In front of the confinement room stood a knight of the Knights of Favonius, clad in armor.
When Shao Yun's figure appeared in sight, the knight immediately stepped forward and politely asked, "Hello, is there something I can help you with?"
Shao Yun gave a slight smile, pointed at the tightly shut door to the confinement room, and replied, "I'm here to pick up Klee. Acting Grand Master Jean asked me to take care of her for the day."
Upon hearing this, the knight didn't hesitate or question much. He simply nodded and opened the door.
Inside the confinement room, Klee was lying on the floor, completely absorbed in drawing with her crayons.
She perked up the moment she heard the door creak open, and as soon as she saw Shao Yun—
She dropped her crayon, threw on her backpack, and darted to the door like a cheerful little bird.
"Shao Yun big brother, can Klee come out now?" she asked with wide, expectant eyes.
Shao Yun felt a warm current stir in his heart when Klee called his name, though he still asked in mild surprise, 'You know my name?'
Klee nodded, her face beaming with innocent joy. "Yep! The Honorary Knight big sister told me. She said Shao Yun big brother is a really good person."
Shao Yun nodded with a smile. He crouched down to meet her gaze and said gently, "Then I'll get right to the point—Acting Grand Master Jean asked me to look after you today and take you out to play."
Klee jumped up with delight.
"Go out to play! Go out to play!"
Shao Yun watched her excited face, gently clapped his hands, and began to share his plan.
"Little Klee, I've got a few ideas I want to run by you. But I'd like to hear what you want to do first."
Stars seemed to sparkle in Klee's eyes. She paused her hopping, tilted her head, thought for a moment, then grinned innocently. "Can we blow up fish? I love blowing up fish!"
Shao Yun shook his head lightly, with a hint of apology. "That might not be the best idea, but how about we try fishing instead? Imagine it—sitting by a lake, quietly waiting for the fish to bite. It could be such a fun experience."
Klee looked a little puzzled at the word "fishing." She tilted her head curiously. "Fishing? What's that like?"
Shao Yun smiled, explaining patiently, "Fishing is when you use a rod with bait on the hook, place it in the water, and wait for the fish to bite. It takes patience and some skill, but when you catch one, the feeling is amazing."
Klee's eyes gradually lit up, clearly drawn in by his words. But then another thought struck her, and she asked, "Then can we go fishing right now?"
Looking into Klee's hopeful eyes, Shao Yun hesitated, then shook his head. "It might not be the best time for that just yet. But I can take you horseback riding first—to feel the wind and the bumpy ride."
The moment she heard "horseback riding," Klee's eyes gleamed like the brightest stars in the night sky. She jumped up with glee.
"Yes! Klee wants to ride a horse!"
Seeing her so excited filled Shao Yun with joy too, but he still made sure to check in.
"By the way, Klee, have you ever ridden a horse before?"
Klee nodded vigorously, pride shining in her expression.
"Of course! Mama once borrowed a horse from the Knights and took Klee for a ride!"
Hearing that, Shao Yun's concerns melted away. He smiled and patted Klee's head.
"That's great! Then let's go for a ride first, and afterward I'll teach you how to fish, how's that sound?"
Klee nodded eagerly.
"Yay! Horseback riding! Horseback riding!"
…
Bathed in the soft morning light, Shao Yun and Klee left the bustling Knights of Favonius headquarters and made their way outside Mondstadt.
Taking advantage of a moment when Klee wasn't looking, Shao Yun summoned Boadicea from the system's mobile stable.
Klee's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the tall, chestnut-brown warhorse that suddenly appeared.
"Wow! What a cool horse! It's even bigger than Kaeya's!"
Curious, Shao Yun asked, "Kaeya's horse? What's Kaeya's horse like?"
He wanted to know what kind of steed that "silver-tongued pirate captain" rode.
Klee tilted her head, touched her chubby chin with one hand, and thought for a bit. "Kaeya's horse is white—its fur is just like snow on a mountain! It's really pretty, but compared to Shao Yun big brother's horse, it's definitely smaller."
As Klee described it, the image of a snow-white Arabian steed formed in Shao Yun's mind.
It was a beautiful horse, but as a high-grade riding horse, it lacked the aura of intimidation.
Boadicea was a warhorse—her presence inspired awe and commanded respect.
Shao Yun gently stroked Boadicea's mane and murmured to himself, 'Ah, I see.'
While Shao Yun was lost in admiration, little Klee cheerfully ran circles around the mighty warhorse, Boadicea.
Her soft blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight, and the hem of her signature red dress fluttered like a blooming flower as she moved.
Boadicea stood quietly nearby, her powerful frame in stark contrast to Klee's tiny figure.
Klee had boundless energy—she just kept running around the horse.
Snapping back to his senses, Shao Yun asked, "Oh right, Klee, is there anywhere you want to go?"
Hearing the question, Klee stopped in her tracks, ran to Shao Yun, looked up seriously, and said, "Shao Yun big brother, Klee thinks all of Mondstadt is beautiful. Every place has its own special charm."
Shao Yun nodded with a smile. After thinking for a moment, he made a suggestion.
"In that case, how about I take you to Windrise's Eagle Soar Beach? I've heard the sand there is lovely, and the water is crystal clear."
Klee jumped up excitedly upon hearing that, waving her arms in the air.
"Yay! Shao Yun big brother, let's go to Eagle Soar Beach! I want to see the seagulls and the waves!"
Shao Yun gently lifted Klee and carefully placed her on Boadicea's broad saddle, then mounted the horse behind her.
With a joyful neigh, Boadicea carried them both galloping toward Eagle Soar Beach.
…
Falcon Coast sparkled like a brilliant pearl nestled in the bay on Mondstadt's eastern shore.
To the north stood Starsnatch Cliff, and to the south, Cape Oath.
The shallow waves shimmered gold under the sunlight.
When they arrived at the beach, Klee's eyes were immediately drawn to the stunning view. The golden sands sparkled, and the gentle waves lapped against the shore with a soothing rhythm.
Above, a few seagulls and eagles soared gracefully in the sky.
Watching the excited Klee in front of him, Shao Yun smiled and asked, "What do you think, Klee? Do you like it here?"
Klee nodded, her little face glowing with joy as she exclaimed, "It's amazing, Shao Yun big brother! I want to collect seashells!"
Shao Yun smiled and nodded. He took out a small basket from the saddle—he wasn't sure when he'd gotten it—and handed it to her with a gentle voice. "Of course. Here's a little basket for the shells you find. Need any help?"
Klee took the basket happily. "Thank you, Shao Yun big brother! I can do it myself!"
With that, she leapt off the saddle and ran barefoot across the sand.
Shao Yun sat on the horse, quietly watching Klee play and gather seashells.
Not long after, Klee returned with a basket full of shells, her face brimming with pride and joy as she showed them to Shao Yun.
"Shao Yun big brother, I found so many seashells!"
Shao Yun dismounted and praised her.
"Klee, you did a great job! What are you going to do with them? Are you making a necklace?"
Klee nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Mama taught me how to make shell necklaces. Klee wants to make one for Acting Grand Master Jean!"
Shao Yun gently patted her head with a smile.
"She'll love it. You're such a good kid—Acting Grand Master Jean will be proud of you."
Then, Shao Yun pulled out his fishing rod. Though he wasn't particularly fond of fishing, there didn't seem to be a better option at the moment.
He glanced at Klee's basket, then out at the shimmering sea, and asked with a grin, "While you're making your necklace, I think I'll try some sea fishing. What do you think—will I catch anything?"
Klee nodded firmly and walked over to gently touch his fishing rod.
"Klee gives Shao Yun big brother all her luck—you'll definitely catch a fish!" she said confidently.
Shao Yun couldn't help but laugh. Her words lifted his spirits. Even if he caught nothing, he'd treat her to a big meal anyway!
"Thanks for the luck," he replied with a chuckle.
Then he walked to the shoreline with his rod and began his sea fishing journey.
Gazing out at the ocean, Shao Yun murmured to himself, 'If I hook a Paimon No. 2, now that would be a show.'