The morning light streamed through the window frames, illuminating dancing golden dust motes in the air. The faint fragrance of Qingxin Dew Tea wafted from all directions, combined with the aroma of freshly prepared dishes, creating a perfect sensory tapestry. Somewhere downstairs, raucous sounds echoed throughout the place, as if waking all the creatures deep in their slumber.
Mei walked along the deserted hallway, gently closing her eyes to adjust to the soft light, as well as to stabilize her emotions against the chaotic thoughts taking hold. Turning her head for a quick glance back at the room door fading behind her steps, she whispered:
"That’s crazy, seriously! What just happened?"
"Back then, Xiao... did Xiao really just say thank you to me?"
Engulfed in her natural shock, she failed to notice an obstacle in front of her. Thump! Mei's poor injured arm banged right into a small table placed in the corner.
"Ouch!" She couldn't help but yelp in pain.
"Who puts a table on the highest floor like this, anyway?" Mei hugged her arm, groaning.
"This cursed table! Given the chance, I’ll ask the owners to sell you for Mora."
The arm, affected by a strong impact, began to bleed once more. The throbbing pain surged again, like a knife slicing through her flesh. Seeing the bandage gradually being stained with blood, Mei sighed in exhaustion, took a deep breath, and was about to turn back to her room to change the dressing when she suddenly froze.
At the end of the hallway, two familiar figures were gradually approaching. One was Diluc, composed and stern as usual, the other was Elzer, still showing a trace of confusion and contemplation after the events that had transpired.
Diluc walked ahead. His gaze was already sharp and penetrating, so upon seeing the red stain on Mei’s arm, his eyes locked onto it. He stopped, a crease appearing on his forehead, frowning slightly as if pondering something.
Elzer, seeing Diluc halt, also looked up. A moment later, shock took over his face when he noticed the white bandage was stained red. He quickly rushed closer, his voice filled with sincere concern:
"Mei, are you injured?"
Mei jumped, instinctively trying to hide her arm behind her back, a forced smile blooming on the small girl's lips.
"Haha, it's nothing. Just a small mishap."
Before Elzer could ask further, Diluc spoke up. His voice was husky, carrying a direct tone of interrogation, completely devoid of the usual courtesy of inquiry.
"Is that so? Only one night passed, yet you went from being perfectly fine to this."
"Does this wound have anything to do with you helping us decipher the book?"
His gaze locked onto Mei, cold and scrutinizing. Hearing this, she could only frantically wave her hands, continuously shaking her head in denial.
"No, it's not! Deciphering it didn't pose any danger to me."
Elzer slightly furrowed his brow, resting his hand on his chin in thought, then voiced his own conjecture:
"Were you attacked by a Ruin Guard?"
"Oh!" A small sound escaped Mei.
She was momentarily stunned, and after a brief thought, she nodded with firm resolution, affirming:
"Yes! Exactly. That was it."
"Last night, when I was out for a walk, they attacked me by surprise. Luckily, someone passing by saved me, otherwise... hic"
Saying this, Mei lightly brought her hands up to cover her face, trying to appear as distressed as possible.
Elzer stared intently at her, a fleeting hint of suspicion in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by worry. Diluc, however, said nothing more, merely pulling out a small medicine bottle from his pocket and extending it toward her.
"Use this."
As if to be sure, Diluc added another sentence:
"Rest assured, I haven't opened the cap even once."
Mei glanced at the medicine bottle. Its exterior was made from aged Quartz, every detail on the bottle's body was meticulously carved, and the medicine inside emitted a faint fragrance despite being tightly sealed.
Just one look was enough for Mei to confirm that this was the same type as the bottles Verr Goldet gave her yesterday meaning it was incredibly expensive, possibly even equivalent to or slightly more valuable than those previous bottles.
"Haha, thank you, Master Diluc!" She accepted the medicine bottle happily, without pretense.
In Mei's heart, a thought suddenly flashed:
"Should I secretly sell this thing?"
Elzer suddenly spoke up, interrupting Mei's train of thought. His voice had returned to its usual gentle and polite tone.
"Actually, we also wanted to have a small conversation with Mei."
"Master Diluc has a proposition for you."
Diluc stepped forward, his eyes as deep red as amber under the hallway light. He looked straight at Mei, his voice slow and heavy like falling stone:
"Do you want to come to Mondstadt?"
"Huh!?" Mei froze in place, her mouth agape.
"Did I hear wrong? Master Diluc is inviting me to Mondstadt!?" Confusion swelled within her.
Diluc continued in a calm manner:
"Don't misunderstand. It's because I see that Ms. Mei here has a lot of potential and knowledge about wine. So, I would very much like to invite you to be my personal assistant."
"Oh wow! What potential does he see in a person who passes out after three glasses? And a personal assistant at that!" Mei asked herself internally, her heart skipping a beat.
Elzer leaned slightly, giving a gentle, reassuring smile, as if to reinforce her confidence after Diluc's statement:
"There's no need to worry, Mei! The Lord and the Winery would never mistreat you."
Diluc continued speaking, his voice full of resolve:
"There, I assure you that you will receive the protection of the Winery..."
Diluc glanced down at her bandaged arm, his voice dropping, filled with finality:
"...a safer protection than in this place."
Elzer looked directly into Mei's eyes, his gaze sincere and full of gratitude.
"If you agree, we will take care of everything. You have helped us greatly, and now we only wish to repay that kindness."
Mei stood motionless in the quiet hallway. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke. Though she seemed to still be caught up with the image of someone else in her heart, her voice rang out with firm resolve:
"To be honest... I find it much safer here."
Elzer flinched, astonished to hear Mei's resolute answer. He was about to speak, but Diluc held up a hand to stop him. Diluc's eyes flashed with a cold sharpness mixed with something hard to read. He quietly looked at her for a few seconds before letting out a concise question:
"What are you implying?"
Mei looked straight at him, her body trembling slightly, a drop of sweat tracing down her cheek, yet she spoke with unwavering determination:
"Nothing at all. This is simply my personal feeling."
Diluc, with his sharp mind, pieced everything together. He knew it was not as simple as Mei's answer suggested. The abnormality of her wound, her sudden appearance, and now her resolute attitude to stay.
Diluc understood that there was another power, a power as strong as the Liyue Qixing, silently protecting Mei. It was so great that it could make her choose to stay without a second thought.
Although somewhat displeased that he couldn't grasp the entire situation, he knew it was better to take a step back at this moment.
"Alright!"
Diluc spoke up, his voice returning to its usual aloofness.
"Take your time to think about it. I will await your final answer."
Elzer looked at Mei, his eyes full of sympathy. He smiled lightly and spoke:
"You're right, Mei. Safety is a rare thing in these times, but this is also a very rare opportunity."
"Think carefully. Our party won't be leaving right away."
Mei nodded, feeling a slight sense of relief. She knew she needed more time to make such a big decision.
"Mhm! I will think about it very carefully."
Hearing this, Diluc gave a slight nod and calmly said:
"Then we shall return to our rooms now."
Afterward, both Diluc and Elzer left, leaving Mei alone in the hallway. She watched their figures until they completely disappeared, then softly whispered:
"Mondstadt..."
---
The still-warm teacup in my hand, the gentle heat lightly seeping through my fingers, made me unconsciously recall Diluc’s proposition from this morning.
“Do you want to come to Mondstadt?”
That question was like something implanted in my mind, refusing to leave since the morning. Should I go or stay here? Choosing either option brought a pile of anxieties rushing in.
I softly closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift with the lanterns floating outside the window, remembering the landscape of the free continent I often saw in the game. A place where the winds never stopped blowing, where windmills always faced the sunrise, and above all, the familiar melody of "The City Favored by Wind" faintly ringing in my ear. It was as if it was whispering to me: "Just try it, what are you afraid of?"
“Hmm, working at the Dawn Winery... wouldn't be too bad, would it?”
It sounded bright enough, but the worries still came flooding back. Diluc had guaranteed my safety, but who could really know for sure? What if, once we got to Mondstadt, he suddenly changed his mind and abandoned me? Or what if I lost my value and was heartlessly kicked out? Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine.
All things considered, I felt staying at Wangshu Inn was still the wiser choice. I mean... who wouldn't like an easy job, working only two or three hours a day, with food and lodging fully covered? Especially for a capitalist slave like me.
“Plus, the owners and everyone else treat me really well too.”
But I suddenly froze, a thought flashing through my head. If most of the things I experienced in Teyvat were “Quests” like in the game, then if I completed all of them... could I return to my old world?
I immediately dismissed the thought, it was as far-fetched as aliens attacking Earth. This game has an uncountable number of Quests, like grains of sand in the desert. Complete all of them? Dream on.
Still, going to Mondstadt wouldn't be bad. I could meet more people there, and maybe I’d stumble upon a clue to return home. Staying rooted at the Inn isn't the best idea, and above all, I don't want to inconvenience Verr Goldet and Huai'an anymore.
My gaze unintentionally fell upon my bandaged arm, and I let out a soft sigh:
“That’s right, there’s that strange, illusory light too.”
It always appeared in a very peculiar way. It seems the light only reacts to things related to residual resentment, doesn't it? I tried using it at a normal time, and nothing happened. If I go to Mondstadt, maybe I’ll find out its origin and how it works.
“Why did it appear at that exact moment?”
I was submerged in these deep thoughts, losing track of time. The teacup in my hand had long grown cold. Gently setting it down on the table, I leaned back as if shedding a heavy burden.
Suddenly, my eyes fell upon some very familiar items neatly tucked away in the corner of the table, where the faint lamplight struggled to illuminate the tranquil night. There was the set of clothes I wore when I was first brought here, my employee ID card, and a jadeite bracelet on its body was inscribed the small phrase: “Safe and peaceful life.”
Holding the bracelet in my hand, I suddenly thought of them. For over two months, I hadn't dared to wear it. Because I was afraid... if something happened to it, wouldn't I lose the last bit of hope I had to cling to?
“Trying a little is better than doing nothing, isn't it?”
Gently clasping the bracelet in my hand, I silently made my final decision. Even if it was fragile faith, a vain hope I’d created myself, I didn't care. If there was a chance, I would still seize it.
“I will definitely return home, no matter what.”
“It absolutely has to be that way!”