Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

"Perhaps..."

Uncle Tian nodded heavily, a barely perceptible glint of tears welling up in his eyes, his voice low and deep.

He served as the Celestial Star in Liyue for many years, living up to the trust of the Geo Archon and the expectations of the people of Liyue.

The only person I feel sorry for is my elder sister Yun Dan, who lives far away in Qingce Village.

Tian Shu's job is to coordinate the interests of all parties involved in the policy, so the fewer people who know Tian Shu's identity, the better. Even his closest sister doesn't know what Tian Shu does, she only heard that it is a very important job.

Even so, Yun Dan had no complaints and did everything she should as the eldest sister.

Support your parents and maintain harmonious relationships with your neighbors.

Uncle Tian never married, and his elder sister Yun Dan also never married. After their parents passed away, Yun Dan lived alone in Qing Ce's old house.

When talking about family, Uncle Tian naturally thinks of his elder sister who lives far away in Qingce Village.

"Unbeknownst to us, Zhiyi has grown to a height where he can shoulder heavy responsibilities. It is truly gratifying yet also makes us sigh."

"Young people are stepping up one by one, and it's finally time for this old man to retire. Birth, aging, sickness and death are indeed a journey that no one can avoid."

Tian Shu sighed softly, and Ke Qing keenly caught the dejection in his words, and immediately comforted him: "Uncle Tian, ​​why belittle yourself? You are in good spirits and your body looks healthy. It is not difficult for you to work hard for Liyue for a few more years."

"Ke Qing, you... you don't need to try to make this old man happy."

"Lack of energy is not necessarily a bad thing. Being relieved of the burden makes me feel more at ease. I can finally be like a real, leisurely old man and pursue my fishing pleasure as I please. This can be considered a blessing."

Uncle Tian smiled and waved his hand, looking magnanimous, without the slightest embarrassment at being comforted.

"Uncle Tian really enjoys fishing!"

Paimon naturally replied, his eyes seemingly already seeing the fish leaping out of the water.

"That's natural."

"If you want to leisurely while away the time, fishing is definitely the best choice. What's even better is that freshly caught fish can be cooked into a pot of steaming hot and incredibly delicious fish soup after a little processing by the water. The taste is just..."

When fishing was mentioned, Uncle Tian's spirits lifted considerably, his eyes sparkling with the brilliance of a fisherman, and he smacked his lips as if savoring the memory.

"Ah! Fresh fish soup! Just hearing about it makes my mouth water!"

Paimon's mouth watered immediately, and he covered his cheeks with his little hands, looking longingly at the sight.

"Moreover, some time ago, Zhiyi even specially obtained a special recipe from an old fisherman."

Uncle Tian's smile deepened, carrying a hint of sharing a secret.

“Recently, every time he goes fishing, he thoughtfully brings some carefully prepared ingredients. The fish soup made according to that recipe is even more delicious than before. It’s truly unforgettable.”

Uncle Tian's tone was full of praise, but as he spoke, his voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible melancholy:

"It's a pity that I'm getting old and I'm afraid I won't have many more chances to enjoy fish soup."

Seeing Uncle Tian's self-pitying appearance, the traveler quickly spoke up, his tone firm yet reassuring: "Uncle Tian, ​​you can definitely drink many, many more times!"

"That's it!"

Paimon nodded vigorously, his little face full of seriousness.

"Next time you go fishing and make soup, be sure to take me with you! I want to try the super delicious fish soup with the secret recipe!"

Famas watched Paimon swallow hard, barely suppressing a laugh.

If the little mascot knew what Zhiyi had added to the fish soup, it probably wouldn't want to drink it anymore. Keqing, however, steered the conversation back on track, her expression becoming serious and earnest again.

"Uncle Tian, ​​let's put aside the small talk for now. After listening to our report on the three candidates, have you made up your mind?"

Uncle Tian's gaze fell on Ke Qing, his gentle expression filled with complete trust.

“Keqing, since I have entrusted you with the important task of the investigation, I will have complete faith in your judgment.”

"If you hadn't asked me about why Zhiyi's thinking is similar to mine, I wouldn't have wanted to bring up this personal relationship between the three of them."

"In recommending the worthy and avoiding relatives, the key is fairness. Please make sure to eliminate all external factors such as personal feelings and thoroughly investigate the candidates' true talents, moral character and abilities before making a final decision."

Uncle Tian paused, his gaze deepened, and his tone suddenly became more forceful as he deliberately and clearly repeated:

"Remember...investigate thoroughly."

These words carried a weight far exceeding their literal meaning. Uncle Tian's slightly cloudy but still sharp gaze lingered briefly on Ke Qing's face.

Ke Qing also keenly noticed the unusual emphasis in Tian Shu's voice and the warning hidden in his eyes. Her delicate brows furrowed suddenly, and a warning bell rang in her heart.

The traveler and Paimon, however, did not seem to fully grasp the deeper meaning behind this emphasis, and their faces still showed some confusion.

Only Famas, when Uncle Tian deliberately emphasized the words "investigate thoroughly," subtly softened his previously casual demeanor.

The boy lowered his eyelids slightly, a knowing glint flashing in his eyes, before a meaningful smile curved his lips.

Famas originally thought that Yelan was meticulous and insightful, and had seized Zhiyi's flaw in advance, which made him miss the position of Tian Shu Star. However, the unusual warning in Uncle Tian's words and eyes at this moment was obviously not a normal procedure reminder.

The fundamental reason for Zhiyi's failure may not lie in Yelan's perception, but in the attitude of the current Tian Shu Xing Shu himself.

He is the key figure who truly spearheaded this rigorous investigation. Normally, the selection process for Tian Shu Star wouldn't require such a deep dive into the background, and the fact that Uncle Tian specifically commissioned Ke Qing to conduct an investigation far exceeding the norm indicates some kind of doubt and concern.

Uncle Tian has probably never truly let down his guard against Zhiyi, or rather, against everything Zhiyi has shown. This selection itself symbolizes Uncle Tian's suspicion and probing.

Upon hearing Tian Shu Xing's words, Ke Qing took a deep breath, suppressed her doubts, and nodded.

"I understand."

"Come on, traveler, let's talk somewhere else."

Uncle Tian's meaningful hint clearly indicated his dissatisfaction with the results Ke Qing had obtained.

Although Paimon was unaware of what was going on, he still waved goodbye to Uncle Tian, ​​his childish voice full of sincere concern: "Uncle Tian, ​​we're leaving now. Please take care of yourself and get some rest!"

After saying goodbye, the four of them crossed the street in front of the teahouse and came to a secluded corner deep in the Scarlet Cloud Slope.

As soon as he stood firm, Paimon couldn't wait to float in front of Keqing, his little face showing a confident expression.

"Hmm... so it seems that Zhiyi has indeed been chosen as the candidate, right?"

"Look, his plan is the most detailed and meticulous, he speaks and acts with tact and propriety, and he takes such good care of Uncle Tian..."

Keqing's gaze fell upon the first lights of Liyue Harbor in the distance, her tone calm yet tinged with a rare caution.

"No rush, there is no time limit for the inspection itself."

She turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the traveler, Paimon, and the silent Famas to the side.

As the sky darkened, the girl's purple eyes appeared exceptionally clear and sharp, as if they could pierce through layers of illusion.

"What we see may not be the truth." (End of Chapter)