After finding out Zhongli's whereabouts, Paimon, the Traveler, Hu Tao, and the others quickly finished their ramen. Once Belle also finished eating, the noodle shop owner walked over.
"That'll be 15,000 Dennies. Cash or card?"
The Traveler took a deep breath. "Cash…"
He pulled out a handful of Mora and placed it on the counter.
The moment the shop owner saw the Mora, he froze. "Are these… gold coins? You don't have any Dennies?"
The Traveler scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… can we pay with Mora?"
The shop owner nodded repeatedly. "Of course you can, but this is way too much. One coin is enough. Quickly put the rest away."
He took just one Mora from the pile.
The Traveler was stunned. "Things are this cheap here?"
Paimon was thrilled. "Traveler, we're rich!"
Keqing: "…"
Off to the side, Belle's eyes lit up when she saw them using Mora. She was now certain—they really were friends of Sam Li.
It wasn't her first time seeing these gold coins called Mora. Just a few days ago on the outer ring road, she'd seen Furina and Clorinde using the same coins—and just like now, they'd taken out a whole handful at once.
She figured these people must be from the same place as Furina. Same currency, and all absurdly wealthy.
By now, the Traveler had settled the bill.
Paimon spoke seriously, "We'll treat you to this meal, so please take us to find Zhongli."
Belle understood and smiled. "Sure, let's head out now."
However, before heading to Hare's House, Belle first took them to Master Tingman's café. Seeing Sam Li wasn't there, she then led them to Hare's House.
Paimon asked suspiciously, "Miss Belle, didn't you say Hare's House was that way?"
Belle smiled. "It's not close. Walking would take over twenty minutes. I'll drive you."
Though the video store's car was a bit small, they could just about squeeze in.
Soon, Belle led Keqing and the others to the video store's backyard.
"What are you standing around for? Get in!"
Paimon hesitated. "Um, how do you open the door?"
Belle sighed and got out. "Grab here—yeah, like that. See? Easy."
Furina had been the same when she visited the outer ring. Dressed so extravagantly, yet totally unfamiliar with modern tech—she hadn't even known how to open a car door.
Belle chuckled. "All set? I'm taking off."
Keqing nodded. "Mm, let's go…"
Inside the car, Keqing studied the vehicle with wide eyes. It looked far more luxurious than the carriages in Liyue Harbor.
But… there weren't any oxen or horses pulling it. How did it move?
Before she could figure it out, Belle stepped on the gas, and the car slowly rolled forward.
Keqing was stunned. "It's moving?!"
Belle: "…"
Paimon exclaimed, "Amazing! It's like the mechanisms in ancient ruins—it moves on its own!"
Hu Tao, the Traveler, and Xiao looked around in awe.
Belle wasn't surprised at all. Instead, she laughed. "When Furina first saw this kind of tech, she was just as amazed."
Furina?
Hearing the name, Keqing and the others were shocked and frowned.
Paimon asked, "You know Furina?"
Belle nodded. "We met a few days ago on the outer ring road. Like you, she's a friend of Mr. Sam Li. But I heard she left the city the day after she arrived. I wanted to recommend her a few videotapes, but she was gone too fast."
Keqing: "???"
Xiao: "…"
Traveler: "!!!!"
Honestly, they were shocked—Furina had already been here?
Just then, Paimon suddenly pointed to the sky. "Hey, Traveler! Keqing! Hu Tao! Xiao! Look over there!"
Everyone followed her gaze through the car window and spotted a massive airship—several times bigger than the one in Fontaine.
Belle explained, "That's a New Eridu Airlines airship."
Because Keqing and the others knew Sam Li, and Belle was his friend, their bond quickly strengthened.
Along the way, Belle pointed out the shops on both sides of the street.
"That's an arcade. A new fighting game just came out… That's New Eridu Subway Station… Go that way and you'll reach Lumina Square…"
Soon, the car turned onto the street where Hare's House was located.
From afar, Belle could already see the distinctive front gate and the figures of Anby and Billy.
As Belle parked in front of Hare's House, Billy ran over excitedly.
"Manager, what brings you here? Need us to take on a job?"
Belle shook her head. "No, not a job. I just met a few people on Sixth Street—they seemed to be looking for Mr. Sam Li, so I brought them along."
As soon as she finished, Keqing, Hu Tao, the Traveler, and Xiao all got out. Paimon flew out, a little dizzy.
At first sight, Billy stared at Paimon in surprise.
"You're the flying dwarf Melon?"
Paimon was stunned. "Huh????"
What was happening?
Why did this weirdo know her most hated nickname?
She stomped her foot in anger. "You… how do you know that name? I'm not some dwarf Melon—I'm Paimon!"
Seeing she was upset, Billy suddenly remembered Furina's warning—not to use that nickname in front of her.
He quickly explained. "Ahem… It was Arataki Bro who told me. Sorry about that. So you're Paimon? I've heard so much about you—it's true, you can really fly…"
Billy looked at her in awe.
She looked like some kind of special Bangboo—flying and even speaking like a human. Fascinating.
Paimon huffed. "If you call me that again, I'll give you an even worse nickname!"
Billy scratched his head awkwardly. "…"
Meanwhile, the Traveler overheard their conversation and fell into deep thought.
It had already been a surprise that Furina had been here—but now even Arataki Itto had come too?
At that moment, Belle spoke up.
"They're here to see Mr. Sam Li. Is he inside?"
Billy quickly nodded. "Yes, he's inside drinking tea…"