Qiu Bai stared blankly at Qiqi in front of him.
After all, in the game, he had never once seen Qiqi smile.
Although Qiqi was over five hundred years old, she had spent the majority of that time in slumber. As a result, her intellect remained that of a little girl.
"So, you recognized me, huh? But Qiqi, you mustn't tell anyone else, okay?"
"Big brother has something very important to do."
Qiu Bai smiled as he patted Qiqi head and spoke gently.
"Qiqi won't tell anyone."
Like a small kitten, Qiqi closed her eyes and rested her head against Qiu Bai hand.
At that moment, a voice came from the room behind the counter.
"Qiu Bai, we've finished appraising the price of your herbs!"
Baizhu stepped out from the back room, pausing slightly when he saw Qiu Bai patting Qiqi head.
"It looks like Qiqi really likes you," Baizhu remarked with a smile.
The small snake on his shoulder suddenly spoke up:
"Qiqi is smiling!"
Baizhu, caught off guard, finally noticed that the corners of Qiqi lips carried a faint but undeniable smile.
"Qiqi smiling? This is the first time I've ever seen it."
Qiqi then turned to Baizhu, still smiling, and walked up to him.
"Big brother Baizhu, thank you for taking care of me all these years."
Baizhu was utterly stunned. He stared at Qiqi, still in a daze.
"Qiqi… you seem different from before?"
He hesitantly asked as he observed her carefully.
Qiqi nodded with a radiant expression.
"Qiqi has become a person. Qiqi is warm now."
"Qiqi has knowledge, has memories. Qiqi doesn't need to write everything down anymore."
She beamed at Baizhu.
For the first time, she no longer needed to rely on her notebook, no longer afraid of forgetting everything.
From behind, Qiu Bai quietly observed her.
"A person, huh? Well, technically yes, but the word Adeptus should come first."
Qiu Bai naturally knew that Baizhu had his own motives for approaching Qiqi.
But at the same time, Baizhu had never actually harmed her.
Of course, even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to anymore because now, Qiqi had become an Adeptus.
Qiu Bai planned to have a conversation with Baizhu later and then take Qiqi to the True Lord of Songdust Wave Market—Elder Ping.
She would be the best person to teach Qiqi how to control her Adeptal power.
Baizhu turned back to Qiu Bai, still full of confusion.
"Qiu Bai, do you know what's going on?"
After all, when he had stepped out of the back room, the first thing he saw was Qiu Bai patting Qiqi head.
"Brother Baizhu, how could I possibly have such abilities?"
"After you went inside, an Adeptus arrived here and saved Qiqi."
"They also mentioned that they would be taking Qiqi away soon."
Qiu Bai casually fabricated a lie, knowing that no one had actually witnessed what had transpired.
Just then, with a mere thought, a white figure stepped in from outside the door—the Yin-Yang Immortal Adeptus, or rather, Qiu Bai own avatar.
Qiqi blinked, looking from the figure to Qiu Bai, her small head struggling to comprehend, how could there be two big brothers?
Fortunately, the people of Liyue no longer recognized him. Over the past five hundred years, every time he attended the Rite of Descension, he had concealed his face.
The Yin-Yang Immortal Adeptus approached Qiqi, his face veiled by a faint mist, obscuring his features.
"I have come to fetch you. You are no longer a mere mortal, you have shed the constraints of undeath and become an Adeptus."
"I will take you where you belong. Come with me."
Qiqi hesitated, glancing back at Qiu Bai. He gave her a reassuring smile.
Under Baizhu bewildered gaze, Qiqi turned and walked toward the door.
"Please wait, Adeptus! Will Qiqi return?"
Baizhu voice carried a deep reluctance. After all this time, he had come to care for Qiqi like a daughter.
Qiqi turned back, her expression mirroring his reluctance. "Brother Baizhu, Qiqi will come back."
The Adeptus voice was calm but firm: "Of course. When have I ever said I would take her away forever?"
"I am merely guiding her to adapt to her newfound Adeptal powers. Once she has mastered them, she will return."
Baizhu let out a sigh of relief before bowing deeply. "Then, I must thank the Adeptus."
More than anything, he wished for Qiqi to live a better life.
The Yin-Yang Immortal Adeptus turned to the Bubu Pharmacy staff. "You all will act as if this never happened. Do not speak of today's events to anyone."
With that, the Adeptus vanished, taking Qiqi with him in an instant.
The employees of Bubu Pharmacy slowly stood up, still dazed.
One of them nudged his colleague. "Second Brother, pinch me. Am I dreaming?"
Another hesitated, before replying in a hushed voice, "Third Brother, this isn't a dream... We really met an Adeptus!"
The two exchanged incredulous glances, still in shock.
Yet, no one intended to tell their families or anyone else.
After all, the Adeptus had given a clear command today's events must remain a secret.
Baizhu still felt a bit suspicious, but ultimately, his doubts faded.
He turned to Qiu Bai, who stood beside him as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
"Brother Qiu Bai, we have finished sorting out your medicinal ingredients."
With that, Baizhu picked up a large chest.
"Here is 2 million Mora. The price is absolutely fair."
Good heavens! Qiu Bai was momentarily stunned—he hadn't expected that pile of herbs to be worth so much. Of course, he understood that some of this value came from personal connections as well.
This much Mora would let him live comfortably for quite some time.
Baizhu smiled. "Brother Qiu Bai, if you come across more of these rare herbs, please remember to visit again. I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the price."
"As expected," Qiu Bai thought to himself.
Keeping a calm expression, he extended his hand. "Then, I must thank Brother Baizhu."
Baizhu shook his hand. "You're too polite, Brother Qiu Bai."
Qiu Bai nodded. "I won't take up any more of your time. I have other matters to attend to."
He cupped his hands in farewell. Hu Tao was probably frantic by now, wondering where he had disappeared to.
Baizhu nodded. "Take care, Brother Qiu Bai."
The moment Qiu Bai figure vanished, Baizhu slumped into his chair, feeling completely drained.
Today's events had been overwhelming, he still hadn't fully processed everything.
Outside, night had fallen over Liyue Harbor, and the city's lanterns illuminated the ancient streets. The red glow of the lanterns reflected off the centuries-old stone pathways, bathing the port in a warm, nostalgic light.
At this moment, Madam Ping was watering her flowers when Qiu Bai and Qiqi suddenly appeared, startling her.
Madam Ping rubbed her eyes, staring at Qiu Bai Adeptus avatar in disbelief.
"Are my old eyes failing me? Are you truly an Adeptus?"
Now able to see him clearly, Madam Ping was shocked.
Qiu Bai raised a finger to his lips. "Shh. True Lord of Song and Dust, I cannot reveal my identity just yet."
Then, he gestured toward the small figure hiding behind him. "Do you still remember this little girl?"
Qiqi peeked out from behind Qiu Bai, gazing curiously at the kind-looking grandmother in front of her.
Madam Ping's form suddenly shifted her elderly appearance faded, revealing a young woman in elegant azure robes.
A delicate cyan marking adorned her forehead, and white floral patterns decorated the edges of her sleeves. Her entire presence exuded the elegance of a graceful, youthful maiden.
With a gentle smile, she looked at Qiu Bai, then at Qiqi, who was still half-hidden behind him.
Her expression turned to one of surprise.
"This is the little girl from five hundred years ago?"
"She has shed her mortal limitations and become an Adeptus?"
(T/N: Tbh i dunno with this title, all I remember about grandma ping title is street rambler or something? should I change what I wrote here into it or just let it be?)
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