The sudden eruption of cheers woke Lynette from her sleep.
She rubbed her bleary eyes, and through her hazy vision, Ye Xun’s tall, straight back came into view.
His soft, magnetic voice echoed in her ears: “…On top of your base salary, there will be quarterly performance bonuses, two domestic trips a year, and one international trip…” Every single Fatui member was thrilled beyond belief, many unable to trust their own ears.
When he finished speaking, a Northland Bank staff member stepped forward with hesitation and whispered, “Officer Ye Xun…
I’m afraid our budget won’t be enough to cover so many expenses.” “Report back to Director Pantalone and tell him I have a business deal to discuss with him,” Ye Xun said calmly, full of confidence.
“Once he arrives in Mondstadt, this issue will cease to be an issue.” Hearing this, the man said no more.
The others finally breathed a sigh of relief, immersing themselves in joy and anticipation.
Ye Xun slowly surveyed the room, his expression turning serious.
“Everyone, I will bring you wealth, status, and the life you dream of.
“All you need to give in return is absolute loyalty to the Tsaritsa’s Supreme Ideal!
“And I shall guide you along the path toward that Supreme Ideal.” Hearing his words, everyone naturally understood his implicit meaning.
Without hesitation, they voiced their willingness to follow his leadership.
A faint smirk touched the corner of Ye Xun’s mouth.
In the real world, the most effective and rapid way to gain true followers had always been mutual benefit.
After a few brief instructions, he dismissed the crowd and left the house together with Lynette.
By now, the sun was sinking in the west, casting orange-gold twilight over the streets.
The two walked into a reasonably well-appointed inn.
The middle-aged female proprietor beamed warmly.
“Welcome, travelers!
Would you two like a double room?” “Two single rooms,” Ye Xun answered calmly.
“Deluxe rooms are ten thousand Mora a night, and standard rooms are two thousand.
Which would you like…?” “One deluxe, one standard.” The moment those words left his mouth, Lynette ground her teeth in frustration.
Obviously, the standard room was for her, while the bastard took the deluxe room for himself.
Sure enough, when handed the keys, Ye Xun gave her the standard room key without hesitation.
Perhaps realizing he was being a bit much, he added, “I’m older and my health isn’t great, so I need a bit more comfort.” Lynette accepted the key expressionlessly and retorted coldly, “Being two or three years older than me, you truly are at the age where you should be six feet under.” With that, she turned on her heel and headed toward her room without looking back.
Ye Xun didn’t hold her rudeness against her.
After all, an elder had to be open-minded.
His room sat at the end of the second-floor hallway, fully furnished and elegantly decorated.
Opening the window, he could see the distant statue of the Anemo Archon bathed in the golden sunset, looking sacred and serene.
Just as he was admiring the beautiful scenery, a massive shadow tore across the sky—Stormterror Dvalin.
It let out an angry roar and whipped its enormous wings.
Several small tornadoes swept across the streets, uprooting trees, crushing flowerbeds, and tearing off rooftops…
Remarkably, wherever the tornadoes raged, not a single person was present.
Glancing back at the aftermath of its destruction, Dvalin let out a low growl, turned, beat its wings, and rapidly vanished into the horizon.
Ye Xun watched the direction in which it disappeared, a contemplative glint flashing in his eyes.
Before long, Acting Grand Master Jean arrived with several Knights of Favonius, immediately throwing themselves into organized cleanup efforts.
They worked with brisk efficiency and focused expressions—a night-and-day contrast to the two pot-bellied knights at the city gate.
Ye Xun watched quietly for a moment before stepping out of his room, heading downstairs to Lynette’s door, and knocking lightly.
The door opened quickly.
“Is something the matter?” Lynette asked coldly, her chin slightly raised.
“Dinner,” Ye Xun replied succinctly.
With that, he turned around and walked out, acting as if he didn’t care in the slightest whether she came along.
Staring at his receding figure, Lynette stomped her foot in irritation, yet still hurried to catch up.
Behind her, a slender black cat tail swayed gently back and forth with her steps.
The two went to Reindeer Restaurant and enjoyed a hearty dinner.
…………………
“Officer Maxim…
why must we go against this Ye Xun?” Under the dim yellow light, a lean-faced Fatui member bowed slightly and asked Maxim respectfully.
In his view, openly falling out with a special envoy of such extraordinary status was a thoroughly unwise choice.
What was more, Harbinger Rosalyne, the power backing Ye Xun, would soon arrive in Mondstadt.
Maxim didn’t answer directly.
Instead, he asked, “Olag, you’ve been in Mondstadt for almost five years now, haven’t you?” Olag nodded.
“In another month, it will be five full years.” “Do you want to return to the Winter Capital?” “Of course I do…
almost every single day.” Maxim pressed a hand to his chest, his voice low and raspy.
“And I have been here for ten whole years.” “Ten years!
Ten long years!” His eyes grew bloodshot, his tone heavy with suppressed resentment.
“Over these ten years, my parents passed away one after the other, my wife left me, and now I have only a twelve-year-old daughter left.” “So that’s why you…?” Olag guessed uncertainly.
Maxim nodded slowly.
“The Doctor promised me that as long as we sabotage Ye Xun’s operations, he will promote us and transfer us back to the Winter Capital once it’s done.” Olag showed hesitation upon hearing this.
“But…” “There are no ‘buts,'” Maxim interrupted, his voice calm yet unyielding.
“We have no way back anymore.” Olag sighed helplessly.
Indeed, even if they wanted to turn back now, there was no turning back.
Even if Ye Xun were willing to spare them, would that ruthless Harbinger let them off?
“Sir, I understand.” Maxim reached out and gently patted his shoulder.
“Do your job well.
We will definitely go home!” “Yeah!
We’ll definitely go home!” Olag responded heavily, determination burning in his eyes.