Fu Hua serves tea at Pops’s Teas teahouse, y’know, the one at Stone Gate. She hears lotsa interesting stories there xD
hi3 chars in gi world
gi chars are there too
im kinda sad though since i didnt really get into the visions of the hi3 chars here
the only one that was kind of shown was Himeko’s
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“Oh, good morning Fu Hua, dear. Running errands this morning?”
“Good morning Aunt Qiao. Yes, I’d just come back from my morning jog when I saw Pops Zhou throw out his back earlier while preparing to open the tea shop. I’d offered to do it for him before but he kept insisting that he do it himself every morning.”
“It’s so fortunate that Pops Zhou found you, dearie. Us old folks need a helping hand most times and it’s very refreshing to have your youthful spirit around.”
The young woman blushed slightly and awkwardly scratched her cheek at the words. “Ahaha, I’m happy to help. Besides, you and Pops still have some of that youthful spirit too, Auntie.”
“Oh my, such flattery! Well, I won’t take any more of your prep time. See you around, dear.”
Fu Hua waved the old lady goodbye and started stocking up on boxes of tea leaves.
Later, she returned to Pops’ tea shop, no longer just an open space at the platform near the Stone Gate before she met the old man. Now it also doubled as Pops’ house with the second floor containing the living area. The old man had been so grateful that he told Fu Hua she could come and go as she pleases. She built it with her own hands after all, he would say.
“All right, Pops’ Teas is open for business,” Fu Hua whispered to herself, flipping the sign on the door to ‘open’.
On an average day, quite a number of customers came around: travelers, merchants, and adventurers. Occasionally, there were Millelith or Knights crossing the border that had made a rest stop at the tea shop. While manning the tea shop, Fu Hua came to understand what Pops Zhou enjoyed about listening to the various stories from people of different walks of life.
“The Deaconess had another argument with one of the nuns at the Church.”
“Hm, the white-haired nun? I would have thought they got along, what with them being of similar ages… and stature, haha. Were they arguing about who’s the better idol again? I think they both bring cheer to the people especially during these times of uncertainty.”
“Ah no, they settled on a truce on that. I heard they were arguing about bitter gourd. I mean the Deaconess has a point… That tastes disgusting.”
“But maybe that’s the sister’s secret in making herself strong. Do you know how heavy that cross on her back weighs?”
“I can’t wait to get to Liyue! Think of all the yummy food!”
“Don’t forget why we’re going there in the first place, Idiotka. Miss Katheryne assigned us an important job with the Liyue Branch of the Adventure Guild.”
“No fighting girls. Besides, I’m sure we can find the time to go sight-seeing after finishing our job.”
“Really?! Thank you senpai, I love you!”
“You’re making too much of a ruckus, Idiotka. Don’t bother the other customers.”
“Hmph! You’re just jealous because your girlfriend is all the way at Snezhnaya with the twins doing a different job!”
“…! She’s not my girlfriend… yet. Well, looking around at Liyue for souvenirs would not be such a bad idea.”
“Oh my~ Let us know if you need help picking out gifts. I heard the trinkets and books there are lovely.”
“My sister and I can’t go back to Inazuma anymore. I wonder where we can find a place to settle down?”
“Then how about coming with me to Fontaine, dear lady? My business at Mondstadt had already finished after scouting out the Darknight Hero.”
“The Darknight Hero is no match for the Rogue Extraordinaire! You’re my hero! We can go with her right, sis?”
“Well then if you wouldn’t mind, Ms. Rogue, we would love to go with you.”
“The wine industry over at Mondstadt is booming right now. Hey, Professor, I wonder if I can make some liquor from cabbages?”
“Well, Cabbagehead, various ingredients can be made into wine. Take Liyue’s rice wine for example. You can try making some back at the Arcademia.”
“Don’t call me a Cabbagehead! Besides I was asking Mophead over here and not you!”
“Professor Twintails has a point, though.”
“Fine I’ll stop calling her Cabbagehead if you stop calling me Twintails!”
“Although I would want to make a stop over at Liyue first to look at the remains of the Jade Chamber. I wonder if we can replicate its capability of flight on our lab building.”
“The giant sea monster was driven off by the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti, did you hear? Because of them, Liyue Harbor was kept mostly intact.”
“It took all of them to take it down? Why, if the Captain of the Crux fleet were there, she alone could cut down the beast in one stroke!”
“You’re pulling my leg… She’s that strong? But where was she during the monster attack?”
“She’s probably busy taking care of a fleet from somewhere that was terrorizing the seas. Rumors have it that the Hyperion fleet’s Captain is a strong contender for the title of Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean.”
“How could that person beat someone who can cut down a huge sea monster?”
“Well get this, some sailors say she could set ablaze the very sky and seas!”
“Whew… I’m starting to think they’re scarier than the sea monster.”
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As the day came to an end, Pops Zhou and Fu Hua began closing up shop.
“Thank you for helping me out today, child. I can tell that you’ve made quite the progress at making a nice pot of tea.”
Fu Hua turned around and smiled at the old man after closing the door. “I had a great teacher, Pops. I can’t believe I used to think of tea as just a way to keep my throat from getting dry.”
“Hahaha, that’s such a practical, no-nonsense way of looking at things. Don’t miss out on the joys of life while you’re still young.”
“I won’t, Pops.” Fu Hua then gave Pops Zhou a small bow then straightened up with a determined look on her face. “And thank you for taking care of me and teaching me all I know.”
“Hmm, it sounds as if you’re leaving already. Have you recovered your memories yet?”
“Not all of them, Pops.” Fu Hua clutched at the Vision dangling on at her waist. “But seeing and hearing people go about their lives, I can’t help but feel that I’m supposed to be doing something out there in the world. As if there’s a duty I’m neglecting.”
“Well, it can’t be helped then. At least take some time to prepare for your trip properly, alright?”
“Of course, Pops.”
In the following days, Fu Hua stocked up on food and medicine for her travels and said goodbye to the people at the Stone Gate.
Fu Hua doesn’t know exactly what she was looking for, but she has a feeling she’ll know once she sees the world with her own eyes.