Chapter 10: Qiqi
Tn: This chapter is re-written at 5 / 19 / 2025
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There are four great sufferings in life: birth, aging, sickness, and death.
And among them, sickness is the one no one can truly escape.
Fortunately, in Liyue, there is a place of healing known as Bubu Pharmacy.
Whenever someone falls ill, be they from Liyue or even as far away as Mondstadt or Sumeru, they come here seeking the renowned physician—Dr. Baizhu.
More often than not, he delivers swift and miraculous recoveries.
Nestled in the northwestern part of Liyue, Bubu Pharmacy is surrounded by tranquil mountains and flowing water.
Even on days without ailment or pain, just strolling through the elegant pavilions and corridors in front of the pharmacy brings peace to the soul.
Especially beautiful is the spring that flows from Mt. Tianheng—a crystal-clear pool dotted with lotus flowers.
Golden koi sometimes flit beneath the leaves, and as night falls, the gentle chorus of frogs and crickets rises with the breeze.
It's a place people often find hard to leave.
But not everyone shares that sentiment.
To Herbalist Gui, Bubu Pharmacy's overworked assistant, the frogs and bugs weren't peaceful—they were downright noisy.
Between grinding, mixing, and preparing countless prescriptions each day, he hardly had time to think.
And now, even the nighttime wasn't quiet.
His brain felt like it was about to explode.
"Qiqi, seven lotus pods only! No more than that!"
Standing by the spring, Herbalist Gui called out anxiously.
"...Understood. Qiqi understands."
The girl in the water replied slowly, her pale feet submerged in the pool.
There was a noticeable pause between the question and her answer.
Strictly speaking, a child like her shouldn't be doing such dangerous tasks.
But in truth, the things Qiqi usually did were far more dangerous.
Ruins of Qingxu Pool, cliffs of Qingyun Peak, even the misty pools of Jueyun Karst—wherever rare herbs grew, Qiqi was there, silently gathering.
She was the pharmacy's herb gatherer, and most of the herbs stocked in the cabinet had been handpicked by her.
Not because Bubu Pharmacy was exploiting child labor, of course.
If one went by actual age, Qiqi was older than Herbalist Gui's grandfather's grandfather.
Her old age comes from the fact that Qiqi was a zombie.
"Still working so late, Herbalist Gui?"
A warm, clear voice called from behind.
"Not my fault! That girl from the Chenxiang family still refuses to take bitter medicine, so—wait, Lady Ningguang!?"
At first, Herbalist Gui only thought the voice sounded familiar.
But when he turned around and saw who it was, he stiffened like a startled deer.
"Relax," Ningguang waved a hand. "I'm not here to audit your pharmacy today. I need to speak with Dr. Baizhu."
Herbalist Gui exhaled in relief, though his posture remained respectfully straight.
Even though Bubu Pharmacy wasn't a typical merchant operation, a visit from the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing always warranted extra formality.
"Ah, unfortunately, Dr. Baizhu isn't in today. He's gone to Qingce Village for a house call. I can send someone to fetch him, if you'd like?"
Qingce Village lay on the far side of Wuwang Hill, a quiet and idyllic place often described as a retirement haven.
With its lush mountains and calm waters, life there was peaceful and unhurried.
But that same peace drove many younger people to seek out the bustle of Liyue Harbor, leaving behind mostly the elderly and young children.
To care for them, Dr. Baizhu often made visits, checking up on their health and tending to ailments.
"No need to interrupt his rounds," Ningguang said with a gentle smile. "May I speak with Qiqi, then? Just the two of us."
She glanced toward the spring, where Qiqi had gathered eight lotus pods—and now stood still, hesitating over whether to pick nine or ten.
"Um... well..."
Herbalist Gui hesitated.
Dr. Baizhu had once given him explicit instructions: don't let anyone get too close to Qiqi, especially not the head of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
But... this was Ningguang.
Considering her influence, Herbalist Gui decided it was alright to make an exception.
"Alright then," he said, lowering his voice. "Please, follow me."
He led Ningguang toward the spring, his footsteps quiet, the air thick with lotus scent.
This wasn't the first time she'd come to see Qiqi.
Not by a long shot.
That was one of the reasons Herbalist Gui had agreed to Ningguang's request in the first place.
After calling over Qiqi—who was still agonizing over whether to pick nine or ten lotus pods—he led them to the back of Bubu Pharmacy, into the diagnosis room.
At this hour, there were rarely any patients.
It was a quiet place—perfect for a private conversation.
"Qiqi, how have you been lately?"
The wooden chest supported by a Geo construct settled beside them with a gentle clink as bottles inside clattered softly.
Just like always, Ningguang greeted Qiqi in a calm and friendly tone.
"...I'm sorry… I think I've forgotten you,"
Qiqi stared closely at Ningguang's face.
After a moment of silence, she responded in a quiet, slightly downcast voice.
She had a faint impression of this woman.
Which meant she probably did know her.
But as a zombie, Qiqi's memory was like sand slipping through fingers—nothing ever seemed to stay.
Luckily, she had a way to cope.
Qiqi always carried a small notebook with her—one where she wrote down everything she mustn't forget.
"Please wait... I'll check my notes."
She pulled out the notebook, flipping through to the page labeled "Important Things to Remember."
"Very big… very white… very gold… Ah, are you Lady Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing?"
"..."
For a second, Ningguang truly wanted to reach out and snatch that notebook from Qiqi's hands—just to see what else she'd written.
But reason won over curiosity.
Despite her innocent appearance, Qiqi was far from harmless.
"Yes, that's me," Ningguang nodded. "A friend of yours asked me to bring you something."
With a flick of her hand, the wooden chest beside them opened, revealing neatly packed bottles of a milky white drink.
"Is this… coconut milk?"
Qiqi's eyes widened slightly.
Even though it was her favorite, she remained well-behaved.
Only after getting Ningguang's nod did she reach in, uncork one, and begin to drink it down in soft gulps.
"How is it?" Ningguang asked.
"I don't know… I can't taste anything," Qiqi replied flatly.
"But I know it is coconut milk… and I like it."
"That's good. It was sent by Xiao Bai. Do you remember him?"
Now was the moment—Ningguang decided to strike while the iron was hot.
She gently wiped the milk from the corner of Qiqi's mouth as she asked.
"Xiao Bai… Do you mean Dr. Bai?"
Just like with Ningguang and Beidou, the first name that came to Qiqi's mind was Baizhu.
"No, not Baizhu," Ningguang explained patiently. "Another Xiao Bai. He was… someone very special to you. A good friend from before."
Even someone as eloquent as Ningguang found it hard to describe a forgotten person to a girl with no memory.
"From before...? I don't know…"
"If it was that long ago, then I probably hadn't started keeping notes yet."
"So… I guess… I must've already forgotten him."
Qiqi's voice turned even softer.
She looked genuinely upset—just like the time she'd asked Baizhu to help her hunt down the mythical cocogoat… only for him to return empty-handed.
"I see…"
Ningguang furrowed her brows slightly.
This was something she hadn't anticipated.
When had Qiqi started keeping her notebook?
No one really knew.
If this "Xiao Bai" had known her before that, then there truly was no record left.
Then, she noticed Qiqi again.
Quietly, carefully, Qiqi had pulled out her brush.
And with slow, serious strokes, she began to write in her notebook—
adding "Xiao Bai – Qiqi's good friend" under the "Important Things to Remember" list.
From this moment on, Qiqi would not forget him again.