Night had fallen over Liyue Harbor, and the city shimmered as though adorned by the stars themselves. Lights glowed warmly from every window, and the bustling streets echoed with laughter, hawkers' cries, and the rhythmic haggling of shoppers—a symphony of the night market.
After parting ways with the Northland Bank, Shao Yun navigated the lively crowds and made his way to the Chihu Rock area.
His eyes scanned the throng of people until they landed on a familiar spot.
There, Zhongli, Lumine, and Paimon were seated, chatting and laughing together.
Paimon's sharp eyes immediately caught sight of him. She waved her tiny arms excitedly and called out, "Shao Yun, over here!" Her voice rang clearly, piercing through the noise of the night.
Shao Yun smiled and quickened his pace. He weaved through the crowd and joined them, giving a light nod. "Here I am."
He took the seat they'd saved for him, taking in the vibrant energy of Chihu Rock. The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of food from nearby stalls.
Taking a deep breath, he savored the festive atmosphere.
Just then, Zhongli passed him a steaming bowl of glutinous rice wine dumplings.
"Have a taste. This is one of Liyue's signature treats—Three-Bowl Pass Rice Wine Dumplings," he said with a gentle smile.
Shao Yun accepted the bowl. The translucent dumplings glistened in the broth, a delicate fragrance of osmanthus and sweet rice rising with the steam.
He turned slightly, looking toward Lumine and Paimon. "Have you two tried these yet? How are they?"
Lumine nodded with a smile. Paimon, unable to hold back, chimed in eagerly, "We finished ours already! They're so good! You have to try them, Shao Yun!"
With an amused smile, Shao Yun picked up a spoon and scooped one of the dumplings into his mouth.
The chewy, smooth texture melted pleasantly against his tongue, followed by the sweet tang of the broth. A sprinkling of crushed sesame and peanuts gave it a delightful crunch.
As he chewed slowly, relishing each bite, Shao Yun looked up, confused. "It's sweet and fragrant… but I can't really taste the wine."
Zhongli offered an explanation. "It's made with rock sugar, glutinous rice dumplings, and a touch of osmanthus wine. It's a breakfast delicacy here in Liyue. The alcohol content is low, but the taste is quite soothing."
As Shao Yun continued eating, Iron Tongue Tian began his storytelling, recounting tales of Ningguang.
He spoke of how every year, Ningguang and her three confidants sorted through intelligence atop the Jade Chamber, then shredded the documents and scattered them from the sky—prompting a mad scramble among merchants for even the tiniest scrap.
Iron Tongue Tian described these scraps as "falling snowflakes."
And finally, he recited:
"A verse in praise: drifting and dancing, the heavens shower dust like snow.
Scattered and dense, each word priceless as treasure.
In thought, the land and rivers stir.
All know, the Tianquan reigns supreme."
Shao Yun sat quietly, listening. A puzzled look crept onto his face.
He leaned over and whispered to Lumine, Paimon, and Zhongli, "You know, I just realized something… Doesn't this mean Ningguang's been littering from the sky every year? Isn't that a bit unsanitary?"
Zhongli nearly choked on his tea.
Lumine and Paimon also sputtered, almost coughing on their own saliva.
Wiping his mouth, Zhongli sighed helplessly. "Mister Shao Yun, you certainly have… unique priorities."
Unfazed, Shao Yun chuckled. "I mean, couldn't she just burn the documents? Wouldn't that be more efficient?"
Zhongli blinked and shook his head. "That, I'm not entirely sure about. Lady Ningguang likely has her reasons."
Shao Yun nodded, then took another spoonful of dumplings, savoring the flavor. "Still, that storyteller's got talent. Turning shredded paper into poetic snowfall—it's kind of beautiful."
Paimon, in a rare moment of shared logic, asked, "Shao Yun, how much do you think one of those 'snowflakes' would sell for?"
To her, even the tiniest thing could hold untold value.
Shao Yun scoffed. "That trash isn't worth even one Mora to me. If I had time to pick up scraps, I'd rather rob the Treasure Hoarders. Now that's fast money."
He paused, then suddenly slapped his thigh, grimacing in regret. "Damn! I forgot to loot those three Treasure Hoarder bodies!"
They must've had something valuable on them!
The other three visibly flinched, trying not to laugh at the sheer brazenness.
…
Iron Tongue Tian continued his performance. The four fell into silence, absorbed in the vivid world of his storytelling.
Shao Yun's gaze followed the cadence of the tale, captivated by the wuxia tales of Liyue.
His bowl was now empty. He took a final sip, the subtle sweetness lingering on his tongue.
He stretched lazily, ready to bring the peaceful evening to a close—when a voice shattered the calm.
"I've finally found you—Lady Ningguang's special guest."
The voice was strange—its direction unclear.
Lumine instantly went on alert, scanning the area with sharp eyes.
Shao Yun, however, simply pointed upward. "She's on the roof."
Following his gesture, Lumine, Paimon, and Zhongli looked up.
There stood a girl, her silhouette poised beneath the moonlight.
She had long blue hair tied into a ponytail, a tuft sticking up like a cowlick, and two small qilin horns with black-red accents. A golden bell hung at her collar.
The legendary cocogoat—Ganyu—had appeared.
From the rooftop, Ganyu spoke in a calm tone. "Don't worry. I mean no harm."
But inside, Shao Yun was already calculating.
You say you're harmless—but I'm not. Three-star pelt? Maybe even legendary qilin hide… How do I skin you without ruining the goods…
Outwardly, his smile remained pleasant.
Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through the street, sharp and biting.
Ganyu sneezed. Her delicate voice echoed through the night. "Hm… When did Liyue Harbor nights get so cold?"
Shao Yun waved her down. "If you've got business, come down and talk."
With a light leap, Ganyu descended from the roof and stood before them.
"Hello. I'm Ganyu, secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion."
Her voice was clear and graceful, like a mountain spring—soothing and crisp.
She bowed slightly in greeting.
Shao Yun returned the gesture with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Ganyu. I'm Shao Yun. This is Lumine, that adorable floating one is Paimon—the best guide in Teyvat. And this gentleman is Zhongli, guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Ganyu nodded politely, her gaze moving over each of them before settling on Shao Yun.
She spoke gently, "Shao Yun, Lady Ningguang has asked me to invite you to the Jade Chamber tomorrow morning."
Shao Yun blinked in surprise. He pointed to himself. "You mean… just me?"
Ganyu nodded. "Yes. Lady Ningguang has requested your presence alone."
Shao Yun frowned. "I can't bring anyone? Did she say why?"
Ganyu shook her head. "I'm sorry, she didn't say why or mention guests. She only asked that I personally deliver the invitation."
Shao Yun pressed his lips together, mulling it over. Then he looked up, determination in his eyes.
"Can I finish handling the Rite of Parting first?"
Ganyu shook her head again, her brow furrowed. Urgency showed on her face. "Lady Ningguang said this is very important. You must arrive by dawn."
Shao Yun frowned deeper. He believed her, but still turned to Lumine.
"What do you think? We've got three things to do tomorrow, and we're a bit short on people…"
Lumine smiled reassuringly. "Shao Yun, don't overthink it. If it's urgent, you should go. As for the tasks, Zhongli, Paimon, and I can handle them in a day."
Shao Yun, comforted by her confidence, nodded and turned back to Ganyu.
"All right. I'll be at the Jade Chamber by morning."
Ganyu visibly relaxed, the weight lifting from her shoulders. "Thank you. I'll inform Lady Ningguang. Then—I'll take my leave."
Shao Yun watched her figure disappear into the distance, then turned to his companions.
"You sure you'll manage tomorrow?"
Zhongli gave a calm, steady nod. "You saved us a day's work today. Leave tomorrow to us."
His words were like an anchor, easing Shao Yun's worries.
Shao Yun smiled. "All right then. I'll leave it to you."
Then, turning to Paimon, he added playfully, "Hey, Paimon. I'll see if I can get a whole piece of that 'snowflake' paper tomorrow. Save you from making me and Lumine dig through trash."
Paimon's eyes sparkled at the mention of "snowflakes," already plotting.
But Lumine quickly chimed in, "Don't push yourself. And don't steal anything."
Shao Yun chuckled helplessly.
"Relax. I'll do everything within the boundaries of the law."