[ even Childe is observant enough to see that Zhongli isn't as verbose as he normally is, but it's hard to determine if it's from their current situation or the fact that Zhongli has caught on to the Harbinger's stiff pleasantries.

either way, he's not going to address it, and Zhongli probably wouldn't, either, so it doesn't really matter.

the question hangs in the air between them and he considers how to answer. given that Zhongli had never left the city and never really kept any company that Childe wasn't aware of - though that could change, given how long it'd been since he'd left Liyue until now - he doubted the man would know anyone that he might have happened to meet.

so he shakes his head. ]

This place is pretty big. If you're looking for someone in particular, I wouldn't give up hope just yet.

[ and then, because he can't help himself, since finding Zhongli in a fancy gem shop is exactly what he would have expected: ]

Is that what you're doing? Familiarizing yourself with all the fascinating, pretty stones?