["Alright, alright, Yae Ei, huh?"]
["With her hair down, she's gotta know how to cook now, right? (lol)"]
["Eat up, eat up, no one's fighting you for it!"]
In Guinaifen's livestream,
Kujou Sara's antics had everyone cracking up.
What's the difference between that and just admitting it outright?
"Hilarious, totally something Sara would do."
Guinaifen closely inspected Ei's outfit.
A purple yukata adorned with lightning patterns, with a snowy-white front that left ample room for [One Heart's Dream] to draw her blade.
Somehow, she'd conjured fox ears like Yae Miko's on her head.
Her braid was let down, and with a dazed, adorable expression, she kept popping tricolor dango into her mouth.
Chewing and nodding, she said, "Mmm, I'm Miko's older sister."
["Today's another day of begging miHoYo for this skin!"]
["Honestly, with her hair down, she's way prettier. Love you, wifey!"]
["Chowing down on tricolor dango!"]
["Our esteemed Almighty Narukami Ogosho, full of majesty—how could she be this shut-in otaku? (lol)"]
["That snowy-white front passed censorship? miHoYo, you're my god!"]
Seeing the chat, Guinaifen tugged at her own clothes.
["Streamer, that half-step back you took—was that for real?"]
["Such a small move, but the damage is huge~"]
Nearby, Yae Miko could barely contain her laughter.
"Little one, this is the Palace Overseer's esteemed older sister~ Don't get it wrong, okay?"
No one's admitting anything, huh? Lumine responded, "So, you three defied the Shogun's lockdown decree and sneaked out?"
Kujou Sara replied sternly, "The Tenryou Commission is on official business. No further details."
"How novel, running into big shots from Inazuma." Venti, lounging in his seat, raised his glass. "Cheers!"
Kujou Sara frowned, ready to scold the rude drunkard, but Yae Miko stopped her.
"Sara, take my dear sister to find a seat. I'll place the order."
Lumine followed behind. "Bringing Kujou Sara along—really no problem?"
"Don't worry, little one. It's her first time escorting her esteemed sister out, so she's a bit overexcited."
As she spoke, Yae Miko recalled the journey here.
From Liyue Harbor's docks to Chihu Rock, it was a short trip, but Kujou Sara was on edge the whole way.
Someone puts their hand in their pocket? She thought they were about to pull a weapon and went straight for a takedown…
People trying to chat up Ei because of her beauty? Sara apprehended them on the spot, nearly causing a diplomatic incident…
["Ei, darling: With a bodyguard like you, I'm truly blessed."]
["Who's protecting who here?"]
["Too real, that's a Shogun stan for you."]
["Hope she bumps into Keqing—bet that'd be hilarious."]
Yae Miko approached the counter. "I brought the people as promised. Are you keeping your word?"
Mu Yang presented a drink. "[A Long Past], a token of thanks. Hope you like it."
Yae Miko's smile carried a deeper meaning. "The taste aside, I quite like the name."
"Ahem… Not getting anything for your esteemed sister or Kujou Sara, customer?"
Lumine emphasized "customer" heavily from the side.
"Oh, little one, don't rush me. Just pick something from your recommendations."
Lumine replied irritably, "I don't even know your sister."
Yae Miko's eyes sparkled with amusement. She loved these situations.
Caught in the middle?
Even better!
"Almost forgot—add extra milk and extra sugar."
The player followed the instructions, preparing drinks for Kujou Sara and "Yae Ei" and delivering them.
Mu Yang looked at Ei in her yukata and fox-ear form, wondering how Yae Miko managed to convince her.
If it were him, he definitely couldn't have pulled it off.
Without meeting Yae Miko back then, doing this himself would've been a hassle.
He'd have had to get past the Raiden Shogun first.
Before completing the Raiden Shogun's second story quest and resolving her inner conflicts,
that puppet Shogun wasn't exactly easy to persuade.
Some things really did require Yae Miko.
Trading some info about "Mu Yang" for this? Totally worth it.
This yukata and fox ears—players were probably eating it up.
Mu Yang could ride the wave and rake in popularity since this was his event. Win!
With that in mind, Mu Yang started preparing desserts to reward Ei.
Heading into the kitchen, he used popularity points to exchange for some Sumeru roses and date palms.
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so he hadn't prepared in advance.
Since they were Sumeru specialties, it was easier to spend points than to go fetch them now.
Mu Yang made a variety of desserts.
Paimon was drooling, but the shop's rules were clear: no eating customers' food during work hours.
Otherwise, she'd go hungry at night.
So, when delivering the desserts to Ei, Paimon didn't dare look too long.
Because one extra glance, and…
Looking at the table full of creative desserts, Venti protested.
"Brother Mu, I may love my wine, but I don't mind a sweet treat now and then."
Lumine chimed in, "Desserts aren't free, you know. Please pay Mora to order."
Venti, the sly old fox, had his ways. He sauntered over to Ei's table.
"How about I write a song praising the esteemed Shogun in exchange for some desserts?"
He sang a couple of lines.
Kujou Sara, who was about to lose it, immediately changed her tune.
She voluntarily paid for his order, leaving Mu Yang and Lumine shaking their heads.
A little later,
an unexpected guest arrived—Zhongli.
Unexpected because the shop had been open for days, and he was only showing up now.
"Welcome."
Paimon threw up her hands, sighing. "If it's Zhongli, I'm not surprised at all."
["Classic social slacker."]
["It's complete! Three Archons in one place—Mu Yang's got clout!"]
["Full house! A tiny tavern hosting three of the Seven Archons at once!"]
Zhongli glanced around the shop. "You two are rather unexpected."
It wasn't clear if he meant Lumine and Paimon working or the other two Archons.
It was now afternoon tea time, and the place was getting busier.
Mu Yang approached. "Mr. Zhongli, please, you and the others, head to the third floor."
Zhongli understood Mu Yang's intent and made his way upstairs.
Venti and Ei followed behind.
Kujou Sara tried to follow, but Yae Miko held her back.
"Sara, lunch break's over. It's time for Tenryou Commission duties."
Ei glanced back, signaling Sara to leave with Yae Miko.
Mu Yang brewed a pot of tea for the three and brought out the desserts he'd prepared.
Even if Zhongli hadn't come, he'd planned to invite Ei upstairs.
After all, with the crowd downstairs and her outfit and beauty, who wouldn't be dazzled?
After setting down the tea, he gave a brief introduction…
"This is [Date Palm Honey Candy]."
"This is [To the Hydro Archon]."
…
Guinaifen watched the cutscene, the visuals so clear she could see the desserts on the table.
This wasn't just empty acting.
The Date Palm Honey Candy was shaped like a four-leaf clover, with almond candy in the center.
And those four leaves…
"Family, don't these leaves kinda look like the Dendro element?"
["You know, they really do!"]
["The other one's even more obvious—literally named [To the Hydro Archon]."]
["Why's this cake got a bow and a crown?"]
Guinaifen slapped her thigh. "Got it! This is a five-Archon gathering—Mu Yang's dropping spoilers again!"
["Shock! The Hydro Archon's a Fontaine cake?!"]
["Nice one, Mu Yang. I'm already hyped!"]
["Stop teasing, stop teasing, I'll play Genshin, okay?!"]
["Chill, we've still got a few versions to go…"]
After setting out the desserts, Mu Yang left.
Before the private room's door closed, faint voices could be heard…
"How long has it been since we've met like this?"
"Probably a very, very long time…"