Chapter 76 This Guy Was Always Mine

Osmanthus Wine has its own origin and a long, storied history.

From Moon Palace, osmanthus climbs high, 

Bestowing blessings 'neath endless sky. 

Beneath green boughs where fortune meets grace, 

Longevity blooms—a tender, warming trace. 

With gentle care we pluck each fragrant bloom, 

A cherished gift for mom and dad, our heart's shrine.

First they make white liquor and let it settle in an earthen jar; then they steep fresh osmanthus flowers to create osmanthus dew, which is infused into the white liquor to brew Osmanthus Wine.

Originally, Lumine did not allow Seino Yaku to drink in the morning. 

She had once sternly warned him, "Drinking and smoking will turn you into a short-lived ghost!" 

Getting drunk in the morning leaves one dazed for the whole day—and morning drinking harms both body and spleen.

Lumine's advice made perfect sense, and Seino Yaku agreed, firmly opposing early drinking—yet the Osmanthus Wine before him smelled too enticing!

This man, Zhongli, truly was a refined young gentleman with a certain chivalrous air. He claimed to be a native of Liyue and now worked at the "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor" in Liyue Harbor.

After Seino Yaku, ever generous, settled Zhongli's bill with the money Lumine had given him, Zhongli announced that he would treat him to a drink. 

For a man of refined tastes, everything is done with style. The Osmanthus Wine he produced exuded a rich, mellow aroma and had a crystal-clear body—clearly aged for several years. A man who appreciates the finer things in life cannot help but accept such exquisite wine.

Moreover, there was another reason:

[Third Covenant: To drink with the first person met at Wanmin Restaurant]

After a series of underworld tasks—overturning things in the mountains, burning incense before graves, and so on—at last there was something normal from the realm of the living! 

Ever since coming to Liyue, Seino Yaku had spent his days either digging pits and overturning tombs or going out to rural graves to burn incense… He began to wonder if in his previous life he had ever been a respectable person. 

Now, fortunately, drinking wasn't an underworld affair anymore. 

At worst, he could always add a few goji berries to his wine.

Once the two resumed their seats, Yaku patted his chest in a heroic display of generosity and declared, 

"Brother Zhongli, let's have some more—we'll treat breakfast and lunch as one meal. Don't worry about the Mora; it's not even coming out of my own pocket…" 

Brother Zhongli, a straightforward fellow, meant what he said. Judging by his order, one could tell he had refined tastes: he insisted on ordering the most expensive Longjing tea, no spicy dishes, no fish, and his tofu had to be sweet.

On the surface, Seino Yaku appeared as calm and nonchalant as ever; inwardly, however, he was worried. He silently tallied up the expenses, thinking that this fellow's nerve might be as thick as his own—and that he might end up facing a heavy rebuke. He wasn't sure if Lumine would let it slide…

Almond Tofu was the signature dish of Wanmin Restaurant.

After the order was placed, the restaurant served the dishes very quickly—but the waiter was a little odd. 

Round and plump with brown fur, he looked from afar like a tiny fuzzy ball. Balancing a steaming plate of tofu on his head, he wobbled over, set the dishes on the table, and then, as if relieved, put his little paws on his hips.

A bear?

...It appeared to be a little bear.

The little bear held its head high, blinking its eyes as it stared at Zhongli. It seemed to have noticed something and happily patted its short paws in an adorably clumsy manner.

The brilliant, hazy morning light filtered through the windows of Wanmin Restaurant, bathing the group. Outside, the dancing shadows of trees swayed in the breeze, casting rhythmic patches of green.

"Long time no see," Zhongli murmured softly, "old friend."

The little bear patted its paws again, then turned its gaze and blinked at Seino Yaku. 

"...Wow, hello there," the young man instinctively waved in greeting. 

For some reason, whenever he saw this little bear, he felt a sense of warmth and familiarity—as if reuniting with an old friend. The bear patted its paws happily once more.

After a moment's thought—as if struck by inspiration—Seino Yaku poured half a bowl of Osmanthus Wine from the jug and offered it to the little bear, tentatively asking, "Do you drink?"

The little bear cradled the rather large wine bowl (for its size), glanced at Yaku, then at Zhongli, lifted the cup, and gulped it down with audible "gulp gulp." Once the Osmanthus Wine settled in its belly, it let out a small burp and wiped its mouth.

"Little Yaku, what are your plans for the future?" Zhongli suddenly inquired.

"Me, well…" 

Seino Yaku scratched his head. He had no real plans—after all, his lifelong dream was simply to live as he pleased. When asked about the future, he truly didn't know what to say.

"First, I'll fulfill all my old promises…" 

And after that, I really have no plan.

After pondering for a moment, he gave up trying to think further. 

"I don't know." 

He admitted frankly, with a self-mocking smile: 

"Don't laugh, Brother Zhongli; I'm not one for grand ambitions…I'm completely carefree."

"This journey is to keep an old covenant. After fulfilling all my old covenants, I'll just take one step at a time—living happily is what matters most. Perhaps I was just trying too hard before."

To his surprise, his laissez-faire remark did not provoke Zhongli's disdain. On the contrary, Brother Zhongli wholeheartedly approved of his slacker philosophy and nodded in agreement. 

"Indeed." 

"Old promises, huh…" Zhongli chuckled. 

"Indeed?" Seino Yaku was somewhat taken aback. 

"Indeed, quite nicely put."

"Though practically speaking, " Zhongli said—taking a bite of Almond Tofu and even feeding a bit to the little bear—"I think your idea is excellent. You've fulfilled your duties admirably; now you deserve a good rest." 

He went on, speaking in a way that few could understand: 

"Watch operas and stroll with birds, drink wine and admire flowers; on a bright day after a light rain, go out and pick flowers; or at dusk when the mountains begin to glow with lamps, have a little drink. Go to Heyu Tea House to listen to Ms. Yun's drama, or to Yanshang Teahouse to play cards—order the most expensive Hongling and the priciest delicacies, my friend. Life is long; you must live it earnestly."

"Mr. Zhongli…" 

Seino Yaku admitted he didn't quite understand what Zhongli meant.

"You needn't shoulder too many burdens on your own. I've come to realize that perhaps I'm not as important as I once imagined—Liyue will keep on turning even without me." 

Seino Yaku nodded in agreement.

The words of a cultured person are always different—even their laid-back manifesto sounds more sensible than what one might utter. What a sensible declaration of carefree living!

Lifting his wine bowl, he felt that he had finally met a kindred spirit today, and he insisted on having a drink. 

So, they drank together.

When like-minded slackers meet, conversation flows easily, as if reuniting with old friends. 

The aroma of Osmanthus Wine was rich and lingering, its gentle intoxication reminiscent of time slowly sedimenting away.

"Living without a care is a wonderful way to live." 

Zhongli, ever refined and eloquent—steeped in ancient lore and modern insight—remarked, "Once a person develops a heart, they're bound to suffer; I once had a friend whose words rang true."

"What did he say?" asked Seino Yaku.

"Ah, him? While clutching his wine gourd, he said to me, 'Stop fretting over official duties; even without you, Liyue will keep on turning. In life, those who live carelessly live the longest.'" 

Zhongli shook his head and offered a slightly helpless smile: "Then he said, 'Come on, let's go drink!'" 

"What a drunkard," Seino Yaku mocked, thinking that a man so fond of drinking surely wouldn't live long—Lumine had been right: excessive drinking shortens one's life! 

As for himself, his drinking was different—after all, Seino Yaku always added goji berries to his wine.

"What happened to that friend later?" Yaku asked. 

"Later…" Zhongli looked at him for a moment before saying, "He passed away. It's been a long time since he died." 

Seino Yaku, slightly embarrassed, scratched his head and tentatively asked, "Did he die from drinking…?" 

"No." 

Zhongli shook his head, his golden eyes reflecting Yaku's face. "It was because he had both heart and determination, yet he tried to act so nonchalant while urging others to be carefree." 

"He was more serious and exhausted himself more than anyone—that's why he died." 

It was hard to fully understand, but somehow Seino Yaku felt a twinge of sadness. 

"What a fool," he murmured softly. 

"Though practically speaking, he really was—not very bright." 

They drank another cup together.

Time passed slowly. By mid-day the sun was high, and the shifting shadows of leaves outside the window grew ever more scattered as the sun moved across the sky.

"So, my friend, I think your idea is quite good." 

Zhongli poured himself another cup of Osmanthus Wine, gazing absentmindedly at the gently rippling surface, and after a while he said: 

"From now on, concern yourself with clothing, daily essentials, fine jewels, porcelain, food, wine, snacks, tea, spices, flowers, insects, birds, oils, salts, sauces, and vinegars—don't worry about anyone else. Live life to the fullest. You deserve a proper rest." 

What he said was not without merit. 

Seino Yaku longed to truly live—a dream of his.

"Then." With the Osmanthus Wine nearly finished, the young man poured three bowls: one for the little bear, one for Zhongli, and one he kept for himself. 

Feeling the alcohol take effect and slightly tipsy, he asked, "Then, may I come to drink with Brother Zhongli in the future?" 

"May I come to drink with Brother Zhongli in the future…" 

Zhongli paused in surprise, then nodded: 

"When fellow drinkers meet, Zhongli will always accompany." 

He said it very earnestly.

The little bear patted its belly, then bounced up and tapped Yaku on the knee as if reminding him not to forget about its presence. 

"Ha ha." 

Seino Yaku smiled, feeling his head spin a little, "Cheers—" 

"Cheers."

[Third Covenant, Completed] 

[Reward: The Method of Brewing Osmanthus Wine]

Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember, 

Yet never again, the youth's adventure. 

Flower branches broken anew become void, 

A fleeting vow, beneath the moon.

Zhongli watched quietly as Seino Yaku slumped drunkenly over the table, shaking his head in helpless resignation. 

His drinking capacity had clearly declined. 

In the past, not to mention Osmanthus Wine, even the "Drunken Immortal" crafted by the celestials would be gulped down in one swallow.

In the dim spring light falling on Seino Yaku, Zhongli pondered. 

He claimed that his life was meant for "keeping appointments." 

Once all the covenants were fulfilled, he would go do whatever he desired. 

Zhongli was a wise man; he could guess a thing or two about Seino Yaku's secrets. 

It seemed that Seino Yaku's appearance today was to honor the covenant they had made—to drink Osmanthus Wine together. 

Zhongli frowned slightly, as if some thought had occurred to him. 

The covenants they had made were not limited to just "drinking Osmanthus Wine together." 

As the god of Contracts, he remembered every single one clearly. 

Upon reflection, there were three covenants. One of them Zhongli had already fulfilled more than two thousand years ago; with today's fulfilled, only one remained uncompleted.

He had come to keep his appointments—again and again—but should he also honor that remaining covenant? 

That covenant… 

Two thousand years ago, Zhongli had failed to fulfill it. 

And that covenant was… 

A lingering unease in his heart.

He shook his head, dismissing the inexplicable thought, and lifted his gaze to the window. Liyue Harbor now shone with clear skies, gentle breezes, and harmonious prosperity—a far cry from two thousand years ago when karmic burdens were all too real. 

Thus, that covenant would never be fulfilled in this lifetime.

He paused—someone was arriving. 

Quick as lightning, with a brisk, wind-swept step, a young girl entered Wanmin Restaurant. Her dazzling golden eyes swept the room until they fell upon Seino Yaku, passed out at the table from overdrinking… 

That guy… 

I told him to go have breakfast, yet he's drinking and is drunk? 

Her dazzling golden eyes widened. 

Resentment, indignation, grievance, anger… 

Countless emotions swirled in her eyes, and when the waiter handed the bill to Lumine, all that remained was pure fury. 

She even entertained the thought of tossing this guy out, not letting him return to his room to sleep.

"…" Zhongli, too, felt a bit awkward. He coughed and said, "Though practically speaking…" 

Lumine, supporting Seino Yaku, shot Zhongli an imperious look—as if addressing a bunch of ruffians. 

Even Mr. Zhongli felt the weight of her imposing glare; it was downright overwhelming. 

He could only smile and say, 

"Little Yaku is drunk; please take good care of him."

"Bah…" Lumine chided, "Even if he drinks himself to death outside, I won't bother." 

Though she spoke harshly, she still grudgingly settled the bill. Frustrated and exasperated—feeling that stubbornness often leads to trouble—she gave the dazed young man a firm tap on the head: 

"A few days ago you were horsing around outside—I told you not to mess around, I told you not to mess around!"

Paimon, seizing an opportunity for a personal vendetta, mimicked Lumine and gave Seino Yaku a solid knock on the head, chiding, 

"I told you not to withhold the 'Colorful Sunshine' technique from me, I told you not to withhold it…"

Zhongli quietly observed as the gentle spring light streamed through the window, casting the ivy's verdant shadows upon the three of them. The sunlight was soft, and the scene unfolded naturally and vividly. 

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself; perhaps Seino Yaku didn't need him to worry—someone would surely care for him. 

Smiling contentedly, he addressed, "Young lady."

"What?" 

"My friend here," he said seriously, "from now on, I entrust him to you." 

"From now on, you're in charge of him." 

Lumine's ears flushed slightly at his words, but after a moment she recovered. 

I don't understand what you mean by "entrusting him to me"… he's not even your responsibility! 

Acting as if you're of a higher generation—talking like an old man! 

I'm already so angry… 

What kind of person is he? A bunch of freeloaders! 

Then, with a haughty air, Lumine patted Seino Yaku's head as though a kitten staking out its territory. Holding her chin high, one hand on her hip and her dazzling golden eyes alight with proud disdain, she declared, 

"This はなむすめ was snatched from the mountains by me… he still owes me money. He was always mine!"

Her proud tone made her look just like a victorious little hen.