[ Whatever Xiao was thinking on same is swiftly forgotten when his head is pat. There's such a strange mixture of emotions that burst in that singular moment in his chest that he can hardly make sense of any of it. All that he ends up actually doing is flushing from the embarrassment, reaching up to set a hand over his own head where Zhongli patted him just now. Words fail him so terribly.

At least until Zhongli mentions he's going to prepare tea and snacks and it's only then that he finally finds his voice. ] Ah, that - wait one moment.

[ He's fast to go back over towards his gift, somewhat regretting he didn't wrap it more properly but he's not exactly good at those mundane things. Still, he reaches in carefully and pulls out his gift, a tea set. Just as careful, he brings it over to the Archon. ] I...thought you would enjoy something like this. I am sure you probably have your own already but even so it reminded me of you.

[ Maybe someday Xiao will see fit to actually meet Zhongli's eyes when they talk but baby steps. He'll get there sometime...for now, he presents the gift a bit more formally with a bow of his head towards the other. ] Happy Birthday.