The walk back to Wanmin Restaurant wasn't long, but they took their time.
Though no words were exchanged along the way, Ah Ping quietly reflected on the changes Liyue Harbor had undergone.
Having lived here for many years, she had witnessed its growth and prosperity firsthand.
If only she could see it too... Ah Ping thought.
Look, Guizhong—those tiny, fragile beings, like specks of dust...
Now they've turned this harbor into such a magnificent city...
Before she knew it, they had arrived at Wanmin Restaurant.
"Dad! I'm back!" Xiangling spotted Chef Mao through the window, struggling with something heavy, and immediately rushed to stop him.
"Ah, what are you doing? Let me handle this..."
Xiangling hurried inside to help, while Gouba suddenly dashed away at the same moment.
But instead of following her into the restaurant, he turned and ran toward the street corner.
"♪! ♪~"
"Oh no, Gouba ran off!" Paimon was the first to react.
Had Gouba remembered something? Why would he suddenly run away?
She was about to fly after him when Mu Yang stopped her.
Mu Yang had sensed Morax's presence long ago.
So this is how it was in the game—I always thought it was a coincidence, but you were just waiting for this meal, huh? Perfect.
Before Paimon could ask what Mu Yang meant, Zhongli turned the corner and appeared before them.
"That's... Zhongli?!"
Gouba stopped beside Zhongli, staring up at him with wide eyes. "!!"
[I'm fluent in Gouba-speak—he's saying, 'Old man, pay up for last time's meal!']
[LMAO Zhongli was MIA the whole event but shows up just in time for food]
[Did anyone bring Mora?.JPG]
Zhongli looked at Gouba, silent for a long moment. "...It's you."
"Long time no see, old friend."
Seeing that Zhongli still recognized him, Gouba swayed happily, beaming. "♪~ ♪~"
Mu Yang and the others slowly approached from the restaurant entrance.
Granny Ping spoke first. "My, my, out for a stroll as well?"
Zhongli spread his hands. "The season is right—it's only natural to take a walk while waiting for a fine meal."
[Nice, he came prepared.]
[Translation: Free food.]
Granny Ping chuckled. "Walking is good. It lets us meet you by chance. Though Gouba may not remember much, he's always delighted to see you."
Paimon tilted her head in confusion. "Gouba... doesn't recall many things, yet he can still sense familiarity?"
The little floating companion had been too busy thinking about food to notice Gouba's reactions earlier.
A clear loss in observational skills compared to Guinaifen.
——————
Guinaifen, meanwhile, was feeling quite smug.
She couldn't resist teasing Paimon. "Paimon really isn't cutting it. A streamer's insight just keeps leveling up."
[LMAO scraping the bottom of the barrel now?]
[Paimon's just emergency food—real deduction is the streamer's job. Play a horror puzzle game tonight!]
[Good idea. Seconded.]
Guinaifen refused outright—no overtime for her.
Rather than horror games, she'd rather browse the community for Mu Yang lore theories.
Now that's entertainment.
——————
As for Paimon's question, Zhongli explained:
"Friendship, by nature, endures the test of time."
He then turned to Lumine. Having heard that Mu Yang invited her for the Moonchase Festival, he wanted to know her thoughts as a first-time participant.
Without hesitation, Lumine answered, "The atmosphere is beautiful, and the season is perfect."
She had thoroughly enjoyed the festival.
From the moment she returned to Liyue Harbor, she was swept up in the lively celebrations.
Not to mention the heated Liyue Culinary Showdown, visiting the great adeptus bird at Mt. Aocang, and sampling regional delicacies—including someone's specially made mooncakes.
Most importantly, Mu Yang had been by her side the entire time.
Food, fun, and companionship—what more could she ask for?
If not for the crowds in Chihu Rock, she might've shouted, "I love the Moonchase Festival!"
Zhongli seemed satisfied with her answer.
"Gazing at the moon above, all emotions converge beneath its light—this moment, like a guiding star, compels me to chase the lunar radiance."
"Gratitude for old friends, bonds carried forward, echoes of ancient tales, and this city of millennia..."
"All of this—this is the essence of 'Moonchase.'"
Granny Ping picked up the thread—not with melancholy, but by speaking of the younger generation.
"Ah, age makes one sentimental about everything. But seeing the children... that is truly beautiful."
This Moonchase, she had witnessed Keqing inheriting her grandfather's legacy.
The two were cut from the same cloth—both stubborn in a way that made others want to lend a hand.
And then there was her disciple, Xiangling.
Gifted, hardworking, and brimming with passion—her victory in the culinary competition was no accident.
Granny Ping continued, "Such vibrant vitality, surging up from the earth itself..."
"Even this ancient land, weathered by millennia, still shines so brilliantly."
Lumine smiled softly. "Perhaps... this is Liyue."
"Having you here to witness it made the festival all the more meaningful."
[Go on, say it—thank Mu Yang.]
[Honestly, he went all out. I'd feel guilty not appreciating it.]
[If I didn't come back to Liyue for this, I wouldn't have slept tonight!]
Mu Yang, silent until now, spoke up. "I still have some of the adeptus tea from earlier. Let me brew a pot."
Granny Ping nodded. "Yes, yes. Tea is best enjoyed slowly, just as conversations should be."
From the players' perspective, the camera gradually panned upward—
Until it framed all of Liyue Harbor in a single view: countless lights, families reunited, joy overflowing...
The Crux Fleet
Ningguang and Beidou played chess and drank aboard the Alcor.
Kazuha, unable to hold his liquor, played a duet with Xinyan nearby.
The sailors were already passed out drunk.
Wangshu Inn
Xiao lay alone on the rooftop...
Yuehai Pavilion
Keqing brought some food for Ganyu—the two planned to finish work before heading out to enjoy the festivities.
Feiyun Commerce Guild
Hu Tao, Xingqiu, and Chongyun huddled together, seemingly plotting something.
Judging by Chongyun's expression, it probably wasn't good news for him.
Heyu Tea House
Yanfei, in high spirits after a day of hosting, relaxed by listening to Yun Jin's opera.
Bubu Pharmacy
Baizhu, Changsheng, and Qiqi sat in the courtyard, sipping tea and enjoying mooncakes under the moonlight.
Wanmin Restaurant
Xiangling served her signature dishes.
Paimon frantically stuffed food into her mouth.
Lumine, teasing her, joined in the playful scuffle...
The scene finally settled on Mu Yang's face.
His expression remained as composed as ever—yet a trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes...
[Moonchase Tales – Part 2 – Complete]
[Six Emotions Connected, Seven Adepti Celebrating, Fragrances Drifting in Eight Directions, Heard Across the Nine Heavens—A Perfect Ten...]