The story of an adventurer rescuing a stranded climber in the blizzards of Dragonspine using a hoverboard quickly spread throughout Mondstadt.
After the recent gliding competition, the hoverboard had already gained popularity, but its steep price of 100,000 Mora made it accessible only to adventurers and those truly passionate about flight. Despite this, the daily limit of 300 boards was always sold out within half an hour of the store opening. People lined up overnight to secure one, with some offering up to 200,000 Mora to buy a hoverboard from someone who had managed to snag one.
Following the Dragonspine rescue, the demand for hoverboards tripled, especially among members of the Adventurers' Guild. Learning how effective the hoverboard was in navigating treacherous terrain, the Guild formally requested Diluc to allocate a special batch for adventurers.
Diluc responded by expanding production lines and promising 300 additional boards daily for the Guild.
Nowadays, it wasn't uncommon to see people leisurely flying at low altitudes on the streets of Mondstadt, drawing envious gazes from passersby. Others discovered alternative uses for the hoverboard, such as transporting goods using its intelligent follow mode. Tests showed it could carry an impressive load of up to a ton!
Meanwhile, the Knights of Favonius' flight training and license examinations were in full swing. Amber, the hoverboard's ambassador, was busier than ever, traveling across Mondstadt to promote it.
Shen Qin often wished for a more modern, tech-driven era—one where Amber could simply film a commercial to reach everyone instantly. However, he devised another strategy: every hoverboard purchase came with five random collectible photo cards of Amber, brimming with her cheerful energy.
With twenty unique cards in total, collectors had to trade with other buyers to complete their sets. This clever marketing created an informal hoverboard community and drew Amber's fans to take an interest in hoverboards.
'As expected of Lord Diluc.'
While the hoverboard's success brought profits to the Knights of Favonius, it also stirred frustration. The Knights only received 10% of the profits, while most of the share went to Dawn Winery and Shen Qin's pocket.
Kaeya, in particular, often lamented not negotiating a better deal.
"Why didn't I fight for a bigger share back then?" he'd bemoan to Shen Qin.
"How is that my fault?" Shen Qin shrugged helplessly. As a Liyue native, he valued contracts and always adhered to the terms they'd agreed upon.
"Doesn't matter! You're filthy rich now, so I'm going to treat you to a feast—on your dime, of course!" Kaeya teased, draping an arm around Shen Qin's shoulders.
Amber chimed in, "That's right! I've been running all over town promoting hoverboards and training recruits. And you? You've been slacking off, playing with Klee. If Lisa finds out, she'll make you regret it!"
"Let's make him pay!" Klee cheered mischievously.
"Fine, fine! I surrender!" Shen Qin groaned. "Dinner's on me at Good Hunter—order whatever you want. Just don't tell Lisa!"
No one dared cross Lisa's wrath. While she called everyone "cutie/sweetie" her lightning magic was anything but gentle.
Satisfied, Amber and Kaeya released him, and they headed to the restaurant. Klee, riding her hoverboard, flew just above the ground at a snail's pace, adhering to Mondstadt's flight rules: hoverboards couldn't exceed 20 centimeters in height or 5 kilometers per hour unless in emergencies.
"By the way, why the sudden visit? Aren't you both swamped with work?" Shen Qin asked curiously.
"The flight license registrations are stable now," Kaeya replied. "Jean was kind enough to grant me a day off, so here I am—with nowhere else to go but to bother you."
"And I'm using my rare day off from Master Diluc to spend time with Klee. I bumped into this guy on the way," Amber added, glaring at Kaeya.
"Yet you agreed to his plan to mooch off me?"
"Hmph! I did no such thing…"
Ignoring their bickering, Shen Qin's gaze landed on a girl sitting alone on a bench, her eyes covered by a bandage.
"Shen?" Kaeya noticed his distraction and followed his line of sight. "Ah, her."
"You know her?" Shen Qin asked, suspecting her identity but wanting confirmation.
"She's Glory," Kaeya said softly. "she's blind."
As Shen Qin expected. "Why does she sit here?" he asked.
"This spot must hold special meaning for her," Kaeya replied.
The group walked past Glory, her figure lingering in Shen Qin's thoughts. After some distance, Kaeya sighed and explained, "Her lover (Godwin) was a knight who joined Grand Master Varka's expedition years ago yet they haven't returned. She waits here, hoping for his return."
"That's heartbreaking…" Amber murmured, covering her mouth. "To be separated like that, unable to hear his voice, only to live in silence and darkness…"
Shen Qin remained silent, pondering whether he could change the fates of those burdened by tragedy in Teyvat's stories.