It was dinner time, and the second floor was about to close.
The hour had come; now it was the first floor's turn to make money!
The three gods bid farewell to Mu Yang and Lumine before leaving separately.
The player side displayed: Activity continues in two days...
[That's it? I haven't had enough yet]
[Be content; three old friends getting to meet like this—what a blessing]
[Prison Yang is a god too, the god of wish-fulfillment]
The player event ended, but the part-time life in Teyvat did not.
The entire afternoon was packed with customers; the little shop's business was booming.
Lumine and Paimon were both feeling the pressure maxed out.
Lumine slumped over the bar counter. "I'd rather fight Hydro Specters than listen to those annoying requests..."
Paimon was already lying flat on the counter, serene.JPG
"Hard work, Lumine—and Paimon too."
Lumine lifted her head. "Before we came, was Mu Yang handling everything alone?"
This intensity—he'd probably work himself to death.
Mu Yang tidied up, smiling faintly.
"Not exactly, but I sent them for training. After all, they're not as talented as you—understanding everything with just a hint."
When Wendy praised her, Lumine put her hands on her hips, looking badass.
When Mu Yang praised her, Lumine suddenly grew shy. "Hehe..."
Paimon jolted upright from her near-death state. "Stop!"
"My! Stomach! Is! Hungry!"
Mu Yang understood this hungry dragon's roar.
Today's Paimon was not only useful but extremely obedient.
To ensure dinner, she performed her duties diligently and didn't dare covet the customers' things...
Mu Yang personally cooked, preparing a sumptuous banquet for the two.
Only then was Paimon satisfied.
After eating, Mu Yang sent them to rest.
"You should rest early too."
"Mhm, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Mu Yang could actually slack off and let the system handle these tasks, but he didn't.
He was enjoying the tranquility after the bustle.
Moreover, he had a premonition that someone would come tonight...
Under the lights, the young man was wiping wine glasses.
The door of [Muyu Snow City] was pushed open. "Closing time?"
Mu Yang looked up; the visitor was beyond his expectations.
"Since I sent an invitation, there's naturally no such thing as closing."
"Good, I came specifically for the old acquaintance freebie."
Rosaria skillfully sat on a bar stool; she was no stranger to taverns.
"From your earlier look, you didn't expect me to show up?"
"A bit unexpected." Mu Yang didn't deny it.
He knew this Mondstadt nun had another identity.
She was active under the silver moonlight.
Using Cryo elemental spells and a polearm to judge those who threatened Mondstadt.
Thus, she always ended her nun duties on time to begin her 'night life'...
For someone like her, it should be hard to invite.
But the two had fought side-by-side at Mondstadt's gates.
Afterward, Rosaria even found Mu Yang and gave him a bottle of wine.
So Mu Yang likewise sent an invitation to the Favonius Cathedral.
That time, the two didn't exchange a single word.
Because Mu Yang back then was playing the aloof pretender. (not really)
Rosaria didn't know what topic to bring up with him.
They simply stayed silent and drank dry.
But now it was different; this environment was familiar enough for Rosaria.
"Honestly, if I wasn't curious about the Liyue mark up there, that letter would've been trash."
Rosaria pulled out a 'mosquito coil.' "Mind if I?"
"Go ahead."
She puffed clouds while flipping through the menu.
"You'd better satisfy me here. For this few-day vacation, next month I have to join Barbara's choir."
Mu Yang had been mixing drinks since earlier.
This one was made by feel.
After all, he truly hadn't expected Rosaria to come.
Even Lisa had a higher chance than her.
Mu Yang went through the motions and pushed a pale purple iced drink forward.
"[In the Night]"
"You didn't just come up with that name, did you." Rosaria said flatly.
She extinguished her smoke, picked up this drink that seemed custom-made for her, and took a sip.
"Not bad, for a mercenary who switched careers."
Truthfully, Rosaria came not because her bond with Mu Yang was that strong.
Strong enough to join the choir for overtime to trade for vacation.
She just found it intriguing that a mercenary who casually talked about slaying dragons had opened a tavern.
The matter itself was interesting.
If it was to disguise and approach a target, there was no need to invite Mondstadt friends over.
Otherwise, the target's vigilance was high, and the act wouldn't fool without full commitment.
No matter the case, Rosaria wanted to come see.
After all, Mu Yang's performance in Mondstadt was too eye-catching.
Someone who could give him trouble must be very interesting.
Unfortunately, she seemed to have overthought...
Mu Yang naturally wouldn't seriously answer her question, just kept serving her drinks.
Not bad, huh? Tsundere, huh? Drink for me.
Drink until you say it's good...
The door of [Muyu Snow City] opened again.
Mu Yang couldn't help wondering just how many night owls he knew?
"The maid downstairs seems to think the second floor is where I should go."
Yelan looked at Mu Yang, who was pouring drinks for the pretty lady, and asked.
"Is this where I should be?"
Rosaria downed the last half-glass in one gulp.
"I'm out. Better than [Angel's Share]. Thanks for the treat."
With that, she stood and left, passing Yelan.
The two nodded casually in greeting, yet both clearly sensed the other was the same type.
Tonight was destined to be a long night; who knew what sparks these two would strike?
Yelan retracted her gaze. "The Adeptus's friends really are all over the Teyvat continent."
"What Ade finalize? Just an ordinary tavern owner."
Mu Yang organized the bar, wiping his hands with a handkerchief.
"What'll you have."
"Didn't you predict I'd come?"
Yelan looked at [Orchid in the Rain] on the menu, and in the illustration, the drink's color scheme and dice garnish.
It was this direct; why ask more.
"Then, add some Jueyun Chili-flavored sparkling water?"
Yelan was speechless; she did like spicy food.
But Jueyun Chili plus sparkling water was a bit devilishly unorthodox.
"Can't say I'm impressed."
...
Mu Yang stood at the shop door, seeing off the last customer.
"Take care; come pick it up anytime after drinking."
That customer didn't vanish into the shadows as usual.
Because she was carrying a case of Jueyun Chili-flavored sparkling water...
(Tomorrow: Liyue's little ones and Changsheng, then The Crane Returns on the Wind)