"I don't believe you, unless you perform..."
"Ah, this... my condition isn't great today, it affects my performance. Next time! I'll definitely do it next time!"
Stanley had never met someone so insistent before. How was he supposed to get out of this? If he closed his eyes and walked, he'd likely crash into a Hilichurl camp before even leaving Dadaupa Gorge.
"Haha, just kidding. I truly admire Mr. Stanley's memory and perseverance."
Venti expressed that being a bit mischievous like this brought him great joy.
"I'm an adventurer, it's my duty! But you two, there are many Hilichurls here, don't let your guard down! Well, I'll be going now, young folks."
Stanley felt it was best not to linger. He should leave quickly. If this bard made him look foolish again, it would be too embarrassing.
"Feng Yi, you must have figured it out, right? Those two weapons were Stanley's doing. He just couldn't keep his mouth shut after drinking too much and boasting to Jack?"
After Stanley left, Venti grinned at Feng Yi.
"Mhm, Stanley quietly arranged all of this to uphold his reputation as an adventurer. As for you, tricking Jack like that was a huge help to Stanley. By rights, he should be treating you to drinks!"
Feng Yi nodded. If Venti hadn't deceived Jack, Jack wouldn't have so easily believed that the weathered greatsword and the wine barrel shield were divine artifacts.
"Exactly. After helping him so much, he should at least treat me to seven or eight drinks. However, this Mr. Stanley doesn't want to forget the 'past' and abandon the 'present'... If he's forced to take his first step 'towards the future,' in which direction will he tread?"
Venti chuckled lightly, then lowered his head in thought. Through this incident, he had already deciphered some of Stanley's secrets.
...
Feng Yi and Venti returned to Mondstadt City and first visited Jack's home.
Jack's parents warmly welcomed them and handed over the rare Snezhnayan wine that Jack had promised to Venti.
Jack's parents, being experienced adventurers, could tell at a glance that the divine artifacts Jack brought back were actually just junk. However, they were very pleased with the knowledge Jack had learned from Venti.
Courage and belief were indispensable spiritual qualities for any adventurer.
They were far happier that Jack had learned this than if he had found a divine artifact.
"You two, I heard Jack's second uncle frequently travels between Mondstadt and Snezhnaya. I have a letter here that I'd like to entrust to him to deliver personally..."
As he spoke, Feng Yi produced a written letter and handed it to Jack's parents.
"Deliver a letter?"
Jack's parents were taken aback. They certainly knew of Feng Yi's status as an Honorary Knight, but why would he want them to deliver a letter?
After all, Mondstadt had official postal channels to other nations, and he could have easily used them.
Did the letter contain something extraordinary?
"Don't worry, it's just some greetings to a friend. As for why I'm not using the official postal service, it's simply because I feel the official channels are too slow."
Feng Yi saw through Jack's parents' concerns at a glance.
Feng Yi had inquired, and the official mail service didn't deliver for individual requests; they sent a batch of letters at a time, with intervals of about three months.
The last mail convoy had just left not long ago. If he used the official channel, he'd have to wait at least two more months, by which time it would be far too late.
Moreover, the person he wanted to send the letter to was Tartaglia. Using official channels wouldn't be discreet enough. If other Fatui Harbingers intercepted it, it would be a disaster, especially since he had made quite a few sarcastic remarks about other Harbingers in the letter.
"Dad, Mom, Mr. Feng Yi helped us a lot before..."
Just then, Jack, who was standing nearby, also spoke up to defend Mr. Feng Yi. If it hadn't been for Mr. Feng Yi, he wouldn't have found the two divine artifacts so easily.
"I see. Since you helped our son Jack so much, we'll take care of delivering the letter. Jack's second uncle is actually due back these days..."
Jack's parents exchanged a look, then nodded and agreed.
They reasoned that Feng Yi, as an Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius, would certainly not write anything detrimental to Mondstadt. As for anything else he wrote, it wasn't their concern.
Mr. Feng Yi had helped Jack, and they needed to repay his kindness. That was all there was to it.
"Thank you very much, we'll entrust it to you then."
Feng Yi left a bag of Mora as payment and then departed with Venti.
People helping out was a favor, but the reward should be given.
Leaving Jack's house and walking on the streets of Mondstadt, Venti, holding the unopened precious Snezhnayan wine, looked entranced.
'Today is truly a good day! I'll head to Angel's Share later and have Diona use this Snezhnayan wine as an ingredient to concoct an even more delicious drink...'
Venti found the mere thought enticing. Elevating the deliciousness of good wine to its extreme was the ultimate enjoyment for the taste buds.
As they walked, Venti suddenly caught sight of Stanley entering the adjacent street's establishment, 'Angel's Share.' An idea immediately sparked in his mind.
He carefully put away the Snezhnayan wine he was holding and changed his plan on the spot.
"Feng Yi, have you been to 'Angel's Share' before? Their wine is also very good. It's rare to have some free time, why don't we go try some together?"
Venti suggested.
"'Angel's Share'? That's a good idea. I might as well go see if Master Diluc has any new flavors on sale..."
Feng Yi also noticed Stanley entering 'Angel's Share' and could roughly guess Venti's intentions. He readily agreed.
His own establishment, Cat's Tail tavern, had a cooperative relationship with Diluc's 'Angel's Share,' selling their mid-to-low-end liquors to fill the gap in Cat's Tail's offerings.
It was a good opportunity to check if 'Angel's Share' had any new wines for sale. If they sold well, he might consider introducing them to enrich Cat's Tail's menu.
Ding-a-ling~
The doorbell of 'Angel's Share' chimed as Feng Yi and Venti entered the tavern.
Diluc, who was wiping wine glasses at the counter, looked up at the sound. He showed a slight surprise upon seeing the two enter but quickly regained his composure.
"Well, what a rare occasion. What would you two like to drink at 'Angel's Share'?"
Diluc continued wiping the glasses as he greeted them.
"Master Diluc, please give me a Dandelion Wine. I haven't had it in so long, I really miss its slightly bitter taste and sweet aftertaste..."
Venti chuckled, skillfully sat down on a stool at the counter, and ordered a Dandelion Wine.
Ever since he became obsessed with the special drinks Diona made at Cat's Tail, he had rarely visited 'Angel's Share.'
"One moment, I'll prepare it for you immediately... Mr. Feng Yi, what would you like to drink?"