As you strolled around, all you could hear was the soft sound of your shoes clicking against the stone pavement. It was weird how quiet the city was. A rare moment where everything was still. To you, the numerous buildings almost blended with the Sandbearer trees swaying with the breeze.

"Why did I have to wake up so early...?" You sighed, gazing at the horizon that held the tiniest hints of sunlight. "No wonder it's so empty here."

Turning your heel, you started walking in the opposite direction. "Might as well pass the time there." You shrug, making your way to the city's central plaza.

It was pretty hard to miss. Four stone statues embellished with jade stood at each corner. They were shaped like people, standing several meters tall as they held a long spear in front of them. You always thought of them as guards with the way they dressed and stood. In the center of those stood a large circular fountain adorned with more jade and gold around the sides. Looking at the fountain, three smaller spears crisscrossed together at the top. Water flowed down from them, splashing loudly as it hit the basin. 

You closed your eyes, letting the sound of flowing water fill your ears. 

Until you heard something completely different. 

"Nya~"

You shot your eyes open, looking down to see a cat with white and black fur peeking from behind the fountain. 

"Oh, hello!" A smile makes its way to your face. "How did you get here?"

It simply meows in reply, cautiously approaching as you crouched down and held out a hand for it to sniff. 

You chuckle as it cuddles against your hand. "I wonder where you came from?"

"Nyaa!" 

As you spent time with it, you barely noticed the sun rising higher and higher in the sky. By the time you realized, someone else had already stopped by the plaza.

"Wait, what time is it?!" you stood back up, squinting your eyes at the bright sky. Panic and dread tug at your chest as the loud chatters of the citizens filled your ears.

"I'm gonna be late for work!" 

______________

You shot your eyes open, bolting upright from the bed. "Wh-What...?" you mumble, looking around to see that you were back in your room at Wangshu Inn. Clutching your head, that weird dizzy feeling muddled your head again. "That cat... wasn't that Wei?" 

You furrowed your brows, feeling your sense of awareness return. "It was just a dream, right? I'm not actually late... right?" You look at the small clock on the bedside table. Relief floods your system once you realize how early it actually was. 

But deep down, you knew that wasn't just a dream.

You got out of bed to get ready, but your mind was elsewhere. 'It's the same feeling whenever I see those eyes...' You purse your lips. 'Xiao's eyes.' 

You sigh. "And I wonder where that place is..." 

Flashes of the four statues and the central fountain clouded your vision. You immediately shook your head, pushing those to the back of your mind. 'I'll worry about that later,' you thought, placing your hand on the door.  

"Oh, (Y/N)!" Huai'an happened to be nearest to your door when you swung it open. "Thank goodness you're awake!"

You tilted your head in confusion. "Good morning..." you mumble, noticing the agitated look on Huai'an's face. "What's wrong?"

He beckons you to him. "There's no time to explain. We need your help accommodating our newly arrived guests immediately," he says, before rushing ahead to the 1st-floor balcony area.

"O-Okay..."

As you step foot on the balcony, you notice the animated chatter of all the guests. You look around in confusion, watching as small groups of people wait outside the inn, luggage in hand. 

'Since when was the inn this lively? Is there a special occasion going on?'

Beside you, Huai'an sighs. "It's rather unusual for guests to come in this early–"

You nod. 

"–There are still more than 2 weeks left before the Lantern Rite festivities begin, after all."

'Huh?' You furrow your brows, blinking in confusion. "Lantern Rite?" 

_ _ _

"The time for humans to discard their glowing trash into the sea has returned..." Xiao scoffs, gazing at the sunset ahead. "How childish..." 

You look at him in confusion. "You don't like it? But it sounds so fun from what Huai'an and Boss have told me."

He shook his head. "Mortal matters don't interest me."

"Oh..." The small smile on your face drops as you look down. 

"But that is just my opinion. Don't concern yourself over it," Xiao continues, paying close attention to your expressions. "If you wish to experience the Lantern Rite yourself, then go." 

"I was hoping to go with you, though." You look up at him, watching as those amber eyes flickered with shock for a split second.

"–Me...?" Xiao's eyes widen as he turns his body to face you completely.

You nod, a sheepish smile spreading across your face. "I thought it would be fun!"

Xiao purses his lips, staring straight into your eyes with his piercing ones. "It would be unwise for you to get any closer to me," he said sternly, crossing his arms over his chest. "You will regret it."

'He said it again...'

You shook your head, staring back at him with no hint of hesitation in your eyes. "No, I don't think I will."

His brows knitted together, piercing gaze immediately turning into a glare. "(Y/N), you fool. Don't you know–"

"Something about you seems so familiar to me, after all..."

Xiao stops, leaving his mouth agape as his eyes widen to the size of saucers. It reminded you of when you first laid eyes on him. You remember the pure shock on his face that vanished as soon as it came. This time, however, that expression stayed.

"...Xiao?" you called out, concern laced in your tone. 

"F-Familiar?" He stammers, before clearing his throat. "Impossible. You're not from Liyue," he says, closing his eyes as all traces of emotion disappear again. 

"I know. It sounds strange since we've never met before, but–" you pause, that feeling swirled around in your head again, muddling your thoughts for a bit. "Ahh, never mind. Just know that I don't regret meeting you at all, Xiao! And I won't ever!" you blurted in a huff.

Xiao remained silent, taking in every word you uttered. His breath hitches, the beat of his heart thumping faster than normal. 

'You... truly are a difficult being to comprehend.'

He sighs, turning away until you couldn't see the look on his face. "...Foolishness," he muttered.

"Huh?" 

You blinked, and then he was gone. 

Your eyes widened. "Xiao? Xiao!" you exclaim, running over to the spot he was just at. After scanning the whole balcony, you slump your shoulders once you realize that he was truly gone. 

'I hope I didn't make him mad just now...'

___________

(A/N) - can you guess what place in Liyue I described in the first part of the chapter? 👀 since that place was from a memory of the past it might look a little different in the present-day hehe 

ALSO, ADVANCED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO XIAO!! Sadly, I might not be able to update on the actual day of his birthday, so I'm celebrating it a little early >:))