[This is a short story one shot as a practice since I'm not confident when it comes to male portrayal]

Zhongli was out on his break from the parlor using Hu Tao's tab as always...or Childe's money. The walking ATM that loved to flirt.

How long has it been for him sipping his wine and always watching the people of Liyue be out and about? Long enough to recall each and every face that passes by. "Osmanthis wine...tastes the same as I remember...but where are those who share the memory?" He asked to himself monologuing. The old man was unaware that time was ticking for him and soon his memory would begin to fail him. Soon the Temporal Archon would reveal itself to him. But not yet. For now he'd be enjoying himself unaware of what was going to take place. Once he finished his wine he went back to work. "Master Hu Tao do you require any assistance?" He asked. Hu Tao looked over and as having a hard time with a customer who was trying to break off their deal. "Why in a matter of fact...Yes I do." She said her voice changing to be bit more sinister. "This young man here was trying to cancel our deal when we both said to him that that'll be breaching the contract." She said. "I see then..." Zhongli said getting ready.

"Dear Customer, are you aware of what you are doing? And aware of the repercussions of breaking off our contract?" He asked in a serious tone. "Well you see...um...me and my wife discussed it...and we..don't have enough money to pay it off..." The young man said. "If it's about money I believe you can pay it off in small amounts." Zhongli offered him. "But the thing is...even if we do it'll take years to pay it all off eventually..." The young man stated. "Hmm indeed that is a problem..." Zhongli pondered before going to discuss something with Hu Tao and later came back.
"The mortician and I both discussed something and agreed...if you stick with our contract we'll be able to provide it for you at a discounted price" He said. The young man nodded at him. "Now then will this be out of pocket or by check?" He asked. The young man got whatever he had and paid. "Pleasure doing business with you." Zhongli said as the customer left.

Tick tock tick tock...

The day went by relatively fast as he went on leave again. Hu Tao had given him a raise for dealing with that customer pretty well and he'd figured what better way to celebrate than another drink. He went to order some more Osmanthis Wine and went to his usual spot where enjoyed watching the scenery and the people walking by.

Tick tock tick tock...

He took a sip of the wine "Mmm...osmanthis wine...tastes the same I...that's weird...why don't I recall what it tastes like...?" He pondered confused.

Tick...tock...

"That is because it is time...your memory has started to fail you Geo Archon." A mysterious voice answered. "And who might you be if I may inquire?" He asked. "I am Ansette the Temporal Archon." The hooded woman said. She wore a white dress with a veil covering her face and around her waist was a pocket watch that she would use. "I have heard many stories...but this is my first time meeting the elusive temporal archon." He said. "That is because I hardly show myself unless...time has come..and in this case it has." Ansett stated. "Now that your memory is starting to decay...you are aware of what is bound to happen.." She said. Zhongli closed his eye "Yes...shortly my time here would end...it saddens me...but I accept my fate." He stated calmly. Ansett nodded at him "You will see me again once your time has permanently come to an end as is my job to guide all former archons back." She said.

After their meeting zhongli began to ponder "My time is near...but it only feels like it was yesterday when I retired..." He said before standing up and made his way around "I...I already having a hard time recalling my old friends...everything feels fuzzy..." He thought to himself walking around. On his way back he ran into Childe. "Good evening Ajax." He said as usual. "Ah zhongli nice to see you again." The flirt said. "How will he handle my departure once my time has come..." He pondering getting lost in thought. "Um zhongli?" Childe asked trying to get his attention. "Oh yes what is it?" Zhongli asked "I wanted to know if you would be available for dinner." Childe asked. "Why yes of course." He answered.

After dinner time had seem to pass by quickly. Minutes went by turning into hours. Hours went by turning into days. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and years came back. He could hear the clock ticking in the back of his mind going...tick tock...tick tock...tick tock...

Eventually all time had come to a pause. "We meet again I see." He said relatively calm. The Archon looked over at him her face still hidden with the veil. "I'll let you inform others about your departure we take off. You have an hour" Ansett told him. Zhongli nodded as the temporal field's effect faded for the time being. He went to see Hu Tao first. Her face didn't change as she seemed to bear the news well. "It is heartbreaking you have to go...old man." She said. He could tell that she was faking it by the tone of her voice. "Yes it rather is..." He said with a hint of melancholy in his voice. Next it was Ningguang and lady Keqing. Ningguang looked over at him "I suppose I am going to miss you...but mostly Keqing is gonna have it harder than me." She said. "N-Ningguang!" Keqing stammered trying to fight back her tears. "I...I guess it can't be helped...even though you were c-constantly broke...things were...always less boring when...you w-were around.." Keqing said swallowing back her tears. Zhongli gave them a smile before gently ruffling Keqing's hair and went to see Childe. He would be the most difficult to relay the news to. "You're...leaving?" Childe asked still trying to process the thought. "Yes...as much as it hurts...my time has come." Zhongli said. "I..I see...well...I hope..you have a safe...journey..." Childe said trying to stay calm but inside was a storm.

He returned back to Ansett. "Are you ready?" She asked him as the temporal effect started again

"Yes. I'm ready now." Zhongli answered.