The sun was slanting toward the west, and a gentle breeze drifted through the forest.
Xia Zhi sat on a rock nearby, holding a small piece of roasted meat in his hand, eating together with Dvalin.
"Don't cry, okay? You're a Wind Dragon, not a Hydro Dragon. Why are you always so quick to cry?"
"Is it good? Tasty, huh? As long as you like it."
"Slow down a bit. There wasn't much time today, so I could only whip up something simple. Next time, I'll make something even better for you."
"Haha, I said next time—not tomorrow. I'll be busy tomorrow, got another competition to go to with the others, probably won't have time to sneak out."
…
Xia Zhi ate slowly.
By the time he finished his little piece of roasted meat, Dvalin had already polished off all the rest, still smacking his lips in satisfaction.
He clearly hadn't had enough.
But Xia Zhi never intended for him to be fully satisfied today. After all, it's the memories that end with a little something missing that linger most deeply—and spark more anticipation for next time.
Xia Zhi summoned a stream of clean water, washed his hands, and pulled out the [Dragon's Call Guqin].
"Alright, food's done. As promised—time for some music."
Dvalin lay quietly on the ground, watching him intently.
Xia Zhi set the guqin on his knees and began to play.
This time he chose a light, upbeat melody—perfect for relaxing the mind.
Dvalin listened with full focus.
When the song ended, Xia Zhi put away the lyre and said, "That's enough for now. I should head back."
There was a flicker of reluctance in Dvalin's eyes, but he didn't fuss.
He rose from the ground, walked over, tucked in his wings, and lowered his head in front of Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi reached out to stroke his face and smiled. "What's this? Saying goodbye?"
Dvalin let out a low, rumbling sound.
Xia Zhi blinked. "You're saying… you want to take me back?"
Dvalin nudged him gently.
Xia Zhi nodded. "Alright then, thank you."
Dvalin crouched down.
"No need to go through all that," Xia Zhi said, laughing.
He gave a light hop and landed right on Dvalin's back.
Dvalin turned to glance at him and called out once more.
Sitting securely on his back, Xia Zhi replied, "Don't worry. I'll hold on. I'm not gonna fall."
With that assurance, Dvalin spread his wings and soared into the sky.
Xia Zhi could feel the powerful wind sweeping past both sides of his body—but not a single gust touched him.
That was because Dvalin had deliberately lifted his head mid-flight to shield Xia Zhi from the headwind.
Thoughtful kid.
Flying might be a novelty to others, but for Xia Zhi—who possessed the [Radiant Wings] and had experienced true freedom in the dream realm—it was something familiar.
Besides, the most captivating part of flying was seeing the world from high above. But since Xia Zhi couldn't see in the real world, that particular thrill was lost on him.
Still, just the sensation of riding on a dragon's back was fascinating in its own right.
And now that he'd tried it, he had to admit—being a dragonrider really was more fun than cruising around in his cousin's hovercar.
Dvalin was fast. In barely ten seconds, they were already back above Mondstadt.
Xia Zhi patted his back. "No need to fly me all the way down—I'll jump. See you."
To avoid drawing attention, Xia Zhi activated [Stealth Mode] and silently leapt off Dvalin's back.
Once he reached the ground, he found a quiet corner to reveal himself, then headed to the restaurant they had agreed to meet at. A server led him to a private room.
Inside, the girls were already chatting.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting."
"Not at all! We just finished shopping and got here! Boss, are you done with your errands?"
"Yeah, just a small thing. All taken care of."
"Then let's order!"
Xia Zhi had barely sat down when Xia Lin immediately scooted over and, just like at the competition, wrapped both arms tightly around his arm.
The little girl still seemed to lack a sense of security—she always wanted to cling to him.
Xia Zhi helplessly rubbed her head with his free hand.
She squinted contentedly and pressed her cheek against his arm.
Xia Zhi let her be.
Then, as if noticing something, the little girl suddenly paused.
She moved her face away, sniffed his clothes with her nose.
There was the distinct smell of roasted meat on Dad's clothes… and another scent—one she was very familiar with. Dvalin's scent.
And it was strong!
For his clothes to smell that strongly of Dvalin, he must've been in very close contact with the dragon!
The girl froze for a second, then puffed out her cheeks.
First came a hint of displeasure. Then panic. Then a little sadness… and finally confusion.
A flood of emotions churned inside her. She didn't know how to respond to this and could only hug his arm tighter and lower her head, lost in thought.
Shenhe, who had been quietly observing Xia Lin, noticed the shift in her mood and leaned in to ask softly, "What's wrong?"
Xia Lin looked up at her, bit her lip, and said nothing.
Shenhe gently asked twice more, but the girl remained silent. Shenhe could only give up and sit back in her seat.
Not far away, Xia Ci had seen the whole thing and couldn't help but smirk playfully.
Tsk… dragons really are born with strong possessiveness, huh.
Xia Zhen turned and caught her best friend's amused expression. "What are you scheming now?"
Xia Ci glanced at her. "Scheming? I was just thinking about that Stormterror Dragon."
"What about him?"
"Looks like a beautiful gemstone."
"Well… yeah."
"Bet it'd feel great in the hand."
"…?"
Soon, the food arrived.
They didn't order the restaurant's wine—Diona handled the drinks, mixing them on the spot.
First, everyone toasted to Xia Zhi's victory in the musical competition.
Xia Zhi took a sip and thanked them all.
Besides his win, a few girls had also placed in other competitions that afternoon.
Xia Ci had won the puzzle contest.
Mona took first place in the rock-paper-scissors tournament—though no one was sure whether she cheated.
Ying'er entered the flower-identification contest, but only got third place. The champion was Miss Sucrose.
Three of the younger girls joined the ring toss game. They didn't place, but they did win several cute plushies.
Zhu Zi and Chi Yu entered the flower-weaving contest—participation was the real prize.
Everyone raised their glasses again in celebration.
Xia Zhi, as promised, gave Xia Ci and Mona each a [Black Iron Treasure Chest].
Xia Ci opened hers right away and got a mirror with a beautifying effect—it made the reflected image appear more attractive.
The girls passed the "Beauty Mirror" around, each taking a look.
For someone like Xia Ci or Xia Zhen, already goddess-tier in looks and maxed out on charm stats, the mirror didn't change much.
But for girls like Zhu Zi and Ying'er—ordinary but youthful with room for glow-up potential—the reflected image showed a clear improvement in appearance.
The biggest transformation, however, was Madame Ping. In the real world, she looked like a wrinkled old granny, but the mirror showed a strikingly young and beautiful face.
Cloud Retainer, watching from the side, was momentarily stunned—because the reflection was none other than Ping's true form.
Klee pointed at the mirror and blurted out, "That's the pretty big sister I saw that morning!"
The girls blinked. "What pretty big sister?"
Klee explained, "That morning in the Serenitea Pot, when I went to play with Yaoyao, Madame Ping opened the door for us, and she looked just like that!"
Most of them had no idea Madame Ping wasn't using her true appearance. Now, they turned to her in shock.
"Whoa? Madame Ping is that beautiful?!"
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Yes, that's Ping's real face."
Mona frowned. "Then why does she normally pretend to be an old lady?"
After all, her own granny was ancient too, but always insisted on acting youthful—and wouldn't let her say a word about it…
Under everyone's gaze, Madame Ping paused, sighed, and waved her hand to dismiss the illusion, revealing a youthful, lovely face. "There's no special reason. It's just a form of cultivation…"
"Cultivation?" they echoed, half-confused.
Ping nodded. "Yes. But now that you all know, there's no point continuing the act. I'll go back to being myself."
Cloud Retainer looked at her now much-easier-to-look-at friend and shook her head.
Cultivation? Who's she kidding?
With the mirror's effect seen and done, only Mona's treasure chest remained.
Unlike Xia Ci, Mona didn't dare open hers herself. She didn't trust her own luck. So, like Zhu Zi and the others had done during New Year's, she handed it to Ganyu. "Please! Miss Ganyu! Help me draw the perfect item!"
Ganyu smiled helplessly. "...Alright, but if it's a dud, don't blame me."
"I promise I won't!" Mona said seriously.
Ganyu opened the chest.
A strange light flashed.
The chest vanished.
A spherical object appeared in its place.
Mona lit up. "A crystal ball! I needed a new Astrology Orb! Perfect! Thank you, Miss Ganyu!"
Everyone leaned in to examine it. "What makes it different from a normal one?"
Mona picked it up, inspected it. "Can't tell from the outside… I'll try a reading. Let's see… Who will win tomorrow's gliding competition?"
Strange celestial patterns shimmered across the orb.
Mona analyzed them, eyes widening. "It's actually…"
"Who?!" everyone asked.
She stopped herself. "I'll keep the result secret for now. Don't want to affect the fairness of tomorrow's match."
"You tease!" the girls groaned.
Mona grinned. "Seems this orb improves readings—faster responses than my old one. Feels really good to use. Thanks, Mr. Xia!"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Don't mention it. You earned it. And no need to envy—if you win tomorrow, you'll get a chest too."
Everyone was pumped. "Yeah!"
After dinner, as usual, they strolled along the shores of Cider Lake. Many people were already fishing there.
They were likely contestants doing last-minute warm-ups for the upcoming fishing tournament.
Diona and Xiangling had signed up for it, and now, seeing their competition, both were getting a little nervous.
Xia Zhi reassured them, "Don't worry. I'll get you special bait. You'll definitely catch big fish."
"Really?"
"Remember when we went fishing at the seaside last time?"
"Of course! Boss, you caught a fish so big it snapped the rod!"
"That was thanks to special bait."
"!"
After wandering for a bit, they returned to the Favonius Cathedral.
Everyone went to soak in the bath at the Serenitea Pot. Since Xia Zhi had competed today, the girls figured he must be tired and considerately didn't ask him for massages.
Xia Zhi didn't mind either way. No massage meant more rest; giving massages was fun too.
Madame Ping had always bathed alone before, but now that she'd reverted to her youthful appearance, she joined everyone else.
It really was more lively with company.
She leaned against the edge of the bath, eyes half-closed.
Cloud Retainer sat beside her and suddenly said, "Ping, you didn't drop the illusion just because you were exposed, did you?"
Ping didn't move, only asked back, "You figured it out?"
Cloud Retainer glanced at her. "It was because of the guqin piece Mr. Xia played during the competition, wasn't it?"
Madame Ping said nothing.
Cloud Retainer cupped a handful of warm water. "I don't know exactly what you felt in that music, but if it woke you from that slump, then it's a good thing. See? Getting out more is good for you."
Ping replied calmly, "That had nothing to do with going out. It's because Mr. Xia's music was simply that moving."
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Of course, I know his music is exceptional…"
Ping scoffed, "What would a mechanism researcher like you know about music?"
Perfect.
That sharp tongue that left others speechless—that was Ping!
Cloud Retainer paused, took a deep breath.
"What's wrong with researchers? You lookin' down on me? Believe me, next time I'll blow you back to your true form with an Element Reaction Box!"
"Hah. Look who's mad."
"!!!"
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