A rare storm raged over Mondstadt, dark clouds covering the entire land.
At the foot of Starsnatch Cliff, a group of people walked through the heavy rain wearing cloaks.
"Kids, keep it up! The Midsummer Courtyard is just ahead! We're going to find a set of Electro-resistance artifacts!"
"One-two! One-two! One-two!"
The enthusiastic adventurers from the Adventurers' Guild marched forward in the downpour.
Inside Mondstadt
In the city, Kaeya stood with his arms folded at the entrance of the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
He looked toward the direction of Thousand Winds Temple, worry evident on his face.
Suddenly he grabbed the collar of a small figure trying to sneak past him.
"Not allowed outside until Acting Grand Master Jean comes back."
The Spark Knight, Klee, blinked.
"Isn't it exactly because Jean isn't here that Klee should go out and play?"
Then she quickly added:
"Klee wasn't saying anything bad about Jean!"
She nervously looked around, afraid the terrifying Jean might suddenly appear.
Seeing nothing, she sighed in relief.
"So much rain. What would you go outside for?" Kaeya asked.
"Klee invented a new waterproof bomb and wants to test it!"
She stretched her legs, trying to reach the ground.
Kaeya lifted her back inside.
"Jean said that if Klee goes outside these days, any landslides or floods will definitely be blamed on Klee."
Klee's face turned pale.
"Klee didn't do it! Kaeya, please testify for Klee!"
"If you go out, how can I testify for you? Stay here."
Of course, Kaeya was just bluffing.
"Then Klee will go to Good Hunter! Big Brother Jiang Chen said he would play with Klee. And he can cook the fish Klee bombs—uh, catches—and the lizards Klee catches!"
She tried to run again.
"Jiang Chen isn't there either."
Kaeya pulled her back.
Klee thought for a moment.
Then she ran toward the confinement room.
"Well then, Klee will sit in the confinement room early! Next time Jean punishes Klee, it will already be counted!"
The door slammed shut.
Knights Headquarters
Lisa walked out of the library just in time to see the door close.
She laughed softly and looked at the rain.
"Too much rain can make people feel gloomy."
Kaeya sighed.
"I wonder if Jiang Chen and Jean are okay."
The rain had lasted all night and still showed no sign of stopping.
The water level of Cider Lake had risen so much the docks were unusable.
Lisa smiled teasingly.
"Maybe those two are enjoying some romantic time together."
"Jean… romantic?" Kaeya looked skeptical.
He simply couldn't imagine such a scene.
Goth Grand Hotel
Inside the hotel across the misty streets, Anastasia felt like she had survived a disaster.
For some reason, La Signora had spared her life.
"Stormterror can't be used… the Sky Lyre is gone…"
"How can we obtain Anemo power connected to Barbatos now?"
She gathered her subordinates to discuss their next move.
Qingce Spring Village Road
Meanwhile another group was traveling through the rain.
Each person wore straw raincoats borrowed from hunters.
"Lumine being tough is expected," Diluc said.
"But Amber too? The Knights really have good talents."
He looked at the two girls following behind him.
Traveling in weather like this wasn't easy.
Yesterday they had gained valuable information.
Diluc had discovered a clue about another Dragon Tear crystal and had already sent the message back to Mondstadt.
Thousand Winds Temple Camp
The storm finally lasted an entire day and night.
The next morning sunlight rose from the sea beyond Starsnatch Cliff.
Water droplets glistened on the mountain plants.
Jiang Chen stretched outside the camp.
"Finally stopped. Thunder was scary."
Jean stepped out behind him.
"I don't think you even heard the thunder."
She rolled her eyes.
She was now wearing her dry knight uniform again, looking completely proper.
"Jiang Chen… can your storage space hold a Ruin Guard?"
"You want to take it?"
"Yes. Lisa would probably love it."
"Alright."
Jiang Chen returned to the temple ruins and stored the disabled Ruin Guard.
Returning to Mondstadt
As they packed up camp, Jean suddenly stumbled.
Jiang Chen caught her.
"Careful, the ground is slippery."
Jean blushed.
"That's not it…"
"My legs feel weak."
Jiang Chen paused.
He crouched down.
Jean climbed onto his back.
He carried her down the mountain.
"Leave the lookout to me," she said quietly.
Hours later they reached the mountain base—after being chased by a group of Hilichurls because Jiang Chen refused to put her down.
Jean smiled slightly.
Her stamina had already recovered.
But Jiang Chen clearly wanted an excuse to keep carrying her.
Back in Mondstadt
They finally returned.
At the entrance of Good Hunter, they parted ways.
"I'll go back to the Knights," Jean said.
Good Hunter Restaurant
"Sarah, did the Fatui come by these past few days?" Jiang Chen asked.
"No. They've been unusually quiet," Sarah replied.
"That's good."
He was worried Signora might storm the restaurant.
Sarah hesitated.
"Boss… we have a new maid."
"That's fine," Jiang Chen said casually.
"I'll discuss her salary later."
Just then a girl in a maid uniform stepped out.
Silver hair.
A doll-like face.
It was Noelle.
She bowed politely.
"Welcome back, Boss Jiang Chen."
Then she fired off questions rapidly:
"Are you tired?"
"Would you like to rest?"
"I cleaned all the tables."
"Would you like tea?"
"Full sugar? Half sugar? No sugar?"
Jiang Chen blinked.
"Noelle?"
Noelle's Reason
"Why are you working here?" he asked.
"To repay your kindness."
"No."
"That has nothing to do with the restaurant."
"I don't want payment," she insisted.
"That makes it worse—child labor exploitation."
Noelle quietly continued cleaning tables.
"I'll prove my usefulness," she thought.
Kaeya Arrives
A familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Kaeya?"
"I came to check on your safety," Kaeya said.
Then he handed Jiang Chen a letter.
"From Diluc."
Jiang Chen opened it.
He nodded.
"It's the location of the third Dragon Tear crystal."
"Where?" Kaeya asked.
Jiang Chen replied:
"Dadaupa Gorge."
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