"Oh? You agreed? A good choice, Mr. Zhongli."

Hearing Zhongli agree, Wendy, who had been looking at Kaito with a suspicious expression, turned around and smiled, then she took Kaito's hand and walked together to Zhongli's front.

She seemed to be in a good mood now, completely unlike the way she looked earlier, as if she was about to devour Kaito.

"However, before signing the contract, may I confirm a few things? Miss Wendy."

Looking at Kaito, then at Wendy, Zhongli, whose expression was somewhat strange, wanted to confirm a few things first.

Although he was already prepared to agree to Wendy's request, there were still some matters he needed to clarify.

"Speak." Holding Kaito's left hand in her arms with both hands, Wendy gestured for Zhongli to continue asking.

She knew Zhongli would definitely be very cautious; after all, as the God of Contracts, he would strictly enforce the terms of any contract, which compelled him to approach the signing of contracts with prudence.

"Firstly, I'd like to know what will happen to Childe in the end?"

Concerning a person's life, Zhongli was still very concerned; he worried Wendy might beat Childe to death.

"It'll be the same as last time; I won't beat him to death."

Knowing Zhongli was concerned about Childe's safety, Wendy replied thus.

Anyway, she was just casually hitting Childe to complete a task; she didn't have any enmity or hatred towards him.

But if it still didn't work this time, she'd have no choice but to hit him a few more times, just to let Childe get some exercise.

"Mm." Nodding, Zhongli continued to ask, "Secondly, I'd like to know your objective, Miss Wendy? The first time you attacked Childe, you claimed to be my friend, wanting him to believe it was I who sent you to attack him. This time, it seems you want Childe to mistakenly believe it's the Anemo Archon who wants to beat him. This is very strange; I cannot understand it."

Pausing, Zhongli continued, "At first, I thought Miss Wendy, you wished to sow discord among us Archons, but upon reflection, that doesn't seem right. After all, you came directly to me, and even Barbatos, if he weren't drunk, would know about this matter. This would completely fail to achieve any divisive effect, so I am very curious about your objective, Miss Wendy."

After speaking, Zhongli looked at Wendy before him, awaiting her reply.

"My objective? Because I like it, is there a problem with that, Mr. Zhongli?" To this question, Wendy simply stated, "Because I like it."

Regardless, she clearly wouldn't reveal anything about the system.

"I see."

In fact, Zhongli knew he was unlikely to get an answer to the question, so he said nothing more.

"Do you have any other questions then?"

"No questions for now, but I have something to tell Miss Wendy." After a moment's thought, Zhongli continued, "Actually, Childe also approached me earlier to ask about you. At that time, my answer to Childe was that Miss Wendy, you might be the Anemo Archon Barbatos, and he seems to have already believed it."

Regardless, he would not pretend something already completed was unfinished simply to sign a contract with someone.

Childe already believes Wendy is the Anemo Archon?

Then why... is the task still incomplete?

Upon hearing what Zhongli said, Kaito was puzzled.

Could it be another Archon?

But Zhongli used the word "seems"... so it might not necessarily be so...

No, wait...

Suddenly, a possibility occurred to him, and Kaito seemed to understand why.

Because Childe believing Wendy is the Anemo Archon doesn't change the fact that the first attempt was to frame Zhongli. After all, what she said then implied that Morax told her to do it, so that time, it was framing the Geo Archon.

In other words, from Childe's perspective, it was the Geo Archon who sent the Anemo Archon to beat him up, and it had nothing to do with Wendy's identity.

In that case... this time, let Zhongli tell Childe that Wendy was actually sent by the Anemo Archon to beat him up... and last time was just an attempt to pin the blame on the Geo Archon...

After Kaito pondered for a moment, Wendy spoke, "Then, Mr. Zhongli, you can simply say that I was actually sent by the Anemo Archon, and last time was just to make you take the blame. Or you can even say I am the Anemo Archon, but my actions of beating him have nothing to do with the Geo Archon, meaning you; it was all my own idea."

Miss Wendy... why change it like this?

If Zhongli was already perplexed by what Wendy wanted him to do, now he was even more utterly baffled.

However, Zhongli still understood the distinction.

Clearly, last time Miss Wendy attacked Childe, she intended for Morax to take the blame, whereas this time, she intends for Barbatos to take it.

That is to say, Miss Wendy has been trying her best to make Childe believe that either the Geo Archon Morax or the Anemo Archon Barbatos was behind the attack.

Is there something crucial about Childe?

And if there's a next time... will it then be the turn of the other Archons?

For a moment, Zhongli couldn't help but ponder this in his mind.

Despite his thoughts, he still agreed aloud, "I have no problem with this, but I believe Barbatos should also be informed."

After all, this matter greatly concerns Barbatos, so Zhongli felt he definitely needed to know.

"Of course." Regarding what Zhongli said, Wendy had actually made plans long ago; it was just that Venti had been unconscious from drinking, which was why he was left out. Moreover, she now had something to discuss with Zhongli: "So, Mr. Zhongli, how would you like me to assist you? Should I act as an enemy intending to destroy Liyue Harbor, to see how these humans resolve the crisis in your absence? Or do you wish for me to protect Liyue Harbor after your retirement?"

"All protection has an end; humans must ultimately learn to stand on their own."

After some thought, Zhongli gave this reply.

"You are absolutely right, Mr. Zhongli." Wendy already knew Zhongli's choice.

-------------------------------------

Mondstadt.

Angel's Share.

"G-good... good wine... Mo... Morax... you... you try some too..."

Still sprawled on the table, Venti mumbled some incoherent words.

But after muttering these words, he gradually awoke.

"Ah... my head hurts... this wine... wait?"

Forcefully shaking his muddled head, Venti suddenly noticed he was the only one left at the table, which made him sober up a little.

Strange... where did everyone go?

Sitting at the table, looking left and right, Venti tried to find Morax, but ultimately he couldn't.

Huh? Why are there two servings of Dandelion Wine and grilled meat on the table?

Did someone else come by?

Suddenly noticing the two servings of Dandelion Wine and grilled meat on the table, Venti was puzzled.

Never mind... must have been Morax's friends...

After some thought, Venti could only assume this, but then he remembered something else.

Wait... these weren't ordered by that girl, were they?

And one more... must have been ordered by the black-haired boy next to that girl?

It looks like they've already met...

Thinking this, Venti also felt relieved.

Because Morax had previously said that girl was very unusual, Venti was somewhat worried when he first woke up and didn't see him.

Although he trusted Morax's strength, someone who could make Morax care so much was clearly not simple.

But since nothing happened, and he wasn't even woken up, it meant everything was fine; the old man must have handled it.

Alright... time to go perform...

Thinking this, Venti, who had drunk his fill, stood up and walked out.

However, just as he reached the doorway, several burly men directly blocked the entrance, preventing him from leaving.

"Um... could you please let me pass?"

Not knowing what these men intended, Venti could only ask them to make way.

"Sir, you haven't paid for your drinks, tea, and those two servings of Dandelion Wine and grilled meat yet."

The bartender behind him spoke then.

Drinks... tea...

And Dandelion Wine and grilled meat...

How is all this on me???

And... how did the old man leave without paying???

He should be very rich, right???

Turning his head to look at the table he had just been sitting at, Venti was stunned. He never imagined Morax, the creator of Mora, wouldn't even help him pay.

And why were the Dandelion Wine and grilled meat also charged to him?

"Sir, you don't happen to be out of Mora, do you?"

Just as the bartender said this, the burly men behind also closed in, their expressions clearly unfriendly.

"Uh... um... could I perhaps perform to pay it back? Hehe."

Laughing awkwardly, Venti had no choice but to perform to pay off his debt; his pockets were cleaner than his face.

He had thought he could freeload off Morax's Mora, but it turned out Morax had freeloaded off him instead.

Is this fair?

A moment later.

"Perhaps he's already performing somewhere else..."

"I feel like he's at the Archon Statue..."

"Let's go in and check..."

...

Just as Venti was forced to perform to pay his debt, he suddenly heard some conversation from outside the door, mixed with a familiar voice.

The old man's back!

Hearing Morax's voice, Venti's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up from his seat.

However, after he stood up, the burly men also uniformly stood up.

"Hold on, I'm not trying to run. My friend is back to help me pay."

Realizing they might think he was trying to escape, Venti quickly explained, then sat back down.

Anyway, the old man ultimately didn't make him pay, which was great.

Otherwise, it would take him a long time performing to pay off this amount.

"Welcome—"

With the bartender's welcome, several people walked in from outside the door.

It really is the old man... wonderful...

It seems they went outside to discuss some matters...

Seeing Morax and the other two walk in, Venti finally let out a sigh of relief; he wouldn't have to perform to pay anymore.

"Hehe, old man, you haven't paid for the drinks yet."

Worried that Morax might think he had already paid, Venti quickly told him this.

"Hmm... the drinks, you say..."

Zhongli, not expecting Barbatos to intend for him to pay, pondered for a moment, then said, "I currently do not have any Mora on me."

Venti: "..."

The smile on his face gradually froze. Venti never would have imagined Morax wouldn't have a single Mora.

Is this... fair???

Not fair at all!!!

"How about this, you can put the bill..."

"I'll take care of it, Mr. Zhongli."

It was then that Kaito stepped forward.

In fact, he had considered this possibility earlier, but had temporarily forgotten it because there were other matters to discuss.

"Then I shall trouble you, young friend Kaito."

"No need to be polite, Mr. Zhongli."

Walking up to the bartender, Kaito paid for everything. He knew Zhongli truly wouldn't stand on ceremony, but one still had to say what needed to be said.

"Kaito, pack me a serving of grilled meat and Dandelion Wine to go."

Wendy suddenly called Kaito by his name.

"Alright. Could you please pack me a serving of Dandelion Wine and grilled meat?"

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir."

Actually, Wendy wasn't hungry; it was just Kaito who was.

Wait... shouldn't Wendy call me 'Ning' or something more affectionate...? Intimate people usually call each other that, right?

Suddenly, Kaito, who was waiting, thought of this question.

"Many thanks, Kaito."

After sobering up from the fact that Morax had no Mora, Venti also expressed his gratitude to Kaito.

Regardless, Kaito had helped him out of a tight spot; otherwise, he wouldn't know how long he'd have to perform here.

"Old man, you didn't happen to lose your Mora halfway here, did you?"

Because there were many people around, he couldn't directly mention things like "creator of Mora," so Venti indirectly asked Zhongli why he didn't have any Mora on him.

"I never carry Mora." Zhongli's reply was perfectly matter-of-fact.

"But how are you supposed to live without Mora now? So many things require money!"

Venti was speechless.

"Oh? In all these years, no one has ever given me trouble over money."

"Well, here I am then, old man!" Venti said this through gritted teeth.

If there was a next time, he would definitely be the first to run, instead of being the last to leave and getting caught like today.

"Alright, let's go."

It was then that Kaito, carrying the packed Dandelion Wine and grilled meat, walked over to the group.

A moment later.

Stormbearer Mountains.

"Huh? Why?"

After hearing Zhongli's explanation, the first thing Venti blurted out was "Why?"

"No why."

Before Zhongli could answer, Wendy had already said this, then she continued, "Let's go, Kaito, it's time to head back."

"See you next time, both of you."

After waving his hand to the two, Kaito and Wendy left the place together.

He knew Zhongli would discuss some matters with Venti, so he let them talk there; he wasn't afraid of anything anyway.