During breakfast.
Diona and Charlotte recounted the stunning vineyard views they'd seen from the car.
The others grew interested and decided to go check it out together.
The hovercar landed, and everyone stepped out one by one. A refreshing breeze blew from the direction of the vineyard not far away.
The outer vineyard was open to visitors and free to explore.
The inner vineyard, however, was off-limits, protected by a tall wooden fence.
As for the grand manor in the center, that was strictly invite-only.
But they were just here to wander the outer vineyards, so that was plenty.
Walking among the trellises, they saw all kinds of grapevines, their leaves subtly different in shape.
Occasionally, a shimmering butterfly-like creature would flutter into the air, startled by their movement.
Those were crystalfly—elemental lifeforms found all across Teyvat. Like slimes, their element varies depending on the environment.
Right now, they were surrounded by Anemo crystalfly.
Regardless of their element, all crystalfly have a crystal core that can be used for alchemy, making them quite valuable.
So much so, in fact, that there's an entire profession in Teyvat that survives by collecting and selling these cores. Crystalfly are far less dangerous than slimes, after all.
The only problem is that they're extremely skittish—any sound or movement, and they dart away, making them hard to catch.
Charlotte shared an interesting tidbit: "A senior researcher at Fontaine's Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering, Fawitzki, once developed a Crystalfly Trap Device. After setting it up and loading it with specific crystal materials, the device would activate and lure crystalfly inside."
"There's really such a thing?" Cloud Retainer raised an intrigued eyebrow.
Many of her mechanized inventions used crystalfly cores. If she could catch them herself, it would save a lot of money.
"Yep! Though… it's not super efficient."
"Not efficient?"
"You leave it in an area with crystalfly, and after a week, you might catch around fifteen."
"…That's not great. Might as well just buy them."
"True. But I heard the institute is still working on improving the design. Maybe they'll make a breakthrough."
"Hm." Cloud Retainer nodded thoughtfully. She was already considering giving it a try herself.
As she was mulling it over, Yaoyao's voice rang out from ahead: "I got one!"
Cloud Retainer looked up to see Yaoyao holding up a crystalfly fluttering in her fingers.
The other girls gathered around in amazement. Zhu Zi asked curiously, "How'd you catch it?"
"Yaoyao saw it, walked over, reached out, and grabbed it. That's how!"
"Huh? But don't they fly away the moment you approach?"
"Not for me."
Right then, Yaoyao spotted another crystalfly fluttering among the grape leaves. She calmly walked over, and the crystalfly didn't react at all—it just hovered there.
She reached out, gently pinched it between her fingers, and turned back with a bright smile. "See? That's how Yaoyao catches them!"
The girls stared in stunned silence at the fluttering crystalfly in her hand.
Something... felt off about this.
Madame Ping spoke up: "Everyone has their own nature. Being in tune with the natural world—perhaps that's Yaoyao's gift."
The girls nodded slowly. "Ohh…"
Xia Ci stepped forward, reached out, and easily caught a crystalfly too. "Look, I got one as well."
The girls' eyes widened at the obedient little crystalfly in her hand.
Madame Ping mused, "Perhaps Xia Ci shares the same gift."
Xia Zhi chuckled and walked forward as well.
He had learned the [Natural Affinity] skill from Xia Ci, so the crystalfly weren't afraid of him either.
He gently plucked one from the air, just like Yaoyao and Xia Ci.
Madame Ping stared at the docile crystalfly in his hand and fell silent.
"Boss, how'd you do that?!"
"Just listen to the wind. You can tell where they are by the sound of their wings."
"How do you make them not afraid of you?"
"Maybe I'm naturally attuned to the world too."
Xia Zhi let the crystalfly go, and it fluttered away peacefully.
Xia Ci released hers as well and turned to ask, "Anyone want some grapes?"
"Grapes?"
"Yep, fresh ones."
She plucked a young leaf from a nearby vine and tossed it on the ground. Then, she pulled out a bead that looked a lot like a Dendro Vision, and infused the leaf with Dendro energy.
The leaf quickly took root and sprouted, rapidly growing into a full plant.
She stuck a discarded wooden trellis into the soil nearby.
The vine, as if recognizing a support, latched onto the wood and began climbing.
Watching from his gpd's eye, Xia Zhi couldn't help thinking of a certain gourd vine growing in a similar way.
Moments later, the vine bore fruit—clusters of plump, violet grapes, absolutely beautiful.
Xia Ci casually picked one and popped it into her mouth. "Pretty sweet. Here, try some!"
The girls were amazed. "That's amazing!"
Xia Ci smiled. "That's the power of a Dendro Vision!"
Ying'er turned to Yaoyao. "Can you do that too?"
Yaoyao blushed and shook her head. "Yaoyao can't do that yet…"
Xia Zhen, munching on a grape nearby, shot her a glance. Hmph. So what if it's a Dendro Vision? My Electro Vision can charge a phone.
Xia Zhi tried a couple as well—they were indeed very sweet.
With so many people, one vine wasn't enough.
Xia Ci picked a few more leaves from different grape varieties and used the same method to grow more vines for everyone to sample.
After some taste-testing, they picked the two best varieties.
Xia Ci plucked a leaf from each and planned to plant them in the farm back at the Serenitea Pot, so everyone could enjoy them anytime.
They spent the whole morning exploring, then returned to the hovercar and continued their journey.
By the following afternoon, they arrived at Diona's hometown—Springvale.
A quaint little village, simple and close to nature.
Stone cottages stood nestled among tall, lush trees, surrounded by wooden fences. Outside the homes were barrels, wooden carts, and fire pits with hanging cookware.
The most eye-catching structure was a tall mill, its gray-white bricks weathered with age. The old cloth blades of the windmill turned slowly, creaking softly.
As the hovercar descended, the villagers gathered to watch. Unlike the cautious folks of Qingce Village, the people here were much more open—likely thanks to Mondstadt's culture of freedom.
Diona stood at the village entrance, beaming. "I'm home!"
The villagers hesitated, then exclaimed, "Wait… you're little Diona?!"
Hands on hips, Diona declared, "I'm not a kid anymore!"
That voice, that sass—it really was her.
The villagers burst into laughter.
Someone teased, "Little Diona, want me to introduce you to a nice young man?"
"No way!"
"Sounds like you've already met someone you like, huh?"
"None of your business! And stop calling me little Diona!"
The others exited the car, smiling at the cheerful atmosphere.
"Little Diona, who are they?"
"They're my friends! We're here to visit Springvale!"
"Oh, welcome, everyone!"
"Alright, enough chatting—I'm heading home."
Diona led them toward her house, chatting as she went, introducing her home and the village along the way.
Xia Zhi, Zhu Zi, and the others had met Diona's father, Draff, before.
Back when Diona had suddenly run off from the Cat's Tail tavern to chase news of Rainbow Juice in Liyue, she left only a letter for the tavern owner.
Worried sick, Draff had traveled all the way to Liyue to find her.
Though Diona loathed his drinking, to the point of vowing to destroy Mondstadt's wine industry, there was no denying that Draff was a loving father—and Diona, a devoted daughter.
When they arrived, Diona knocked on the door.
"Dad! I'm home!"
No response.
"He's probably out hunting. He'll be back later. I've got a key—come in and rest!"
Everyone nodded, smiling. "Thanks."
As she opened the door, Diona added, "My dad never comes back empty-handed when he hunts. He'll definitely bring something back, and we can have grilled meat tonight! Meat is especially tasty this time of year!"
"Mhm!"
Later that evening.
Sure enough, Draff returned with a few rabbits and a small deer.
He lit up at the sight of his daughter. "Diona, you're back!"
"Yep, I'm back."
Diona noticed his obvious joy, though he tried to play it cool. She eyed the catch in his hands.
"That's all you caught?"
"I gave the rest away—didn't expect you'd be back, and with so many guests."
He looked a bit regretful.
"But it's fine—I smoked plenty of meat over the winter. Should be enough."
Xia Zhi stepped forward and greeted him. "Mr. Draff, long time no see."
Draff nodded quickly. "Mr. Xia, it's been a while. Thank you for looking after my daughter."
Xia Zhi smiled. "No need to thank me. Diona's helped me out plenty too. Without her bartending skills, my shop wouldn't be doing nearly as well."
Draff laughed. "Ah, that girl… I know her well. It's clear she's been doing well with you—eating well, for sure. I've tasted your cooking, after all… Look at her! She was so short last year, and now she's grown so much…"
"Dad!"
Diona's face flushed red.
"Enough already! Go prep the meat—everyone's hungry!"
"Alright, alright…"
Still chuckling, Draff left to handle the meat.
His little girl had really grown up.
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