Talking with Lady Ningguang doesn't take long. She know I was going to say no and she didn't spend much time trying to convince me.
Leaving the Jade Chamber I see that filthy Harbinger waiting with Zhongli.
"I'm supposed to apologize to you while I wait for the Tianquan to think of a punishment," Childe says, looking at the ground angrily.
We sit there in silence for a few minutes before Zhongli speaks. "Saying that you have to apologize isn't an apology, Childe."
"Fuck, fine. I'm sorry for drawing my blade. I shouldn't have done that. We could have talked it out like adults." Except we couldn't. How do you talk through someone killing your people?
"Thank you for your apology," I say, tugging Paimon closer to me. I still don't trust him.
Childe looks to Zhongli expectantly. "Can we go now?"
Zhongli shakes his head, almost with disappointment. "We have to wait for the Tianquan."
"We'll leave you to that. Paimon and I have to go around to see some tourist traps." I try to excuse myself but Zhongli's face lights up.
"Why don't Childe and I accompany you? Childe can show you how sorry he truly is."
I want to say no, but something feels like I shouldn't say no to this god right now.
I glance at Paimon, who's giving me a look that says this is all on me.
"Sure," I do my best to smile. "I'd love to make amends."
Paimon smiles, giggling that it was time to go to the Wanmin Restaurant. "That's where Xiangling works. She makes the best spicy food. Juyun Chilies get put in almost everything."
Childe smiles, the first of us to start walking. "Maybe I can finally master those chopsticks."
Paimon and Zhongli smile again, walking with Childe.
I follow a little bit behind, watching how they interact.
Zhongli and Childe do likely love each other. At least Childe loves Zhongli. It makes me think of Venti.
The Wanmin Restaurant is busy, but we manage to get a seat next to two blue-haired kids—one light and the other dark-haired, but still blue either way.
"Chongyun, come on. It's not that hot." The dark blue hair one says.
The other kid, Chongyun, looks pale, and his nose is running. I guess it really is that hot.
A blue-haired girl walks up to the counter to greet us. Why do some many kids here have blue hair?
"Hello, my name is Xiangling," she says looking at the dish she takes from Chongyun. When she looks up there's a bright smile on her face. "Paimon! Where's Traveler? Are you two back in Liyue?"
"No, I'm guiding my friend Master Diluc today." Paimon answers.
"Oh, well." She turns to me smiling. "It's nice to meet you Master Diluc."
"Please, Diluc is fine," I say, sitting down on a stool.
"Ok, Diluc. Oh, and mister Zhongli and Childe! What can I get for you all?"
"Oh, Paimon knows! Childe wants Bamboo Shoot Soup, Zhongli likes the same thing, Diluc's gonna try the Lotus Flower Crisp, and I want Golden Shrimp Balls!" Paimon almost yells.
"Coming right up." Xiangling giggles.
While we wait for our food, the kids next to us start talking to Paimon. Asking about Traveler and their whereabouts. Paimon says that Paimon is guiding me. And then all attention turns to me. I guess my winery is more popular than I thought.
"I am Xingqiu of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, and this is my boyfriend Chongyun. He's an exorcist. It's nice to meet the acquaintance of Dawn Winery's owner. Though we are too young to drink, word of your winery has made its way all around Liyue."
"It's nice to meet you all as well. I hope I've made a good impression." They all smile at me, Xingqiu even nodding at me.
"Of course, any friend of Paimon and Traveler is a friend of ours." Xiangling says, bringing our food.
While we eat, I let the rest of them carry on the conversation. I'm not too fond of idle chit-chat, but it's nice to hear Traveler's friends carry on like this.
It makes me think of Venti and how he can carry on for hours.
"Say, Diluc. What are you doing in Liyue? After all, this is quite a way from Mondstadt." Xingqiu asks, pushing his asymmetrical bangs out of his face.
"I had a meeting with the Tianquan," I say, looking at my company. Childe is struggling with chopsticks, Zhongli is trying to help, Chongyun seems captivated by everything his partner says, and Paimon is digging into Paimon's food.
"That's cool. Not many people get to meet her in person. Can you tell us what the meeting was about?" Xiangling asks, still juggling our conversation and serving other customers.
"It was about expanding my winery into Liyue. I said no, the extra work would be astronomical and I have enough on my plate. It wouldn't leave me time for anything else." I explain, but I can see Childe mouth 'Anyone else.' It makes my blood boil, that filthy harbinger.
"That makes sense, though it is a shame. I would love to cook with some of your wine," Xiangling laughs.
"You can still buy it through the winery, well not you of course. But your store could, it would just take a little bit for the wine to arrive." Xiangling lights up at this comment and I can't help but take it a bit further. "If you want I could take your order personally, knowing that it's for your cooking."
I know she'll share some with her friends, they're teenagers after all. I remember Jean, Kaeya and I all trying some as kids. But she seems honest enough to actually use some of it for cooking.
"I would love that!" She almost screams. She catches herself, calming down before trying again. "I would love that, what would you recommend?"
I list several wines and liquors, even throwing in Dandelion Wine for her and her friends. Not that I approve, but I know they'll do it, so It might as well be a soft, airy mead. When Jean, Kaeya, and I tried alcohol for the first time it was a hard liquor, I will never make that mistake again.
"What time is it, Zhongli?" Paimon asks, looking at the sky.
"It's about 7 o'clock. Is there a problem, Paimon?" Zhongli asks, looking over from his conversation with Childe, who still looks like he would rather be any where else.
"Well, that's unfortunate, I was supposed to have a shift at my tavern tonight. I guess my meeting with the Tianquan took longer than I thought." I say.
The kids all look at me like I might be stupid. "Just use the Waypoints." Childe says, like he really thinks I'm stupid.
"You all know about the Waypoints?" I ask, looking at the children to my right.
"Of course we do, we're all vision holders aren't we?" Chongyun laughs, pulling at Xingqiu's hand.
"Go to your tavern, Diluc. We take no hard feelings," Xingqiu says, turning away from Chongyun to look at me.
"Come on, Diluc. We should head out." Paimon says, pulling at the hem of my coat.
"Alright Paimon. It was nice meeting you all." Turning to Xiangling I nod, my next statement directed at her. "I'll make sure you get that wine for your cooking."
They all smile at me, telling me to come back soon, and that they would love to see me again. Childe begrudgingly says goodbye and Zhongli tells me to say hi to Venti. The last one stings. I really dislike Zhongli so far.
Teleporting to gates of Mondstadt, (Only Traveler is ballsy enough to teleport directly into the city) I start walking towards Angel's Share. Walking in, I see Venti about to start his set.
I don't say hi or even look at him, going in a straight to the bar, reliving Charles of his shift.
Today was a long day, and I have a feeling tonight is going to be long too.
