Genshin Impact : Sorry can't be there till the end

The first day of the first lunar month.

It is the first new moon of the Lantern Rite, also known as the Yuan Shuo, a time for sacrifices. The cold departs with the winter snow, and the warmth ushers in the spring breeze. The rime that has accumulated over the winter slowly fades away, and the weather gradually becomes clear.

Bosacius's grave is located on a desolate hillside at Wuwang Hill, a very remote place, not publicly known to the people of Liyue, only known by a few.

Dim and quiet, seldom visited by others, very lonely.

The hillside has nearly collapsed, and a tombstone stands, its inscription blurred, covered in a thin layer of moss. A small mound of yellow earth—that's all that remains of Bosacius.

Various weeds grow thickly, dogtail grass, daylilies, wisteria, layered upon one another, giving off the chilly, damp, and eerie scent of overgrown vegetation.

Indarias carefully plucks the weeds from the grave, burns the moss away, and brings a small shovel to pull out the weeds around the tomb.

You must light the candle first, then use the flame from the large candle to ignite the incense. When inserting the incense, it must be done evenly, no "three long, two short"... She follows all the customs obediently.

Light blue smoke spreads, and Indarias wipes the sweat from her forehead. "Big Brother, we meet again."

Next, she burns paper money.

The paper money must be torn carefully, one by one, so it burns cleanly. Only the ashes of completely burned money can be received by Big Brother.

"Big Brother, this money will get you a lot of alcohol," she says softly, squatting by the mound, her skirt trailing in the dirt. Her long legs are close together, and she tilts her head slightly, her delicate profile bathed in the soft sunlight.

The flames burn quietly.

"Wow, this paper money has a denomination of 100 million Mora... Big Brother has so much money now," she says, "Make sure to spend it, don't be frugal, buy whatever you want. You can eat whatever dishes you like."

"Don't drink too much alcohol, just one cup a day is fine. Remember to wear more clothes, I've sent over a lot of clothes, the weather is still cold, even though it's spring now, the temperature is still low. Big Brother, wear more layers, and keep warm."

"If the money isn't enough," she pauses, "just tell me... you can even tell me in a dream."

She is General Musatas, a Yaksha who has lived for over two thousand years, but she acts more like a little girl. She continues to burn the paper money, her head lowered.

"Tell me in a dream, Big Brother... I really want to see you again."

"Even if it's just in a dream."

The paper money burns away, dissolving into fine ashes and drifting in the wind, while the incense also burns down to half.

She lowers her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.

It's time to leave.

"This year, it's just me again," she says. "Since Big Brother left, the four of us haven't reunited."

"But everyone is doing well, Big Brother doesn't need to worry." Indarias smiles gently. She enjoys smiling. "I'm doing well, too."

The sky grows darker, and the weather seems poor today. Even though it's only the afternoon, the daylight is fading, the dim sky looks veiled in mist, and it seems like it might rain soon.

"I've always been curious," a cool voice rings out from beside Indarias, and a young boy squats down to pick up the torn paper money. On it is a 100 million Mora bill, issued by the 'Northland Elysium Bank.' It seems Snezhnaya's banking services have infiltrated Liyue's underworld.

"Won't burning so much money cause hyperinflation below?" Yaku tilts his head, asking seriously.

This is a valid question.

Indarias ponders.

She looks at the unfamiliar boy who suddenly appeared. He wears a simple dark brown Chinese Tunic Suit with a slim waist, a fifteen-year-old boy with exquisite features and eyes that are warm as jade.

Strange. This place is supposed to be desolate.

"What is inflation?" Indarias asks, genuinely curious.

She hasn't learned this term before.

"Inflation is when everyone has money, so prices naturally rise, and currency continuously depreciates, meaning money loses its value."

The boy answers seriously, "That's inflation."

"Snezhnaya never ceases its attempts to undermine the heart of Great Liyue. When it can't win the battle in the mortal realm, it tries to infiltrate the currency system of our underground world and cause an economic crisis, using the underworld to win against the mortal world. We must strike back!"

Yaku says seriously.

Indarias gasps in shock. "Does that mean the money I burned for Big Brother won't be enough?"

"It's possible." Yaku nods seriously.

"What should we do?" Indarias asks.

"Burn some valuables." Although the topic is absurd, Yaku answers seriously. "Hard currency would be best."

"I see," Indarias nods.

She leans on her side, gazing blankly at the mound of yellow earth. "I miss him."

"You miss him?" Yaku listens quietly.

He calmly watches the desolate grave, with no other emotions stirring in him.

[Second Promise: Go to Wuwang Hill to wait at the desolate grave and drink a cup of wine with the mourners.]

This grave has been abandoned for many years.

This was his second promise.

Yaku doesn't know what it means or who the grave belongs to... but judging from the system's description, it seems to be his own.

What is it like to visit your own grave?

Yaku doesn't understand.

It feels strange.

But clearly, this person, from previous lives, didn't have good relationships.

Haha, what terrible social connections!

Certainly, another short-lived fool!

He's been waiting here for a long time, yet no one has come to mourn. The grave is eerily quiet, standing alone in this desolate, sorrowful place, as if the entire world has forgotten it.

The girl says the grave is for her older brother.

Maybe she knows a lot about his previous lives.

But Yaku won't ask.

After all, it's just a sad and pitiful story.

His life goal in this life is simple: "Live a carefree, happy, and steady life." He doesn't owe anyone anything, doesn't care about anything, and just wants to live as a carefree jerk.

He just wants to be happy.

No attachments, no loneliness.

Forget the past.

Simply complete the promise and leave, not asking, not caring.

"I miss him. It's strange... he did that, and I should hate him... but I can't, I just miss him. Everyone says I'm strange."

Indarias murmurs.

"Today is the first day of the new year,"

"The years before were so good... before the war, everything was so happy. We were all together."

Indarias rests her chin in her hand. Normally, she wouldn't share these feelings with mortals, but for some reason, with this boy, her heart feels lighter.

"We'd set off firecrackers, play flower cards, and the fireworks were so beautiful... Big Brother would cook lots of delicious food, and we'd all sit together, celebrating, drinking ourselves drunk, and Big Brother would carry us home."

Indarias continues, "But now things have changed. It's been a long time since we've been together. We're clearly family, yet we speak less and less, slowly drifting apart... I haven't even set off fireworks in a long time, even though we could have. It's strange, huh? The new year now doesn't feel as happy as it used to."

Her crimson eyes seem dimmed.

Yaku shakes his head. He says thoughtfully,

"The new year hasn't changed. Fireworks, flower cards, firecrackers... even if those things disappear, even if they are officially banned, those who reunite still reunite, and those who are happy still find joy. It's just that the fun has lessened."

"The real fading of the new year's spirit is not in the absence of fireworks, but in the fading of human connection. People no longer reunite, those who were once happy are no longer happy, friends grow up and drift apart, and the new year simply becomes a holiday ritual, a year-end summary. Without the joy and anticipation it once had, who would take seriously a boring 'year-end summary'?"

Indarias shakes her head. "That's strange."

"I'm leaving."

She pats her clothes, stands up, takes out a flask of wine, and pours half of it onto the soil before the grave. "Big Brother Bosacius, this is our promise. Indarias has kept it."

Indarias says seriously.

"Let's drink a toast."

"What?" Yaku raises the mug of ale he brought, pointing to the grave, "I'm here to pay respects too."

Indarias is surprised. She didn't expect him to say that.

But he says it seriously, with calm blue eyes.

Clearly, none of the Yaksha came, only she did.

"...Alright." She nods. "Thank you."

The sky darkens further, and in the dim light, they toast.

"Happy Lantern Rite."

After the drink, Indarias prepares to leave.

She tidies up, sweeping away the ash, and waves as she walks away.

Her back looks tired and lonely.

Yaku watched her retreating figure and suddenly called out, "Wait a minute."

[Second Promise: Go to Wuwang Hill to wait at the desolate grave and drink a cup of wine with the mourners.]

They had already had a drink, but the promise hadn't been fulfilled.

Could it be...

Yaku had a hunch in his heart.

He decided to wait a little longer.

---

It started raining.

The drizzle tapped lightly on the leaves of the bushes, and Wuwang Hill grew darker and darker. Time slowly passed, and Yaku waited patiently.

Twilight began to fall.

The rain grew heavier, weaving into a fine net that covered the leaden sky.

Yaku wasn't sure how long he had been waiting—perhaps it was already dusk.

Wuwang Hill was eerily quiet.

Suddenly, there was the sound of soft footsteps.

A figure appeared in the misty rain.

It was a cold-looking young man.

Short cyan hair, with a few light streaks dyed in, wearing a close-fitting short outfit with cloud-like patterns embroidered around the edges. His wide sleeves billowed slightly as he moved.

He was holding a bamboo umbrella, and his golden eyes quietly regarded the desolate tomb.

The boy carried no paper money or incense, only a small bouquet of white flowers pinned to his chest.

"...You're an asshole."

He said, his voice flat and emotionless, simply stating the fact.

His gaze was lowered, and the cool raindrops tapped on the bamboo umbrella, making a crisp sound.

"You're an asshole."

Indeed, his past life didn't have the best relationships... Yaku thought.

The boy bent down and gently placed the white flowers in front of the tombstone. He paused and softly said, "I don't miss you."

"Mortal over there, come out."

He didn't turn around as he spoke.

Yaksha really were strong.

Especially Xiao.

Despite Yaku's efforts to hold his breath and slow his heartbeat, Xiao noticed him immediately—after all, Yaku was just a mortal.

"Wow... I've been found out."

He scratched his head, awkwardly smiling.

"Mortal, what are you doing here?"

Xiao coldly gazed at Yaku, his golden eyes chilling and devoid of any emotion, like a deep, still pond.

Wow, this guy might be short, but he seems so intimidating...

Wow, I don't think I could beat him.

Yaku pointed to the tomb and raised the mug of beer in his hand. "I'm here to pay my respects."

"Do you want to..." he hesitated, "have a drink?"

"Boring."

Xiao replied softly.

Pay respects to him... 

What's the point of paying respects to a sinner?

"Then... why are you here?" Yaku asked.

"Bored, just walking around."

Xiao, holding the bamboo umbrella, walked past Yaku without looking back, as if ready to leave.

But Xiao had made a mistake.

As a Yaksha, he could easily sense Yaku's presence, but... he didn't sense the other hidden Yaksha.

"Xiao."

Xiao's figure froze mid-step.

It was a familiar voice.

Indarias emerged from the depths of the forest, her eyes slightly wide with surprise. She gazed at Xiao under the bamboo umbrella, clearly shocked. It was obvious that General Musatas was genuinely surprised:

"You... didn't you say...?"

Her voice was soft, but it echoed heavily in the forest.

"Aren't you coming?"

Xiao paused and slowly turned around. His face still seemed calm. "I was just bored, walking around casually."

"But... it's raining..."

Indarias looked at Xiao's bamboo umbrella. "It's raining right now..."

"Walking around in the rain has its own charm," Xiao replied calmly.

"Your flowers..."

Indarias turned her head again. The small white flowers were still resting in front of the tomb, giving off a faint fragrance.

She seemed to remember something, her eyes brightening slightly.

"Before... when I came to sweep the tomb during the New Year, I also saw flowers in front of the tomb. Many times, many times. I always thought it was the wind blowing them."

Indarias stared suspiciously at Xiao. "...You didn't, by any chance, deliberately come at a different time to see big brother, did you?"

"...No."