"Hoh... I didn't expect there to be a hidden place like this here."
"Indeed. Just now, that fellow, Gongzi, said some kind of code, and then the stone suddenly moved... How do you think we should get in?"
The two were observing from a height of nearly 200 meters from the enemy stronghold. As for what they were using to see... it was naturally the telescope Ying had obtained previously~
"Hmm... I don't know either. Let's see if we can sneak in after Gongzi leaves..."
"Sigh... How long will that take? What if he never comes out?"
"Don't worry, I'm sure he won't stay in there for too long."
"Oh? Why are you so sure?"
"Uh... well... it's because he'll definitely have to go find Ying and Zhongli soon. Their identities are quite special, and if it were me, I wouldn't feel at ease leaving them alone either~"
"Mhm... that makes sense..."
"Right, right~"
(Phew... After all, Ying and Zhongli will still need Gongzi, the walking wallet... )
(Speaking of which, how much was the first installment of funds? I hope Ying and the others won't spend too much... Oh, wait, the first installment of funds was used to buy stones... Damn!)
After a long time...
"Haa~ Ying... Didn't you say he would come out soon? Why have we been waiting so long and he still hasn't appeared..." Paimon said, rubbing her eyes.
"Ah, this... it shouldn't be like this... But I am indeed getting impatient..."
"Sigh... Then how about we just barge in?"
"Uh... Did you forget I'm still injured? And that Gongzi fellow is still inside. I'm not even sure I can beat him, let alone the Fatui soldiers who are surely inside."
"You're right. So, what should we do now? Keep waiting?"
"Hmm... No more waiting. We'll come back tomorrow." Ying pondered for a while before finally making up her mind.
"Oh, then should we go back and meet up with Ying now~(^～^)"
"No, not yet. I need to go back to Mondstadt first to find that bard, Venti."
"Eh? Why are you going to see that street performer?"
"Well... just to chat, you know~ There's nothing else to do right now anyway, is there~"
(If I remember correctly, Zhongli mentioned he quite liked dandelion wine from Mondstadt... I'll buy a couple of bottles on the way back~)
"But..."
"Ahem~ I'll take you to buy lots of delicious food too~" Seeing Paimon still hesitant, Ying quickly brought out her ultimate weapon.
"Lots of delicious food?! Alright! Let's go back quickly! (✪▽✪)"
"Mhm~" (Phew... So easy to coax...)
Ying teleported with Paimon into Mondstadt city...
"Haa~ It's been a while since I've been back. I wonder if Klee, Noelle, and Diona have missed me~(^～^)" Ying looked around the surroundings, sighing with emotion.
"Do you want to go see them?"
"Hmm... Let's skip it this time. Maybe next time." (The Liyue arc will have a long period of correction after the crisis is over...)
"I see~ Then let's go buy some food quickly! (✪▽✪)"
"Hahaha~ Look at you being so eager. Let's buy, buy, buy, we'll go buy right now~"
The two soon arrived at the Good Hunter...
"Paimon, order whatever you want to eat, but don't bankrupt me~"
"Heehee~ I'll try my best~"
"Hmm? This voice... Ah~ Is it Sister Ying?! Sister Ying!" Klee, who was standing in front of the Good Hunter, suddenly heard Ying's voice and quickly turned around in surprise.
"Eh? It's Klee... Whoa, you're at it again?! Wait... *cough*?!"
Upon seeing Klee turn around, Ying was about to reach out and greet her when Klee pounced and knocked her to the ground.
"Ouch?! Sister Ying, are you alright? Sorry, sorry, Klee was too excited!" Klee quickly stood up from Ying and helped her up.
"It's fine, it's fine. *pant* You haven't changed at all after all this time..." (Especially that pouncing move...)
"Heehee~ Sister Ying, when did you get back? Are you looking for Klee to play with?"
"Mhm... Just now. But I'm here on business this time."
"Eh?! Then, alright (*￣з￣)"
"Don't be sad, Klee. Sister promises that as soon as I finish my business, I'll come back to play with you, okay?"
"Really?"
"Really, I swear~(^～^)"
"Mhm mhm! Then Sister Ying, you hurry up with your business. If you need anything, you can always come to Klee for help~"
"Hahaha~ Yes, yes, I know, I know."
(Speaking of which... when the big battle in Liyue happens, I might actually be able to enlist Klee to help fight the Fatui! (✪▽✪))
"By the way, Klee, what are you doing here? Want to go out and blow something up again?" Paimon asked curiously from the side.
"No, no. Klee wanted to buy something to eat, but when I got here, I realized I didn't bring any Mora..." Klee said, lowering her head.
"Don't be sad, Klee. I'll treat you~"
"Eh? Really?! (✪▽✪)"
"Of course, would I lie to you~(^～^)"
"Yay! Don't worry, Sister Ying, Klee will treat you back too! (^_^)"
"Okay, okay~ Go order quickly, Paimon too~" Ying said happily, pinching Klee's chubby little cheek.
"Mhm mhm!"
"Hehe~ Glad you didn't forget about me~"
The three enjoyed a delicious lunch... well, to be precise, it was dinner...
"We're leaving now, Klee. See you next time~"
"Mhm mhm, goodbye Sister Ying and Little Paimon~" Klee waved goodbye happily to the two.
"Heehee~ Today is probably the happiest day I've had in a long time," Paimon said blissfully, reminiscing about the food she had eaten.
"Heh... You, you spent a huge chunk of my money on just one meal. The money I have left might not be enough for you to eat for half a month..."
"Ahem~ Ah! We've arrived at Angel's Share~"
"Emm... your ability to change the subject is quite skillful..."
"Heehee~ Thanks for the compliment~"
The two entered the tavern...
(Oh? Master Diluc isn't here today. Looks like another Abyss Mage is going to be unlucky...)
Ying thought as she approached the counter and said, "Hello, please give me two bottles of Dandelion Wine."
"Youngster, we don't sell our alcoholic beverages to minors."
"I'm not... uh... okay, I am underage... I'm not buying it for myself, I'm buying it for... uh... for my sister!"
Ying lied with a straight face.
"Then please call your sister over."
"Uh... my sister couldn't come because of urgent matters, so she asked me to buy it for her. She's our Honorary Knight, could you do me a small favor~"
As she spoke, Ying removed her eye patch, revealing her cute, chubby little face.
"Honorary Knight? Hmm... it does seem like it... Since you're the Honorary Knight's sister... Alright then!"