In which Qiqi carried Xiao on her back.
That night, as every other night, Qiqi went to harvest herbs alone. As she walked by the Guili Plains area, she heard screams and the sound of weapons being launched into the air. As she approached to investigate, she noticed a man fighting his own shadow.
Cold eyes, a malevolent aura emanated from him. Qiqi got a sensation that this individual was familiar, but she could not recall who it was. He then collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Although she could not remember most of the patients that came to Bubu Pharmacy, Qiqi was certain that this individual was suffering and desperate, much like her patients. Qiqi has helped many people recover, from mild diseases to mental problems. Qiqi stood there staring at the other. He was not injured, just breathing very weakly. His demonic aura was not as intense as earlier, but it was definitely destroying his body. Without timely treatment, it could be difficult for him to recover.
Qiqi had a peek around. No one was present but her and the familiar stranger. She devised a plan to bring him to Bubu Pharmacy. Qiqi's modest stature belied her immense might. She was certain of being much stronger than Baizhu and everyone else in the pharmacy. Bringing back an unconscious person should not be a challenge at all. What made her consider was, how she might transport him back to Liyue Port Harbor without harm. Baizhu had always stressed the importance of patient safety. After a brief moment of thought, Qiqi tossed the oversized basket on her shoulder to the ground and poured out the herbs.
"Qiqi brings a big basket."
Praise the Archons, she did. Normally, Qiqi only wore a small basket behind her back for ease of mobility. However, as the festival came, the demand for medicines grew, and Qiqi needed to go harvest more herbs.
"You sit here."
Qiqi said to his still body, as if he could hear what she was saying. She drew him into the basket and positioned it up. Inside, the man sat with his arms and legs outstretched and his head thrown back. Qiqi slid the herb mound into his lap. After everything was in order, she put on her basket and walked towards Liyue Harbor.
"Let's head home."
Qiqi ran very fast, even if she had to carry a person behind. However, the pieces of his body that did not make it into the large basket trembled fiercely with each step. His head would occasionally crash against hers with a loud thump. He had not yet awakened. Qiqi, when she felt his steady breathing and warmth emanating from behind her, a sense of nostalgia rose in her heart.
Qiqi had no idea what it was, just that she had been carried on someone's back while sprinting over a lot of fields and hills. Things weren't as green back then, and there were not as many herbs. Only this warm sense remained unchanged. It was strange. Qiqi recalled it like it was yesterday. But as she attempted to figure out who it was or where she was, everything went dark, just like the rest of her memories.
Even if she did not have time to record it in her diary, Qiqi imagined she would remember this pleasant sensation forever.
The person behind her turned slightly. Qiqi paused for a moment to check . He had not yet woken up. Dark hair covered a streak across his face. He was no longer as frightening as he had been before, but more like someone fast asleep after a long day.
Qiqi suddenly reached out and patted the stranger's head.
"Sleep well," she said.
Then Qiqi continued to carry the basket on her back. Liyue Harbor appeared in front of her eyes. They soon arrived at the front entrance of Bubu Pharmacy. Qiqi set the basket down and opened the door. Baizhu had not yet gone to bed. When he spotted Qiqi, he rolled his eyes in surprise.
"Qiqi, you came back so early? Oh! What a harvest you have tonight!"
Baizhu spoke of the person sitting in Qiqi's basket.
"Qiqi found him on the way. Fainting. Not yet awake."
Baizhu performed a preliminary test on the other man and stated:
"He's alright. All that is required is time to recover. Qiqi, would you assist with the medications?"
"Yes." Qiqi was on her way into the kitchen. But she lingered for a long moment, staring at the other.
"What's the matter?" Baizhu inquired.
"Qiqi has no idea. Qiqi has a familiar feeling."
Baizhu turned to face the unconscious individual, then back to Qiqi. He smiled:
"Those that are bonded to one another will soon be reunited. Qiqi, you shall help me take care of him until he wakes up then."
Qiqi nodded obediently. By the time she ran to get the medicine, she had forgotten what she was going to ask when the other person woke up.
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From Xiao's "Endless Suffering" short trailer.
