"Traveler, do you think something really happened to Yun Fan? What if that bard actually wanted to harm him…" Paimon said, munching on a plate of Honey-Roasted Carrots and Meat while addressing Lumine, who had no appetite.
"Shut your mouth!" Lumine tore off a chicken leg, though she used a bit too much force and ended up pulling off the chicken's rear end as well. She stuffed the chicken leg into Paimon's mouth, silencing her.
This little glutton had no conscience. Yun Fan was currently missing, and yet she had the nerve to feast at his shop. Not only that, but she kept cursing him.
Lumine glanced at the twinkling stars outside and sighed helplessly. She was certain Yun Fan was fine, but it was already so late. If he hadn't returned to Mondstadt, where could he be?
"Wow, Brother Yun Fan, the fish you grilled is so delicious!" Under the moonlight, Klee was devouring the fish Yun Fan had cooked, her face smeared with oil and bits of meat. Despite the mess, her face was radiant with happiness.
"If it's delicious, eat more. I'll grill some more for you," Yun Fan said affectionately, patting Klee's head and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief.
Yun Fan thought to himself how nice it would be to have a daughter like Klee. Of course, he wasn't thinking about Klee's mother, Alice. Absolutely not.
Yun Fan also took a freshly grilled fish from the makeshift grill and began to savor it. The fish was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Unlike the farmed fish from Earth, the fish from Mondstadt's pristine lakes had a natural freshness that lingered on the palate.
As Yun Fan enjoyed the meal, Klee, who had been happily eating, suddenly stopped and stared quietly at the half-eaten fish in her hands.
"What's wrong, Klee? Does it not taste good anymore?" Yun Fan asked, puzzled. She had been enjoying it just moments ago.
"Brother Yun Fan, what do you think Mom is doing right now? I'm here eating delicious grilled fish, but is she going hungry?" Klee's mood dropped, and her pointed elf ears drooped slightly.
So that's what's bothering her, Yun Fan realized. It was no wonder Klee looked so down. When Klee was very young, Alice had entrusted her to the Knights of Favonius. Little Klee must yearn for her mother's love.
If Yun Fan's memory served him right, Alice was currently guarding the Dark Sea, roaming the borders of the world to maintain the peace of Teyvat.
Yun Fan wasn't sure how to explain this to Klee. Even if he did, such a young child probably wouldn't understand.
So, he decided to make her a promise instead.
"Little Klee, do you trust me?" Yun Fan pulled Klee into his arms, gently stroking her head and looking sincerely into her ruby-like eyes.
"Mhm, Klee trusts Brother Yun Fan. Brother Yun Fan is a good person!" Klee clenched her tiny fists and nodded vigorously.
"Then Klee must be a good girl. In a few months, I'll take you to see your mom. That's my promise to you."
"Really, Brother Yun Fan?" Klee's eyes sparkled with excitement as she wiggled in his arms.
"Of course. Let's pinky swear. Come on, repeat after me."
Yun Fan smiled and extended his hand. Klee did the same. Yun Fan's large finger hooked with Klee's tiny one, creating a heartwarming scene under the gentle moonlight.
"Pinky promise, no lies, or you'll be thrown into the glaciers. The glaciers are cold, the snowfields are harsh, and liars' tongues will freeze and rot!"
A busy noon. Yun Fan was leisurely enjoying his lunch while occasionally glancing at the streets of Mondstadt, which were undergoing post-disaster repairs.
Chirp chirp…
A few small finches flew in through the window and landed on Yun Fan's fluffy silver hair. They looked around curiously before happily hopping about, as if they had found a new nest.
"Haha," Yun Fan laughed, extending a finger to guide the finches onto his hand. He placed some grains in his palm, and the finches happily pecked at them.
Three days had passed since the battle at Stormterror's Lair. During these three days, nothing had happened. Everything seemed calm, but Yun Fan knew this was just the calm before the storm. The Fatui hadn't obtained Venti's Gnosis yet. There was no way they would give up so easily.
As for why the Fatui hadn't made a move yet, Yun Fan suspected it was because they were wary of his presence. It seemed he would need to leave for a while and then sneak back to witness the iconic scene of Venti having his Gnosis taken.
But with the Gnosis in his possession, Signora was destined to come up empty-handed.
He'd have to ask Diluc to get a camera soon. He wanted to capture Venti's embarrassing moments for posterity.
"Huh?" Just as Yun Fan was lost in thought, a blonde woman approached him.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, what brings you here?" Yun Fan asked, puzzled. Shouldn't Jean be at the Knights of Favonius headquarters, eating lunch while handling paperwork? What was she doing at the Good Hunter?
"Mr. Yun Fan, I'd like to ask you a question. Could we speak privately?" Jean said with a serious expression.
"Sure, let's go over here." After a moment's thought, Yun Fan nodded and led Jean upstairs.
"Acting Grand Master, is this about that test?" Yun Fan guessed, bringing up the topic first. After all, he had once proposed a test to Jean. If it succeeded, he would accept the title of Honorary Knight.
"No, Mr. Yun Fan," Jean shook her head. After learning that Yun Fan was the Divine Sovereign of Liyue, she had abandoned that idea. Moreover, Venti had recently told her that even the title of Anemo Archon meant nothing to Yun Fan.
The title of Honorary Knight might even be an insult to him.
If Yun Fan knew what Jean was thinking, he would have laughed. Acting Grand Master, you're overthinking this.
"I'm here to talk to you about Barbara," Jean said nervously, trying to gauge Yun Fan's reaction.
"Oh, so it's about that," Yun Fan understood. Jean had come to him as Barbara's sister, wanting to discuss his relationship with Barbara.
"If Acting Grand Master is looking for Barbara's crush, then it's me."