I am in Genshin Impact, I can use the stick warrior talent

Chapter 228 Playful Walnut

The gentle breeze from the harbor brings not only the freshness of the sea, but also the ripples under the lotus leaves drifting with the waves. They appear particularly bright under the sunlight, as if they are nature's palette, mixing various colors together to form a vivid picture.

The lotus sways gently on the water, sometimes revealing its indescribable transparent color.

In this peaceful scene, a cheerful call broke the silence, "Su Chen Su Chen! Let's play hide-and-seek!"

The sound is crisp and energetic, like a breeze in summer, making people feel comfortable.

That was Walnut on the bridge, a lively and lovely young girl. She stretched her arms to the sky, her movements were so graceful that she seemed to be waving white clouds, and after a gentle touch, the sky seemed to have a touch of blue. The gentle late summer sun shone on her body, she gently pulled open the brim of her hat, squinted her eyes, and showed a naughty and charming smile on her face.

She turned around and said playfully, "Why do you suddenly want to play hide and seek?"

Su Chen, a gentle and elegant young man, looked at her with a smile. He knew that Hu Tao was always full of wonderful ideas, but her innocent smile could always warm people's hearts, just like the first ray of sunshine in the morning.

He leaned gently against the railing and responded gently: "Hey~ I suddenly felt like playing. Anyway, I have nothing to do today."

Hu Tao stretched and blinked at the sun, her star-like eyes sparkling. She turned her head and saw Su Chen's helpless and doting expression. She couldn't help but nod her chin playfully and approached Su Chen, with a cunning light in her eyes: "Then in order to enhance the fun of the game, Su Chen, let's make a rule."

"What rules?" Su Chen asked curiously.

Hu Tao stood on tiptoe, her breath was fragrant, her pink lips were close to Su Chen's ear, her voice was low and charming: "The person who was caught must kiss the other person once. If he is caught for the second time, he will be kissed ten times, and so on~"

After saying that, she lowered her body, put her hands behind her back, tilted her head and smiled innocently. That look almost made Su Chen's heart flutter, so he had to nod quickly: "Okay, then..."

Before he finished speaking, Walnut ran away like a gust of wind, leaving behind a string of silver bell-like laughter: "Then you come to catch me! No matter what, you must find me~"

Su Chen looked at Hu Tao running away, smiled helplessly but with a hint of doting, gently touched her ear which still had her scent, and said to himself: "But that's for sure, no matter what, I will find you."

The sun was warm and bright, and Su Chen thought happily: "Taotao, my Taotao, where will you hide?" He thought of Paimon who was specially dragged by him to taste the new dishes made by Xiangling recently, and now he was able to spend this rare time alone with Hu Tao.

He placed his hands on the back of his head comfortably and even began to hum a light ballad, his voice full of warmth and expectation for Kurumi.

In Su Chen's mind, finding a perfect hiding place in a big city like Liyue was a piece of cake, but he knew Hu Tao's character very well - she would always choose places that seemed very strange to others, but wonderful to her. Her unique ideas always made Su Chen feel helpless and funny.

Looking up, the sky was a monotonous blue hue, and when Su Chen turned his gaze to the ground, he saw the bustling streets of Liyue, full of people coming and going. In order to find Hu Tao, he decided to go to Yujingtai first.

As soon as he stepped onto the steps of Yujing Terrace, Su Chen heard the conversation between two Qianyan Army soldiers. As they walked and talked, they mentioned Hu Tao unintentionally: "You said, that little girl from Wangsheng Hall has finally behaved herself these past few days, why did she go to the General Affairs Department again and play so enthusiastically with the two stone lions?"

Another Qianyan soldier responded with a smile: "Well, wasn't she the same before? She ran to the stone lions all day long, gave them names, and said she wanted to be friends with them, haha—" At this point, both of them couldn't help laughing, but as Liyue's guards, they quickly regained their serious expressions and quickly left the scene.

When Su Chen heard this, a sly smile appeared on his face, as if he had guessed Hu Tao's possible hiding place, so he quickened his pace towards Yujingtai.

At the same time, at the gate of the General Affairs Department, Walnut was talking intimately with two stone lions. She gently touched the head of the stone lion on the left, and gently stroked the body of the stone lion on the right, as if she was reminiscing with an old friend. Although the stone lions still maintained their usual solemnity, Walnut's serious attitude made the Qianyan Army standing guard at the gate confused.

She said softly, "Big Mi, Second Mi, you are all grown up now, your bodies are many times bigger than before. For the sake of me brushing your fur in the past, you must hide me well later."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Tao nimbly hid behind the "Dami" stone lion, lowered his hat, hugged his knees tightly, and remained silent.

Soon after, Su Chen also quietly walked up the side steps. Hu Tao's figure was slender, and it might not be obvious from the front, but Su Chen glanced from the side and saw the smooth brown-red long hair. This feature immediately exposed Hu Tao's hiding place.

"Hutao - where are you -?" Su Chen shouted mischievously, while covering his mouth with both hands in an exaggerated manner, imitating the sound of a trumpet. Although he was trying not to laugh in his heart, he still maintained a serious look on his face. His performance not only attracted the attention of Hutao, but also the attention of the Qianyan Army. A Qianyan Army soldier walked up to Su Chen and reminded him in a serious tone: "This is the important area of ​​the General Affairs Department. Pedestrians please do not make loud noises."

Su Chen immediately put on a distressed look, pretending to be sad, and clasped his hands together as if begging, "Then, what should I do... Comrade, can you help me?"

His acting was so natural and vivid that the Qianyan Army soldiers couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. They asked with concern, "Excuse me, what happened?"

Su Chen took the opportunity to stage a little drama: "My wife...had a quarrel with me, and she ran out of the house in anger and disappeared in a flash! What should I do! Comrade, comrade, please help me!" As he spoke, he grabbed the arms of the Qianyan Army soldier and shook them with moderate force. In the eyes of the Qianyan Army, Su Chen's pleading eyes seemed extremely sincere.

In Walnut's ears, this dramatic request for help not only made her blush, but also made her feel a little amused. Although she was angry, she couldn't help but find it funny. At the same time, she also realized that she couldn't easily reveal her position now.

At this time, Su Chen added the description: "She is about this tall, wearing a wide hat with a plum blossom pinned on it. Her eyes are very beautiful, as if there are stars twinkling in them. Her hair is brown-red. She likes to wear wide-sleeved clothes and sandalwood-soled shoes..."

After hearing this description, the Qianyan Army soldier suddenly seemed to remember something, pointed at the stone lion behind him, and said, "Then look and see if your wife is there."

Su Chen was stunned for a moment, then he showed an expression of sudden enlightenment and turned his gaze towards the stone lion. Hu Tao was behind the stone lion, listening to all this, and couldn't help laughing in his heart, watching Su Chen's wonderful one-man performance.

Su Chen pretended to be surprised, with an exaggerated expression on his face, and quickly ran behind the stone lion. His movements were so fast and agile that Hu Tao didn't have enough time to react before he hugged her tightly in his arms.

"Wife, wife, I was wrong - let's not be angry, okay? Let's go home -" Su Chen said in a playful tone.

Hu Tao was filled with shame and anger, and struggled to escape, but Su Chen's embrace was like a solid fortress, making it impossible for her to break free. "Wait, wait! You stinky Su Chen, I, the hall master, haven't agreed to you yet! Quick, let go!" There was a hint of helplessness and shyness in her voice.

Feeling that Hu Tao in his arms gradually stopped struggling, Su Chen smiled evilly and whispered in her ear: "What about the kiss we agreed on?"

Hu Tao's cheeks flushed red, and she struggled internally. Finally, she looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, and then she quickly kissed Su Chen hard on the right cheek. She thought it would be a simple dragonfly-like kiss, but she didn't expect that she would be so heavy that even Su Chen was stunned.

"Okay, okay! This time doesn't count, let's continue!" While Su Chen was still in a daze, Hu Tao quickly broke free from his arms and ran down the stairs lightly.

"Okay, honey. No problem, honey..." Su Chen tried to call out loudly, and seeing that Hu Tao seemed to stagger a little, he touched the cheek that had just been kissed, silently counting down ten seconds in his heart, and then followed Hu Tao's footsteps with a smile. The Qianyan Army soldiers witnessed this scene with expressions of disbelief on their faces.

"The countdown is over. Now, it's time to kiss ten times."

Meanwhile, in front of Liyue's "Three Bowls, No Passing the Port", Tian Tiezui was still telling the ancient story in his steady voice. At the guest table, a calm black-haired man, Zhongli, was quietly sipping tea, as if waiting for the dusk to fall.

At this moment, there was a brisk "tapping" sound from behind, followed by an anxious shout: "Zhongli————"

Zhongli turned his head slightly and saw the lively and lively hall master Hu Tao. He put down the teacup in his hand and said calmly, "Hall Master Hu, why are you here?"

……

Chapter 229 Walnut: If you catch me again, I will kiss you a thousand times, a thousand times!

Zhongli stood quietly in the courtyard of the Wangsheng Hall, his eyes as calm as a clear spring in a deep pool. He was wearing a black robe that fluttered gently in the breeze.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps cut through the tranquility of the early morning, and Walnut rushed to him like a gust of wind, her face full of urgency and her eyes seemed to hold thousands of words.

"Zhongli -! As a guest of the Wangsheng Hall, you are aware of your responsibilities!" Hu Tao said mischievously with a hint of playfulness in her tone. She stood in front of Zhongli, as if waiting for an interesting drama.

Zhongli nodded slightly, his voice low and calm, "Yes, impart knowledge and respect the dead." A faint light flashed in his eyes, with depth in the calmness.

Walnut nodded with satisfaction, then shook her slender fingers teasingly, with a cunning light in her eyes, "That's great, but you seem to have missed something." Her words were full of anticipation.

Zhongli smiled slightly, "Oh... I will listen to the guidance of the hall master." There was a hint of amusement in his voice, as if he had guessed Hu Tao's thoughts.

"That's right! We must do our best and obey the orders of the hall master unconditionally!" Hu Tao straightened her back and a confident smile flashed across her face, as if declaring her authority.

However, Zhongli shook his head slightly, his voice steady and calm, "In that case, wouldn't the Wangsheng Hall be in name only?" His words were indifferent, but revealed wisdom and deep thought.

Kurumi scratched her head slightly embarrassedly, a thoughtful smile on her lips, "Uh... of course I understand that..." There was a hint of embarrassment and wit in her voice.

Zhongli looked at Hu Tao, a glimmer of insight flashed in his eyes, and his tone became softer, "If you have any request, please feel free to ask."

Hu Tao realized that she could not hide her thoughts from Zhong Li. She coughed twice and showed a look of embarrassment on her face. "Then, Zhong Li, can I ask you to use that skill?"

"Which skill?" There was a hint of curiosity in Zhongli's voice.

Kurumi frowned slightly, with an embarrassed look on her face, "It's the elemental ability that appears when you put your hands together and whisper [Solid as a Rock], and then the rock pillar suddenly appears."

"I understand." Zhongli's voice remained calm, but a ripple flashed in his eyes. Soon after, he saw Hu Tao using the rock pillar he created to nimbly climb to the roof. He helplessly poured himself another cup of tea, maintaining his usual calmness.

On the roof, Hu Tao playfully waved to Zhongli below, with a hint of victory in her smile, "Zhongli, the time has come, the rock pillar can be taken back!" Her voice was light and full of teasing.

Zhongli was in the courtyard, listening to Hu Tao's voice, and couldn't help but sigh softly, feeling a bit of bitter pleasure in his heart. He followed Hu Tao's wishes and slowly retracted the rock pillar.

Hu Tao squatted on the roof with a sly smile on his face, "Haha, Su Chen, you can't find me now."

She thought that since Zhongli was still downstairs, she could hide safely on the roof. But soon, her smile became a little disappointed, "Why, he hasn't shown up yet..." Her voice was a little complaining.

She stretched her neck and looked into the distance, but still could not find Su Chen. Just when she was a little disappointed, a familiar voice sounded in her ears, "Actually, if I want to find you, I've always been here."

Walnut turned around suddenly and was surprised to find that the young man with golden scorpion braids, Su Chen, was standing behind her with a relaxed smile on his face. "Su Chen, when did you come!" Her voice was filled with surprise and confusion.

Su Chen chuckled and replied, "I was already here when you were still looking for a hiding place." There was a hint of confidence and joy in his voice.

Kurumi's face turned red with shame, "You, you...!" Her voice choked and she didn't know what to say.

Su Chen smiled indifferently, seeming satisfied with the game, "Well, according to the rules of the game, Taotao, shouldn't you give me ten kisses?" As he spoke, he deliberately closed his eyes and put his cheek close to Hu Tao, making her even more shy.

Hu Tao shouted angrily downwards, "Zhongli! You knew Su Chen was here, right?" Her voice revealed both shame and helplessness.

Zhongli shook his head slightly, his voice calm and indifferent, "You haven't asked me about this." He seemed a little confused by the two people's joke and continued to sip his tea leisurely.

"So, where are the ten kisses you owe me?" Su Chen smiled provocatively and turned his head slightly to look at Hu Tao.

He sighed silently in his heart that he used to be teased by Walnut all the time, but now he was the one who liked to tease her.

Kurumi bit her lower lip nervously, obviously looking for an excuse, "This time doesn't count! Let's do another round. If you catch me again, I'll kiss you a thousand times, a thousand times!"

There was a hint of urgency and reluctance in her voice.

Su Chen's eyes sparkled with mischief, and he spoke lightly, seemingly not caring about the result: "Oh? You said that yourself."

Walnut hurriedly made the sign of the cross to show his sincerity, then turned around and jumped off the roof.

She made a face at Zhongli, then quickly ran towards the Wangsheng Hall, thinking secretly in her heart that Su Chen would definitely not be able to find her this time.

A smug smile appeared on her lips, and her heart was filled with the joy of victory.

"Zero...Okay, Master Hall Master, I'm coming to find you~" Su Chen jumped lightly from the roof, nodded to Zhongli, and then walked leisurely onto the street.

His eyes darted around, and he was already screening out the places where Walnut might be hiding.

Just as he was thinking, a ray of afterglow from the setting sun shone on the vermilion wooden pillar, then reflected on the traces left by the years, and finally fell on the palm of the young man, reflecting a mottled light and shadow.

"Time always passes so quickly when I play with Walnut. It's almost evening in the blink of an eye."

Su Chen sighed, pinching his fingers gently, watching the last rays of the setting sun disappear into the horizon. He looked at the gradually deserted streets, feeling a sense of inexplicable loneliness.

"Not good... It's getting late, and I don't know where that little guy has gone. Let's go to the Hall of Rebirth first." Su Chen shook his head, put away the distracting thoughts in his mind, and walked towards the direction of the Hall of Rebirth.

Due to his familiarity with the Wangsheng Hall, Su Chen was quickly let in. The moonlight was like water, lightly sprinkled on the decorations in the hall, dividing the solemn atmosphere into mottled light and shadow.

Under the cold moonlight, Su Chen felt a brief trance.

He searched the hall, guest rooms, lecture halls, and even every decorative flower and plant, all of which were checked repeatedly by him.

Even with the clairvoyance of the magic eye activated, this place that was once so familiar to him could not give him any clues about Walnut's whereabouts.

Hu Tao seemed to have disappeared out of thin air. Su Chen was anxious, but because of the rules of the Wangsheng Hall, he had to suppress his inner cry.

The feeling of being bound by rules was like being separated by a boundless ocean, in which he pursued his dreams but seemed so small and powerless, unable to see the end.

"Hu Tao... where are you..." Su Chen's heart was full of entanglement and struggle, and the inner conflict made it difficult for him to calm down.

He wandered aimlessly and finally arrived at the warehouse where the coffins were stacked in the Hall of the Reborn.

Pushing open the slightly old door, Su Chen's face was filled with solemnity and worry.

Walnut originally just wanted to lie in a coffin that she was familiar with in her childhood to regain some childhood memories, but before she knew it, she fell into a deep sleep, as if she was wandering in a long dream.

If she hadn't been awakened by a nightmare at the end, she might have continued to sleep.

When her vision gradually became clear, Hu Tao saw Su Chen's anxious figure approaching her rapidly.

"Hutao————!" Su Chen's voice was full of anxiety and concern.

"Ah——!" Hu Tao was suddenly hugged by Su Chen, and the blush on her cheeks became more obvious at this moment.

"What are you doing? I just woke up--" Kurumi's voice contained a hint of shy reproach.

"I thought... I would never find you again..." Su Chen's answer was heavy and affectionate. Hearing this, Hu Tao's body trembled slightly, and then she realized something, gently patted Su Chen's back, and comforted him:

"Okay, okay, I'm back. You found me again... According to our agreement, I have to give you a thousand kisses..."

"But I'm really scared." Su Chen said, while gently stroking Hu Tao's cheek, "A thousand kisses, what's the use? If I lose you, all the vows will be meaningless. So... Tao Tao, please don't make me worry so much in the future, okay?"

"After all, I'm really afraid of losing you..." Su Chen hugged Hu Tao tightly in his arms again, his voice full of affection and pleading.

Hu Tao didn't say much, but just rested her chin lightly on Su Chen's shoulder and agreed softly:

"Okay, I promise you. But if something like this happens again next time, you must come to me in person, otherwise I will keep waiting for you..."

As a slight breeze blew by, Su Chen was speechless and just silently hugged Hu Tao tighter. The wind in the harbor was always so heavy, it blew the lotus leaves on the water, shook the lotus flowers under the moonlight, and created an indescribable silence and depth.

Until the other fish swam away, the lotus fruits that were shaken off by the wind pulled up the remaining lotus leaves, which slowly drifted away in the passage of time.

Like a pair of lovers who accompany each other day and night, never apart.

……

Paimon's eyes widened like a big gourd, and a flash of understanding flashed across his surprised expression: "You are talking about..."

Su Chen nodded and replied with a smile: "I see."

The night was deep, and the breeze from Liyue Harbor blew gently, causing the lights to sway slightly. A golden-red firework beautifully decorated the streets, as if the Yujing Terrace was out of reach. When Su Chen and Paimeng finally came to their senses, only a few dim lanterns were quietly accompanying Liuli Lily.

In this silent night, the only bright light that could be found was from the stairs of Yuehai Pavilion. Su Chen and Paimeng looked at each other, nodded in tacit understanding, and gradually walked towards the door of the pavilion.

"Knock knock," Su Chen knocked on the door gently. To dissolve the faint sound behind the door, he consciously took a step back.

Sure enough, not long after, Gan Yu's slightly heavy voice came from inside: "It's late at night. If it's not an emergency, please come back later."

"Ganyu, it's us!" Paimeng called in a low voice.

"Is it Su Chen?" Gan Yu's voice revealed a hint of surprise.