No one could have expected—
A simple nursery rhyme would sweep across all of Teyvat.
It spread like wildfire, becoming a full-on trend.
If you couldn't hum a few lines, you were basically out of touch with the times.
And it didn't stop there—
Variations started popping up everywhere.
From ridiculous parody versions…
To workplace versions:
"In a tiny office, grind and grind and grind~
Earn a tiny salary, spend it slow and mind~
Dig through the boss's promises—dig, dig, grind~"
The creativity was… endless.
Even Cao Zhong couldn't bear to watch anymore.
[Cao Zhong]: Enough! This has gone too far! You're remixing my song—did you get my permission?! And where's my royalty fee?!
[Kaeya]: Key point: no royalty fee.
[Venti]: @Kaeya You really know how to highlight the important part.
[Xinyan]: @Cao Zhong Didn't expect Mondstadt to have such talent. We should exchange musical ideas sometime!
[Venti]: What kind of statement is that?! Have you not heard of Mondstadt's most beloved bard—me?
[Barbara]: Oh please. You won that title in a contest with three participants—one had a fever, one had a cold, and you got lucky. Don't drag Lord Barbatos down with you!
[Xinyan]: @Venti Well… we usually let the works speak for themselves. Do you have any?
[Venti]: Of course I do.
[Venti]: Listen carefully—I'll only say it once.
[Venti]:
"Oh horse, you have four legs.
Oh ocean, you are full of water."
[Venti]: Applause, please.
Silence.
[Jean]: …
[Barbara]: …
[Zhongli]: …
[Xinyan]: …That's… quite avant-garde.
[Hu Tao]: Hahaha! That's worse than mine!
[Venti]: Oh? Then let's hear yours.
[Hu Tao]: Ahem—
"I bask in the sun when the sun comes out,
I bask in the moon when the moon comes out~
Big Hilichurl falls ill, second one checks,
Third gathers herbs, fourth cooks the mix,
Fifth one's gone, sixth carries the rest~"
[Venti]: Gasp
Director Hu's poetic talent is terrifying. I thought I was unmatched—but compared to you, I concede defeat.
[Hu Tao]: Oh my, you flatter me. Your poetry is equally unparalleled. I would call you the greatest.
[Xinyan]: ???
[Jean]: ???
[Barbara]: ???
[Zhongli]: ???
[Yae Miko]: ???
[Kaeya]: Is this what they call mutual admiration? I love it.
[Cao Zhong]: Who would've thought Mondstadt and Liyue would produce such a pair of "legendary talents." My respect.
[Hu Tao]: Jealousy. Clearly jealousy.
[Venti]: Then you try writing something!
[Cao Zhong]: If I do, will you wear a full Anemo Archon outfit and run around Mondstadt?
[Venti]: …That might be disrespectful to the Anemo Archon.
[Barbara]: Go ahead. The Anemo Archon has already given up on you.
[Venti]: …
[Cao Zhong]: He's scared.
[Kaeya]: He's afraid.
[Bennett]: He's panicking!
Venti scoffed.
Such a crude provocation.
There was no way he'd fall for it.
[Venti]: Scared? Me? I simply think a dignified man wearing that outfit would be… unbecoming.
[Yae Miko]: What a convenient excuse. I'll use that next time too—"I'm just a weak woman, how could you ask this of me?"
[Ningguang]: @Yae Miko Apologies, that phrase has already been registered. Please pay licensing fees before use.
At this point—
Whether it was pride or alcohol—
Venti snapped.
[Venti]: Who's afraid?! Fine—I accept! Write it. Right now. Let's see if you've got the skill!
Cao Zhong smiled.
Hook, line, and sinker.
You've lived for a few thousand years.
I've got five thousand years of culture behind me.
You never stood a chance.
[Cao Zhong]:
"After wine, I know not sky from sea—
A boat full of dreams presses the stars."
Silence.
Total silence.
Cao Zhong frowned.
Not impressed?
Fine.
He continued—
[Cao Zhong]:
"In the mountain there are trees, and branches upon them—
My heart delights in you, but you know it not."
[Cao Zhong]:
"If love can last through time,
Why need we stay together night and day?"
[Cao Zhong]:
"I laugh to the heavens and walk away—
Am I one to dwell among weeds?"
…
[Cao Zhong]:
"They see not the tree that reaches the clouds,
Until it towers high above."
[Cao Zhong]:
"One day the great roc rides the wind,
Soaring ninety thousand miles into the sky."
One after another—
Line after line—
Dozens of timeless verses poured out.
By the end, his throat was dry.
His "library" was nearly empty.
But the chat
Still silent.
[Cao Zhong]: …Hello? Anyone? Say something?
Finally
[Kaeya]: Damn.
[Zhongli]: I did not expect such talent. Impressive.
And then
[Venti]: I admit… I spoke too boldly earlier. Let me apologize.
I'm sorry. I'm trash.
It wasn't just them.
Across Teyvat
Many girls were quietly lost in those lines.
"In love, I grow thin without regret,
For you, I waste away willingly…"
Amber wiped away a tear.
"How deep is love?
Like the evening rain in autumn mountains…"
Barbara sighed softly, her heart stirred.
Jean…
Eula…
That night—
Who knew how many hearts were restless—
How many lay awake,
Unable to sleep.