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After his performance came to a close, Venti reached down and picked up his hat from the cobblestones, giving it a gentle pat to settle the contents. Inside, a respectable pile of Mora shimmered under the tavern lights. It was a well-known tradition in Mondstadt that if a bard's song stirred the hearts of the audience, the people would cast a few coins as a sign of their appreciation. It hadn't been very long since Venti had returned to the city, and as it stood, his current daily earnings couldn't quite compete with the bards who had been performing in the plazas for years. However, he always called himself the best bard in the world with total confidence. Surpassing those local peers was only a matter of time. After all, when you have lived as long as he has, you possess a mastery over poetry and history that no mortal could ever hope to match.
But the competitive rankings of the local music scene weren't the most important thing on his mind at that moment. Looking at the gold coins resting in his hat, Venti's eyes lit up with pure joy. He practically skipped to the counter, scooping out the Mora and slapping it down onto the wooden surface with an excited flourish. He shouted toward the man behind the bar with a grin. Mr. Bartender, I'll take a plate of your finest beans and two bottles of your best wine!
The bartender paused, looking down at the small, youthful-looking bard. He hesitated for a second, his brow furrowing as he scrutinized Venti's face. Wait just a minute. You're not actually an adult yet, are you? Venti's smile faltered as the man continued. If you're just a kid, you shouldn't be asking for alcohol. Drinking is for grown-ups. Tell you what, I'll pour you two glasses of fruit juice on the house instead. You can keep your Mora.
Venti's expression shifted instantly from pure excitement to a look of utter, heartbroken disbelief. It was as if a heavy weight had suddenly been dropped onto his shoulders. Even though he was deathly allergic to cats, he felt like a kitten that had been left out in the rain. He looked at the bartender with a bitter, helpless pout. Mr. Bartender, I think there's been a huge misunderstanding. I grew up a long, long time ago. I'm definitely old enough to handle my drinks.
The bartender didn't budge. He shook his head firmly. No, I've heard that line before. Why do all you minors think you can fool me with that? No matter how much Venti tried to explain the complexities of his age, the bartender remained steadfast in his refusal. The man clearly took his job very seriously and viewed himself as a conscientious guardian of Mondstadt's youth. He truly believed that by denying this "boy" a drink, he was doing his part to ensure the city's future stayed bright. He even felt his own image grow a bit taller in his mind, proud of his moral stand.
Venti could only let out a long, dramatic sigh of despair. Really, there was no rule like this the last time I visited Mondstadt. Why has everything become so strict and complicated now? He was genuinely distressed. It was an incredibly awkward situation to be in. Who would have guessed that an Anemo Archon who had existed for thousands of years would be considered too young to buy a drink by his own people? It was a level of irony that was completely off the charts. He wondered how he could possibly solve this dilemma.
But just as he was about to give up, a clear and elegant voice rang out from the side of the room. Mr. Bartender, please go ahead and give this bard the two bottles of wine he asked for. He's actually much older than he looks. I can personally guarantee that he's reached the legal age.
The bartender looked up in surprise, but as soon as he saw the person who had spoken, his demeanor changed instantly. He offered a respectful nod of recognition. Without a word of protest, he turned around, pulled two bottles of high-quality wine from the cabinet behind him, and placed them gently in front of Venti. It was clear that the newcomer held a position of significant influence in the city.
Venti was stunned. He turned to look at the man who had intervened, finding Ye Ruo standing there with a calm, friendly smile. Ye Ruo had actually been in the tavern for quite some time. Mondstadt was a large and bustling city, and while Angel's Share and the Cat's Tail were the most famous spots, there were dozens of smaller taverns scattered throughout the various districts. After all, if there were only two places to get a drink, the residents living near the city walls would have to trek across half the city just for a pint. Besides, with so many bards in the city, there had to be plenty of venues for them to perform, or they would end up fighting over the same street corners.
When Ye Ruo had arrived, he chose a seat in a quiet, out-of-the-way corner. Because the tavern was currently filled with boisterous, half-conscious drunks, almost no one had noticed the famous Wind Knight sitting in the shadows. From his vantage point, he had watched the entire farce unfold. He found the situation quite amusing and even made a mental note to use it as material for a future novel.
Venti was now very curious about this helpful stranger. Thank you so much, little brother! You're a real lifesaver. I was starting to think I'd have to go through the whole night completely sober, which would have been a tragedy. May I ask who you are? As soon as he saw the fine wine within reach, Venti's eyes narrowed into happy slits. He hugged the bottles to his chest with the devotion of a true drunkard. The bartender just sighed and went back to cleaning glasses. If a man like the Wind Knight said the kid was an adult, then he would accept it, even if his eyes told him otherwise.
Ye Ruo shook his head slightly, keeping his tone casual and humble. Me? I'm just an ordinary person passing through. Please don't worry about it.
Venti tilted his head, giving him a skeptical look. An ordinary human? I highly doubt that. The way the bartender looks at you makes it very obvious that you're someone of high standing. You're being far too humble. Of course, he didn't push the issue. Venti had a very good memory, and the winds themselves would eventually whisper everything he wanted to know. In time, he would learn the names and faces of everyone important in this era of Mondstadt, just as he had done every time he woke up from a long slumber.
The lifespan of a human was so short compared to the eternity of a god. Every time Venti returned, he had to reconcile the fact that the familiar faces of the past had faded away, replaced by new generations. He watched the cycles of the city with a mix of fondness and melancholy. Ye Ruo offered a polite nod to both the bard and the bartender. Well, I'll leave you to your drinks. It was nice meeting you.
To the bartender and Venti, it seemed as though Ye Ruo had simply happened to witness the incident and decided to help out before moving on. In reality, Ye Ruo had come specifically to make an initial connection. He knew that now that Venti had surfaced in Mondstadt, their paths would cross many more times in the future. There was no need to rush a deep conversation. Besides, he knew that Venti was far too easily distracted by good wine to have a serious talk right now. Ye Ruo thought about the crates of premium dandelion wine Diluc had sent him earlier. It was essentially a perfect Venti trap if he ever needed one.
For an Anemo Archon, Barbatos was remarkably easy to get along with. However, his reappearance in the city was a clear sign that the Stormterror crisis was looming on the horizon. Even though Grand Master Varka had left with the main force, the city was still relatively peaceful for now. Venti would likely linger in the taverns for a few months before the situation with Dvalin reached a breaking point. Ye Ruo knew he still had some time to focus on his own projects before the real trouble started.
Venti watched Ye Ruo's retreating figure with a thoughtful expression. He had noticed the Anemo Vision hanging from the man's belt, and hearing the hushed whispers of the other patrons nearby, he had already pieced together his identity. He was genuinely surprised by what he sensed. The density of the wind element surrounding Ye Ruo was staggering. It wasn't just the power radiating from a Vision; there was something unique about the man's physical constitution that allowed him to harmonize with the wind on a deeper level.
He's a truly interesting guy, Venti mused. He turned back to the bartender. So, that was the famous Wind Knight, wasn't it? He's just like the rumors say—very gentle, humble, and friendly to everyone he meets.
The bartender nodded in agreement, letting out a breathy sigh. Yeah, everyone in the city feels the same way. Since the Grand Master left, things have felt a bit uncertain, but as long as we see Acting Grand Master Jean and the Wind Knight walking the streets, people feel safe. They know they can rely on them. Mondstadt is still the same free and beautiful city it's always been because of people like them.
However, as the bartender turned back to Venti, his suspicious look returned. I'm willing to trust the Wind Knight's word on your age, but looking at you, I'm still not comfortable letting you overdo it. You get these two bottles and that's it. I won't be serving you any more after that.
Venti's jaw dropped in outrage. You! How can you be so stingy! He clutched his two bottles even tighter, determined to make them last as he plotted how to find a more generous tavern for his next round. Happy reading every day during the Spring Festival. Don't forget to take advantage of the recharge offers and VIP coupons available during the activity period.