Jean watched the backs of the Lawrence family members as they fled in panic, then turned to Shao Yun with a puzzled expression.
"Shao Yun, I mean no offense… but I honestly thought you'd kill them all."
Shao Yun shrugged, his tone calm. "It's the festival. No point killing people for nothing. I don't have a habit of offering blood sacrifices."
Jean coughed awkwardly, trying to cover her unease. "Ahem... I see. I just thought—"
Shao Yun waved her off, cutting her short.
"Alright, no need to sugarcoat it. I'm in a good mood lately. Just speak plainly. Got any work for us?"
Jean thought for a moment and nodded. "Actually, yes. I was going to send some Knights, but since you're already here, you can take care of it."
Shao Yun extended his hand. "Don't worry. Leave it to us."
Jean handed him a slip of paper containing the task.
Shao Yun unfolded it, scanning the neat handwriting.
"'Go to Cat's Tail Tavern and notify the bartender, Diona, to be at the venue in front of the Cathedral by 8 AM tomorrow...'"
He read it aloud but frowned slightly. "This sounds ambiguous—are you inviting her or ordering her?"
Jean explained, "It's a notification. Margaret from the tavern already informed Miss Diona. She'll be serving as a judge. You're just there to remind her not to be late."
Shao Yun nodded and tucked the paper away carefully.
"Leave it to me. Anything else?"
Jean sighed lightly, a little hesitant. "There are still parts of the venue that haven't been set up properly. But—"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun had already accepted. "Got it. I'll help with that too."
Jean looked at him curiously. "I don't mean to pry, but may I ask why you're so enthusiastic?"
Shao Yun replied without hesitation. "We came back to Mondstadt for the Weinlesefest. If we don't make some good memories, then what was the point?"
Jean nodded in realization. "I see..."
Shao Yun turned to Lumine.
"So, are you two coming with me to Cat's Tail, or should we split up?"
Lumine thought for a moment and replied, "Paimon and I will head to the venue first."
Shao Yun nodded. "See you later then."
…
Meanwhile, under the bright morning sun, the "battle-damaged" Lawrence estate looked particularly desolate.
Schubert Lawrence, current head of the family, returned in a "ragged version" of himself—clad only in a pair of briefs—with his equally miserable family in tow.
As soon as they entered the ruined grounds, his eyes locked onto the badly damaged villa.
Once a symbol of family pride, the estate now resembled a crumbling mud hut. Clenching his fists in fury, he growled, "Unforgivable! When has our Lawrence family ever suffered such disgrace?!"
Milton Lawrence, seeing the state of his near-naked patriarch, hurriedly took off his own coat and respectfully offered it.
"Head of the House, please wear mine—for modesty."
Schubert accepted the coat and draped it over himself, slightly soothed—but the fury in his eyes hadn't dimmed.
He gritted his teeth. "That arrogant scum! Since he won't take our offer, then we'll stop showing mercy!"
Milton nodded cautiously. "What do you intend to do, Head of the House?"
Schubert sneered coldly, his eyes glinting. "Do you remember how our family used to manipulate hearts and minds? That mongrel may be strong, but everyone has weaknesses. If we can find his, and grip it tightly… then he will obey us."
Milton's eyes lit up, immediately understanding. "I see! But… that Honorary Knight is hard to capture..."
Schubert thought briefly—if Lumine was too difficult, then go after someone easier.
With his walnut-sized brain working at full speed, he naively assumed Paimon was Shao Yun's daughter…
"Then we'll grab his daughter! That floating thing—definitely his kid!"
Milton beamed and saluted. "Understood, Head of the House! I'll begin preparations immediately."
Before he left, Schubert reminded him, "And once we succeed, don't forget to distribute those expensive firearms we bought from Fontaine. That scum only relies on his gun! We'll have ours too—then we'll see who's stronger!"
He thought having a gun meant being on Shao Yun's level. The Gunslinger's Set would soon teach him otherwise.
…
Bathed in warm sunlight, Shao Yun arrived at Cat's Tail Tavern.
He paused at the door, hearing the meows from within. He used to come here often to duel others at "Genius Invokation TCG."
A wave of nostalgia hit him.
Teyvat had no poker, no blackjack, no dominoes... not even that knife-between-the-fingers game. What a waste.
"Whatever. If I have to, I'll just play with some Treasure Hoarders later."
He pushed open the wooden door. A wave of cozy warmth greeted him.
The tavern was tastefully decorated. Cat towers adorned the walls, and cats playfully darted between platforms or lounged in sunbeams.
Guests sat at tables, petting cats and laughing gently.
Shao Yun scanned the tranquil setting and murmured, "Is this a cat café?"
He approached the bar, catching sight of a small black cat.
It wore a tiny round hat and a lovely bow tie—impossibly cute.
It was Little Prince himself—tough times for cats, performing for a living.
Feeling kind, Shao Yun reached out, whispering, "Hello, kitty. Let's hang out. I'll keep you company for a bit."
But Little Prince tensed. Its back arched, fur bristling with static, eyes wide with alarm.
A low, threatening "meow!" warned Shao Yun to back off.
He chuckled, stopping in his tracks. "Easy now. I mean no harm. Just wanted to say hi."
Did I forget to wash the blood off again? Is that it?
But Little Prince didn't care for excuses. It raised a paw, ready to strike.
Just then, a petite catgirl came racing over—it was Diona!
She'd heard Little Prince's cry and rushed over, leaving her cocktail shaker behind.
Seeing the ruffled cat, Diona gently scooped him up, stroking his fur with care.
"Little Prince, what's wrong? Did someone scare you?"
As he calmed, the cat looked toward Shao Yun.
Diona followed his gaze, puzzled. "And you are...?"
Shao Yun took a deep breath. "Tacitus—oh, wait, no. Shao Yun. I mean no harm."
Diona introduced herself, "Diona Kätzlein. Just Diona is fine."
She continued to pet the now-purring Little Prince, then looked back at Shao Yun with a furrowed brow.
"Did you scare Little Prince?"
Caught off guard, Shao Yun held a hand to his chest and replied innocently, "Heaven knows I didn't touch the little guy. Maybe cats just don't like me?"
Diona relaxed a little, looking at the now-settled Little Prince.
"That's weird…"
She gently placed him on a nearby cat tower and returned to the bar, hopping onto a stool.
Leaning on the counter, she asked, "So, Mr. Shao Yun, what'll you have?"
Shao Yun shook his head. "Nothing, thanks. I'm just here with a message from Acting Grand Master Jean. She wants to remind you to be at the Cathedral Plaza tomorrow by eight. Margaret already told you, right?"
Diona's expression darkened slightly, and she sighed.
"Oh… yeah. I know. Thanks, Mr. Shao Yun."
He noticed her expression—tinged with melancholy.
Kindly, he asked, "Something bothering you? Were you planning something else? If you really don't want to go, I can relay your refusal."
Diona shook her head softly, eyes clouded.
"It's not that… I just don't understand why we even have drinking festivals like this. I… really hate alcohol."
Shao Yun blinked in surprise. Diona quickly clarified.
"I know it sounds weird. I'm a bartender, after all. But I have my reasons. I want to destroy Mondstadt's wine industry from the inside. But no matter what I try, I just can't make a drink bad enough..."
She took a deep breath, continuing.
"I hate alcohol because of my father. When he gets drunk, he acts awful. It makes me angry—and disappointed. So, if I can, I want to make everyone hate drinking too."
Shao Yun nodded. "That's a bit naive—but brave. So… are you still going?"
Diona paused, then nodded firmly.
"Yes. Maybe I'll find something there that'll help me brew the worst drink imaginable."
Shao Yun, still in a good mood, smiled. "Well, I'll help you then. I've got something that might just do the trick."
Diona's eyes sparkled. "Really? That'd be amazing! Just so you know, I've already tried weird stuff—frogs, butterfly wings, you name it!"
Shao Yun laughed and waved her off. "Trust me, this one won't disappoint."
He reached into his Legend of the East satchel and pulled out a small, oddly-shaped item wrapped in cloth.
As he unwrapped it, a vile stench spread through the tavern—like rotten eggs mixed with moldy leaves.
Diona nearly choked.
She'd just had a lovely breakfast—fresh fish still lingered on her taste buds—and the stench obliterated that memory instantly.
She gagged, pale and grimacing. "What in Barbatos' name is that?!"
Shao Yun chuckled. "Skunk scent gland. One chef once forgot to remove it and ruined an entire meal. I nearly beat him to death."
Diona's eyes lit up—this was it! This was her holy grail.
Holding her nose, she carefully took the gland with both hands. The smell was horrific, but she beamed with joy.
"This is perfect! I will make the worst wine in the world!"
She grinned. "I'll be there by 8 AM sharp tomorrow—promise!"
With that, Diona hurried off, eager to start experimenting.
Shao Yun shook his head as he watched her go. "Just don't go wrecking the festival with that thing, alright?"
Diona turned back and waved, smiling brightly.
"Got it! I'll take down Mondstadt's wine industry fair and square!"