Living with Zhongli felt like having a roommate who embodied the wisdom of an elder, yet looked too youthful to match. His adherence to tradition was unwavering, and he spoke of history as though he had lived through it.

He maintained an old-fashioned approach to personal privacy, to the extent that he would only shower when the apartment was empty—whether out of consideration for you or due to his own shyness was unclear. However, on this occasion, his timing was off, and as he emerged from the shower, you were just returning home and unlocking the door.

A subtle flush tinted his cheeks as he clutched the towel tightly, averting his gaze from you. "I apologize, I didn't realize you would be back so soon. Please forgive me. I'll get dressed right away."