Keqing slowly opened her eyes.
The hangover hit her immediately, a pounding ache splitting her head.
Her last clear memory was from Cat's Tail.
She remembered finishing that entire glass of Diona's mix…
After that, everything went blank.
Except… she vaguely remembered having a dream.
A nightmare. A terrible one.
The moment she woke, her chest still ached as if something heavy had crushed it.
But the actual content of the dream was already slipping away.
And honestly, Keqing didn't want to remember it.
Whatever it had been, even recalling a fragment of it filled her with a cold, instinctive dread.
Kael walked out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of freshly cooked hangover soup.
He spotted Keqing sitting on his bed, staring blankly into space.
He approached her and handed her the bowl.
"How do you feel? Are you alright?"
Keqing frowned slightly and accepted it.
"Yeah… just a headache."
Kael studied her expression, remembering everything from last night.
It seemed she really had forgotten.
Keqing finished the soup in one go, and the headache started easing almost immediately.
She looked a little embarrassed.
"You brought me all the way to Mondstadt to relax, and I ended up getting drunk…"
Kael thought of how adorable she'd been after drinking and reached over to pinch her nose gently.
"You were hugging a cat at Cat's Tail and kept calling, 'Kitty, kitty,' refusing to let go."
"!!!"
Keqing's eyes flew wide.
She had never imagined she'd act like that while drunk. It was the complete opposite of her usual composure.
"I… I did something that embarrassing…?"
Kael laughed at her horrified expression.
"Not embarrassing at all. You were really cute."
Keqing's face flushed instantly.
Trying to maintain her composure, she hurried to change the subject.
"Anyway… shouldn't we head back to Liyue? I have official duties I need to handle today."
"Yeah. But someone else is coming back with us."
---
By the time they reached Mondstadt City's gate, a familiar green figure was already waiting excitedly.
"Traveler! Miss Keqing! You're here!"
Venti waved enthusiastically.
"Let's hurry. If the wind helps us, we can reach Liyue in about two days."
"No need for that."
Kael calmly took out the Serenitea Pot.
"I have an Adepti Artifact. We'll be back in Liyue in a few seconds. Venti, I'll put you and Keqing inside."
"Wow! That's the Serenitea Pot!"
Venti's eyes sparkled. "Quick, put me in! I've never seen what the inside looks like."
Kael wasn't surprised Venti recognized it.
He was the Anemo Archon Barbatos after all. Of course he'd seen countless Adepti Arts.
Kael placed Keqing and Venti inside, teleported, and released them in Liyue.
From Venti's perspective, only a few seconds had passed, yet the entire scenery had changed completely.
They were already in Liyue.
He blinked in confusion.
He didn't remember the Serenitea Pot having instant travel capabilities.
Kael spoke casually, "My Adepti Artifact makes traveling between Mondstadt and Liyue very easy. If you're done sightseeing and want to return to Mondstadt, just find me at Wanmin Restaurant."
"Wanmin Restaurant." Venti nodded. "Got it!"
The sight of Liyue's architecture had already captured his attention, and he took off cheerfully.
"Thanks, Traveler! I'm off!"
Once Venti left, Keqing also had to part ways for work.
She looked reluctant.
"I…"
Kael knew what she wanted to say.
He touched her cheek gently.
"Come find me anytime once you're done. You know where to find me."
"…Mm."
Keqing kept her expression cold as she walked a few steps away.
If not for the bright red tint climbing up her ears, anyone would think she was marching over to scold him.
She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek.
Trying very hard to sound calm, she said, "I heard lovers usually say goodbye like this. So… I'm leaving."
Then she rushed off at full speed.
Kael watched her flee and couldn't help smiling.
She normally acted so composed. Moments like this were rare and adorable.
After visiting Xiao, Kael teleported back to Liyue Harbor.
Since arriving in Liyue, he'd been running around nonstop.
He hadn't had a proper day of rest in ages.
He wondered how Xiangling was doing with the Master Chef Competition preparations.
Heading toward Chihu Rock, he had barely reached the corner when a voice called out from above.
"Boss Kael! Kael! Look up! Over here!!!"
He looked up to see Hu Tao leaning over the railing of Xinyue Kiosk, waving wildly.
Several familiar faces sat beside her.
Zhongli, Barbatos…
And when Kael spotted a pink-haired girl, his expression froze for a moment.
Yanfei?
Hu Tao shouted enthusiastically, "Boss Kael! Come on up! We're having lunch at Xinyue Kiosk today, my treat—no, wait, your treat! I mean… I'm treating you!"