any Mora with me. If I want to get out of here unscathed, I’ll have to figure out how to borrow some from Lu.”

“Is that so.” Lu Shiyuan raised an eyebrow but continued chatting as if nothing had happened.

The two seemed to be locked in a silent contest, neither making a move to leave. They chatted idly, until the moon hung high in the sky, and the streets were deserted.

Only the two of them remained, staring at each other, while the waiter looked on in exasperation, thinking, “Which one of them is going to pay? It’s just a tea fee! They’re dressed so well, but can’t afford it?”

As they sat there, a lively and clear voice began to hum, drawing closer.

The two men turned their heads to see a sunny girl with pale legs, wearing a black robe and a hat with divination symbols, striding toward them. She clapped her hands with a smile, “I knew you’d be here, Zhongli! Are you stuck again? And Shiyuan, you’re here too? That’s a surprise!”