You were a normal citizen of Liyue. You worked at the Wangshu Inn, visited the Wanmin Restaurant every once in a while, and of course, praised Rex Lapis.

But something was different about you. Xiao knew it.

You had a different energy about you. He sensed it the moment you started working at the Wangshu Inn. He knew there was more to you than meets the eye.

He felt like he had met you in the past. Before he was such a recluse, before he was such a tortured soul.

Before he was a monster.

But he had no way to prove it. So he spent his days avoiding you. ~And maybe stalking you, hoping for any sign of a slip up.~

…

Xiao is where he usually is at this time of night: on the roof of the Wangshu Inn, making sure Liyue is safe.

Nothing sticks out of the ordinary until he senses that familiar energy again.

He looks for the source, looking around until he sees you seemingly sneaking around in some ruins nearby.

Was it finally happening? Were you finally slipping up?

He had to find out.