Hearing this, Ye Xun snapped, “I mean *real* liquor!” Among all high-profit industries, alcohol was one of the few choices that was both legal and respectable.
So long as the quality was reliable and backed by brand value, it could yield a steady, lucrative stream of profits.
In the future, if he wanted to build his own faction within the Fatui, a stable and legitimate source of income would be indispensable.
“But you’ve never sold liquor before, and besides—” Lynette bluntly pointed out his flaw, “you have no money.” Ye Xun merely offered a confident smile.
“Lynette, you need to trust your Uncle Ye’s capabilities.” Lynette rolled her eyes, not bothering to waste another word on him.
As noon approached, the two arrived at the grand estate of Dawn Winery.
A young maid stepped forward to greet them, asking politely, “Excuse me, how may I help you two today?” “I am Ye Xun, a merchant from Snezhnaya.
I would like to pay a visit to Master Diluc,” Ye Xun replied warmly.
The maid looked apologetic upon hearing his request.
“I’m sorry…
Unless you have an appointment, Master Diluc generally does not receive guests.” Ye Xun drew out Pulcinella’s seal and handed it to her.
“Show him this, and he will see us.” Taking the seal, the maid hurried inside the manor.
She returned just a moment later, her expression noticeably more formal.
“Mr.
Ye Xun, Master Diluc has agreed to meet with you both.” She respectfully handed back the seal and led them into the estate.
Passing through a quiet hallway carpeted with thick velvet, they were shown into a luxurious yet understated reception room.
Under the warm yellow light, a young noble gentleman sat upright in a chair.
He wore a tailored black-and-gold suit, his soft red hair bound neatly in a ponytail, his brow exuding firmness and resolve.
“Please, sit,” Diluc gestured toward the chairs opposite him.
Ye Xun gave a slight nod and sat down across from him alongside Lynette.
“May I ask what brings you here today?” Diluc asked, getting straight to the point.
Ye Xun didn’t beat around the bush either.
“I hope to cooperate with Dawn Winery to construct a large-scale winery in Springvale.” Without a second thought, Diluc declined flatly.
“My apologies, but I have no interest in such a proposal.” Expecting this response, Ye Xun remained calm and composed.
“Master Diluc, before you give your final refusal, allow me to tell you a story.” “If this is some tedious threat, I must ask you to leave immediately,” Diluc said, his brow unfurling slightly into a frown, his tone cool.
Ye Xun smiled faintly and spoke without urgency: “One evening outside a medical research facility in the Winter Capital, a young man witnessed a father selling his own daughter to the institution.
Unable to turn a blind eye, he intervened to save her, and from that moment began plotting to completely dismantle the human experimentation hiding in the shadows…” He recounted the story of how he had engineered the shutdown of the human experiments.
Leaving out only the secrets he needed to keep, he detailed the rest with vivid clarity.
The more Diluc listened, the more astonished he became.
The guard in his eyes vanished entirely, replaced by undeniable admiration.
This man before him, even younger than himself, had used Fontaine and Mondstadt as chess pieces to dismantle a dark ring of human experimentation with a turn of his wrist.
When the story came to an end, Diluc spoke without a moment’s hesitation: “Mr.
Ye Xun, I am willing to partner with you.” “Thank you for your trust.” The corners of Ye Xun’s lips curled up slightly.
“Establishing this winery will give me enough financial backing to build my own force within the Fatui, and eventually exact my revenge on Dottore.” Diluc froze for a moment.
“You hold a grudge against Dottore as well?” Ye Xun nodded, his tone calm yet heavy.
“My adoptive family…
all died because of him.” Upon hearing this, a look of shared camaraderie warmed Diluc’s eyes.
His own father, Crepus, had died because of Ursa the Drake, an ordeal orchestrated by Dottore.
Dottore was his sworn enemy as well.
In that instant, they were no longer strangers who had just met, but allies standing on the exact same front line.
Diluc turned the conversation back to the winery.
“Mr.
Ye Xun, how do you propose we structure this partnership?” “Dawn Winery will handle brewing and production, while brand management and sales channels will be fully my responsibility,” Ye Xun replied.
“Brand management?” Diluc echoed, slightly puzzled by the unfamiliar term.
Ye Xun explained the concept in plain, accessible terms.
After hearing it, Diluc couldn’t help but marvel inwardly; the man’s grasp of commerce was far beyond ordinary.
Beside them, Lynette harbored the exact same thought.
Although this guy was an insufferable jerk, his brilliance was indisputable.
“Mr.
Ye Xun,” Diluc said with newfound respect in his voice, “how do you plan to handle the brand management?” Ye Xun shook his head gently.
Diluc was startled at first, then realized.
“My apologies.
I shouldn’t have asked about such commercial secrets.” “You misunderstand, Master Diluc.
As my partner, I naturally have nothing to hide from you,” Ye Xun said earnestly.
“The reason I’m not going into detail just yet is that this still needs to be discussed with another partner.” Diluc felt a warm sensation in his heart upon hearing those words.
The two continued chatting for a long time in a pleasant, harmonious atmosphere.
Their conversation only came to an end as dusk settled and the horizon burned with the orange-red glow of sunset.
Diluc personally escorted Ye Xun and Lynette out of the estate and waved goodbye.
On the way back, a gentle evening breeze brushed past, carrying the cool freshness of a summer nightfall.
Lynette stole a glance sideways at Ye Xun beside her.
The warm golden twilight traced his gentle profile, casting a rare, soft warmth across his features that made one instinctively want to draw closer.
Just then, Ye Xun turned his head abruptly, catching her eye directly.
Lynette’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
“Lynette, eat at the hotel dining hall tonight,” Ye Xun instructed softly.
“I have business to discuss at a tavern this evening.” She turned her head slightly, grumbling with a touch of dissatisfaction, “You just want to go enjoy good food by yourself.” “If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to tag along,” Ye Xun shrugged carelessly.
After considering it briefly, Lynette decided against it.
She truly couldn’t stand the noisy din of taverns, thick with the stench of sweat and stale alcohol.
“Then give me your room key,” she demanded, holding out her hand righteously.
“My room doesn’t even have a proper bathroom.” Ye Xun pulled his room key from his pocket.
“Leave it at the front desk when you’re finished.” “Got it.” She snatched it from him, her fingertips brushing against his palm before she swiftly pulled back.
The two continued walking.
The dusk deepened as the setting sun stretched their shadows across the ground.
Before long, they entered the city and parted ways at an intersection.
Lynette headed back to the hotel, while Ye Xun made his way toward Angel’s Share to meet his other “partner.”