Chapter 10

Life has four sufferings.

Namely, birth, aging, sickness, and death.

Birth is the beginning, aging is the process of growing old, sickness is illness, and death is the end.

And sickness is something no one can escape.

Fortunately, in Liyue, there is a miraculous place called Bubu Pharmacy.

When the people of Liyue fall ill, they come here. Just a glance from the renowned Mr. Baizhu, and most ailments can be cured.

Even foreigners from Mondstadt, Sumeru, and beyond come seeking his help.

Bubu Pharmacy is located in the northwest of Liyue, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with scenery that is both serene and beautiful.

Even on days without illness, a stroll through the pavilions and towers in front of Bubu Pharmacy can lift one's spirits.

Especially the clear spring flowing down from Mt. Tianheng, where lotus flowers bloom and koi fish occasionally swim among the leaves. When night falls, the croaking of frogs and the chirping of insects create a symphony that makes it hard to leave.

However, Bubu Pharmacy's herbalist, Gui, doesn't share this sentiment.

Every day, the task of preparing and dispensing medicine already gives him a headache.

At night, he has to endure the cacophony of frogs and insects, and he feels like his brain is about to explode.

"Qiqi, just seven lotus pods will do. Don't pick too many!"

Standing by the spring, Gui called out with a hint of worry.

"Okay... Qiqi understands."

The girl in the pond, barefoot, responded with a slight delay.

Normally, someone of Qiqi's apparent age shouldn't be doing such dangerous work.

In reality, the tasks Qiqi performs daily are even more perilous.

The ruins of Qingxu Pool, the cliffs of Qingyun Peak, the ponds of Jueyun Karst...

Wherever there are medicinal herbs, you can find Qiqi.

As Bubu Pharmacy's herb-gathering apprentice, most of the herbs in the pharmacy's cabinets were personally collected by her.

It's not that Bubu Pharmacy employs child labor—if you consider her age, she's older than Gui's grandfather's grandfather.

Because... she's a zombie.

Both an adeptus and a zombie.

"Gui, still working so late?"

"It's all because that girl from the Chenxiang family can't stand bitter medicine and wants... Lady Ningguang!"

At first, Gui only found the voice familiar and didn't think much of it.

But when he turned around and saw who was greeting him, he was momentarily flustered.

"Relax, I'm not here to audit your accounts today. I need to speak with Mr. Baizhu."

Gui's reaction was nothing new to Ningguang.

As the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, even the staff of Bubu Pharmacy, who were no ordinary merchants, held a certain reverence for her.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Baizhu is away on a house call to Qingce Village. Should I send someone to notify him?"

Qingce Village, located on the other side of Wuwang Hill, is often described as a leisurely place, but in reality, it's more like a retirement home.

It's a picturesque, tranquil village where life is comfortable and carefree.

However, due to its quiet nature, many young people have moved to the livelier Liyue Harbor.

As a result, the village is mostly inhabited by the elderly and children.

To care for them, Baizhu often makes house calls, treating the villagers' ailments.

"No need to disturb Mr. Baizhu while he's working. May I speak with Qiqi alone?"

Ningguang glanced at Qiqi, who was in the pond, having already picked five lotus pods and now debating whether to pick seven or nine.

"This... alright, please follow me."

Gui was initially hesitant, as Baizhu had once told him not to let anyone interact too much with Qiqi, especially the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Considering Ningguang's status and position, he decided to agree to her request.

In his memory, this wasn't the first time the Tianquan had come to see Qiqi.

That was part of the reason he agreed.

After calling Qiqi, who was still pondering over the lotus pods, Gui led the two to the consultation room at the back of Bubu Pharmacy.

At night, there were hardly any patients.

It was a suitable place for a conversation.

"Qiqi, how have you been lately?"

The box carried by the Geo construct gently landed nearby, making a clinking sound.

As usual, Ningguang greeted Qiqi warmly.

"Sorry... I think I've forgotten you."

Qiqi carefully studied Ningguang's face, and after a moment, she replied with a hint of sadness.

She had a vague impression of Ningguang.

Having an impression meant she did know her.

But as a zombie, her memory was too poor to recall who Ningguang was.

Fortunately, she carried a notebook where she wrote down things she must not forget.

"Please wait, I'll check my notes."

Taking out her notebook, she flipped to the page titled "Must Remember."

"Very big... very white... very yellow... Ah, are you the Tianquan, Lady Ningguang?"

"..."

Ningguang was tempted to take Qiqi's notebook and see what she had written.

But reason told her that this herb-gathering apprentice wasn't as harmless as she appeared.

"Yes, it's me. A friend of yours asked me to bring you a gift."

With a wave of her right hand, the lid of the wooden box opened, revealing the bottles and jars inside.

"This is... coconut milk?"

Qiqi was very well-behaved. Even though her favorite coconut milk was right in front of her, she didn't show any signs of eagerness.

Only after receiving Ningguang's permission did Qiqi take a bottle and drink it down.

"How does it taste?"

"I don't know... I can't taste it. Even though I can't taste it, it is coconut milk. I like it."

"This was sent to you by Little Bai. Do you remember him?"

Striking while the iron was hot, Ningguang gently wiped the milk from Qiqi's mouth and asked softly.

"Little Bai... is that Mr. Baizhu?"

Like Ningguang and Beidou, when Qiqi heard "Little Bai," the first person she thought of was Baizhu.

"No, not Baizhu. Another Little Bai. He's... an old friend of yours."

Even Ningguang wasn't sure how to describe Little Bai to a zombie with such poor memory.

"From a long time ago? I don't know. If it was a long time ago, I probably didn't write it down in my notes. I think... I've forgotten him."

Learning that she might have forgotten a good friend, Qiqi looked visibly sad.

It was the same expression she had when Mr. Baizhu returned empty-handed after failing to hunt a coconut sheep for her.

"Is that so?"

Ningguang frowned slightly. This was something she hadn't anticipated.

She didn't know when Qiqi had started keeping her notebook.

If Little Bai had known Qiqi before she began taking notes, then there really was no way to trace him.

Meanwhile, Qiqi had already taken out a brush and was carefully writing Little Bai's name on the "Must Remember" page.

Little Bai, Qiqi's good friend.

Qiqi must not forget again.