[ Two weeks in prison when they've already lost more than a month searching for Tartaglia is fourteen days too long. But the Chief Justice is praised for his fairness and equality, and it shows in the way that he is giving Zhongli an out. One that the staff seems reluctant to take based on their hesitation, but one that they are agreeing to nonetheless.

Surely Zhongli will also have to compensate Neuvillette in some manner as well.

In the name of efficiency, the offered out is the route that Zhongli should take. He would just have to work hard to prove himself to the staff. It's not like he was unfamiliar with the mortal service industry, seeing as he covered for Xiangling's Lantern Rite shift so she could spend time with her friends. There would just be no Guoba around to keep him company as he stocked the shelves and cover for him as he ran this or that random errand, stepping away for unknown lengths of time.

No, this would be good for him. He should just consider it as an enriching his mortal experience.

Zhongli turns to the waiter. ]

Then if you and your management find it agreeable, I would like to perform whatever labor is required as compensation.

[ The waiter pauses— turns to look at Neuvillette one final time with a slightly pinched expression. Though they would never admit it out loud, the populace is well aware how overworked their Chief Justice is, and there is little to no entertainment value in a trial of a bumbling foreigner such as this one. So with only Neuvillette's impossible workload in mind:

"There is always plenty of work to do around the Hotel. We will find some use for him." ]