After settling things with Lumine and Paimon, Shao Yun turned his gaze to the others. He figured he shouldn't play favorites—so he handed each of them a bottle of standard healing potion. Just a little something.
When he got to Venti, he suddenly remembered something. "I think I gave you a stick of dynamite before. You still got it?"
Venti's lips curled into a cheeky smile as he replied casually, "I traded it for some booze. You believe that?" He winked, mischief dancing in his eyes.
Shao Yun squinted at him, recognizing the joke, but kept his tone stern. "Be serious. If something happens, use it. Don't get stingy."
Venti dropped the act and nodded, his voice sincere. "Don't worry. I've still got it."
After handing Venti the healing potion, Shao Yun caught a whiff of apple cider on him. With a frown, he tossed him another bottle—this one of bitter medicinal liquor.
"Why two?" Venti asked.
Shao Yun lightly shook the healing potion in Venti's hand. "This one's for wounds."
Then he gave the bitter bottle a shake, a teasing grin playing at his lips. "That one's in case you get drunk looking for dragon tears—it's to sober you up."
This bitter brew fully restored stamina—literally. It shocked the body awake far better than any cider ever could.
Venti laughed with a hint of self-deprecation. "Do I really seem that unreliable to you? I do like drinking, but I'm not that clueless."
Shao Yun activated his sarcasm module.
"You're reliable—when you're not drinking. Too bad you spend most of the day drunk or on your way to being drunk!"
Venti frowned in protest. "Hey! When we were escaping the Favonius Cathedral with Lumine, I was totally dependable!"
Trying to defend himself with past merit.
Shao Yun raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk on his face. He rolled up a sleeve, theatrically preparing to give Venti a beating.
"Oh, you've got the nerve to bring that up? I haven't even settled that score with you!"
The others burst out laughing. Even Diluc's lips twitched, watching the banter unfold like a scene from a play.
Lumine joined in, playfully tugging Shao Yun's arm while laughing. "Haha, Shao Yun, calm down, calm down…"
Venti really was like that one tipsy uncle—completely unreliable unless things went very wrong. The only real difference? He didn't borrow money, and he always responded to problems with a "eh-heh~".
After enough teasing, Shao Yun mounted his horse. He turned to Lumine with a firm reminder. "If the Hilichurl camp in Dadaupa Gorge gets too dangerous, run—take everyone and get out. I'll go handle it myself."
He looked to Paimon. "And you—stay behind Lumine if trouble starts."
Then his eyes met Diluc's, and he chuckled. "Sorry, Master Diluc. Can't stay the night, but I might trouble you again soon."
Finally, he turned to Jean. "Acting Grand Master, don't worry. I'll keep Mondstadt safe. If the Fatui try anything, I won't leave a single one alive."
He'd left messages for everyone—everyone but Venti.
Venti watched Shao Yun preparing to leave, his eyes hopeful. He raised a hand and waved. "Hey, what about me? Got nothing for me?"
His voice carried a teasing note, but there was something sincere beneath it.
Shao Yun rubbed his chin. "Almost forgot you."
He looked around at the others, then announced, "Everyone—keep an eye on Venti. If he gets drunk during the mission, slap him twice. Or just pour that bitter liquor down his throat to sober him up!"
Venti made a face. "Whoa, Shao Yun, that's harsh! Everyone else gets a warm goodbye or some heartfelt advice, and I get slaps and gross medicine?"
His tone was part protest, part wounded pride.
But Shao Yun just grinned like a man with more tricks up his sleeve.
"Okay, new plan. No more slaps."
He turned to Diluc with a mischievous glint. "Master Diluc, if Venti drinks on the job, ban him from every tavern in Mondstadt. No one serves him anything."
Venti paled. "No—no! I take it back. Slap me instead! I beg you!"
He clasped his hands together in mock-prayer, clearly panicked by the idea.
And yet… deep down, they all knew Venti might actually still dare to drink.
Shao Yun's eyes widened, mimicking shock. "Wait—you'd really still drink?"
Venti stammered, "No, no, of course not! I would never—"
Shao Yun leaned in with a grin. "So… you would drink, huh?"
Venti groaned, clearly exasperated by the teasing. "Ugh, that's not what I meant..."
…
Their lighthearted banter eventually faded, laughter still echoing among them.
Shao Yun waved goodbye to the group, a bright smile on his face.
He gently patted his horse's neck. The horse twitched its tail in response, as if understanding.
With a nudge of his heel, Shao Yun rode off from Dawn Winery.
Above, the night sky shimmered with stars. Moonlight spilled across the winding road, casting a mysterious silver glow on his path.
He rode beneath the tranquil sky, wind cool against his face. Hooves clopped crisply over the open terrain.
From Mondstadt to Dawn Winery, the first ride had seemed long. But once you'd done it a few times—it wasn't so far after all.
As he drew closer, the outline of Mondstadt sharpened in the distance.
Eventually, he crossed the bridge and halted before the city gates.
His horse huffed, hooves tapping rhythmically on the ground—yet refused to go in.
Shao Yun slapped his forehead. "Damn—I forgot to ask Jean for a riding permit. I only got a city defense pass. Why'd I have to run my mouth and add those extra words?!"
From the gate to Amber's place wasn't a short walk. And what if he overslept? The Fatui could strike while he was out cold.
He looked up at the towering walls of Mondstadt—and suddenly had an idea. His eyes lit up.
Jean had given him a city defense permit. Why not just sleep on the wall?
The moment the thought hit him, Shao Yun gave himself a slap.
"Great. Now I'm doing 996 shifts. Eat, sleep, work—all at the post. I've turned myself into a workhorse…"
But there really was no better option. He only had himself to blame.
He stored his horse, then approached a Gatekeeper named Swan and presented his temporary permit.
Showing up at night from outside the city and asking to go up on the wall? Anyone would think you were joking—or a spy.
Swan didn't hesitate to deny him and even threatened to detain him.
Which… was not the smartest idea. Shao Yun could knock out a dozen average knights with his bare hands.
To avoid unnecessary drama, he shoved the permit in Swan's face.
"I have clearance…"
Swan's stern face twitched in surprise—he'd never seen such an informal-looking pass.
He examined it carefully, his expression a mix of disbelief and conflict.
"Huh? This…"
It looked like a joke at first glance—just a card.
But closer inspection revealed Jean's handwriting—and her personal seal in the corner.
Shao Yun, thinking he'd missed it, pointed. "This is a legit city defense permit—Jean's seal is right there."
Swan reconsidered. Whatever the document looked like, the seal was what mattered.
He handed it back respectfully and stepped aside. "It is her seal. Go on up."
He watched Shao Yun's silhouette vanish into the shadows of the city wall, something about his back eerily familiar.
Swan frowned. "Why does he look just like that guy who caught the Stormterror Bandit a few days ago?"
He shook his head. Probably just a coincidence. So many people came and went.
Shao Yun reached the top of the wall and looked to the sky. The Milky Way spilled across the heavens like diamonds on velvet—mysterious, twinkling.
A breeze carried the earthy scent of the fields. The bridge glowed softly under faint lamplight, stretched over the expanse of Cider Lake—lonely, resolute.
He turned toward the city.
Bright lights sparkled along the commercial street. From Cat's Tail Tavern, warm golden light leaked from the windows—one could almost smell the wine and hear the chatter.
The residential district farther out was already asleep, broken only by the occasional bark of a dog.
Shao Yun inhaled deeply, savoring the night air. The view was beautiful.
"Man, what a nice view."
And what do you do with a good view? You draw it, of course!
He whipped out his sketchbook and began to capture both the outer fields and the city within. This was a rare chance—few people ever got to enjoy a view like this from the wall.
When he finished, he admired the sketch.
Simple strokes brought the scene to life—plains in the foreground, distant mountains on the horizon. Even the black ink lines seemed to carry wind and the weight of ages.
Satisfied, he packed up and leaned against the wall, pulling his hat low over his face.
He dozed off, head bowed, the world going quiet around him.
…
Time passed. The eastern sky lightened with the first blush of dawn.
Sunlight spilled over the land in golden hues, warming Shao Yun's resting form.
It seeped through his clothes, gentle as a mother's hand.
In sleep, Shao Yun felt only warmth.
Then a gentle, familiar voice broke through.
"Shao Yun… Mr. Shao Yun, is that you?"
The voice was soft and clear, laced with concern.
Shao Yun stirred, furrowing his brows and slowly opening his eyes.
A familiar face greeted him.
"Huh? Morning, Noelle…"