Kui.

Chapter 43 Shh! Let's not talk about the embarrassing incident of almost being killed by a grunt...

"Ying: 'Ying... Huh? Aren't you Bennett?'"

"Bennett: 'Idol?! We've finally met again!'"

"'Long time no see. By the way, why are you here too? I wanted to find you yesterday but couldn't find you anywhere.'"

"'Heh heh~ Because I went out exploring yesterday. I didn't expect to run into trouble after less than a day out. If Ying hadn't saved me, I wouldn't know if I could have gotten out of this situation.'"

"'Ran into trouble? In the snowy mountains?'"

"'Mhm, let me tell you...'"

After a passionate explanation...

"'So, to summarize, you were captured by the Fatui, saved by Ying, and then ambushed by someone else, is that right?'"

"'Yes, yes! Then we got lost. We originally wanted to escape with a pair of Fatui members, but they discovered us. Ying was almost... Huh?!'"

"'Stop!' Ying quickly ran over to stop Bennett as he was about to reveal her embarrassing past."

"'Huh? Why did you suddenly cover Bennett's mouth?'"

"'Ahaha... Nothing, nothing. Later, we defeated them, then we heard Klee's bombs and rushed over. In the end, everyone was safe and we successfully descended the mountain~'"

"'I see...' (Why does something feel off...)"

"Bennett: 'Mmmph...'"

"'Shh! Don't talk about embarrassing things like almost being harassed... Nod if you understand!' Ying pulled Bennett's head down a bit and whispered in his ear."

"'Mhm...'" Bennett quickly nodded several times. Seeing that she had received the desired response, Ying let go of her small hand with relief.

"'Cough cough... Cough... I know, I know. Phew... I almost suffocated.'"

"'Hee hee~ Sorry, sorry, I was too anxious just now~'"

"Ying: 'What are you two discussing?'"

"'Nothing, nothing... By the way! Is dinner ready yet? I feel like I haven't eaten all day...'"

"'Hmm... It should be almost ready. Let's go wait over there. Bennett, you come with us too.' (Hmm... something's fishy...)"

"'Really?! That's great!'"

"'Let's go, let's go! We'll build snowmen together after dinner~'"

Ying pulled Lumine and Bennett and ran off quickly...

"Klee: 'Sister Ying, hurry! The barbecue is ready~'"

"Diluc: 'Eat up, there's definitely enough food.'"

"Ying: 'Yahoo~ Then I won't be polite anymore~'"

"Lumine: 'Eat slowly, no one's snatching it from you~'"

"'Mmmph... Phew... Hee hee~ I was just too hungry, and I walked for so long.'"

"'Ahaha, it's good for you to get more exercise~' (Ying's body really can't withstand much strain...)"

"'Speaking of which, it makes me angry that we finally arranged this outing, and I didn't get to experience anything.'"

"'Hmm... Should exploring with Bennett count as one?'"

"'That wasn't exploring, it was practically survival in the snowy mountains (wasn't it t^t)'"

"'Hahaha~ Then do you want to build snowmen with me later?'"

"'Huh? You haven't built them yet?'"

"'Not yet, but Venti and Kaeya already ran off to build some.'"

"'Ugh... As expected of those two... By the way, Acting Grand Master, are you guys joining later?'"

"Jean: 'I'll help Klee with it.'"

"Barbara: 'I'll help my sister too~'"

"Noelle: 'I... I'm not very good at playing... You guys go play, and I'll clean up here...'"

"'How can we let Noelle clean up by herself? Of course, we'll clean up together. Noelle, you'll play with us later too~'"

"'Is that so... Yes! I understand!'"

"'That's right... Ah?! Paimon, you little! You ate more than half of my skewers while I was talking!!'"

"'Hmph hmph~ In the world of a foodie, there's no such thing as talking. If Ying keeps talking, I'll eat it all!'"

"'Ha?! I won't lose to you!'"

Ying immediately entered foodie mode and competed with Paimon...

After a while...

"Ying: 'Phew~ Cleaning finished! I didn't expect Paimon to eat more than all of us combined... I surrender.'"

"'Hehe~ It was too delicious, so I accidentally couldn't control my appetite.'"

"'By the way, after eating so much, I'm surprised you can still fly...'"

"'Hmph hmph~ Paimon only ate about seventy percent full~'"

"'Only seventy percent full...'"

"Lumine: 'Alright, alright. Acting Grand Master and the others have already gone ahead. We should catch up quickly~'"

"'Oh, okay.'"

Running along...

"Venti: 'Oh? Our little traveler is finally back. Want to admire my masterpiece~'"

"'Okay, okay. Since Venti made it, it shouldn't be too ugly to look at~'"

"'Ahaha, it's truly delightful to receive your approval.'"

"'Hee hee~ Let me see... Hmm... Is this a cat?'"

"'That's right~'"

"'It's really well-built... But aren't you allergic to cats, Venti?'"

"'Hmm~ I am indeed allergic to cats, but that doesn't mean I dislike them~ If I have the chance, I'd like to go to the Cat's Tail for a drink~'"

"'Erm... Are you hinting at me?'"

"'Ah heh~ So clever.'"

"'Sigh... I get it, I get it. I'll definitely take you there on Windblume Festival day.'"

"'Ahaha, I'm really looking forward to that day~'"

"Kaeya: 'After admiring his work, do you want to see mine too~'"

"'Okay, what Kaeya built is... Uh... a cup?'"

"'It is indeed a cup, but can you guess a little more precisely?'"

"'More precisely? Hmm... This cup looks a bit like... a wine glass?'"

"'Bingo~ Correct answer.'"

"'Uh... While that may be true... Kaeya, why did you build a wine glass? Do you like drinking the most?'"

"'Hmm... Rather than me, it's more like the person in my perception likes drinking~'"

"'In your perception? Could that person be... Venti?'"

"'You guessed right again~'"