After resealing Osial, Xiao specifically checked the surrounding area.
Once he confirmed there were no issues, Xiao finally took off his mask, revealing the handsome face of a young man.
"Mr. Faxun, today... I... I don't know what to say."
Xiao was very grateful that Makoto came to help.
If Makoto hadn't been there, suppressing Osial wouldn't have been an easy task.
But despite the words of gratitude being on the tip of his tongue, he just couldn't say them.
Perhaps it was because Xiao had never expressed gratitude to anyone before,
Or perhaps he had been solitary for too long and had forgotten how to express thanks.
In any case, Xiao's words seemed to be stuck in his throat, unable to be articulated.
Seeing Xiao's troubled expression, Makoto smiled and said, "It's alright, as long as I understand what you mean."
Xiao did not speak.
Previously, others had said similar things to Makoto and understood Xiao's meaning.
However, those old friends had already turned to dust, vanishing into this world.
Xiao saw the shadows of those friends in Makoto.
After a long silence, Xiao extended five fingers.
Under his adeptal arts, a low rumble came from the calm sea.
Immediately after, the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear shot out of the water, spiraling into Xiao's hand.
Xiao wanted to say that he would escort Makoto back to Liyue, and then he would continue his patrol.
However, before Xiao could speak,
Makoto invited him first: "I'm currently accompanying two children to the night market, Xiao, would you like to come along?"
Makoto also considered that Xiao was too lonely.
For thousands of years, he had lived alone in the darkness.
Although Xiao's personality was aloof, he was not heartless.
In the game, when everyone was celebrating the Lantern Rite, Xiao would also sit on the roof of Wangshu Inn, quietly watching everything.
His solitary figure looked heartbreaking.
Thinking about it, perhaps visiting the night market was a way to help Xiao overcome his loneliness?
Upon hearing Makoto's invitation, Xiao instinctively shook his head: "Mr. Faxun, I think not."
"I carry karma, which would affect human lives."
As soon as he finished speaking, Makoto retorted: "Your karma has already been cleared, so how could there be any effect?"
"Besides, even if new karma appears, I can help you resolve it."
Xiao shook his head; although that was true, he felt that adepti should maintain a certain distance from mortals.
However, before he could speak, Makoto was already pulling him and flying towards Liyue Harbor.
"Morax has already retired and is enjoying a new life."
"Why don't you also step down from your duties and live like a normal person? Wouldn't that be great?"
"Come on, come on, it's fine to visit the night market once in a while."
Without waiting for Xiao's refusal, Makoto had already pulled him to the night market in Liyue Harbor.
Normally, Xiao was always alone, accompanied by darkness.
Now, coming to the bustling Liyue Harbor with many people, he felt a bit unaccustomed.
Many vendors enthusiastically promoted their goods to him.
Xiao only knew how to subdue demons and slay evil, and he didn't know how to deal with such situations, so he could only keep waving his hands.
At this moment, Little Ayaka's voice came from not far ahead.
"Brother Makoto, you're back~"
The little girl let go of Ayato's hand and then dashed into Makoto's embrace.
"Brother Makoto, the sky just turned a really, really beautiful golden color, did you see it?"
Little Ayaka excitedly recounted what had just happened to Makoto.
Makoto smiled and then nodded gently: "I saw it too, it was indeed very beautiful."
As he spoke, Makoto picked up Little Ayaka and stood up.
He introduced her to Xiao, who was beside him: "These two Little One are from Inazuma. This Little One in my arms is Ayaka, and the other one is my elder brother..."
Xiao nodded, seemingly understanding yet not fully.
Did Makoto introduce his friends to him because he considered him a friend?
Speaking of which, for thousands of years, Xiao had grown accustomed to the bitter cultivation of solitude.
His heart had already become as cold as a stone.
But now, seeing Makoto treat him as a friend,
Xiao felt a stir in his heart.
At this moment, Ayaka tugged on Makoto's sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she said: "Brother Makoto, there are many more pretty stalls over there, let's go take a look!"
Makoto smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's go take a look then."
He held Ayaka in his arms, with Ayato beside him.
Xiao followed unhurriedly behind.
Passing a stall, Makoto paused slightly.
Various masks were displayed on the stall. Little Ayaka found it interesting and picked up a mask with a fox design, putting it on her face.
She seemed to really like Liyue's masks.
The little girl looked up, her voice filled with anticipation: "Brother Makoto, does Ayaka look good wearing this mask?"
"You look good, Little One, this mask suits you quite well."
As he spoke, Makoto also picked out a mask, then turned and placed it on Xiao's face.
Xiao clearly hadn't expected Makoto to put a mask on him, and he said with some surprise, "Mr. Faxun..."
"Xiao, your previous mask was a bit old. Let's get a new one."
"Thousands of years have passed, Liyue is changing, and you should also try something new."
Try... something new?
Xiao stood still, as if pondering Makoto's words.
As for Makoto, he got up to buy these two masks with Mora.
The mask vendor also knew Makoto.
After all, Makoto was famous throughout Liyue for his immense wealth.
At this moment, the vendor also smiled and greeted him, saying, "Mr. Faxun, bringing the children out to shop again?"
As he spoke, the vendor's gaze fell on Xiao, and he couldn't help but tease, "Oh, Mr. Faxun brought a young man today too."
"How old is Little One this year?"
"He's so tall at such a young age; he'll probably grow even taller than Mr. Faxun later on."
Hearing the stall vendor's words, Xiao crossed his arms over his chest and ignored him.
He only mumbled, "Disrespectful to an adeptus."
He looked down at the mask in his hand.
The mask looked extremely cartoonish, the type children loved most.
It couldn't be that he would wear such a cute mask to subdue demons and slay evil, could it?
If he did, the demons might not be eliminated, but he would probably die of laughter.
Although Xiao's face was full of disdain, he carefully put the mask away.
For no other reason, this mask was a gift from Makoto.
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