On the Teyvat continent side.
Lumine learned about the story of Caribert from her brother's perspective.
Afterward, she was caught red-handed by Tighnari in Apam Woods.
And just like that, she was brought to the Sumeru festival event.
After participating in the Inter-Darshan Championship.
Not wanting to play cards with Cyno, Lumine found an excuse and quickly rushed back to Liyue Harbor.
Then, the moment she walked into the newly renovated [Muyu Snow City],
she broke down...
Genius Invokation TCG again?!
Damn, did Mu Yang run into Cyno while in Mondstadt?
Yes, possibly when he went to the Cat's Tail Tavern...
Cyno really was guilty of a heinous crime!
At that moment, the Grand Sage far in the Sumeru desert capturing criminals suddenly felt a thousand-pound weight on his body.
Where did this blame come from?
Lumine seriously scanned [Muyu Snow City] once.
From the outside just now, no changes could be seen.
Only upon entering did she realize it used a realm ability similar to the Serenitea Pot.
Probably Grandma Ping helped with the renovation.
Though Lumine was traumatized by the novice yet card-obsessed Cyno.
Who clearly couldn't beat her, a beginner. (Genius King Lumine)
Yet liked to call himself the Sumeru card king—did the Sumeru region still have hope?
Setting those aside, the atmosphere here was indeed good.
It really brought back many customers for Mu Yang.
Because of the shop expansion, they even hired a few servers specifically for the card players' side.
Our [Muyu Snow City] could be considered thriving now, right?
Paimon's eyes had no cards; she flew straight to the bar.
"Shenhe, we're back!"
Shenhe looked up. "Welcome back."
With that, she took out Paimon's favorite little cake.
The little one snickered. "Hehe, Shenhe's getting better and better at this. Good job."
Lumine's 'love tap on the head' followed closely.
"Is Teacher Paimon teaching bad things again?"
Shenhe explained very seriously that Paimon's move was very effective.
As long as a friend came, giving a small cake or a special drink.
They would all be very happy.
Seeing them happy, Shenhe herself felt very satisfied.
Lumine thought to herself that with such delicious cakes given for free, anyone would be happy.
But she didn't say it out loud.
If Shenhe felt happy, that was something no amount of Mora could buy.
Lumine took the juice Shenhe handed her and asked, "Is Mu Yang upstairs?"
Shenhe shook her head. "Master just returned from Chenyu Vale yesterday. Today, he should have gone to Bubu Pharmacy to deliver medicinal materials."
Lumine glanced and saw the shop was still manageable.
She told Shenhe she had something to discuss with Mu Yang and would come back to help later.
Shenhe agreed.
— — — — — —
Parallel Earth.
Version 3.6 lower half opened.
Normally, Guinaifen wouldn't do a character's story quest right away.
After all, considering the lower half had less plot.
It was all small events.
Not knowing what to stream during the barren period, it was better to save it.
But today was different; she decided to do Baizhu's story quest first thing.
"Family, let's run the quest first. After finishing, I'll help everyone pull."
[What's going on, streamer? Changing streaming style?]
[No, the purity of the chat in this stream seems a bit low]
[Exactly, who has the closest relationship with Baizhu and Changsheng—think about it, even Little Gui is drooling]
[Hehe, we get to see Mu Yang again]
[Feels like the quest portion will be more than Windblume]
Guinaifen agreed with the last comment.
Mu Yang in the Windblume Festival really just showed his face to give benefits.
He didn't participate in the plot at all, which was somewhat regrettable.
"This time there should be a bit more plot, right? If I don't see Mu Yang soon, I'll perish."
[Good riddance meow]
Guinaifen unlocked Baizhu's story quest.
Heading to Bubu Pharmacy...
— — — — — —
At this moment, below the steps of Bubu Pharmacy.
Not far from Mu Yang was a little child.
The child walked up wanting to talk to Mu Yang.
But intimidated by the other's aura, he suddenly froze, not knowing how to start.
[She really guessed right for Little Gui—starting with seeing Mu Yang, win!]
[After all, he's Changsheng's close friend]
[By the way, will it talk about Qiqi? I always feel Baizhu taking in Qiqi has another purpose]
[Probably will mention both]
Mu Yang was about to bring the person into Bubu Pharmacy.
When he heard Lumine's voice from afar.
"Mu Yang, what happened?"
"Did you run into some trouble?" Paimon flew closer.
Seeing the two familiar faces, Mu Yang explained the situation.
He had originally come to deliver medicinal materials.
This child ran over, seeming to have something to say.
But couldn't open his mouth.
Mu Yang thought he might be here to treat his throat.
So he planned to bring him to Bubu Pharmacy.
Lumine looked at the child's appearance—where was this about treating a throat?
He was clearly scared by Mu Yang's sudden aura.
She half-squatted down and asked gently, "Little kid, what happened?"
Only when the little boy saw Lumine being so approachable did he speak up.
"Hello, big sister. My name is Ayu." Ayu scratched his head. "Actually, it's—um, my dad, my dad got lost..."
Paimon thought the child might have said it backward.
Usually, seeing a lone child on the street, it was the child who got lost, right?
"Your dad got lost? Such a big person, how could he get lost?"
Ayu perhaps felt Lumine looked like a good person, so he didn't hide it.
He explained that his father had been forgetful for a long time.
In the past, it was just slow reactions.
But recently, the situation had gotten worse.
Paimon pressed, "Then, is there anyone else in your family? Like your mom."
"She went out a few days ago to gather herbs for dad and hasn't come back... These days, dad's condition has gotten worse too."
Ayu said he was taking care of his father alone at home.
Worried the illness was too severe.
He remembered the previous Lantern Rite.
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy would go to Qingce Village to treat people.
So he wanted to bring his father to Liyue Harbor to see Mr. Baizhu.
"But we had just entered Liyue Harbor, and after asking directions from the Millelith uncle at the gate, when I turned back, he was gone!"
Speaking of this, Ayu's tone became agitated.
"I've already asked the Millelith uncles to look for him, but they don't have many people available, so I thought, maybe I could go into the city first and ask for help..."
Ayu was very honest.
He said he saw Mu Yang and felt the other was an expert.
He should be able to help.
But when he walked up to Mu Yang, he was overwhelmed by Mu Yang's temperament.
Completely unsure how to speak...
[Is this possible?]
[Indeed, many Liyue people never see an Adeptus in their entire life]
[You think everyone is like Yaoyao, gathering all the Adepti love?]
[Mu Yang is only approachable because we're familiar with him]
Mu Yang didn't dwell on Ayu's attitude toward him.
He agreed to help find the person.
Paimon also chimed in, "Don't worry, we're experts at finding people."
"A piece of cake."
At this time, Qiqi suddenly appeared from who knows where.
"Changsheng can help too. Her nose is more sensitive than a doggy's."
[Whoa, my card pool moved—scared me]
[Don't say that, Qiqi is so cute]
[Hahaha, nose more sensitive than a doggy's]
[How did Mu Yang hold back laughter hearing this?]
Mu Yang indeed held it in with great difficulty.
He thought by intercepting here, he could salvage some image for Changsheng.
Unexpectedly, it still happened.
Haha, this isn't my fault.
Blame that damned Irminsul.
Changsheng and Baizhu came down the stairs.
Before the person arrived, the voice did.
"Hey! Who's speaking ill of me?"
She knew Qiqi's words had no malice, but being said like that in public.
She always had to retort.
Ayu, hearing this, looked shocked.
"A talking snake?! You're Uncle Baizhu!"
"Pfft—Uncle Baizhu..."
Changsheng couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.
"...Changsheng, serious matters first."
Right now, the most important thing was to find the child's father.
Baizhu squatted down, his voice gentle. "Little kid, tell me in detail about your father's condition."
[So gentle]
[Lumine just squatted down to ask too]
[Got it, Mu Yang definitely didn't squat, so couldn't start the dialogue]
Ayu truthfully told about his family situation...
A flash of doubt passed through Baizhu's eyes.
"Your family lives around Qingce Village? I often go there for house calls, but I don't seem to have met you."
"Mm." Ayu nodded. "My mom doesn't like meeting outsiders, especially during Lantern Rite..."
"She always tells me to stay home and keep dad company."
Lumine listened and felt it was strange. Liyue's Lantern Rite was all about the liveliness.
Family reunion dinners, visiting relatives.
Who spends Lantern Rite all alone?
None?
Mu Yang beside her was one, right?
And Xiao at the beginning.
But they had missions—during Lantern Rite, evil spirits were active.
They stayed away from the bustle for Liyue's peace.
What was this Ayu family avoiding?
Lumine hadn't figured it out yet.
But Baizhu had already understood the cause and effect.
"Ayu, your mother's name... is it Jiangli?"