Although he could look after a child, Shao Yun was still quite curious about what the others were up to.
Surely not everyone was serving as proctors for the Knightly Exam. Couldn't anyone else spare a little time?
Jean touched her chin, thought briefly, then replied, "Hmm… the scouts and guerrilla units are currently on missions outside the city, since the number of Hilichurls has been increasing recently."
After all, once Hilichurls die, they return to the ley lines, and by now it was about time for them to reemerge.
"And Miss Lisa is working with Mr. Albedo on a very important project, so she also has no free time."
Klee chimed in, "Big Brother Razor, Big Brother Bennett, and Big Sister Fischl are busy too. Klee can't bother them. Klee has to be a good girl."
Shao Yun chuckled carelessly and said softly, "Oh, I see. Then I'll take Klee out for a stroll."
With that, he turned, ready to leave with Klee.
But at that moment, Jean hurriedly called out to stop him.
She quickly pulled a bulging pouch from her pocket, strode over to Shao Yun, and solemnly held it out to him.
Sincerely, she said, "Thank you. This is your budget for looking after Klee."
Shao Yun quietly gazed at the pouch Jean offered, his thoughts unreadable.
After a pause, he lightly shook his head, politely refusing her goodwill.
"No need. I rarely get the chance to spend my money willingly, but Klee is one of the few exceptions. You should focus on the Knightly Exam instead."
Turning his head, he then gently suggested to the little girl in his arms, "How about I take you horseback riding, out for some fresh air, Klee?"
Hearing this, Klee's eyes lit up with excitement. She waved her tiny fists, shouting happily, "Yay! Out to play!"
Seeing her so delighted, a fond smile tugged at Shao Yun's lips.
He gave a sharp, clear whistle, and a pale pink Andalusian horse trotted over immediately.
Shao Yun mounted, carefully settling Klee in front of him.
Once everything was ready, he nudged the horse's belly, and together they rode out beyond the city.
Jean watched their retreating figures and called after them, "Have fun, but don't let Klee play with her Jumpy Dumpties!"
…
When Shao Yun arrived at Mondstadt's main gate with Klee, Katheryne from the Adventurers' Guild waved at them—more precisely, at Klee sitting in front of him.
"Spark Knight, there's a package for you."
Klee froze at the word package. Even if someone sent her something, it would either be passed through Jean or delivered to her directly.
With Shao Yun's help, she carefully climbed down from the horse and toddled up to the reception counter, peeking her little head over as she asked curiously, "A package for me?"
Katheryne smiled, producing a square gift box. After checking the sender's name, she said, "The sender's name is Alice."
The moment she heard that name, Klee's eyes lit up, her face bursting with joy. "It's from Mommy!" she exclaimed.
Katheryne nodded, then had Klee sign before handing over the box. She gently reminded, "Hold on to it, little Klee."
Hugging the gift from her mother tightly, Klee beamed with happiness. "Thank you, Sister Katheryne!"
Looking at her pure smile, Katheryne returned a kind, warm smile. "No thanks needed. It's what I should do."
Klee set the gift box on the ground and eagerly tore at the wrapping. "What could it be?" she muttered excitedly.
Inside was a finely crafted lantern.
Tilting her head, Klee asked in puzzlement, "This is… a lantern?"
Though she didn't quite understand, she still hugged it tightly, smiling blissfully. "No matter what it is, if Mommy sent it, Klee loves it!"
Just then, the lantern flickered, glowing with a brilliance as vivid as a Sunsettia.
Immediately after, a gentle, affectionate voice flowed from it.
"Klee! My sweet girl, have you been happy lately?"
Hearing her mother's familiar voice, Klee froze for a second before bursting into laughter, shouting, "Mommy! It's Mommy! Klee's happy every single day! And I haven't caused trouble for the big brothers and sisters in the Knights either!"
Alice's lively voice rang again from the lantern.
"Really? That's my good girl. So, what's little Klee up to right now?"
Klee lifted the lantern high, showing it off to Shao Yun, and told her mother gleefully, "Big Brother Shao Yun is taking me out for a ride!"
The lantern's glow seemed to share in her joy, shining brighter still.
Alice spoke with amused curiosity, "Oh, Shao Yun? Hello, I'm Alice, Klee's mother. Pleased to meet you."
Shao Yun gazed at the glowing lantern with slight exasperation. He knew full well she was pretending not to know him.
He smirked faintly, eyes flashing with disdain for an instant, but with adorable Klee right before him, he quickly softened his expression into a cordial smile.
"Hello, Klee's mother. Don't worry, I haven't abducted your little one. Acting Grand Master Jean asked me to watch her during Mondstadt's Knightly Exam."
Alice replied sincerely, "I truly appreciate you keeping her company. You don't mind if I join you, do you?"
Since Alice only spoke about caring for Klee, Shao Yun saw no reason to be hostile.
After all, he wasn't the type to kill or curse at everyone he met. One could be an outlaw, but not a fool.
With a smile, he answered, "Of course not. You're Klee's mother. How could I possibly mind?"
He then turned to Klee with gentle eyes. "Klee, do you want me to hold the lantern for you?"
From within, Alice's voice came playfully, "No need. This little thing can float on its own."
No sooner had she spoken than the lantern, glowing warm like a Sunsettia, drifted into the air as though alive, flitting around like a lively sprite.
The sight made Shao Yun think of the mysterious Jinni Lumine would someday find in the deserts of Sumeru. Still, he preferred to call that being the Genie of the Lamp.
Watching the lantern dance around her, Klee cheered excitedly.
"Wow! It really floats! Mommy is amazing!"
Shao Yun lifted Klee back into the saddle, then said, "All right then, let's keep going."
…
Riding through the countryside with Klee and the floating lantern, Shao Yun let the girl enjoy the scenery, basking in nature's beauty.
When they reached the shores of Cider Lake near Springvale, Shao Yun stopped, as Klee had spotted some butterflies and wanted to chase them.
Since this was near human settlements—and thanks to Shao Yun and Lumine's influence—monsters rarely appeared here, so both he and Alice felt at ease.
Shao Yun remained on horseback, watching with a smile as Klee chased butterflies, always keeping her within sight.
His gaze drifted to the floating lantern at his side, and with a quiet laugh, he praised, "You have an exceptional daughter."
The lantern flickered brightly, as though startled.
Then Alice's voice sounded, tinged with genuine surprise.
"Oh? Thank you for saying that. I thought you'd find looking after Klee troublesome."
Shrugging with a soft smile, his eyes stayed on the girl playing in the grass.
"Children are supposed to be this full of life. That's normal. Sure, Klee is mischievous, always getting locked in solitary by Jean, but as long as someone's with her, she's very sweet and sensible."
Alice's voice chimed again, teasing, "Are you secretly thinking, 'If only my child with that Traveler could be as adorable as mine'?"
At her sly remark, the corners of Shao Yun's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"You're a bit impatient."
Though exposed, Alice still tried to mask her intent.
"No, no, I'm just chatting. After all, you'll be a father someday."
Shao Yun glanced toward Klee, still chasing butterflies in the distance.
Once sure she couldn't overhear, he addressed the lantern directly. "No more small talk, and no more beating around the bush. Klee's too busy playing to notice us. Whatever you have to say, just say it."
He wasn't fooled. He didn't believe it a coincidence that Alice's package arrived in Mondstadt today.
Remembering what had happened last night, he knew Alice must have sought him out for something important.
Realizing he had seen through her, Alice dropped the act.
"Well then, since you put it that way, I'll be straightforward."