After finishing Alice's letter, Shao Yun thought to himself, 'So this is the so-called extra reward Alice promised would satisfy me?'
Still, free food and lodging in Sumeru wasn't bad at all. Overall, he was fairly pleased.
He called softly after the retreating Dori, "Wait."
The petite merchant froze mid-step, her tiny frame trembling before she turned back nervously. "E-excuse me… is there something else?"
Without a word, Shao Yun handed her Alice's letter and said curtly, "Read this first."
Dori carefully accepted it, mumbling, "Alright, alright… but don't blame me, you're the one telling me to read it. Let's see what it says…"
But before she even finished muttering, her eyes scanned the lines—and at Alice's instructions for Shao Yun to fully use the torture devices, Dori shrieked in horror.
"Ahhh!"
Fortunately, she was a merchant hardened by storms and soon realized her outburst. She forced herself to swallow the scream, remembering well the unspoken rules—such matters must never be spoken of carelessly.
Bracing herself, she read further.
And then her composure shattered completely.
"You mean… I have to provide free premium food and lodging?! Lady Alice, are you kidding me?!"
Shao Yun, amused by her pained expression, chuckled. "Haha, exactly. So please, arrange something for us."
Dori stared down at the letter in disbelief, unable to accept it was real.
To be sure, she pinched her soft cheek hard. The sting confirmed it wasn't a dream.
After a long inner struggle, she sighed in defeat.
"Well… fine. Lady Alice is my most important supplier, after all. Let's call this a loss to ward off disaster. Your lodging and meals are on me."
She turned and hurried toward the main hall of the Palace of Alcazarzaray, glancing back to say, "Wait at the pavilion for me. I'll be back soon."
Shao Yun nodded and had the Useless System store away the torture devices.
He returned alone to the pavilion.
Not long after he sat, a maid appeared carrying a tray of Sumeru delicacies and a pot of freshly brewed coffee.
While waiting, Shao Yun snacked and sipped.
The coffee's rich aroma lingered on his tongue, and he thought back to Yelan's remark about his own coffee grounds never brewing as well as Sumeru's.
'She wasn't wrong. This flavor really is something special.'
By the time he finished, Dori returned, holding a freshly sealed letter stamped with her own crest.
"I'm back! Here, take this!" she said, handing it over.
Shao Yun accepted it, puzzled. "And what's this?"
Smiling, Dori explained, "A letter of introduction. My palace is out in the wilderness, surrounded by danger. Not exactly convenient for lodging."
"So, I asked a business partner of mine in Sumeru City to host you instead. How about that?"
Shao Yun teased, "Oh? Passing the trouble on so easily? You've got this huge palace, and you can't spare a single room for us?"
Dori laughed awkwardly, waving her hands. "Oh no, don't be fooled by appearances! You don't know the hardships behind all this."
"This palace once suffered corruption from Withering Zones. Without forest rangers and… other factors, it wouldn't look like this today."
"Having you stay here would be… in Liyue's words, improper hospitality."
Shao Yun had only been joking, but he realized she wasn't wrong. This was no place to linger anyway. In Sumeru City, at least there would be food, entertainment… it wasn't time to live like a hermit yet.
"So then," he asked, "who exactly are you passing us on to?"
Dori's eyes gleamed slyly. "My business partner, Shahzaman. Just ask around for the Homayani Family, and you'll find him easily. Hand him this letter, and he'll take good care of your meals and lodging."
At the mention of Homayani Family, Shao Yun froze. The name sounded far too familiar.
He hesitated, then asked, "That family… they have a young lady named Dunyarzad?"
Dori nodded. "Exactly! Don't tell me you know the Homayani Family?"
Shao Yun waved both hands quickly. "No, no… just heard of them before, that's all."
Seeing his reaction, Dori let it go and reassured him, "Anyway, Shahzaman's worked with me for years. Add in that I'm footing the bill—there's no way he'll treat you poorly."
Shao Yun took the letter, half-joking, half-serious. "If he does, I'll burn down your palace."
The threat instantly reminded Dori of Alice's letter.
So, she laughed shrewdly, replying smoothly, "Hahaha, you do love your jokes."
Shao Yun gave her a look. "Let's hope it stays a joke. Though honestly, I wouldn't mind if he did treat us poorly…"
…Because then I'd have an excuse to rob him.
…
By the time Shao Yun returned to Gandharva Ville, night had fallen.
Beyond the settlement, moonlight was smothered by the dense canopies of Sumeru's rainforest.
The chirping of insects echoed among the leaves, fireflies blinking faintly as they dotted the shadows, bringing a gentle glow to the stillness of the forest.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the fresh fragrance of plants.
Soon, Shao Yun reached the treehouse where he, Lumine, and Paimon were staying.
Entering, he immediately spotted Lumine seated idly on the bed, her gaze fixed firmly on him.
He smiled. "I'm back. How have you two been while I was gone?"
Lumine tilted her head slightly, studying him before answering softly, "Mm… nothing much. I chatted a bit with Collei and drank some bitter medicine. Nothing exciting."
Then Shao Yun's eyes caught on something unusual—a Sumeru-style cradle in the corner.
"Whoa, when did that appear? It wasn't here when I left."
Lumine's lips curved in a mischievous smile. She glanced at Paimon, floating beside her with a sulky face, then back at Shao Yun, silently hinting.
Shao Yun followed her gaze. Paimon's chubby cheeks were scrunched in misery, her expression utterly defeated.
It clicked immediately—the cradle was for Paimon.
Laughing, Shao Yun teased, "So, Lumine and I on the bed, and Paimon in the cradle? Haha, we really look like a happy little family of three now!"
Paimon nearly burst into tears. 'Why am I suddenly the baby here?!'
But the treehouse bed was too small for three. She had no choice but to accept, even if she muttered resentfully under her breath.
"Mmm… so unfair! I'm not a baby…"
Her pitiful expression set Lumine off—first a muffled giggle, then full, ringing laughter.
"Hahaha!"
…
When it came time to sleep, Paimon lay limply in the cradle, world-weary, while Shao Yun and Lumine finally shared a bed again.
Usually it was Lumine and Paimon together, but tonight was different. Shao Yun relished the chance, his heart light with joy.
Before drifting off, he eagerly told Lumine about his meeting with Dori, and how he'd solved their lodging issue in Sumeru City.
Lumine read over Dori's letter of introduction carefully. 'So that's what he went out for…'
"Wow! Just like that, our lodging's taken care of!"
She returned the letter with a smile, hugging his arm. "Thank you. You worked hard."
Feeling her tenderness, Shao Yun's heart stirred. He leaned in, pressing, "Since I worked so hard, shouldn't there be… a reward?"
His eyes gleamed like a hungry wolf spotting prey.
Lumine flushed, catching his intent, and shot him a glare. "Stop right there—Paimon's still here!"
Shao Yun smirked. Too easy.
He glanced at the cradle, where Paimon lay listless, and bribed, "Paimon, when we reach Sumeru City, I'll buy you a feast. But right now, cover your eyes and ears."
The word "feast" instantly revived her spirits. Her eyes lit up, and she dove under the blanket, muffling herself. "Okay, okay—but keep it down!"
Lumine sighed, half amused, half exasperated. "Paimon, you're too easy to tempt! All that for just one meal?"
Shao Yun, satisfied, turned back to Lumine with eager anticipation. "So… now?"
She hesitated, then slowly nodded, closing her eyes.
His hands twitched, trembling with excitement—
Until Lumine suddenly remembered something, her eyes snapping open as she shoved him away.
"Wait! This is Tighnari's place. We can't do this in someone else's home!"
At once, Shao Yun sobered. She was right. Doing that here would be downright rude.
And so, the two simply went to sleep.
As for the promised meal for Paimon—of course he'd still pay up. A little Mora was nothing.