Feng Yi helped Diona tidy her hair, then handed the tavern over to Diona and Lumine to look after, becoming a hands-off manager. He went to the Knights of Favonius office to find Jean, as he had promised her yesterday that he would continue with massage services today.
"Feng Yi, tomorrow is the Windblume Festival. I wonder if you would be willing to become the 'Star of the Windblume Festival,' representing the people of Mondstadt, and offer the Anemo Archon, Lord Barbatos, the Windblume flowers with me?"
Jean, lying on the sofa and enjoying Feng Yi's massage, extended the invitation to become the "Star of the Windblume Festival."
"Isn't the 'Star of the Windblume Festival' the highest honor in Mondstadt? It's usually only awarded to those who have made great contributions to Mondstadt, or who perform the most outstandingly during the Windblume Festival. But I haven't made any exceptional contributions to Mondstadt."
Feng Yi was curious why Jean would invite him to be the "Star of the Windblume Festival." Although their relationship was unusual, Jean was always very serious and meticulous in her Knights' work, keeping it as separate from her personal life as possible.
"Feng Yi, you have been appointed Honorary Knight by Grand Master Crepus, and you have also helped Mondstadt resolve monster disturbances. Besides the few outstanding Knights of Favonius currently stationed in Mondstadt, you are the most suitable candidate. And those Knights of Favonius have already been elected 'Star of the Windblume Festival' in previous years..."
Jean sighed. Grand Master Crepus had taken most of the Knights of Favonius on an expedition. Among the Knights of Favonius remaining in the Knights' headquarters, only a few, like Eula and Amber, were qualified to be elected "Star of the Windblume Festival."
However, these few had already been elected in past years. And Feng Yi was, apart from them, the one who had contributed the most to Mondstadt.
This was akin to picking the taller one among short people; it wasn't that Feng Yi's contribution was exceptionally high, but rather that everyone else's contribution was too low.
Jean believed that Feng Yi's status as an Honorary Knight was sufficient for him to be elected this year's "Star of the Windblume Festival."
"I have no problem, but what kind of flower should be offered to the Anemo Archon? Do you have any suggestions, Jean?"
Since it was Jean's invitation, Feng Yi did not refuse and instead asked for Jean's suggestions regarding the flower.
"The 'Windblume' is the symbol of the Windblume Festival, representing freedom and the spirit of Anemo. Although the definition of 'Windblume' is still debated, Mondstadters generally believe that the 'Windblume' is either a dandelion or a windflower..."
Jean considered that Feng Yi might not know the significance of the Windblume, as this was his first time participating in Mondstadt's Windblume ceremony, so she patiently explained to him.
The term "Windblume" was originally just a secret code used by the people of Old Mondstadt to communicate with each other and unite against oppression.
At that time, people often said, the stronger the wind, the firmer the roots of the "Windblume," and the more vibrant its blossoms.
It was the soul that yearned for freedom, the courage that chased the wind's direction...
Everything beautiful and worthy of blessing could be a "Windblume."
A flower of blessing, a flower of respect, a flower of deep love – everyone would have their own "Windblume," and everyone had the right to define it freely.
"The 'Windblume' offered to the Anemo Archon at the festival has always been decided by the 'Star of the Windblume Festival'!"
Jean turned and smiled at Feng Yi. This was Feng Yi's right and freedom.
Feng Yi stated that, if that was the case, he suddenly had a bold idea!
After the back massage service concluded, Feng Yi patted Jean's backside, signaling her to get up and get dressed.
Feng Yi was about to bid Jean farewell and return to prepare some special flowers for the Windblume Festival ceremony, but Jean called him back as he was leaving.
"Feng Yi, there are still many details worth discussing regarding attending the Windblume Festival. It's difficult to explain everything in a short while. Why don't you come to my place tonight? We can... we can discuss it over dinner?"
Jean placed her small hand over her chest and looked at Feng Yi intently as she invited him.
She could eat cold food these days...
"Okay, I'll let you taste my cooking too!"
Feng Yi turned and gave Jean a gentle smile. He hadn't just been eating at Wanmin Restaurant; he had learned quite a bit. Tonight, he would show off his skills, which would surely impress Jean.
"Mmm-hmm~"
Seeing Feng Yi accept her invitation, an uncontainable smile appeared on Jean's face. After Feng Yi left the office, she quickly returned to her desk to handle the backlog of work; she had to make enough time.
As Feng Yi left the Knights' headquarters, he immediately ran into the bustling Amber.
"Hi, Feng Yi, long time no see! The Windblume Festival is coming soon. Are you ready to compete with me?"
Amber stated that in the past few years' Windblume Festival challenge, she had almost no opponents, which made her very bored. She was eager to find a strong rival, and Feng Yi was one of her targets.
"Wait, compete? I just want to be a lazy bum who eats and drinks..."
Feng Yi was startled by Amber's enthusiastic challenge. Compared to the exhausting effort of participating in competitions, he preferred to snack and watch others compete.
"Oh, don't be so lazy! As a Knight of Favonius, you must have a spirit of striving for progress and passionate fighting spirit. I don't have many opponents, and you can't escape!"
Amber grabbed Feng Yi, her chosen opponent for so long, and how could she let Feng Yi slip away so easily?
"Alright, alright, tell me what kind of challenge it is?"
Feng Yi's arm was held tightly by Amber, enduring the cruel compression from two white slimes.
"The flight challenge. If possible, why don't you sign up for the archery challenge too?"
Amber chuckled. As Mondstadt's most outstanding reconnaissance knight, she was unrivaled in the flight challenge.
Her archery skills were quite good, but the hunters in Springvale were also very skilled. If Feng Yi also participated in the competition, how lively would it be?!
"Flight challenge?"
Feng Yi had some impression. This seemed to be a very popular event in Mondstadt during the Windblume Festival.
"Yes, it's where you use your Glider to descend from a high place, collect floating flower orbs in the wind, and land within a colorful garland..."
Considering Feng Yi had never participated in such a competition, Amber enthusiastically explained.
In the mouths of Mondstadt's poets, the feeling of slowly descending from a high altitude was like turning into flower petals drifting with the wind.
"Wait a moment, I have a very important question!"
Feng Yi suddenly thought of something and interrupted Amber's explanation.
"The flight challenge seems to require a Glider and a pilot's license. But I don't have either of those..."
Feng Yi stated that participating in the flight challenge required a pilot's license, so he could only regretfully decline Amber's invitation.
Feng Yi: What a great excuse! Finally, I can openly slack off!
"Feng Yi, wait. I have a spare Glider. I'll teach you how to use it right now. Once you master it, you can get your pilot's license. Hopefully, we can still make it before the registration deadline..."