Zhongli ordered a al and sat in the booth by the window, quietly enjoying the night view as he savored each bite. The city lights shimred outside, reflecting on the glass, painting a picture of tranquility and warmth.
Just then, Hu Tao and Huo Huo entered the restaurant, each carrying a tray of food. Without hesitation, they took the seats directly across from Zhongli.
"Guest, let introduce you. This is Huo Huo, the newest mber of our Wangsheng Hall," Hu Tao said with a bright smile.
Zhongli nodded slightly, his amber eyes calm and composed. "I heard about this from General Jing Yuan. Welco, Huo Huo."
Huo Huo returned the greeting with a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Zhongli. It's a pleasure to et you."
As they began eating, Hu Tao took a bite of her food and turned to Huo Huo. "If you ever have questions about catching ghosts or exorcising spirits, you can always ask Zhong! He knows a lot about these things."
Huo Huo looked at Zhongli with newfound admiration.
Zhongli nodded. "What the Hall Master says is true. If you ever need guidance, feel free to seek out."
Huo Huo happily nodded in agreent, feeling grateful for the warm welco. The past few days had been nothing short of wonderful. Everyone on the train had been kind and easy to get along with, making her feel right at ho.
At that mont, a firework burst into the night sky outside, its golden light illuminating the streets. Hu Tao's eyes lit up in excitent.
"Guest, Liyue's Lantern Festival is almost here!" she exclaid.
Zhongli gave a small smile and nodded. "Indeed. I was just considering inviting everyone to Liyue for the Sea Lantern Festival."
Hu Tao grinned. "Great minds think alike! I was planning to take Zhong and the others to Dihua Marsh. There's a ruin there we couldn't figure out how to access last ti. Maybe they can help."
Zhongli sipped his tea thoughtfully. "That sounds like a good plan. But first, let's enjoy our al. We'll inform the others after dinner."
anwhile, Yuri stepped out of his room, having just received a letter suddenly.
Yuri glanced at the invitation letter in his hand. The last ti he received one, it had connected him to Teyvat. This ti, he wondered which world it would link to. However, there was no rush—he'd use it in a couple of days.
Returning to the dining hall, Yuri saw Hiko and Kafka surrounded by their respective groups. Klee and Seele sat eagerly next to Hiko, while Diona and Hook nestled close to Kafka.
Yuri smiled. "Thanks for taking care of them."
Hiko chuckled. "No problem, I'm used to it. It's not a real al unless I have little ones with ."
Kafka nodded, sipping her drink. "Diona and Hook are adorable. They've been on their best behavior."
Yuri took a seat and helped serve the kids their als, enjoying the lighthearted chatter.
Over by the lounge, Kevin, March 7th, Amber, Eula, and Stelle had gathered, a large plate of food in front of them. As they ate, they discussed plans for the next day.
March 7th sighed. "We have to attend the Martial Arts Ceremony tomorrow. Does that an we'll miss the dungeon run?"
Kevin frowned. "Maybe we just skip the ceremony?"
Amber shook her head. "No way. We already signed up. It wouldn't be right to back out now."
Stelle considered the situation. "How about this: we check what kind of dungeon it is. If it's boring, we go to the ceremony. If it's interesting, we can skip the ceremony and go to the dungeon instead."
Eula raised an eyebrow. "No, no, no. We committed to the ceremony. We have to go. Besides, weren't you all excited to show off?"
Kevin, Stelle, and March 7th blinked. Right, they did want to show off.
Asmodeus, who had been eating nearby, perked up. "Showing off? Count in!"
Stelle looked at him skeptically. "With your strength? You might be a little... overqualified."
Asmodeus crossed his arms. "If Kevin can join, why can't I?"
Stelle conceded the point. "Fair enough. Go talk to General Jing Yuan. If he allows it, you're in."
Asmodeus grinned and gave an "OK" gesture.
Elsewhere, Paimon and Yanqing sat at the bar of a small tavern, happily devouring their als.
Paimon wiped her mouth and turned to Yanqing. "Want to get more food?"
Yanqing, still chewing, nodded enthusiastically. "Ga! Go!"
With that, they rushed off to grab more skewers from Xiangling's grill. They weren't the only ones enjoying the feast—Noelle, ever diligent, made sure the warming stove remained stocked with fresh skewers.
At another table, Venti and Feixiao clinked their bottles together, each downing a beer in one go.
"Ahh~ That's the good stuff!" Venti sighed contentedly.
Feixiao laughed. "Where'd you get this?"
"Yuri bought it. Ten bottles for one Stellar Jade."
Feixiao raised an eyebrow. "That cheap?"
Venti nodded. "Yep! That's why I stick around. Free-flowing drinks and good company! Co on, have so food with it."
Feixiao smirked. "Alright, since you treated today, drinks are on tomorrow!"
Venti grinned. "Deal! Another round!"
Laughter and conversation filled the room as everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed the night together. Good food, great company, and endless fun—what more could anyone ask for?
More than two hours later, with their stomachs full and spirits high, Hu Tao suddenly appeared with a loudspeaker.
"Hey, hey, hey! Can you all hear ? My guest has an announcent, everyone gather up!"
Curious, everyone crowded around as Hu Tao handed the microphone to Zhongli.
Taking his ti, Zhongli spoke in his calm and steady voice. "So of you may already know this, but the day after tomorrow marks Liyue's Lantern Festival. I extend a sincere invitation to all of you to join us for the Sea Lantern Festival."
A wave of excitent spread through the crowd. The promise of glowing lanterns, dazzling fireworks, and festivities under the night sky—it was an offer no one could refuse.
"The Lantern Festival is the most important celebration of the year in Liyue. It will be lively and full of festivities. If you have ti, you should co and experience it for yourself."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Tao grinned and waved her hand. "Let tell you, the Lantern Festival is super fun! There are tons of mini-gas!"
Hearing the word "gas," Kevin, March 7th, Amber, Seele, and the others imdiately perked up, expressing their excitent and eagerness to go.
Hu Tao continued, "There will also be night lantern displays, fireworks, poetry readings, boat rides, and more!"
Jing Yuan, Welt, Jiaoqiu, and Huai Yan exchanged glances, their interest piqued.
Welt turned to the group. "How about we all go and take part in these activities together?"
Huai Yan stroked his beard. "This sounds like a wonderful event. It suits well."
Jing Yuan smiled. "We could also take a cruise, bring a pot of tea and a chessboard, and enjoy the scenery while practicing our strategies."
Jiaoqiu fanned himself leisurely. "Mr. Zhongli has extended such a generous invitation—how could I refuse?"
The group imdiately began discussing which events they wanted to experience first.
anwhile, Ningguang observed the growing excitent and, as Liyue's Tianquan, she knew she had to make a statent.
"Listen, everyone. All of your expenses in Liyue Harbor will be covered by , Ningguang. Enjoy yourselves."
Kevin was stunned. Free food, free entertainnt? Ningguang's generosity was unmatched.
He jumped to his feet, clapping wildly. "Amazing!"
March 7th, Ying, Amber, and the others followed suit, joining in the applause.
Feixiao approached Jing Yuan and Huai Yan with a suggestion. "General Jing Yuan, Elder Yan, there are more dungeon instances in Yuri's shop, and Liyue is celebrating the Lantern Festival. How about we postpone the Martial Arts Ceremony?"
Jing Yuan hesitated. "Many competitors have already arrived at Xianzhou Luofu, prepared to participate tomorrow. It wouldn't be appropriate to change the schedule now."
Feixiao waved it off. "What's the big deal? We can just reimburse their expenses in Luofu, right?"
Huai Yan nodded. "We could also offer so additional benefits, like free access to martial arts schools."
Jing Yuan pondered the idea for a mont before nodding. "That could work."
He quickly contacted Fu Xuan and requested an official announcent. Within a short ti, most contestants accepted the postponent without issue.
Luca, who had co to compete with Swarovski, was thrilled. "This is great! I was worried about finding a place to train."
Swarovski adjusted his glasses. "Based on my calculations, the delay ans Luca will have access to free training facilities, which will increase his chances of winning."
Given Belobog's financial struggles, Luca and Swarovski had been forced to stay in the cheapest accommodations. The city had very few credit reserves, and with the first batch of Ice Deer still maturing, Belobog's economy relied solely on selling rare minerals—minerals that were not particularly valuable on the interstellar market. With the help of Topaz and Hisui, Bronya had managed to secure a few deals, but money remained tight.
Now, with free lodging, als, and training space, Luca's problems were solved.
Back at Yuri's shop, excitent filled the air as everyone finalized their plans for the trip to Liyue.
After a bit more fun at the shop, everyone eventually headed ho to rest, preparing for the festivities ahead.
The next morning.
In Hiko's room.
Hiko slept soundly in her bed, while Kevin and March 7th slept on the floor beside her.
As the alarm clock rang, Kevin bolted upright. "Full health restored!"
He shut off the alarm and looked out the window. The sky was tinged with the warm hues of sunrise, fiery clouds drifting lazily across the horizon.
Stretching, he turned to March 7th, who was still asleep. He shook her gently. "March, wake up."
She groaned and pulled the blanket over her head. "Just five more minutes..."
Hiko, already awake and making her bed, chuckled at the scene. "Kevin, shake her again. We need to get ready to leave for Liyue Harbor. Didn't you say last night you wanted to have breakfast there?"
At the ntion of food, Kevin grabbed March 7th's shoulders and pulled her up.
March 7th groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Ugh... I'm so sleepy..."
But since she was already up, there was no going back to sleep now.
Hiko smiled. "Fold up the bedding. I'm heading to wash up."
She stepped into the hallway, only to find Jing Yuan and his group just boarding the train.
"Good morning, Ms. Hiko," Jing Yuan greeted with a polite nod.
She returned the smile. "Good morning. You're all up early."
Jing Yuan sighed dramatically. "Not by choice—Elder Yan woke up."
Huai Yan laughed heartily. "I'm an old man, I don't need much sleep. Rather than lying awake in the hotel, I figured I'd get everyone moving."
Feixiao nudged them. "Co on, let's hurry up. I have a drink appointnt with Venti at a tavern in Liyue."
Hiko chuckled. "You all go ahead. I'll catch up after freshening up."
The group bid her farewell and made their way to Yuri's shop.
Inside, Yuri was helping the four little ones wash up. Klee, Hook, Diona, and Stelle stood by the sink, each holding a toothbrush and cup, diligently brushing their teeth while Yuri prepared warm water for them to wash their faces.
Jing Yuan observed with amusent. "Feixiao, go on ahead. Elder Yan and I will wait for Yuri."
Feixiao grinned. "Alright, I'll leave you to it."
Jing Yuan and Huai Yan stayed behind, waiting for Yuri. They had planned to attend the poetry reading together.
After finishing their morning routine, the four little ones lined up in front of Yuri, waiting for their final instructions.
"What's the most important rule when going out?" Yuri asked.
The four little ones chorused in unison. "Safety first!"
Yuri nodded approvingly. "Good. Rios, I'll leave them in your care today."
Rios nodded. "Understood."
Yuri turned back to the children. "Rember, don't run too far from Rios, alright?"
"Okay!" they chid.
Satisfied, Yuri waved them off. "Go and have fun."
The four little ones cheered as they rushed into the portal, heading to Liyue Harbor.
"Let's go, sisters!"
"Klee gets to play now~"
"Hook is so happy!"
"Wait for !"
With that, Yuri, Jing Yuan, Huai Yan, Jiaoqiu, and Welt gathered their things and stepped into the portal as well, ready to et up with Zhongli and enjoy the festival.
Reviews
All reviews (0)