While Xiao had always found himself disliking the annual Lantern Rite celebrations of Liyue, he found them more tolerable when he spent them with you, growing more comfortable with the festivities each year after meeting you.

“So many wasted resources,” the adeptus mutters, standing by your side by a lantern stand lined with many eccentrically decorated paper lanterns to let float the night of the event. Xiao’s sour attitude relating to the Lantern Rite, while it had softened, was still ever-present. “Let us look at something else,” he exhales, turning away from the street shop.

He rigidly halts in his place, however, when the gleaming eyes of a small child meet his, and they hastily patter over.

“Woah, are you a real adeptus?!” the wonder-filled child exclaimed, hands clasped with excitement. You couldn’t help but feel amused by his nervousness.