Two days later, Mu Yang and his group set off.
This Windblume invitation included five people:
Mu Yang, Shenhe, Ganyu, Xinyan, and Ningguang.
As expected, Ningguang didn't put on airs in front of this group.
Of course, her merchant-like warmth was mostly directed at Xinyan.
The others had interacted with Ningguang to varying degrees, but Xinyan hadn't.
Though they were all Liyue four-star characters in the game, in the real world of Teyvat, their statuses were quite different.
Fortunately, Xinyan held a Pyro Vision and had a lively, approachable personality, so she didn't show any fear.
Ningguang had even helped her before.
When Xinyan first started performing rock music, her performances were so "fiery" that they literally sparked flames.
As a result, the Millelith always tried to stop her for safety reasons, banning her from setting up stages anywhere.
So, she filed a complaint with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Unexpectedly, her complaint caught Ningguang's attention, who then revised a related law, designating specific venues for such performances.
Though she still had to apply for permits each time, which was a hassle, at least she didn't have to run around aimlessly anymore.
That was the best treatment Xinyan had received before meeting Mu Yang.
Of course, it paled in comparison to now.
On the stage Mu Yang had custom-built for her, she could perform however she wanted…
With this connection, Xinyan felt more gratitude than anything toward Ningguang.
Ningguang just smiled and said she didn't mind, acting like an understanding older sister.
It was unclear whether Xinyan fully believed her.
Their route was straightforward: starting from Liyue Harbor, passing through Wangshu Inn, then to Stone Gate, Dawn Winery, Springvale, and finally Mondstadt City.
This path allowed them to visit all the major landmarks along the way.
As Vision holders, their stamina far surpassed that of ordinary people.
They traveled and enjoyed the sights until they reached the Guili Plains, where they stopped to rest.
Ningguang, ever the multifaceted woman, had already bonded thoroughly with Xinyan, acting like the friendly older sister next door.
She was similar to Yelan in this regard.
She could be a formidable businesswoman shaking the commercial world, a gentle sister adored by children, a refined lady at Yujing Terrace banquets, or a connoisseur of sweets…
It all depended on who she was dealing with.
During the break, Mu Yang prepared to cook something.
The others eagerly offered to help.
Though Ningguang was approachable, Xinyan and Ganyu were still mindful of her status and didn't ask her to join in.
This, however, made Ningguang unhappy.
She rolled up her sleeves, started a fire, and went to the nearby river to catch a few fish, which she began roasting over the flames.
Xinyan was stunned, realizing her previous assumptions about the lofty Tianquan Star were too rigid.
She wasn't that unapproachable after all.
"Lady Ningguang can even catch fish?"
Ningguang just smiled, saying nothing.
Some things she could show but rarely shared.
Before becoming Liyue's wealthiest person, Ningguang hadn't lived a life of luxury.
If she didn't earn money in the morning, she'd have no lunch.
After work, she'd walk barefoot along the streets, selling meat buns and grilled fish skewers.
To Ningguang, these weren't shameful memories but precious ones.
Without her obsession with Mora, she wouldn't have escaped that small fishing village.
Mu Yang wouldn't tarnish those unique memories.
Let her share them with those who needed to hear them.
Seeing Ningguang stay silent and instead hand over a fragrant grilled fish, Xinyan tactfully kept quiet.
By the time Mu Yang's meal was ready, they had already sampled Ningguang's cooking.
Shenhe was blunt. "It's delicious."
Ganyu and Xinyan nodded in agreement.
Not many in Liyue could say they'd tasted food personally made by Ningguang after she rose to power.
"I saved one for you," Ningguang said, handing Mu Yang the last grilled Chihu Fish.
Mu Yang took a bite—it was genuinely good.
Though, compared to his own cooking, it was still a tiny bit lacking.
"The flavor's pretty good."
"Hehe… getting your approval means my skills haven't rusted," Ningguang replied.
Mu Yang didn't bother to discern how much of her words were genuine.
He needed to eat quickly, or the food he'd made would be snatched up by the others.
She left him a grilled fish—had Ningguang planned this from the start?
After the break, the group reached Wangshu Inn.
It was already evening.
Since this was Ningguang's property, they didn't need to pay.
The ladies arranged their rooms as they pleased, while Mu Yang headed alone to the terrace.
He hadn't seen Xiao since the Chasm, and he'd missed the Lantern Rite, along with the iconic kowtow scene.
"Xiao?"
"I'm here." A figure appeared on the rooftop.
"Come down for a drink?" Mu Yang teased. "Hu Tao's not around."
Even without looking, Mu Yang knew Xiao was inwardly shuddering.
That lively girl had the audacity to make the Geo Archon pay his respects to her…
"Paimon told you?"
Mu Yang took out some wine, saying no more.
Everything was in the wine.
Back in the day, Mu Yang and Xiao were the quiet types at gatherings.
Since the Archon War, Xiao had lost much and rarely visited Mt. Aocang, only occasionally passing by from a distance, fearing his karmic debt would taint Shenhe.
The wine didn't intoxicate, but the drinkers did themselves.
Two taciturn men, after a few too many drinks, ended up in an open clearing, sparring with their weapons.
Under the moonlight, blades clashed…
Just as they were getting into it, some reckless fiends interrupted their fun.
The two went from opponents to allies, teaming up to defeat the enemies.
That night, they ensured another peaceful night for the people of Bishui Plain…
The next morning, after breakfast, Wangshu Inn welcomed an old acquaintance—legal consultant Yanfei, also Mu Yang's nominal chief mage.
"Well, well, going on vacation without me? Does being a nominal employee mean I don't count?"
Yanfei had originally come to Bishui Plain for a client.
Now, she'd caught Mu Yang red-handed.
The vacation group gained another member.
According to the original plan, they were headed to Stone Gate.
But Yanfei started chatting with the ladies about ice baths in Dragonspine.
As a result, they unanimously decided to detour to Dragonspine.
Mu Yang was baffled: ???
I organized this trip—how am I the one being left out?
Family, who gets this…?
Mu Yang trailed at the back of the group.
As for the ice bath, he had a good guess about the culprit.
Someone who had this hobby and had interacted with Yanfei?
"Eula, huh? This grudge is noted!"
"Looks like, on this Dragonspine trip, I'll have to cozy up with the Frostbearing Tree instead…"
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