More Friends

"Hu Tao? " Xiangling called out.The girl nodded.

" Hehe. That's me! How are you doing Xiangling?" Hutao asked while walking over. Aether got up and walked to Zhongli who just walked into the restaurant.

"What's up old man. "Aether greeted the retired god.

"The sky. I see that all of you are enjoying yourselves?" Zhongli looked at the seated people.

"Hello Mr Zhongli! Please wait a moment! " Xiangling said.

"What's the commotion!" Chef Mao interrupted again. Mountain Shaper threw an empty cup at his head.

*Clang!*

Chef Mao dropped down unconscious.

"Sorry about that little chef. He's too noisy. Nosier than my sister actually." Mountain Shaper apologized to the genius chef.

"Ehehe. It's alright. It's normal everyday. He always gets something thrown at him by a customer." Xiangling shrugged it off. Cloud Retainer chuckled.

"Why are you looking at me like you've seen a ghost old man? Oh wait, is there an actual ghost behind me?" Aether asked him. Zhongli nodded. Aether sighed and turned around.

"BWAAAAAA!!!!" Hu Tao's white ghost friend jumped scared him. Aether didn't even move.

" Awww come on!! I thought that would work!! " Hu Tao whined. Zhongli chuckled.

" You can't scare a warrior with a ghost Director. I suggest you scare him adepti or a God. " Zhongli suggested. Aether still didn't move.

"Yohooo??? Are you there Aether?" Hu Tai walked around him and called hus name over and over.

Aether face planted to the floor without making a sound.

"Oh wow.... He's unconscious." Cloud Retainer muttered. Mountain Shaper laughed.

"He actually was scared to the point of being unconscious!!!" Mountain Shaper cackled loudly.

Ganyu got up and flipped Aether. Xiao stood behind her. Aether red eyes were widened in shock.

"Ummmm....Is he dead? If so...I have a 50% discount for fallen warriors..." Hu Tao tried to lighten the mood while holding a coupon in her hands. Moon Carver chuckled.

She knelt down and looked him in the eyes. "Those are some special eyes. But not as special as my star eyes. Right Mr Zhongli?" Hu Tao turned to her consultant.

"It depends on what the people's choices are." Zhongli answered skillfully.

" Always knowing the answer to everything. It's like you lived for thousands of years or something. " Hu Tao commented. Zhongli twitched a little. Everybody except Hu Tao herself noticed that.

Hu Tao tried to wave her hands in front of Aether's eyes before she was suddenly grabbed by his hand.

"Ahh!" She yelped. Aether's eyes slowly turned towards her in a creepy way.

He sat up slowly and released his hand from her. Hu Tao closed her eyes expecting a bop on the head. Aether took off her hat and raised his palm.

"Heh. You almost got me there Hu Tao." Aether said softly while ruffling her hair. Hu Tao blushed while still closing her eyes.

"Next time do better. And can I also have that 50% of coupons just in case? " Aether asked the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"S-sure. Okay. Be sure to use it quickly. It expires next year." Hu Tao slowly gave him the ticket and explained.

" Huh. Then I'll wait until the last day then I'll use it. " Aether said while smiling.

*Bonk*

" Ouch! Xiao! I'm having a conversation here! " Aether looked at her and deadpanned.

" How can you talk about death so casually? Mortals should fear death! " Xiao said. Aether shrugged.

" Death is just another journey for me. And plus if I die I'll die in style. " Aether said nonchalantly. Xiao growled at him.

" Woah woah. Let's not fight here. We can fight after we have our lunch. And I want to join. I need to lose a few calories. " Ganyu muttered the last part. Aether snickered.

" I can't hear your beautiful voice Ganyu. Can you say it again? " Aether asked. Ganyu blushed and looked down.

"Ineedtoloseafewcalories" Ganyu said it quickly and softly.

"Hmmm? I can't hear you ~" Aether leaned in more and smiled at her. Ganyu clenched her fist.

"I said.... Let me join the fight! I need to lose a few calories!" Ganyu said while steam blew off her red face.

"Pfft!" Hu Tao snickered and covered her mouth immediately. Xiao looked away to hide her smile. Cloud Retainer covered her giggling face with her wing. Keqing and Ningguang giggled. Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper just kept enjoying the mortal cuisine.

"That..... was the most cutest thing I've ever heard in my life." Aether muttered and hugged her.

"You're so precious I could hug you forever. " Aether muttered and looked at Xiao.

" Hey Xiao. Come over here and hug this precious thing. " Aether called out. Xiao raised an eyebrow at him.

" And what makes you think I'll do as you say? " Xiao taunted him. Aether smirked.

" I'll tell everyone what happened when we fought the second time. " Aether said and Xiao's eyes widened.

" You wouldn't dare... " Xiao said narrowing her eyes at him.

" Oh I will. " Aether grinned. The others except the adepti from Jueyun Karst were curious about what the two of them were talking about.

"Tch.... Fuck you." Xiao grumbled and went to join the hug. Aether wrapped his arms around her shoulders and the hug became tighter but surprisingly more comfortable.

"Their hugging on the floor. If Rex Lapis were here he would've killed that mortal already." Mountain Shaper muttered. Cloud Retainer scoffed.

"I'll try to reason with him if he does. This is so cute!!! " Cloud Retainer took another photo.

" I'm sure he would be disappointed in these two for hugging him back. He taught Ganyu and Xiao to be cold at times but this.... it's like they just threw what he taught them back to him. " Moon Carver said disappointedly.

" Who cares. I'm sure he would be happy with these two. Especially Xiao for making his first mortal friend and potentially husband... Hehehe."Cloud Retainer laughed evilly. Aether looked at her.

" Don't mind me mortal. I just thought about Shenhe's baby pictures. Just enjoy the hug while you can. " Cloud Retainer advised. Aether smiled.

" I think you're holding them for too long.... Aether.... " Zhongli said menacingly while putting his hand in Aether's shoulder. Aether had chills everywhere.

" They're not letting go.... " Aether said. Zhongli glared at him. An image of a dragon appeared behind him.

" Let them go..... Now.... " Zhongli said with no room to deny him.

" Ho? " Aether released the hug and stood up. He looked Zhongli in the eyes.

" Just because these two are your daughters doesn't mean you get to threaten any guy that comes into physical contact with them. I'll gladly take them away from you. " Aether grinned and his eyes turned gold. Zhongli's eyes had slits in between them like a dragon.

"You'll die in an instant, mortal...." Zhongli growled at him.

"Mortal now eh??? And here I thought I was your friend. We could've shared lots of memories together old man. But your protectiveness got in the fucking way." Aether cursed at him.

Zhongli narrowed his eyes. Aether moved his head immediately as a spear flew passed him.

"Trying to kill me? You know you're retired right? Why are you using your powers?" Aether asked putting his hand on Enma's sword handle.

"I can always come back from retirement. It's no big deal." Zhongli's eyes glowed even more. His hair glowed as well.

"Mr Zhongli! Hutao! Your food is here!" Xiangling said coming out of the kitchen. Zhongli relaxed and so did Aether.

"What's wrong??? Did something happen??" Xiangling asked the shocked faces of everyone except Aether and Zhongli.

Aether looked around and smirked in triumph. "Gotcha bitch." Aether muttered and looked at Xiangling.

"Oh nothing. They just saw Hu Tao's little ghost friend...

To be continued....