"Morning – The Reception Desk at Wangshu Inn."
Tiny rays of sunlight gradually slipped through the window frames, illuminating the entire inn and staining the wooden staircase with a warm, sun-like yellow. Scattered chatter echoed from all directions, and rhythmic "clatter-clack" sounds from the floor above signaled the start of a new morning.
Mei was wiping down the reception desk when she caught sight of a few familiar faces descending the stairs: Huai’an, Verr Goldet, along with two distinguished guests, Diluc and Elzer.
The expressions of Huai’an and Elzer were unusually bright today, their smiles were relaxed and easygoing, as if they had just struck an agreement that pleased them both.
Verr Goldet, conversely, maintained her usual composed demeanor, yet her lips were slightly relaxed, no longer as stern as they typically were. As for Diluc, he was, as always, distant and unreadable. But deep within his eyes, Mei briefly caught a rare hint of satisfaction.
Huai’an laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the hall:
“Haha, I hope that Wangshu Inn and Dawn Winery will advance together and flourish!”
“Wangshu Inn has long been renowned throughout the continent, and run by two such skilled owners, its future path is sure to be prosperous in every way.” Elzer replied with a polite, measured smile.
Mei froze at the sight, her eyes wide with internal bewilderment:
“What! Why are the elders of these two places gathered here?”
Diluc gently stepped closer. His gaze remained steady, and his low voice rang out in the quiet space:
“Do you have your final answer yet, Mei?”
The question instantly plunged the entire room into silence. Curious eyes began to turn toward them both, eager to understand what was happening.
Mei paused for a moment, clearly surprised by the question. But then, she quickly regained her composure, took a deep breath, and her eyes flashed with resolve.
“I have thought it through...”
She lifted her head and spoke decisively:
“Take me to Mondstadt!”
Her voice rang out with finality, startling everyone. Diluc showed no expression upon hearing the answer, maintaining his calm demeanor. Yet, when he replied, a trace of ill concealed satisfaction flickered in his voice:
“Understood.”
The hushed atmosphere was suddenly broken by a serious voice laced with worry:
“What do you mean, Mondstadt?”
Verr Goldet lightly frowned and stepped closer, her eyes fixed on Mei:
“Did something happen while I was away, Mei?”
“No, no, no, nothing at all happened, Boss.” Mei quickly waved her hands, her voice rushed.
“It’s just... I wanted to go to Mondstadt for a trip to learn more.”
Huai’an also approached, his rough hand resting lightly on her shoulder, his voice gentle but containing a serious undertone:
“Is this truly what you want, Mei? Be brave and tell us, it’s alright.”
Mei frantically shook her head, waving her hands continually, trying to deny it.
“It’s truly not, sir, no one is forcing me.”
“Because... I’ve already bothered you both for two months, so I...”
Her voice faded, ending in a mere mumble. Unsure how to face them, Mei quietly bowed her head and pursed her lips.
Suddenly, a hand gently tapped her head. Verr Goldet sighed softly, her voice softening:
“Silly girl! Why would you think that?”
“Does Wangshu Inn not have enough Mora to feed you?”
“Huh!?” Mei felt her head, her eyes wide, completely surprised that the Boss would say that.
While she was still stunned, Elzer spoke up gently, as if to encourage Mei:
“Haha, this inn is indeed wonderful, but our Dawn Winery is just as good, if not better.”
He glanced at Diluc and continued with a smile:
“Rest assured, both of you. The Master has guaranteed he will arrange a steady job for Mei upon her arrival, she won't suffer any disadvantage.”
Huai’an sighed softly upon hearing this. He glanced at his wife and then nodded:
“If that is what Mei truly desires... then we should respect her decision.”
Verr Goldet just gave a slight nod, then turned to give Mei some final instructions.
The scene, bathed in the soft morning sunlight, suddenly became unusually warm. Seeing them care for one another like family members stirred an indescribable feeling in Diluc’s heart.
He suddenly remembered his childhood, sunny mornings in the suburbs of Mondstadt, where he and Kaeya ran across lush, new-smelling fields, their joyful laughter blending together. The image of his timid, reserved younger brother trying to keep up with him, always calling out “brother,” was still etched in his memory.
There was still the image of his strict but gentle father, always the one to mediate when he and Kaeya had disagreements. There were still the intricate cookies that Adelinde made with her own hands, sometimes even engraved with the faces of the two brothers.
A fleeting memory passed like the wind, causing Diluc’s usually steady eyes to slightly waver. He stood there dazed, unable to look away from the three people. Elzer, seeing his Master was a little distracted, gently spoke up:
“Master, is something the matter?”
The warmth quickly vanished, leaving only a vague void in his heart. He blinked, pulling himself back to reality.
“Nothing. Since everything is settled, proceed according to the schedule.”
“Understood, sir. I will inform the caravan right away.” Elzer replied respectfully.
Once Elzer had left, Diluc turned to look at Mei. His face had returned to its usual coldness, his voice once again low and serious:
“The caravan leaves tomorrow. Be sure to prepare thoroughly.”
“Huh!? What the...” Mei blurted out, startled as if struck by lightning.
---
"Noon – Wangshu Inn."
At the quiet reception desk, only the soft sound of a needle piercing through silk remained. Verr Goldet sat composedly, her skillful hands guiding the needle, weaving exquisite patterns onto the scarf. The sunlight streamed through the door, casting a gentle sheen on her hair.
Huai’an sat beside her, silently arranging the finished spools of thread into a wooden box. He briefly glanced at his wife, who was engrossed in her embroidery, then sighed softly, his warm, deep voice breaking the silence:
“Are you worried about Mei?”
The needle in Verr Goldet’s hand paused. A moment of silence passed, then she answered softly:
“I don’t know myself. In my heart… there’s always this strange sense of regret and longing.”
“It’s only been two short months since Mei arrived, but perhaps Wangshu has changed a lot.”
She stopped working and looked around the familiar space. The inn was still bustling with the usual sounds today, but in her heart, it felt as if something was missing.
“The day after tomorrow… Wangshu will surely return to its inherent tranquility.”
Hearing this, Huai’an smiled gently, his rough hand lightly touching his wife’s shoulder:
“Although I haven’t conversed much with Mei, I cherish her lively, enthusiastic personality. I feel… this girl makes this place much more vibrant.”
“I also want to know more about her.”
He paused, his voice slow:
“But even so, her personal matters… we shouldn’t interfere too deeply.”
“Mmm, you are right,” Verr Goldet nodded slightly, though a shadow of sadness crossed her eyes.
The needle began to move again, the stitches lengthening, and memories surged back like a wave.
Verr Goldet vividly recalled the first time she met Mei. The girl was dressed oddly and had inadvertently mentioned the name Xiao, making her immensely suspicious.
In her first month staying here, Mei accidentally broke a vase. Verr Goldet had discovered it, but she just stood in a secluded corner, quietly watching the small figure squat down, mumbling as she cleaned the shards:
“Waaah, these damned hands are ruining my life again!”
“How will I get enough mora to pay the boss back?”
Verr Goldet had to hold back her laughter, making no sound that would draw Mei’s attention.
That afternoon, Mei came to see her, holding out a fragment of the vase, head bowed low, muttering softly:
“I’m sorry, Boss. I promise I’ll earn mora to buy you a new one.”
“Please don’t kick me out…”
Verr Goldet remembered she only said something along the lines of, “You don’t need to pay, it was just a small vase.” Such an ordinary sentence, but when the young girl heard it, her eyes lit up, and she grasped Verr Goldet’s hand, thanking her profusely.
Just like that, Mei’s presence gradually infiltrated, becoming a part of this place. Often, Mei would help her mind the counter, and when she was tired, a gentle hand would always rest on her shoulder, giving a light massage.
Verr Goldet unknowingly developed a strange trust in this girl. Perhaps it emerged then, when Mei grit her teeth and endured the rain around the inn to remake the lost hairpin.
When the hairpin was presented to her, Verr Goldet didn’t know what was churning inside her heart. She had tried hard to dissuade her, but the small girl was so determined. When asked “Why?”, Mei just scratched her head and gave a wry smile.
“This is your and the Boss's keepsake, after all... it’s an important item, so of course, I had to find it again.”
The final stitch was complete, Verr Goldet gently released the thread. The strand fell into her palm, the golden light of noon intertwining through the window frame. The inn returned to its inherent stillness, with only the memories quietly lingering here.