"Uh..." Thoma, who had just taken a sip of water from a street vendor, was caught off guard by Yun Fan's sudden remark. In his distraction, the water went down the wrong pipe.
"Cough, cough, cough...!!" Thoma clutched his throat, bending over as he coughed violently.
Seeing this, Yun Fan's lips curled into a smile. He quickly walked over to Thoma's side, bent down, and gently patted his back, all while feigning concern. "Brother Thoma, are you alright? You really should be more careful when drinking water. Don't choke like that again."
"Cough! Th-thank you, Brother Yun Fan. I'll be more careful..." After coughing up the water that had gone down the wrong pipe, Thoma grabbed Yun Fan's outstretched hand and used it to pull himself up, forcing a weak smile.
"Brother Yun Fan, where did you hear about the Shirasagi Himegimi?" After standing up, Thoma gestured for Yun Fan to sit down at a street vendor's stall. Perhaps worried that Yun Fan, being new to Inazuma, might not enjoy the local cuisine, Thoma thoughtfully ordered a few Liyue-style dishes for him.
Hearing this, Yun Fan picked up the freshly brewed sakura tea on the table, took a sip, and then spoke slowly.
"Haha, Brother Thoma, you might not know this, but the Shirasagi Himegimi of Inazuma is already quite famous in Liyue. Many young men there see her as their dream lover, the unattainable white moonlight."
"Uh, is that so? I didn't know the Shirasagi Himegimi was so well-known in Liyue. Hahaha..." Thoma scratched the back of his head, his tone tinged with awkwardness.
The fame of his lady, the Shirasagi Himegimi, had only risen in Inazuma in the two years since the Sakoku Decree was enacted. After the decree, Inazuma's interactions with the outside world had dwindled, and most information flow had been cut off. While the Shirasagi Himegimi's name might have spread abroad, it certainly wouldn't have reached the level Yun Fan described.
A thought crossed Thoma's mind: 'Could this guy actually have some interest in my lady?' The idea made Thoma uneasy. This man might hold a significant position in Liyue, and Thoma had originally planned to introduce him to Kamisato Ayaka. But if he truly had designs on her, Thoma would have to reconsider.
"Brother Yun Fan, are you also one of those many Liyue youths?" Thoma asked cautiously, his eyes subtly scanning Yun Fan's face.
"Me?" Yun Fan was momentarily taken aback by the sudden question, but he quickly understood Thoma's concern and replied calmly, "You could say that. A reputation like hers doesn't come without reason. The Shirasagi Himegimi is beloved by many, and getting to know her would certainly be a delightful experience."
"I see, so that's what you think, Brother Yun Fan. I was being too shallow earlier. Let me toast to you with tea as an apology," Thoma said, standing up and downing his cup of sakura tea in one go.
Yun Fan couldn't help but smirk.
Well, well, if I didn't know that was tea in your cup, I'd think you were drinking some hard liquor. Drinking sakura tea is nothing. If you really want to impress, go learn from Kallen and try eating salted sakura blossoms.
"You're too kind."
——————
As night fell, the stars twinkled in the sky, their light scattering like glittering pearls across the land, draping the quiet estate in a dreamlike veil.
"Coo, coo, coo—"
A pure white pigeon flew through the night, passing over mountains, forests, houses, streams, and shrines, before finally arriving at a grand estate.
Inside the estate, in a small room...
"Hmm~" A young woman with icy white hair finished reviewing the last document in her hand, set down her brush, and stood up from her chair, stretching lazily.
In the flickering candlelight, the youthful and vibrant beauty of the girl was on full display. Her snow-white skin, her peach-like cheeks, and her cherry-red lips all spoke of her breathtaking beauty.
"Coo, coo, coo—" The sound of a pigeon cooing came from outside the window, followed by the tapping of a beak against the windowsill.
The girl quickly walked to the window and opened it.
As soon as the window opened, the white pigeon, exhausted from its long flight, flew straight into the girl's arms, motionless, like a lifelike pigeon doll.
"Hehe, you've worked hard, little one," the girl said, gently removing the letter tied to the pigeon's leg. She then shared some of her favorite snacks with the pigeon, watching it happily eat before unrolling the letter and reading it carefully.
"It's a letter from Thoma... Yun Fan, a merchant from Liyue, with close ties to at least two of the Liyue Qixing. Huh? He wants to meet me?" After reading the letter, the girl fell silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. After careful consideration, she decided to meet Yun Fan.
Although she didn't know what kind of person this Yun Fan was, she trusted Thoma implicitly. Moreover, this man seemed to hold significant influence in Liyue. Perhaps he could help Inazuma in times of crisis.
After writing her reply, the girl returned to the white pigeon, which had finished eating and was now resting. She carefully placed the letter back into the small tube on its leg.
"I'll have to trouble you again, little one," the girl said, gently stroking the pigeon's feathers before releasing it out the window.
"Coo, coo, coo—" The pigeon took to the sky, circling above the courtyard before flying off into the night, disappearing into the darkness.
Watching the pigeon fade into the distance, the girl pursed her lips. 'I hope your arrival, whoever you are, can bring some change to this decaying Inazuma.'