The moment Paimon caught a whiff of the delicious aroma, she flew over excitedly.
Upon seeing the three Sakura Mochi, she twirled midair in joy and exclaimed, "Wow! Yummy food!"
Standing off to the side, Kamisato Ayaka saw Paimon's delight and gave a slight bow, her tone humble.
"These are but modest snacks. I hope they bring you joy."
Shao Yun looked at Ayaka's humble posture but felt no emotion stir within him.
He turned, waved to Lumine, and smiled.
"Lumine, come try the food Miss Ayaka has specially prepared for us."
The three of them gathered at the table—Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon—and began sampling the delicacies Ayaka had brought.
Ayaka remained standing nearby, her gaze lowered, hands clasped before her, her bearing reserved and humble.
To those who knew her, she was Kamisato Ayaka. But to someone unaware, she might be mistaken for a server at the teahouse.
After tasting the treats Ayaka had prepared, Shao Yun glanced at her. His heart, if only slightly, softened.
He looked toward an empty chair and gestured toward it.
"Sit down. You're making me look like some pompous snob who talks down to people."
Ayaka shook her head gently, still looking down.
"I dare not. I've failed in my responsibilities. Standing is only right."
Shao Yun frowned and waved a hand.
"If you won't sit, then please leave. Let's consider this our last meeting."
Ayaka, startled by the ultimatum, immediately bowed deeply.
"Then… with your permission, I'll gladly obey."
She took a seat carefully, mentally preparing how to broach the real purpose of her visit.
Shao Yun, now seated again, began voicing his complaints.
"First off, let me say I'm not pleased with Thoma's arrangements. Yes, he found us a place to stay—but he also left us stranded on Ritou for three days.
"We had to sneak off the island ourselves in the end. If I wanted to leave, I could have done it the very first day. You wasted my time."
Hearing his criticism, Ayaka immediately stood and dropped to her knees, pressing her hands to the floor and bowing deeply.
"I'm sorry. We failed you. I offer my sincerest apologies."
Shao Yun froze, stunned by her sudden prostration.
Is everyone in Inazuma just obsessed with kneeling?
After a few seconds, he regained his composure, expressionless.
"Get up. Go back to your seat. If I had truly wanted to make things difficult, you wouldn't have made it past the door."
Ayaka stood quickly and returned to her seat.
"I truly apologize for wasting your time."
Lumine, feeling the tension in the room, tried to ease the moment.
"It's fine. We didn't waste the time completely. The scenery on Ritou was actually pretty charming."
Paimon nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah! And we tried all kinds of local food too!"
Ayaka smiled, clearly moved by their understanding.
"Thank you… for your kindness."
One played good cop, the other bad. And Shao Yun could tell.
Seeing both Lumine and Paimon letting things slide, he decided not to dwell on it either.
"Alright. Those three days are water under the bridge. Let's get to the point. I'll ask once: we want to meet the Raiden Shogun. What's your plan for that?"
Ayaka's eyes flickered with hesitation.
"This… please give me a little time. I promise there will be progress very soon…"
Just then, Thoma arrived, entering at the perfect moment to break the tension.
He knocked gently and said, "Uh, I've secured the full-access travel permits for all of Inazuma."
Ayaka looked toward him, grateful.
She walked over and accepted the documents from Thoma, then personally handed them one by one to Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon.
"These are your full-region travel permits. With them, you may move freely throughout Inazuma."
Shao Yun examined his permit, and for once, a look of mild approval crossed his face.
"At least you got something done."
Lumine accepted hers with thanks, then stood.
"Alright. Paimon and I need to check in with the Adventurers' Guild. We'll be off for a bit."
Shao Yun's expression lightened, and he smiled warmly.
"Sure. Be safe."
Just as they reached the door, Lumine turned back.
"Oh, and don't forget to handle your own paperwork too. If that delivery gets messed up again, we're not getting back to Mondstadt."
Shao Yun chuckled sheepishly.
"Got it. I'll take care of it right after we talk."
Once Lumine and Paimon left, the room grew quiet. Only Shao Yun, Ayaka, and Thoma remained.
Shao Yun's face turned serious again.
"Alright, now that they're gone, let's stop with the polite nonsense. I can tell you're hiding something. Thoma tried to play games back on Ritou—and you can ask him how well that turned out.
"Speak clearly. What do you really want?"
Ayaka inhaled deeply, her voice steady.
"Mr. Shao Yun, the people of Inazuma are in desperate need of help. The Vision Hunt Decree has stolen our dreams. It is an unjust law.
"Since the day it was announced, I've vowed to resist. But the Yashiro Commission stands alone. We have no allies, no support.
"When I heard you were coming to Inazuma, I was overjoyed. You've helped Mondstadt through the dragon crisis. You drove out the Fatui. You even defeated an ancient god in Liyue.
"And I know you're a man of justice. You stood up for two helpless children. You're a good person. I beg you—lend us your strength."
The last person who called him a "good man" was Noelle—and she meant it. The system even maxed out his Honor Score in Mondstadt.
Ayaka's praise, though flowery, was clearly strategic.
Pulling the emotional card, huh? But we're not close like that.
Still, this was the natural next step: bargaining.
Shao Yun replied calmly, "Alright. I get it. So, what else?"
Ayaka froze, her mind blank for several seconds.
What else? What more is there to say? She'd already laid her heart bare, hadn't she?
"Uh… I just hope you'll help us bring down the Vision Hunt Decree. That's… all I ask."
Shao Yun glanced at Thoma, nodding as if to ask, You get what I mean now?
Thoma looked just as lost. He scratched his head, confused.
"Shao Yun, why are you looking at me like that?"
Shao Yun sighed.
Seriously? You don't get it? You, the so-called local fixer of Ritou?
What, do I look like some robed Messiah here to deliver salvation out of the kindness of my heart?
You ask for help with no offer of compensation? Are you joking?
Thoma had assumed that Ayaka's high status and humility would be enough. Her food, her visit, her soft-spoken plea—it had to work.
But Shao Yun wasn't biting.
Standing up, he said, "Clearly, we're not on the same wavelength. I'm off to the Guild. Think things over. We can talk again later."
Seeing him about to leave, Ayaka panicked. She dropped to the ground again, forehead pressing to the floor.
She bowed multiple times, knocking her head against the wood with audible thunks.
"Please! Inazuma needs you! And you—you have a Vision too! Aren't you afraid it'll be taken from you one day?"
Shao Yun, unbothered:
"Besides Lumine and Paimon, who even dares to take my Vision?"
You want help? Talk payment. Do you think I work for free?
Kurisu of the Trade Association immediately gave him all his money and promised a future of limitless wealth.
And you, Ayaka? A few nice words and some snacks, and you expect us to risk our heads?
You give me no face—I give you no face.
In the past, Shao Yun might have broached the topic of rewards himself. But now? He wanted Ayaka to say it. He wanted her to beg.
He looked down at the kneeling Ayaka, sighed, and walked to the door.
At that moment, enlightenment struck.
Ayaka cried out, "I'll offer you a reward! Whatever you want—I'll give it to you!"
Shao Yun turned back slowly, eyeing her carefully. Satisfied, he nodded.
"Well then, Miss Kamisato. What reward are you offering me?"
He wondered: would it be Mora? A blank cheque? Free reign in Inazuma?
But what she said next made even him blink.
"If you help me bring down the Vision Hunt Decree… then once it's over… I will offer myself to you."
"I'll share your bed. I'll give myself to you."