The news about that evening's get-together was dropped into the group chat.
Hu Tao saw it and sighed in the chat, saying that ever since everyone came to Mondstadt, the parties were way more frequent than back in Liyue.
Yanfei quickly followed up with a "+1."
Ningguang, however, had no complaints. Back then she stopped by the shop every day for a free meal, so parties or not didn't really matter to her.
Afterward, everyone went to Mondstadt General Goods for a stroll, bought some ingredients, and headed back to the Serenitea Pot.
Eula trailed into the kitchen, claiming she wanted to help. She crouched down without waiting for instructions, her hands moving with practiced ease as she peeled and chopped vegetables. She even started chatting with people on her own.
It seemed that since her family's situation had been resolved, the weight in her heart had lifted. She was a little more open now. A good change.
Before long, Jean and Lisa walked into the Serenitea Pot.
Jean's eyes swept the room until she found Venti, who was already sitting there with a drink in hand.
She walked over, greeted everyone else politely first, then said she wanted a word with Venti.
The two of them stepped aside.
Feigning ignorance, Venti asked, "So, what's up?"
Jean lowered her voice. "Has the Anemo Archon heard about the new school that was just founded in Liyue?"
Venti nodded. "Mm, I've heard bits and pieces. Supposedly, it's a unified enrollment system with free admission, plus newly compiled textbooks. This time, Mr. Xia came to Mondstadt not just for the Windblume Festival, but also to borrow books from the Library to enrich the school's collection."
"That's right. At first, I thought it was just another large academy. But earlier today, I had a video call with Lady Ningguang. She's one of the school's vice principals and happened to be inspecting it. She gave me a tour through the screen, and I was honestly shocked."
"Oh?"
Jean began describing everything she saw and heard during the call.
When she finished, Venti put on a thoughtful expression. "So what you're saying is…?"
Jean answered seriously. "Lord Anemo Archon, I believe Mondstadt needs to follow suit. We should establish a school like this, for the sake of our future…"
Venti nodded. "Sure."
Jean blinked. "Lord Anemo Archon, you agree just like that?"
He gave her an odd look. "This is clearly a good thing for the nation and its people. Why would I refuse?"
Jean thought about it and realized he was right. Still, all the persuasive reasons she'd prepared for dealing with their seemingly unreliable Archon went unused.
"Then after dinner, I'll seek out Mr. Xia to ask for advice on founding a school."
"Just advice?"
"Hm?"
"My dear friend isn't what he seems on the surface. He's no ordinary blind man. You'd do well to deepen your ties with him—for both you and Mondstadt, it would be invaluable," Venti said with a knowing tone.
"Then you mean…?"
"Why not invite him to join in the founding of the school?"
"This… would Mr. Xia even agree?"
"Come on, don't I know my best friend by now? Something this fun—he'll definitely say yes. He could even serve as principal here."
"Lord Anemo Archon, you wouldn't take that role yourself?"
"I'm just a wandering bard with no fixed abode. What right do I have to be a principal? People would only scold me, and who'd dare send their children to a school run by a drunk?" Venti waved his hand, refusing outright.
Jean couldn't help but think silently: So you do realize how bad your reputation is right now.
"But my friend is different. First, he's actually capable. Second, he already founded a school in Liyue. If he opens a branch here in Mondstadt, it'll feel perfectly natural, people will be more convinced, and the resistance will be much less."
Then Venti's tone shifted slightly.
"Besides, once he has that role, he'll be coming to Mondstadt more often. That means we can freeload food and drinks from him again."
"…Lord Anemo Archon, please don't joke."
"All right, all right. Anyway, I'm on board. I have no other requests, just this one: pull Mr. Xia in. You can manage that, right?"
"I'll do my best to persuade him."
"Good."
"Even if you don't become principal, Lord Anemo Archon, you could still teach."
"Then I'll be the music teacher. There'll be a salary, right?"
"…Of course."
Satisfied, Venti nodded and returned to Dragon King's side.
Dragon King asked, "Why're you grinning again?"
Venti chuckled. "Looks like I'll finally have steady drinking money."
Curious, Dragon King pressed him, and Venti explained the whole Mondstadt school plan.
Dragon King nodded in understanding. "So that's how it is. I'll be the gatekeeper, you'll be the teacher, and we'll both have bright futures."
The two clinked their cups and drank heartily.
After another gulp, Venti suddenly remembered something. "Hey, when you were the gatekeeper at the Liyue school, how much did they pay you a month?"
Dragon King replied, "It was in the contract—ten thousand Mora a month."
"So little?"
"That's the base salary."
"You just sit at the gate every day, and they still pay you ten thousand?"
"It's more than that. If I worked overtime at night, patrols were double pay. Saturdays and Sundays off with the students. Free meals at the cafeteria, free dorm lodging, vacations during winter and summer. That's just gatekeeper wages—the teachers' salaries are even higher…"
"Stop!"
Venti stared at him, deadly serious.
"You think I still have a chance?"
"A chance for what?"
"For a teaching spot at your school. Doesn't matter if the pay's good or not, I just want to work alongside my best friends!"
Dragon King gave him a look, then shook his head.
"There is an opening, but you probably won't make it."
"Why not?"
"The vice principal won't approve."
"Which vice principal?"
"The one sitting right across from you."
Venti lifted his head and saw Xia Ci gazing at him with a half-smile.
"…."
He sighed. "Forget it. Mondstadt will have its own school anyway. I'll just be the music teacher here. That's fine too."
Xia Ci laughed. "Why do you sound so bitter?"
Switching topics, Venti asked, "I heard your school in Liyue was built up in the sky."
Xia Ci nodded. "Yeah. It's on a massive chunk of Sunset Vermillionite."
"Liyue sure has money to burn," Venti said in awe.
Xia Ci smirked. "Right? You planning to do the same?"
Venti shook his head. "No. That's too flashy. I want something simpler."
"How?"
"I'll just make a small island in Cider Lake."
"You're not Morax. How are you going to create an island out of nowhere?"
"Hah, easy. You know the reefs east of Cape Oath?"
"[Musk Reef]?"
"Yeah. Last time I brought one down from, uh… oh, right, from Starsnatch Cliff. I'll just do it again. That way I can show off the Anemo Archon's divine power once more. A miracle like that would give the school a mysterious backstory, don't you think?"