Mondstadt, Falcon Coast.
Using "searching for Stormterror" as an excuse, Kaeya was actually lying on the beach, slacking off.
Watching Cao Zhong's shameless behavior in the video, he was grinding his teeth in anger.
He had treated Cao Zhong as a close friend—
But in the end, he was just the one paying the bill.
In the chat—
Kaeya: @Cao Zhong, are you even human?
[Hu Tao]: Haha! Is this what friendship between men looks like?
[Xingqiu]: Incredible friendship. Hard not to love it.
[Bennett]: I can't even look at the word "best friend" the same way anymore.
[Cao Zhong]: What's wrong with a younger brother paying for his elder brother?
Venti: Exactly! If it were me in the video, I'd happily pay too.
Kaeya: You two…
Kaeya was speechless with anger.
At Wan Shi House—
Paimon looked at Cao Zhong with disdain.
"You're as shameless as ever."
Lumine nodded in agreement.
She really wanted to see if his heart was black.
Cao Zhong, however, showed no guilt.
"What's so shameless about it? Isn't it natural for younger brothers to pay?"
He took a sip of tea calmly.
"Besides… didn't you see? In the video, I already have a family to support."
Lumine thought about it carefully.
That actually… made sense.
But wait—
They missed something important.
Back in the chat—
[Lumine]: Wait… am I the only one who noticed they said "wives"?
[Barbara]: @Lumine, thanks for pointing that out.
[Eula]: @Cao Zhong, I'll remember this!
[Amber]: @Kaeya, quickly say who these "wives" are!
Kaeya: ? How would I know?!
Venti: Fight! Fight!
[Hu Tao]: Haha! You really can't skip these videos—too many details!
[Xingqiu]: You truly understand details.
At Wan Shi House—
Cao Zhong stared at Lumine with a dark expression.
He never expected the biggest betrayal would come from his own employee.
Lumine whistled innocently, pretending nothing happened.
Paimon gave her a thumbs-up.
"People really become like those around them…"
But—
Lumine, are you really not afraid of that murderous stare?
"Ah! I just remembered—Lisa was looking for me! Paimon, let's go!"
Lumine grabbed Paimon and ran away at full speed.
Only after confirming Cao Zhong wasn't chasing them did she stop.
"That was close…"
Back in the chat—
[Cao Zhong]: I'm being wronged here! Kaeya said it—why am I taking the blame?
Kaeya: Keep making excuses.
[Hu Tao]: Quick question: What's the hardest thing in Teyvat, and why is it Cao Zhong's mouth?
Venti: You're good at asking questions.
[Xingqiu]: You're good at pointing out stubbornness.
Meanwhile, the video continued.
After Cao Zhong left, Kaeya and Venti kept drinking.
After a while, Kaeya couldn't handle it anymore.
"Brother… I'm done. I'm going home."
Venti was already swaying.
"Go ahead… I'll finish this last bottle…"
Kaeya patted him.
"Young people really have stamina…"
He walked to the counter.
"Paying?" Charles asked.
Kaeya frowned.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Don't you see my third brother sitting there? He'll pay!"
Then he tapped the counter.
"Bring me a whole crate of aged dandelion wine. Put it on Venti's tab."
Charles paused.
That sounded… very familiar.
Back in the chat—
[Hu Tao]: I'm dying from laughter!
[Xingqiu]: Round two! Amazing!
Kaeya: @Venti, didn't someone say they'd pay? Let's see.
At Windrise—
Venti stared at the video, face dark.
This Kaeya… was definitely not a good person.
Venti: Cao Zhong only took two bottles, and you took a whole crate?!
Venti: Planning for a festival or what?!
[Cao Zhong]: Sigh… I was too kind.
The video continued.
Venti finally finished his last drink.
"Ah… it's been a while since I drank like this. Thanks to my two brothers…"
He grabbed the remaining bottle and staggered toward the exit.
At the door, Charles stopped him.
Venti waved the half-empty bottle.
"Don't worry, I've taken everything."
Charles said calmly,
"Sir, please pay your bill."
Venti froze.
Then laughed.
"Impossible. My two good brothers must have paid already."
Charles handed him the bill.
"Not only did they not pay, they also took two bottles of 20-year wine and one crate of 50-year wine."
"Total: 9,990,000 Mora."
Venti stared at the number.
Instantly sober.
He looked up weakly.
"Can I… pay later?"
"So you have no money?"
Venti nodded quickly.
Charles smiled coldly and pulled out a bat.
Venti panicked.
"Wait—"
"Wait a second—"
"AHHH—" 😄