After seeing Dori off, Mu Yang continued with his original plan.
Passing by Wanmin Restaurant, it seemed Xiangling had gone out on an adventure and wasn't at the shop.
Mu Yang had no choice but to head to the Yun-Han Opera Troupe to ask Yun Jin about Xinyan's whereabouts.
After all, in Genshin Impact, where people live or usually hang out isn't always mentioned.
Mu Yang had only met Xinyan once, so he wasn't sure where to find her.
With Xiangling absent, he could only turn to Xinyan's other good friend, Yun Jin.
At the entrance of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe,
Mu Yang was stopped. A burly man at the door looked down at him, "What's your business?"
"I'm looking for Mr. Yun."
"Everyone who comes here is looking for Mr. Yun."
The man's tone carried a hint of impatience.
Mu Yang wasn't annoyed; he could understand.
After all, the phrase "looking for Mr. Yun" was probably the one this guy heard the most every day.
Besides, some security measures were necessary.
If anyone could just waltz in, Yun Jin's fans would've trampled the entrance long ago.
Mu Yang was still pondering which identity to use to get inside when his thoughts were interrupted.
"Mu Yang? What are you doing here?"
The speaker was none other than the person he was looking for—Xinyan.
The moment the burly guard saw Xinyan, his expression grew even fiercer.
After all, Xinyan was on the Yun-Han Opera Troupe's blacklist.
How could the troupe's old-timers accept rock 'n' roll culture?
So, they forbade Yun Jin from hanging out with Xinyan, fearing she'd be led astray.
Since he'd found his target, Mu Yang had no intention of lingering at the troupe's entrance under the guard's glare.
"Xinyan, I was just looking for you. Are you free right now?"
"Free as a bird. What's up?"
"Let's talk somewhere else."
"Cool."
Xinyan followed Mu Yang to [Muyu Snow City].
As soon as she stepped inside, she was stunned by the decor and setup. "This…"
No wonder Xiangling had told her not to assume Mu Yang was some old-fashioned relic just because he was an Adeptus.
At first, Xinyan had indeed thought that way.
She figured she and Mu Yang probably wouldn't get along.
After all, Liyue Harbor's older generation, who'd only lived a few decades, were already set in their ways.
How much more rigid would an Adeptus who'd lived for millennia and secluded himself from the world be?
Could he possibly accept her [rock 'n' roll culture]?
But now, seeing the setup of [Muyu Snow City], Xinyan's eyes were opened.
This Adeptus might be even trendier than her, maybe even more in tune with 'rock 'n' roll.'
Mu Yang noticed Xinyan's sparkling eyes, clearly thrilled, and didn't interrupt her.
He let her explore the shop freely.
Meanwhile, he headed to the bar area and mixed a glass of sparkling water.
Xinyan completed a full tour before approaching the counter.
Mu Yang handed her an orange-colored drink. "What do you think?"
"Thanks." Xinyan took the drink. "This place is absolutely awesome!"
"No exaggeration—this is the most innovative, most 'rock 'n' roll' setup I've ever seen."
The 'rock 'n' roll' in Xinyan's words wasn't strictly about rock music in the conventional sense.
After all, Mu Yang wasn't actually opening a rock-themed drink shop; he'd just set aside a corner stage for Xinyan.
That area was designed with a rock vibe.
The 'rock 'n' roll' Xinyan referred to was her personal standard for judging things.
She divided everything in the world into two categories: [rock 'n' roll] and [not rock 'n' roll].
It was a simple distinction:
If something was just and upright—like standing up for what's right or facing challenges head-on—that was rock 'n' roll.
If something was low-class—like bullying the weak or being deceitful—that was not rock 'n' roll.
Rock 'n' roll carried a spirit of rebellion and defiance, but if it went against morality, it was still not rock 'n' roll.
The specific criteria were up to Xinyan, based on either the outcome of the situation or her mood.
But the terms clearly conveyed praise or criticism.
So, while Mu Yang wasn't sure exactly what she meant, he knew it was a compliment.
"Try it and tell me how it tastes."
Xinyan looked at the orange-yellow sparkling water in front of her. It seemed ordinary.
But the red origami bird sticker on the glass? She loved it.
Xinyan took a sip, and to her surprise, this unremarkable sparkling water had such an intense flavor!
After drinking it, she felt like her whole body was about to explode!
Why was she suddenly so hyped up?
Unsure, she decided to try again.
The drink was gone in no time…
"What's this drink called?"
"Moment of Glory."
Xinyan flashed a brilliant smile. "As expected, it's exactly the vibe I imagined!"
Her current mood made her want to jump on stage and perform right then and there.
But Mu Yang hadn't shared his business yet, so she figured she'd wait until he was done before singing.
"So, Mu Yang, what did you want me for? Does it have something to do with Yun Jin?"
Xinyan was a bit puzzled, guessing as much since they'd met at the Yun-Han Opera Troupe's entrance.
"I'd like to invite you to be a resident singer here."
Xinyan froze. "Huh?"
This Adeptus not only understood rock 'n' roll but actually liked it?
Mu Yang explained that the second floor was aimed at the younger crowd, including plenty of rock fans.
There would be rock-themed days, where Xinyan could sing her heart out.
"That stage was prepared just for you. Feel free to tweak it however you want—I won't interfere."
That stage, her favorite part of the shop, was made for her…
A place to sing, no need for complicated stage permits, and she'd get paid.
Mu Yang also told her that her stage was protected by Adeptus arts—no matter how explosive her fire effects were, nothing would catch fire…
This was just too rock 'n' roll! Xinyan wanted to cry…
There was no reason to refuse. Xinyan signed a contract with Mu Yang and started clinging to his coattails.
Chongyun: I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should…
That evening, [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] reopened, bustling with a steady stream of customers, yet everyone stayed orderly.
Tian Tiezui's storytelling was just too captivating.
It had been a long time since he'd had such a large audience, and he was in high spirits, performing until midnight before the crowd dispersed.
Zhongli listened with great satisfaction and, as he left, triggered his classic line: "Put it on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab."
The waitress smiled. "Mr. Zhongli, the boss has instructed that all your expenses at [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] are on him."
That's right—Mu Yang had made this arrangement.
But he wasn't some naive pushover or someone who'd let his wealth dwindle.
The money spent on Zhongli would, sooner or later, be earned back from Rex Lapis himself!
And Mu Yang already had a plan in mind.