You and zhongli had many years of great memories together, considering as he's immortal and you're not, he knew he'll lose you at some point. He did. He grieved for so many decades, longing for your voice, scent, presence, the whole you. He has been hurt for the longest time, it took him a long time to accept that you're gone. After so many decades, he finally found the reincarnation of his late loved, by seeing her he almost fell. Her voice, her fragrance, her presence, it all came back to him.