“Knock, knock, knock!” In the early morning, a crisp knocking pulled Lynette straight out of a sweet dream.
She groggily dragged herself out of bed, slipped into her slippers, and ambled toward the door while yawning.
Opening it, she saw Ye Xun standing outside.
Today, he wore a tailored black tailcoat suit.
Its sharp cutting defined his sturdy build while exuding an air of refined composure, giving him the demeanor of a suave, successful businessman.
Yet as soon as he opened his mouth, his true nature came through.
“The hotel canteen is serving free breakfast.
Go too late and there won’t be anything left.” “I know!” Lynette replied, her voice thick with resentment.
Ye Xun gave a slight nod.
“Then hurry up.
I’ll wait for you in the canteen.” Before he could finish speaking, Lynette slammed the door shut with a loud *bang*.
After quickly washing up, she dragged her lingering drowsiness toward the canteen.
Along the way, the sheer bareness of her room made her grit her teeth in frustration.
The bedboard was as hard as a rock, making every inch of her body ache when she lay down.
She could actually endure that much; after all, she had slept on the streets when she was little.
But for bathing, there was only a single wooden bucket—something completely unbearable for a girl who loved cleanliness!
*That damn Ye Xun, go drop dead, drop dead, drop dead…* After silently cursing him dozens of times in her heart, she stepped into the fragrant canteen.
In the corner, Ye Xun had his head down, devouring his meal.
Lynette glared daggers at him, turned to grab a plate of breakfast, found a table by herself, and ate in silence with her head lowered.
Before long, the two walked out of the hotel one after the other.
The summer morning sun poured down, casting two distinct shadows on the ground.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Ye Xun asked casually.
“Not at all!” Lynette answered without hesitation.
“I want a luxury suite.” “Lynette, you’re still young,” Ye Xun said, sounding every bit like an old geezer.
“Suffering a little now will do you good in the future.” “Then why don’t you suffer?” she retorted instantly.
“I’m your uncle,” Ye Xun said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Of course the suffering should be left to you.” Lynette was rendered speechless.
Holding her breath in frustration, she stomped ahead gloomily, ignoring him completely.
Following the bluestone road, they walked out of Mondstadt.
Ahead lay a wide stone bridge.
On the bridge, a little boy about half a person tall crouched on the ground, carefully feeding his flock of pigeons.
These pigeons frequently excreted in midair, leaving the bridge covered in unsightly stains, which had long sparked widespread complaints among the residents of Mondstadt.
The Knights of Favonius had received plenty of reports, but nothing ever came of them.
Because this was the only way the boy, Timmie, could process his lingering grief for his late father.
And that had absolutely *nothing* to do with the fact that his foster mother, Grace, was a high-ranking sister of the Church of Favonius.
Just as Ye Xun and Lynette were about to pass the fluttering flock of pigeons, one bird suddenly dropped a smear of droppings from above, falling straight toward the top of Lynette’s head while her mind was wandering.
At the critical moment, Ye Xun reacted with lightning speed.
He swept an arm around her soft waist and pulled her into his chest.
*Splat!* The filth hit the ground right beside their feet.
Lynette froze for a moment before quickly realizing what had happened.
Her tone softened slightly.
“…Thank you!” “Don’t mention it,” Ye Xun said, releasing her and raising an eyebrow.
“After all, who told me to be your uncle?” The second those words left his mouth, the tiny shred of goodwill that had just bloomed in Lynette’s heart vanished into thin air.
“Do you really want to be my elder that badly?” she asked angrily.
“Yes,” Ye Xun admitted candidly.
“You jerk!” Throwing down that angry rebuke, Lynette stormed forward with heavy, furious strides.
Ye Xun merely let out a soft laugh and followed unhurriedly behind her.
His insistence on being her elder was not due to any strange quirk for playing “uncle,” but because approaching Arlecchino required him to be an “uncle.” After walking a distance, Lynette slowed her pace.
Once he caught up, she asked testily, “Where are we going next?” Ye Xun raised his eyes toward the distance and said slowly, “To Springvale to do business.” “Do business?” Lynette looked at him suspiciously.
“What kind of business?” “You’ll know in a moment,” Ye Xun said mysteriously.
Looking at his exasperating yet composed face, Lynette wished she could take a fierce bite out of him.
About an hour later, they arrived at Springvale.
Their arrival caught the attention of many residents.
In particular, Ye Xun—a figure in such exquisite attire and striking presence—rarely appeared in this peaceful, harmonious town.
Before long, a scruffy, middle-aged man walked over.
He had rugged features, and atop his head sat a pair of cat ears that symbolized his family bloodline.
“Honored guests from afar,” he greeted them warmly and politely.
“I am Draff, the leader of the hunters.
Might I ask what brings you here?” The corners of Ye Xun’s lips curled into a gentle, appropriate smile.
“Hello.
I am Ye Xun, a merchant from Snezhnaya, and beside me is my assistant, Lynette.
We are here to conduct a business assessment.” When he heard the word “Snezhnaya,” Draff frowned slightly, a flicker of vigilance entering his eyes.
“What kind of business assessment?” “I heard that the spring water in Springvale is pure and sweet,” Ye Xun stated frankly.
“I intend to build a large winery here to brew fine wine using this spring water.” Draff pondered briefly before shaking his head in refusal.
“I’m sorry, but we cannot agree.
The spring water of Springvale is the source of drinking water that our people have relied on for generations.” Ye Xun’s expression remained perfectly relaxed as he spoke slowly: “Once the winery is built, ten percent of the annual profits will be divided equally among all residents of the town.
Furthermore, priority for winery employment will be given to locals, with a monthly salary of no less than one hundred thousand Mora.” The moment these words were spoken, Draff’s eyes visibly shook.
Setting aside the ten percent profit, the recruitment condition alone was enough to sway anyone.
Yet he still suppressed the commotion in his heart and responded cautiously: “This is a matter of great importance.
I must discuss it with the residents and submit it to the Knights of Favonius for approval.” “Understandable.” Ye Xun nodded slightly.
“Then I shall visit again in a few days.” After leaving Springvale, Ye Xun did not head back to Mondstadt.
Instead, he walked straight in the direction of Dawn Winery.
Before they had gone far, Lynette could no longer suppress the doubts in her heart and blurted out: “Ye Xun, why do you suddenly want to build a winery?
Don’t tell me…
you’re planning to sell fake wine?”