Under the dim yellow lights, the Angel’s Share tavern bustled with noisy chatter.
A young bard dressed in green sat in the center of the crowd, cradling a lyre in his arms.
Plucking the strings with delicate fingers, he let a melodious tune drift through the rich scent of wine.
“…The Anemo Archon visited his first companion to help him protect Mondstadt, but the dragon believed that a god’s aid shouldn’t just consist of playing the lyre while cheering him on…” The moment the words left his mouth, the entire tavern erupted in laughter, accompanied by a wave of applause and whistles.
Ye Xun took a seat at the bar, ordered a glass of beer, and signaled the bartender to send it over to the bard.
The youth accepted the glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one breath, his throat swallowing with loud, satisfying gulps.
Finishing the drink, he let out a satisfied hiccup and announced boisterously, “Many thanks to this generous patron for the fine brew!
May your days be as light as a dandelion, and as sweet and mellow as fine wine!” Several other patrons sent over drinks as well, and he accepted every single one without turning any down.
Then, the young man launched into another story: “A long, long time ago, there was a troupe called the Wanderer’s Troupe…” Ye Xun listened quietly while savoring a glass of aromatic Dandelion Wine.
As midnight approached, the bard drained his final cup, stood up with slightly unsteady steps, and headed toward the door.
Ye Xun paid his tab and followed right behind him.
One behind the other, they walked out of the tavern and stepped into the deep night.
Reaching a quiet, deserted alleyway, the young man finally stopped, turned around slowly, and squinted at Ye Xun through bleary, drunken eyes.
“Why…
why have you been following me?” “Lord Barbatos, I would like to make two deals with you,” Ye Xun stated directly, revealing his purpose.
Hearing his true identity called out, Venti’s expression grew a bit more serious.
“What deals?” Ye Xun held up a single finger, his voice clear and steady.
“The first deal is to open a winery with you.
You only need to serve as our brand ambassador to receive ten percent of the profits.” Venti’s eyes instantly lit up.
If it were any other business, he wouldn’t bother listening.
But wine was different.
Wine was the flavor of freedom, the embodiment of wind and poetry.
Pondering for a moment, he said, “I can agree to that.
But if the quality of the wine isn’t up to par, I won’t endorse it.” “You can rest assured on that front,” Ye Xun smiled slightly.
“The production will be handled by Dawn Winery, using spring water from Springvale.” Hearing that, Venti hesitated no longer and agreed on the spot.
Ye Xun gave a subtle nod and raised a second finger.
“The second deal concerns your Gnosis.” “I take it you’re seeking it on behalf of the Tsaritsa?” “Indeed.
I am Ye Xun, special envoy to Harbinger Signora.” Venti’s expression turned grave.
“A Gnosis is an extremely important item to me.
Unless…” “Unless what…?” Ye Xun pressed.
“Unless you buy me wine for a month,” Venti replied with utmost gravity.
“Only then could I barely manage to numb the pain of losing it.” Upon hearing this, Ye Xun shook his head slowly.
“Not even a month?” Venti looked disappointed, a faint hint of insistence in his tone.
“Ten days, then.
It really can’t go any lower than that.” Ye Xun remained calm and said gently, “That is not what I meant.
I meant that you are asking for far too little.” “Huh?” Venti involuntarily opened his mouth wide, looking completely incredulous.
“You mean…
too little?
Then how much should I ask for?” Ye Xun retracted one finger.
“Wine for a year?” “Ten billion Mora!” Venti reflexively reached up and slapped his own cheek to confirm he wasn’t dreaming.
Ten billion Mora?
He wouldn’t even dare to dream of asking for that much.
“You must have said that wrong!” “I mean ten billion Mora!” Venti shook his head immediately.
“There is no way the Tsaritsa would pay ten billion Mora for a single Gnosis.” Ye Xun gave neither assent nor denial, merely adding offhandedly, “That is why, after ‘some effort’ on my part, the price will drop to one billion.” Venti froze for a second, feeling a strange tingle in his head as if his brain cells were suddenly multiplying.
But soon enough, he grasped the reason behind it.
The man was using this to secure merit.
Such conduct completely shattered his stereotypical view of the Fatui.
“But…
why one billion Mora?” he couldn’t help asking.
Ye Xun answered calmly, “Of that one billion, half goes to me for building the winery, and the other half will be distributed to the families of the victims of the ‘forced conscription.'” Hearing this, Venti felt a tremor in his heart.
He stared deeply at Ye Xun.
“The string of incidents recently…
that was all your doing, wasn’t it?” “Yes,” Ye Xun admitted frankly.
Venti fell silent for a moment before speaking solemnly, “Your future will surely draw the eyes of the entire mortal realm.” Ye Xun smiled slightly upon hearing that.
“Thank you for the praise, Lord Barbatos.” “Ye Xun, no need to be so polite.
Just call me Venti.” “Alright, Venti.” ……..
In a dimly lit, modest room, Lynette tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep no matter what she did.
She constantly felt as though…
she had forgotten something important.
But what could it be?
She tried hard to recall, but the thought remained just out of reach.
Just as she finally decided to set aside her wandering thoughts and force herself to sleep, a realization struck her mind like lightning.
“Ah!” She bolted up from the bed and rushed barefoot out of her room straight toward the front desk, not even stopping to put on her slippers.
She had actually left her…
in the bathroom of Ye Xun’s room!
If that despicable jerk saw it…
Just imagining the scene made her cheeks burn red-hot instantly, her ear tips flushing crimson.
Fortunately, the key was still at the front desk, and Ye Xun hadn’t returned yet.
Lynette grabbed the key, strode over to his room, quickly unlocked the door, and slipped inside.
Inside the bathroom, that soft, adorable pink item with a cat pattern was indeed still hanging on the clothes rack—innocent yet painfully eye-catching.
She swiftly reached out, retrieved it, and carefully stuffed it into her pocket, terrified someone might catch her.
Back in her own room, Lynette immediately tossed it into the laundry bucket.
Once everything was settled, she took a deep breath and walked back toward the front desk.
However, the moment she rounded the corridor corner, she froze— A familiar figure was leaning against the edge of the front desk, hands shoved into his trousers pockets.
Though his posture was relaxed, it was obvious he had been waiting for quite some time.
Lynette’s heart softened slightly, a faint trace of goodwill bubbling up inside her.
*At times like this, the guy actually possesses a bit of gentlemanly charm.* Before the thought could even settle, she heard Ye Xun speak dryly, a hint of teasing in his tone, “Lynette, if you didn’t come out soon, I’d have thought you got kidnapped by a sewer monster.” The goodwill evaporated in an instant.
She let out a soft hmph, tossed the key straight into his arms, and turned to leave.
Behind her, her slender cat tail swayed lightly, tracing a tsundere arc beneath the dim yellow light.