Lydia opened her eyes to a crisp, bitter yet reassuring medicinal aroma, the unique scent of Bubu Pharmacy that always put the mind at ease.
She tried to move her fingers, but her fingertips first felt stiff.
Immediately after, the aches and pains throughout her body slowly ebbed away like a receding tide.
But this fatigue did not make her feel miserable; instead, it was like a thin veil gently covering her limbs and bones, reminding her of the hearty sparring session they had just finished.
Images from the Wangshu Inn involuntarily replayed in her mind: the crescent moon formed by the swirling clouds, the Hydro Element bursting from the violin strings, the particles of light exploding when their moves collided...
Every detail was so clear it felt as if it had happened just moments ago.
A faint smile involuntarily touched Lydia's lips, a trace of undiminished excitement flashing in her eyes.
Though the exhaustion still pressed down heavily on her body, this excitement burned slowly in her heart like a small flame, spreading a hint of warmth even to her fingertips.
Just as she was about to prop herself up against the headboard to sit, she glanced at the wooden table beside the bed and saw Venti sleeping soundly, sprawled across it.
The Anemo Archon's hair trailed across the tabletop, rising and falling gently with his breath. Even the corners of his mouth held a faint smile, as if he were dreaming of delicious apple cider.
The slight movement of the bed still managed to wake Venti.
"You're awake? Are you thirsty?" He lifted his head almost instantly, the sleepiness in his eyes vanishing, replaced by pure concern. Even his voice carried the hoarseness of someone who had just woken up.
He hurriedly rose, grabbing the nearby ceramic pot and the water cup placed beside it, the cup's surface still warm to the touch.
"Does anything hurt? Do you feel dizzy? When you suddenly collapsed at Wangshu Inn just now, you scared me half to death."
The barrage of questions left the newly awakened Lydia a bit overwhelmed. She gently shook her head, her voice as soft as cotton: "I'm fine, Venti, don't worry."
With Venti's support, she slowly sat up. The moment her feet touched the cool floor, she felt a wave of weakness.
Her knees trembled slightly, but fortunately, Venti used his arm to support her waist in time, preventing her from falling again.
Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Lumine and Paimon followed Baizhu and Changsheng inside.
The moment Paimon saw Lydia was awake, she immediately rushed to the bedside: "Lydia! You're finally awake! We were worried sick about you!"
Seeing Lydia already standing on the floor, Baizhu hurriedly took a step forward, his tone tinged with urgency: "Miss, please sit down quickly! You collapsed from overdrawing your Elemental Power, and your body is still very weak!"
Lydia obediently sat back on the bed. Baizhu reached out and placed his hand on her wrist, his fingertips carrying the slight chill of someone who constantly handled herbs.
He closed his eyes, his brow gradually furrowing, moving from initial calmness to later confusion, and finally to solemnity, his fingers gripping her pulse slightly tighter.
Beside him, Changsheng, the little white snake wrapped around Baizhu's neck, also poked its head out to stare intently at Lydia, occasionally flicking its tongue as if sensing something.
After a moment, Baizhu released his hand and exchanged a glance with Venti. The two of them walked out of the room together.
As soon as they reached the corridor, Baizhu lowered his voice, his tone full of confusion and solemnity: "Mr. Venti, this young lady's condition is very poor."
He paused, as if organizing his words: "Her pulse is so weak it's almost imperceptible, and her bodily functions are at an extremely low level. Even her breathing is much lighter and shallower than a normal person's. Her state is no different from a dead person's."
"But... judging by her spirit just now, it doesn't seem like she's in serious condition. It's truly strange." Baizhu was very puzzled.
Changsheng also spoke up, her voice carrying a hint of seriousness: "Even I can't see through this girl's situation."
"Since the founding of Bubu Pharmacy, this is only the second time I've encountered such a case of a soul and body being out of sync, besides that child Qiqi. Her soul seems to be forcibly attached to this body, and there is a risk of it dissipating at any moment, yet she herself cannot even sense it."
Hearing this, Venti only smiled faintly, a flash of understanding and heartache crossing his eyes.
Of course he knew Lydia's true situation. Returning in a soul form was inherently unstable, and combined with this all-out sparring match that had drained her energy, such an anomaly had occurred.
He didn't offer much explanation, merely patting Baizhu's shoulder, his tone relaxed yet certain: "Thank you for your concern, Doctor Baizhu. I have a good grasp of her situation. She will be fine."
"She'll be fine after resting for a few days."
With that, Venti turned back into the room and called to Lumine and Paimon, "Let's take Lydia out for a walk. A change of scenery might lift her spirits and help her recover."
Lydia rose to her feet with Venti's support. Though her face remained as pale as snow, without a trace of color, a hint of light had returned to her eyes, no longer as weak as she had been before fainting.
Just as the group reached the entrance of Bubu Pharmacy, they ran into Qiqi, who was clutching a stack of medicine packets.
The little zombie blinked her bewildered eyes. The moment she saw Lydia, she hurriedly held out an exquisitely wrapped packet: "Medicine... Qiqi's medicine is good for the body."
"Drink the medicine, and the illness will heal faster." Qiqi tilted her head adorably.
"Thank you, Qiqi!" Lumine waved with a smile, her voice so gentle it could drip with sweetness. "But we're all right now. We've already paid Doctor Baizhu for the consultation, so we don't need any medicine. You can save it for someone who needs it."
Qiqi blinked, a look of confusion crossing her face. Her small brow furrowed slightly, as if she hadn't understood Lumine's words, and she turned to look at Baizhu, who had just rushed out behind them.
Baizhu watched their departing figures and sighed deeply, his eyes filled with worry.
He always felt that this snow-haired girl hid too many unknown secrets, and these secrets might plunge her into even greater danger.
The group arrived at a teahouse in Liyue Harbor and chose a seat by the window.
Outside the window was the bustling wharf, where they could see merchant ships coming and going and busy boatmen.
Venti ordered a few plates of exquisite snacks, all of which were Lydia's favorite flavors.
Paimon looked at Lydia's still pale face and couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Lydia, are you really okay? Your face still looks so bad. Do you want to see Doctor Baizhu again?"
Lydia shook her head, picked up the teacup, and took a sip of the warm tea. The tea's fragrance spread in her mouth, slightly easing the dryness in her throat.
Just as she was about to say, "I'm really fine," a familiar black figure suddenly appeared by the table, bringing a faint chill.
"Dainsleif?!" Paimon jumped up in shock, her voice filled with disbelief. "How did you suddenly appear in Liyue? Weren't you in Mondstadt tracing the Abyss's whereabouts? Why did you suddenly come here?"
Dainsleif's face was as stern as ever, without a trace of expression.
He did not answer Paimon's question directly, but instead turned his gaze to Venti, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny.
The two met each other's gaze for a moment, and Venti just gently swirled his teacup, the tea creating small ripples at the bottom of the cup, taking no action.
He just watched Dainsleif quietly, as if waiting for his next words.
Seeing that Venti had no intention of stopping him, Dainsleif withdrew his gaze and looked at everyone at the table.
"The traces of the Abyss, I have found them."