Takumi wandered over to Zhongli.
Then he saw Venti eating and drinking there.
"Hey?"
"Takumi, why are you here?"
Seeing Takumi arrive, Venti greeted him.
But when Takumi saw this guy, his mood immediately changed.
"Venti, how long have you been in Liyue?"
This guy, since coming to Liyue, basically hadn't gone back at all, right?
Facing Takumi's question, Venti was a little puzzled.
"Any problem?"
"I've been here for two years."
Well, he didn't see any issue with that.
Hearing this, Takumi chuckled.
"You really can do it."
"I didn't know, I thought you were the Anemo Archon of Liyue."
"Do you even realize how long you've stayed here?"
"You really have no sense of restraint at all."
"Does Mondstadt not want you anymore?"
When Venti heard this, he laughed awkwardly.
"I've already settled here."
"Besides, what's wrong with me going back to Mondstadt?"
"I haven't really been there for so many years anyway."
"It doesn't seem to matter whether I go back or not."
"It's not a big deal."
"Or do you think I'm not allowed to stay in Liyue anymore?"
"Are you planning to drive me away?"
As he said this, Venti suddenly looked shocked.
Could it be that Takumi really wanted to chase him away?
At this moment, the old man who had been silent beside them spoke calmly.
"It's not impossible."
"As the Anemo Archon, you should fulfill your duty to Mondstadt."
"Barbatos, you've been here for far too long."
The old man also felt that this fellow should leave.
He had stayed in Liyue for an excessively long time.
As the God of Wind, he should properly perform his duties in Mondstadt.
Otherwise, what was the point of being an Anemo Archon?
It would be better to choose a new one.
"Eh?"
"Why are you saying this, old man?"
"When did I offend you?"
Venti was completely stunned.
He truly hadn't expected Zhongli to say something like that.
Too sudden.
He thought that drinking with the old man every day was a pleasant thing.
But now it seemed the old man actually disliked him.
How hateful!
Zhongli glanced at him lightly.
To be fair, this fellow ate and drank here every day without paying.
He had long wanted to drive him away.
But for the sake of appearances, he hadn't spoken up.
Now that Takumi had said something,
It was perfect timing.
Takumi's face was full of smiles.
This was great.
He hadn't expected Venti to become this annoying.
"You've stayed with us long enough."
"Never before has a god remained in another nation for so long."
Zhongli looked at Venti calmly.
However, Venti was unhappy.
"What about Ei?"
"She stayed here for quite a while too, didn't she?"
"And she was even addicted to games and couldn't pull herself out!"
"What do you mean no god has stayed in another nation that long?"
"Isn't Ei a god too?"
Takumi glanced at him.
"But she went back."
"The first Electro Archon returned."
"And the second Electro Archon naturally stepped aside."
"If Mondstadt had an Anemo Archon in charge,"
"Probably no one would say anything."
Ei had an ending.
And she also had successors.
So staying longer wasn't an issue.
Even if Nahida came.
Nahida governs Sumeru properly.
But what about you, Venti?
You have nothing.
Hearing this, Venti was completely speechless.
Ah, this…
That actually made sense.
"Uh…"
Venti was at a loss for words.
"To be honest, if you don't want to be the Anemo Archon anymore,"
"Have you thought about finding someone to replace you?"
"So you can do whatever you want."
Takumi looked at Venti with a smile.
Otherwise, just retire.
As soon as these words came out, Venti's eyes lit up.
"That's possible!"
"Then let Jean be the Anemo Archon!"
"I think that's perfect!"
Saying this, he became extremely excited.
That's right, he didn't care anyway.
Just abdicate and let someone capable take over.
Jean was already managing Mondstadt well.
Letting her become the Anemo Archon seemed ideal.
And no one would refuse, right?
Thinking of this, Venti became eager.
He found it very amusing.
Hearing this, Takumi raised his eyebrows.
"…You're serious?"
"I was just saying it casually."
And yet you got truly excited?
"Isn't it natural?"
"If there's a successor, who wants to be an Archon?"
"It's decided. I'll give up the position to Jean!"
"When the festival comes, I'll announce it publicly!"
Venti slapped the table and settled it on the spot.
He thought it was perfect.
Jean would be the real Anemo Archon.
Venti would remain a free bard.
Takumi looked at him with subtle eyes.
He fell silent for a long moment.
Zhongli also fell silent.
All he could say was—
It really was you.
Only you could think of something like this.
Noticing Takumi's strange gaze, Venti frowned.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Is there a problem?"
What did that look mean?
Hearing this, Takumi chuckled.
"No, no problem."
"Great idea."
"It would be even better if Jean agrees."
"Choosing Jean really is the best option."
To be honest, Jean already handled Mondstadt's affairs perfectly.
If she became the Anemo Archon, Mondstadt would be shocked at first.
But they would accept it quickly.
After all, Mondstadt didn't know about Venti's lazy side.
As for the name Barbatos?
That was just a legendary figure.
No one had ever actually seen him.
Venti didn't know what Takumi was thinking.
But he felt strangely offended.
Very angry.
Too angry to keep drinking.
Could they still be friends?
Could Takumi stop staring at him like that?
"Hey, can you stop looking at me like that?"
"It feels really weird!"
Venti was truly depressed.
He had no idea what Takumi meant.
But that gaze was extremely uncomfortable.
Seeing this scene, the corners of Zhongli's mouth lifted slightly.
For some reason, it felt amusing.
So this was the mentality Hu Tao enjoyed.
Watching others make a fuss really was entertaining.
Strange knowledge had increased again.
Thinking this, Zhongli took a sip of tea.
Then he looked at Takumi.
Why did you have time to come here today?