Milton Lawrence and Ross Lawrence's faces turned an unnaturally ugly shade—like apples scorched by fire, so red they looked like they might bleed.
But it wasn't just anger that colored their faces—it was the shame that came with being pierced so cleanly by Shao Yun's words.
Milton Lawrence gasped for air, his trembling finger pointed at Shao Yun as he stammered, "Y-You country bumpkin, how dare you insult the Lawrence family like this!"
Ross Lawrence echoed him from the side, though his voice quivered, "The Lawrence family's former glory is not something someone like you could ever comprehend!"
Shao Yun, however, remained utterly unmoved. His retort was sharp and merciless. "The Lawrence family? You're not worth a damn. Even in your prime, I'd worry about you stealing hay from the horses if I hired you to muck their stalls! Scram!"
Milton Lawrence looked like he was about to faint from rage. Clutching his chest, he gasped heavily and growled through gritted teeth, "Y-You uncultured brute! How dare you talk like this! I won't stoop to arguing with a backwater yokel like you! We came for one thing only! I want you to cooperate with the Lawrence family! Help us restore our former glory! In return, we might even consider letting you become a Lawrence!"
Shao Yun raised a cold eyebrow, then waved them off with disinterest.
"Stop embarrassing yourselves. Get lost. I'm sparing you today for Klee's sake."
Milton's expression darkened to a stormy hue. With a snort, he turned to Ross. The two exchanged a look.
"Ross, let's go," Milton ordered tersely, then climbed back onto his donkey.
Ross followed suit.
The two rode side by side like a pair of pompous vultures.
Before leaving, Milton turned back and shouted coldly toward Shao Yun, "We'll be waiting for you. One day. That's all you get! If you say no, you will regret it!"
Shao Yun spat back, "Buzz off, you inbred freaks! I'm letting you walk away because of Klee today—but next time? You won't be so lucky!"
Milton and Ross didn't respond. Their faces were darker than storm clouds as they rode off on their donkeys like defeated fugitives.
"The Lawrence family only produced one decent human being—Eula. The rest? Must've stuffed their skulls with cow dung…"
Watching their figures disappear into the distance, Shao Yun let go of Klee's ears and put on a gentle smile as he turned to face her doe-eyed innocence.
He softly ruffled her hair and said warmly, "Those bad guys are gone now. Klee, shall we go somewhere else? The air here's been tainted by those scumbags."
Klee nodded obediently. "Okay! I'll follow Shao Yun big brother!"
…
Shao Yun, with the ever-energetic Klee, mounted Boadicea and set off on the next leg of their Mondstadt outing.
First, they visited the Temple of the Thousand Winds, where they played hide and seek among the ruins.
…
Next, they arrived at Starsnatch Cliff, where the Cecilias were in full bloom.
Klee ran gleefully among the blossoms, picking the beautiful flowers and weaving them into a crown, which she proudly wore atop her head.
She twirled toward Shao Yun, looking every bit like a tiny flower fairy.
…
Then, they made their way to Whispering Woods, where apple trees were heavy with ripe fruit, filling the air with sweet fragrance.
Klee climbed up a tree, carefully picking the biggest, reddest apple. She took a bite and munched away happily.
…
As the sun began to set, Klee—worn out from a full day of fun—started to get a little drowsy. Shao Yun originally planned to take her back to Mondstadt, but as they reached the edge of Dawn Winery Lake, he saw fish leaping out of the water.
He remembered the morning's failed sea fishing attempt—time for a rematch. This time, lake fishing.
He pulled out his rod and said to Klee, "We didn't catch anything this morning, but at Dawn Winery Lake? I'll definitely get a few! I'll cook up some grilled fish for you!"
Klee jumped up in excitement, clapping her hands. "Grilled fish! I want grilled fish!"
Grinning, Shao Yun cast his line. Sure enough, the lake was full of fish. In no time, he reeled in five bass and three salmon.
Klee squatted beside the water bucket, poking at the wriggling fish with a twig, fascinated.
Watching her, Shao Yun felt a deep sense of contentment.
Once he'd caught enough, he reeled in the line and said, "Big haul today! Klee, time for grilled fish!"
He lit a warm fire, carefully skewering the fish on wooden sticks, brushing them with butter. As the flames licked the fish, they turned a mouthwatering golden brown.
Butter melted into the meat, infusing it with flavor. He sprinkled pepper, salt, and a pinch of sugar—each perfectly measured.
The scent of grilled fish filled the air, mouthwatering and rich.
He handed one skewer to Klee, whose wide eyes sparkled with anticipation.
She took it gently, bit into it, and her face lit up with joy.
She munched happily, glancing at Shao Yun with gratitude.
Seeing her eat so joyfully warmed Shao Yun's heart.
"You know, Klee," he said softly, "I used to wonder… if I had a child one day, what would they be like? I always imagined someone like Paimon—small, loud, probably a handful."
"But today, seeing you… I realized—if I ever have kids, I hope they're as sweet and lively as you."
Klee's eyes widened with surprise. She swallowed her bite of fish and said earnestly, "Klee thinks your future kids will be really happy!"
Shao Yun couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha, Klee, you really do know how to say the perfect thing…"
But as he laughed, his vision blurred. A tear slid from the corner of his eye.
He quickly wiped it away, trying to hide his emotions.
In that fleeting moment, two names echoed in his mind: "Eliza"… and "Isaac."
'I really must be losing my mind…'
…
After finishing their meal, Shao Yun and Klee rode out for a short digestive ride around Mondstadt.
Time passed quickly. As the last glimmer of sunset vanished beyond the horizon, Shao Yun returned to the Knights of Favonius headquarters with a sleeping Klee nestled in his arms.
Night had already fallen.
He carefully stepped into Jean's office, cradling the sleeping girl.
Jean was still at her desk, sorting through papers. When she saw them, she immediately set everything down and stepped forward.
"Shao Yun, thank you. Today was overwhelming. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't know what to do," she said with heartfelt gratitude.
She gently took Klee into her arms.
Watching the scene, Shao Yun felt a soft warmth rise in his chest. He smiled gently. "Klee was very well-behaved today. Honestly, she was an angel. And she even made you a seashell necklace."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the handmade necklace. Before falling asleep, Klee had entrusted it to him to give to Jean.
Jean was deeply moved. She carefully accepted the necklace.
Under the soft lamp light, Klee's little face looked especially serene. Jean couldn't resist stroking her cheek as she whispered, "You've had a long day, haven't you, Klee…"
Then, Jean turned to Shao Yun, her gratitude even deeper.
"Thank you again, Shao Yun. The Knights were overwhelmed today. If you hadn't stepped in, I have no idea what mischief an unsupervised Klee might have gotten into. Blowing up fish is the least of my worries—if she got hurt, I wouldn't be able to face Miss Alice…"
Then a thought struck her. Still holding Klee, she walked to her desk.
"Oh right, Shao Yun, I prepared a little something for you…"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun waved his hand with a smile. "No need, Jean. I told you—I didn't do it for any reward. I had a wonderful time with Klee today, and that's more than enough for me."
Jean smiled and shook her head. With one free hand, she reached into her drawer and pulled out a small box, holding it out to him.
"It's not much, just a little token."
Shao Yun accepted the box and opened it. Inside was an elegant hairpin.
"I bought this hairpin while I was on leave," Jean explained. "I thought it would really suit Lumine. Whether in her hair or on her hat, it'd look perfect."
Shao Yun nodded and carefully placed the pin back into the box.
Well, if it's for Lumine, I won't say no.
"Then I'll accept it. Thank you, Acting Grand Master."
Jean smiled warmly. "It's I who should be thanking you. Thank you for giving Klee such a beautiful day. You're a truly kind person."
Shao Yun let out a quiet sigh. "Kindness is a luxury for someone like me. But Klee? She deserves it."
…
Before leaving, Shao Yun mentioned his encounter with the Lawrence family.
"They wanted you to work with them?" Jean frowned. "What are they planning now…"
Shao Yun nodded, a bit regretful. "I was going to take care of them right then and there… but with Klee present, I couldn't let her see something like that."
Jean was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I understand, Shao Yun. Don't worry—I'll have the Knights keep an eye on them. Leave this to me."
"Then I'll leave it in your hands, Acting Grand Master," he said as he stood to leave.
Before he reached the door, Jean called out to him.
"The Weinlesefest starts the day after tomorrow. I hope you, the Honorary Knight, and Miss Paimon enjoy the festival. Have fun."
"You too."