Kael suggested, "In that case, why don't we head to Cat's Tail?"
He already knew Keqing loved cats, and he'd planned to bring her there from the start.
Venti looked troubled. "Ah… but I'm allergic to cats… Fine, fine. Since I'm the one treating you two today, Cat's Tail it is. I've been missing Diona's mixing anyway."
The three of them made their way to Cat's Tail.
Because of Venti's allergies, they chose to sit outside.
"Achoo!"
They had barely taken their seats when Venti sneezed several times in a row.
He rubbed his nose.
"Cats are adorable, but their fur gets everywhere… My nose is so itchy…"
Still grumbling, he waved over a server.
"Hey there. Could you ask Diona to make us her three worst drinks?"
"Of course. One moment."
Keqing stared at him, stunned.
Were people in Mondstadt always this wild?
Inviting guests… to drink the worst alcohol possible?
Seeing her expression, Venti laughed.
"Diona's a gifted bartender, but she personally hates alcohol. She always uses whatever ingredients she thinks taste the worst. But somehow, the worse she thinks something tastes, the better the final drink ends up."
Keqing let out a soft breath. "So that's why."
Kael already knew the story, and once Venti finished, he added,
"The guy sitting in front of you is Mondstadt's most famous drunk. Anything he orders is guaranteed to taste good, so don't worry."
"Ahahahaha!"
Venti burst into bright laughter. "I earn Mora just to pay for drinks. But don't call me a drunk—I'm Mondstadt's most famous bard, thank you very much."
"Oh, right. Traveler, you haven't introduced this lovely lady yet."
Keqing introduced herself politely.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Keqing."
"Keqing?"
The name sounded familiar to Venti. He thought for a moment.
"If I remember correctly… one of the ruling members of the Liyue Qixing is also named Keqing."
"That's me. I'm the Yuheng."
Venti's eyes widened.
"So you really are one of the legendary Liyue Qixing! Traveler, I didn't expect you to be connected with Liyue's leaders too."
"I'm Kael's lover."
Keqing said it calmly, but her heart was pounding.
She risked a glance at Kael, and when she saw he didn't deny it—only smiled and nodded gently—warm sweetness rushed into her chest.
"I see, so that's how it is."
Venti shot Kael a playful look.
Last time they drank together, Amber had been there too.
Her affection for Kael was practically overflowing.
Now there was Keqing—and her feelings were just as obvious.
The Traveler really did attract women effortlessly.
"Well, since you're one of the Liyue Qixing, you must be familiar with Liyue. Could you tell me about it?"
The Anemo Archon Barbatos had been asleep for many years. His impression of Liyue was still stuck in the distant past.
He was curious about the Liyue of today—curious how his old friend, whose ideals were nothing like his own, had shaped the nation.
Keqing nodded and began explaining Liyue's customs and culture.
Kael sat beside them, amused as he listened.
Keqing had always studied how gods of other nations governed their people.
But she would never guess that the man chatting with her so casually was Barbatos himself.
As the three of them were enjoying their conversation, a small pink-haired girl with cat ears and a swishing tail came out carrying three glasses.
"So you're the one who asked me for my worst drink. Figures—it's you, Venti."
"Haha! Long time no see, Diona. I miss your stash every single day!"
Diona set down the drinks and rolled her eyes.
"It hasn't been that long. Didn't we see each other just a few days ago?"
"Really? Maybe it just felt long because I can't go a day without your mixes. If Cat's Tail allowed tabs, I'd be here every day!"
From the moment Diona stepped out, Keqing's gaze was glued to her.
A cat…?
Keqing's expression stayed serious, but if one looked closely, her eyes were already unfocused.
So… so cute…
Keqing loved cats to begin with, and the pink-haired girl in front of her was adorable enough on her own. Add the fluffy ears and tail…
It was almost too much.
Like she was being drawn in, Keqing's hand lifted on its own, reaching toward Diona's swaying tail.
"Ah!!!"
Diona shrieked mid-conversation with Venti, hugging her tail like a startled kitten and glaring wide-eyed.
"What are you doing?!"
Keqing snapped back to awareness and yanked her hand away.
Her face flushed with embarrassment.
She confessed honestly.
"Sorry… your tail was just so cute… I couldn't help it…"
"Hmph! Cute or not, you're not allowed to touch it! Nobody touches my tail!"
Diona lifted her chin proudly. "Hurry up and try the drinks. This is definitely the worst drink in all of Teyvat!"
Venti was already impatient. He took the first sip.
His eyes lit up immediately.
"Mmm… delicious! This is the best drink in all of Teyvat!"
Keqing and Kael exchanged amazed looks.
"What?! I failed again…"
Diona's ears drooped in disappointment, and Keqing's fingers twitched at the sight.
Kael took another thoughtful sip.
With his Talent Head Chef, his sense of taste was razor-sharp now.
"Hmm… dandelion wine as the base… then you added fruit powder… crushed Jueyun chilis… and Philanemo Mushrooms?"
Even Kael couldn't believe what he was saying.
Diona was even more chaotic than Xiangling—who added so many bizarre ingredients?
And Xiangling's cooking experiments often backfired!
But somehow, Diona's mix tasted incredible.
"Hmph, your tongue's pretty impressive if you could figure all that out."
Diona gave Kael an appreciative glance before adding, "You asked for the worst drink, so don't blame me for the ingredients!"