"Bro, why aren't you on duty at the confinement room door? Has our Spark Knight been released?"
"Yeah, that's right. Since Stormterror hasn't come for many days now, Acting Grand Master Jean let the little one out. You patrolling folks better watch out; don't let her play with bombs in Mondstadt. I'd like to rest a few more days."
The Favonius Knight in charge of guarding the confinement room cheerfully greeted a few knights on patrol. After being busy for so many days, he could finally take a break.
The newly freed Klee didn't go straight home. Instead, she hopped and skipped along the street, her little arms holding a specially made white Jumpy Dumpty.
When she met acquaintances along the way, Klee would politely greet them. Many residents jokingly told Klee to be careful not to get sent back to the confinement room again. Sara, who was quite fond of little Klee, even gave her a free grilled fish for breakfast.
"I remember Big Brother Su Bai's house should be around here... Hehe, he'll definitely love the surprise I prepared for him."
After finishing the grilled fish, Klee followed the address Su Bai had once told her and arrived at a house with its front door slightly ajar. Seeing the door wasn't closed, Klee thought Su Bai was home and peeked her head through the crack into the house.
"Big Brother Su Bai, Klee's here to see— Huh?? What happened??"
The room before her was in complete disarray. Furniture of all kinds was toppled on the floor, the bed was cleanly split in two, and the walls were covered in footprints and scratches. The whole place looked uninhabitable.
Klee scratched her head. Had Big Brother Su Bai gotten into a fight with someone at home? How did the house end up like this? No, she had to go see Sister Barbara to check if Big Brother Su Bai was hurt. If he was injured, then Klee would definitely help Big Brother Su Bai fight off the bad guys together!
---
Angel's Share
Inside Angel's Share, Diluc frowned as he read the intelligence report in his hand. The Lawrence clan's guards trashed Su Bai's house? Diluc took a deep breath. Well, well. They've got some nerve. Don't tell me someone actually thinks Su Bai, who hardly stirs up trouble in Mondstadt, is an easy target?
Diluc tossed the report onto the table. He had no intention of getting involved in Lawrence clan affairs. This kind of headache was best left for Acting Grand Master Jean.
"Have the bartender keep an eye out for Su Bai's movements. If he returns to Mondstadt, give him this intelligence report."
---
Springvale
Su Bai, still unaware his home had been vandalized, was in Springvale discussing pigeon habits with Diona's father, Draff. Draff was quite dissatisfied with his flock of lazy pigeons. (The Mondstadt daily commission involves herding Draff's pigeons... I always can't resist shooting a few down...)
"Sweetie, where are you going with your bow?"
"Dad, Big Fox is here and you didn't prepare anything? Weren't you just complaining about the lazy pigeons? I'll go get a few pigeons for us to eat."
Diona planted her hands on her hips, somewhat angry that her father hadn't prepared any food. Big Fox was her lifesaver. She couldn't just let him sit here dry, chatting with her dad.
"Oh! My head, I forgot to tell you."
Draff patted his own head, his tone carrying a hint of regret.
"Today, the famous chef from Liyue, Xiangling, came to our Springvale to hunt wild boar. Your sister Brook is having a cooking competition with Chef Xiangling. We'll get to enjoy the food too. Sir Su Bai, you've come at a fortunate time."
Diona looked at her father in surprise. She had heard of the Liyue chef Xiangling. It was said she was extremely skilled in culinary arts. She never thought she'd get to taste Chef Xiangling's cooking today. Truly a lucky day.
"Xiangling? What's she doing in Mondstadt? Could she really be wanting to try cooking with dragon meat?"
Su Bai muttered under his breath. He had specifically mentioned Mondstadt's dragon trouble to Xiangling while eating at Wanmin Restaurant before. She shouldn't be unaware.
"Big Fox, what are you muttering about? Aren't you from Liyue? You must have tasted Chef Xiangling's cooking, right? Tell me, is her food really that good?"
"Actually, Diona, you've eaten something Xiangling made before. During our picnic, the pastries you ate were made by Xiangling for me."
"Wh-what?"
Diona was instantly filled with regret. If she had known those were pastries made by Chef Xiangling, she wouldn't have competed with Su Bai to see who could eat faster. So many delicious pastries, and she barely tasted them before swallowing. What a waste!
"Big Fox, you jerk! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I didn't expect Xiangling to be so famous here. Back in Liyue, I practically have three meals a day made by her. I guess I didn't think much of it."
"You, you... I'll bite you to death, you rotten fox!"
Su Bai didn't expect his casual honesty to deal tons of emotional damage to Diona. Diona bared her little fangs and tried to bite the 'flexing' Su Bai.
Unfortunately, facing 'Master Su' with years of experience catching Sayu, the short-armed, short-legged Diona miscalculated. Lifted into the air, Diona could only wave her little arms, trying to fan away the air around Su Bai to suffocate him.
"Yah! Su Bai, what are you doing here?"
While Su Bai and Draff were chatting about the history of the Kätzlein lineage, Paimon, holding a raspberry, popped out from somewhere, followed by the chubby Guoba.
"Guoba, haven't seen you in a few days, and you seem rounder."
Su Bai picked up Guoba and hefted him in his hands. He didn't know what tasty treats Xiangling had been feeding Guoba lately, but his weight was skyrocketing. Last time he met Xiangling, she was complaining that Guoba was getting too fat, and the little chair she specially made for him had already collapsed under his weight.
"Lu lu lu? Lu lu lu!"
Guoba tilted his head, making 'lu lu lu' sounds, putting on an innocent act. He even offered the raspberry in his hand to Su Bai's mouth.
Without much thought, Su Bai took a bite of the raspberry. An intensely sour and astringent flavor instantly exploded in his mouth. Seeing Su Bai's facial features scrunch up from the sourness, Guoba immediately wriggled free from Su Bai's grasp.
"You've got some nerve, Guoba. Not only have you gained weight, but your courage has grown too after a few days apart."
"Looks like today's lunch is settled."
"Lu lu lu~"
Faced with Su Bai's threat, Guoba showed not a hint of nervousness. Instead, he provocatively wiggled his butt at Su Bai, then immediately ran behind Xiangling to seek protection. (Fan-made Guoba videos are often more suggestive than fan-made Xiangling ones...)
"Su Bai, Su Bai, hurry up and teach Guoba a lesson! Guoba is so bad!"
Paimon, who had been fighting over fruit with Guoba the whole way, immediately began fanning the flames. Guoba, hiding behind Xiangling, stuck out his tongue at Su Bai. That infuriating look made Su Bai's fists clench.
Xiangling, who hadn't seen Su Bai yet, thought Guoba was in some danger. The White Tassel hidden behind her back was instantly gripped in her hand. However, after scanning the surroundings, she found no enemies.
"Xiangling, after so many days apart, you greet me by readying your spear for a few jabs?"
"Su Bai! You're actually here! Great! I was just thinking of asking Lumine to pass on a message for you. Looks like I won't need to trouble her now."
"A message?"
Could it be some girl missing me?
Xiangling's expression was somewhat complex, her gaze towards Su Bai carrying a trace of pity. This look completely threw Su Bai off. Had he been discovered for putting Jueyun Chili powder in Zhongli's tea? Or had Ningguang found out about that time at the Jade Chamber when he scattered Wangsheng Funeral Parlor flyer fragments on the ground to impersonate 'snowfall'? But neither of those should have been exposed. He had been very discreet.
"A few days ago, when Sister Shenhe came to Wanmin Restaurant for a meal, I happened to be packing for my trip to Mondstadt. She asked me to pass on a message to you."
"'Next time we meet, I shall spar properly with you, Su Bai.'"