Mondstadt, Falcon Coast.
Kaeya stared at the video with a miserable expression.
"I was just joking… can I take it back?"
He didn't know what would be shown next, but based on experience, it definitely wouldn't be anything good.
After all, he was the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius.
If something embarrassing got exposed, how would he face everyone?
"I just hope it's not about me impersonating Cao Zhong to write a love letter to Diluc… or forging Jean's signature to give myself a day off…"
In the chat—
[Cao Zhong]: @Kaeya, it better not involve me, or you're done!
Venti: @Kaeya, did you brush your teeth this morning or not?
[Hu Tao]: Oh! A friendship breaking apart!
Kaeya: Weren't we supposed to share hardships and happiness?
[Cao Zhong]: It's "you handle the hardship, I enjoy the benefits." You know?
Venti: Can you speak properly? I hate mixed languages, yes or no?
[Xingqiu]: That was… confusing.
The video began.
It was nighttime in Mondstadt.
A figure staggered forward.
It was Venti—bruised, limping, leaning on a cane.
He cursed as he walked.
"Cao Zhong, Kaeya—you're terrible! Not only did you eat and take everything, you even made me pay!"
"I curse you both to lose ten centimeters!"
[Hu Tao]: Wow, it's a continuation!
[Cao Zhong]: @Venti, that's too cruel!
Kaeya: @Venti, pure jealousy.
Venti: Jealous? Everyone knows I'm the best!
[Cao Zhong]: Nonsense, that's me.
Kaeya: Get lost, it's me!
[Hu Tao]: Here it is—the strange competition among men.
[Ayaka]: What exactly are they competing over?
[Bennett]: It's about pride… should I join?
[Xingqiu]: If you hesitate, you've already lost.
[Ayato]: Childish. Obviously, I'm the best.
[Diluc]: Life is lonely at the top.
[Cao Zhong]: Someone once asked me, "Where is your beauty?" Now I answer—she's right here.
The video continued.
Venti walked through the city until someone blocked his path.
A masked figure in robes—
A Fatui Debt Collector.
Venti was startled and tried to leave, but his injured leg slowed him down.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Nothing much. Just a business deal."
"I will never cooperate with the Fatui—"
Before he could finish—
A bag of Mora was thrown in front of him.
At least a million.
"…So what do you want?" Venti immediately changed tone, quietly pulling the money behind him.
"I want to know if your 'big brother' Cao Zhong has any weaknesses."
Venti paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"I might know… but this amount isn't enough."
Another, bigger bag of Mora dropped.
Without hesitation—
"He's greedy. Even greedier than me."
The chat exploded.
[Cao Zhong]: @Venti, you sold me out for just two bags?!
Kaeya: @Venti, shameless!
[Barbara]: I knew it! Didn't you learn anything from the Anemo Archon?!
[Jean]: @Venti, perhaps you need time in confinement.
[Hu Tao]: Good thing he's not from Liyue.
[Ayato]: Good thing he's not from Inazuma.
Venti: Wait! That's not what happened!
Kaeya: No excuses. Just accept your fate.
The video continued.
The scene changed—
Now Kaeya appeared on screen.
Kaeya froze.
[Hu Tao]: As expected.
[Barbara]: None of you are good people.
Kaeya: Stop shouting! I would never do something like that