"Morning – Wangshu Inn"
Sunlight pierced through layers of cloud, shining onto the curved tiled roof of Wangshu Inn. The distant lake shimmered, reflecting the brilliant blue sky. Grass and trees swayed gently in the mountain breeze, accompanied by the lively chirping of birds.
Mei trudged down the stairs, still rubbing her eyes. Her clothes were a bit messy, and she looked like she hadn't fully woken up. She had barely descended a few steps when a calm yet firm voice stopped her.
- Verr Goldet: So, Mei? How did everything go?
- Mei (grinning, giving a thumbs-up): Flawless! Don’t worry, boss!
- Verr Goldet (smiling with satisfaction): Good to hear.
- Mei: It’s all thanks to you and everyone else that the ceremony went so smoothly.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Mei tilted her head and lowered her voice like a detective interrogating someone.
- Mei: By the way... since last night, did you see anyone suspicious leave the inn?
- Verr Goldet (pausing in thought): You mean the one impersonating an Adeptus? He left early this morning. His face was pale, like he was being chased by ghosts.
Then she pulled a paper bundle and a familiar book from the drawer and handed them to Mei.
- Verr Goldet: He left this for you. A letter... and the "Forbidden Truths Codex."
Mei hesitated a bit but opened the letter anyway. She skimmed it quickly before folding it decisively.
- Mei (thinking): Too long... not reading this.
But she barely took two steps before turning back, her conscience weighing in.
- Mei (thinking again): But... what if it contains something important?
So she opened it again. Her eyes scanned the neatly written lines a confession from the Celestial Moon General.
He expressed deep regret over his actions and now wished to redeem himself by doing good deeds across Teyvat to "turn over a new leaf."
At the end of the letter, he praised Xiao—the one who had silently protected Liyue for millennia without a single complaint.
- Mei (tilting her head thoughtfully): Oh! This praise of Xiao is actually pretty on point.
- Mei: As for the Forbidden Truths Codex, I better return it to Xiao soon.
---
"Afternoon – Kitchen"
Midday sunlight filtered through swaying leaves onto the path to the inn, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air carried the scent of wood and the faint fragrance of dried tea leaves from the front porch. Mei dragged herself into the kitchen like someone on the verge of fainting.
- Mei: Yanxiao, I’m starving! Got anything to eat? Steamed buns, fried rice, hot porridge... anything!
She slumped onto the table, lamenting with the sincerity of someone who had just completed a major mission. But the kitchen answered only with a haunting silence.
- Mei (bewildered): Huh... where is Yanxiao?
She looked around and jumped a bit when she noticed a familiar figure sitting at a small table tucked away near the stairs.
Neck-length black hair tinged with blue, a Yaksha mask hanging at his hip, eyes as deep as an abyss... No need for a second glance.
- Familiar voice (coldly): He’s not here.
- Mei (startled): Xiao!?
She let out a relieved sigh, patting her chest like she just survived a jump scare, and quickly approached with a bright smile.
- Mei: Perfect timing! I was just looking for you to return the Forbidden Truths Codex.
- Xiao (glancing at it and taking it): Hm. Thanks.
- Mei (scratching her head): Hehe...
Looking at the table, she spotted a freshly grilled tigerfish steaming in front of Xiao.
- Mei: Oh! Grilled Tigerfish? Switching it up today?
Xiao paused briefly, his gaze dimming slightly.
- Xiao: This was Dongque's favorite dish when he was alive...
- Xiao: So I wanted to try it.
- Mei (awkwardly): I... I see.
- Mei (thinking, her expression falling): Ugh... misspoke again. My big mouth is gonna get me in trouble one day.
A heavy silence settled between them. Xiao quietly picked up his chopsticks, while Mei lingered as if she didn’t want to leave but had nothing more to say.
Eventually, Xiao broke the silence.
- Xiao: ...Is there something else? I prefer to eat alone.
- Mei (awkwardly): Ah... um... Well, I’ll go then. Don’t want to disturb you.
Though her steps faltered slightly, Mei resolutely left the kitchen. But a strange sense of reluctance tugged at her heart.
She knew Xiao wasn't one to express himself easily, but these small changes made her realize he was starting to open up, even if just a little.
---
Evening – Wangshu Inn
Night had fallen across the mountains and forests of Liyue, wrapping the peaks and rooftops in a deep indigo quilt. Lanterns hanging from the inn slowly lit up, their soft orange glow flickering in the breeze, casting shadows across the patches of Dancing Lionflowers below.
Inside the main dining room of the inn, warm light bathed the time-worn ebony round table. Four chairs had been pulled close, and the blue-and-white porcelain bowls steamed invitingly.
Delicious dishes graced the table: squirrel fish, lotus seed egg soup, fresh pickled bamboo shoots, and a plate of golden sesame buns. The familiar aroma blended with the gentle scent of jasmine tea, making the room itself feel... hungry.
- Verr Goldet (pouring tea calmly): Everyone’s worked hard today.
Mei, mouth full of buns, nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
- Yanxiao (chuckling as he set down his chopsticks): Haha, eat slowly. No one’s starving you.
- Mei (swallowing hard, huffing): Oh please! Who disappeared from the kitchen at noon? You left me to starve!
- Yanxiao (helplessly): Hey, that wasn’t my fault! The Demon Subduing Great Saint himself showed up and ordered food. I couldn’t just ruin his alone time!
- Mei (half-convinced): Well... I guess that makes sense...
- Huai’an (sighing): I haven’t been back a full month and already so much has happened...
- Huai’an: Thankfully, the Demon Subduing Great Saint intervened. If we had to handle it ourselves, the inn’s reputation might have taken a hit.
- Mei (nodding, suddenly serious): Right? That guy really went too far. He even tried to attack me during the ritual!
- Yanxiao (startled): Seriously? Were you hurt?
- Mei (arms crossed, smug): Of course not! With the Demon Subduing Great Saint watching over me, how could I get hurt?
- Verr Goldet (relaxing, speaking gently): As long as you’re okay. I’ve made sure to keep the incident quiet.
- Verr Goldet: No need to worry anymore.
- Mei (giving a thumbs-up): Wow! That’s our boss lady for you.
Huai’an nodded in approval, and after a thoughtful pause, he spoke again.
- Huai’an: When I arrived in Liyue Harbor, I heard that Dawn Winery is expanding its business here, and its first stop is said to be Wangshu Inn.
- Huai’an (turning to Verr Goldet): Is that true, Goldet?
- Verr Goldet (casually nodding): Yes. While you were still in the harbor, Elzer came and proposed the idea to me.
- Verr Goldet: But I haven’t agreed yet. Still weighing the pros and cons.
- Verr Goldet: What do you think of the offer?
- Huai’an (pondering): It has its merits and drawbacks. Overall, not bad.
- Huai’an: But it still needs careful consideration. We can’t compromise the tranquility of this place.
- Mei (nodding): Exactly! Imagine drunk travelers barging in, making a mess... I can barely stand being woken up from a nap as it is.
- Yanxiao (muttering while picking up veggies): If she snaps, the whole inn might shake...
- Mei (mock glaring): Hey! Don’t underestimate my destructive power like that. If you want to know what "Mei’s Wrath" is like, just ask that Celestial Moon General.
Laughter filled the table again the clinking of chopsticks, the soft pouring of tea. Each little moment drifted like breeze through wooden walls, bringing with it the warmth of a rare home nestled between the fields and the vastness.
In Mei’s heart, even with the lingering worries about time travel, about the journey ahead this moment, surrounded by familiar faces, felt like truly living in a real world.
Not a place where everyone just repeats the same few programmed lines, never able to change.