Henry collapsed onto the edge of his bed, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with him.
[Did you forget something, Henry?]
He sat up, his interest piqued. What?
[The mission is complete. The café is open, and it's running smoothly. You've earned your reward.]
Henry blinked. Reward? Ohhh, I had completely forgotten that this was a mission.
[Of course you did. You've been too busy running around like a headless chicken to remember.]
A blue screen suddenly popped out in front of Henry.
Ding!
Mission: Set up a Modern Café in Mondstadt. (Completed)
Reward: — Merchant's Instinct (Passive)
I don't feel anything. Henry tilted his head, curiosity replacing his exhaustion. Merchant's Instinct? What does that do again?
[It's subtle. you'll feel it—a faint prickle, a hunch. It'll tell you when a deal is suspiciously favorable, when a seller is undervaluing something, when a buyer is willing to pay more than they admit. It'll flag contracts that need a second look and identify opportunities worth investigating.]
He frowned, trying to process her words. So it's like... a sixth sense for business?
[Exactly. It won't make you smarter, but it will act as a cheat. Obvious traps, bad contracts, stupid purchases—they'll become less likely. You'll still have to figure out the why yourself, but you'll know when something's off.]
Huh. Henry considered this, turning it over in his mind. That's... actually really useful.
[I know. My rewards are always good.]
Are there any other use cases of this ability?
[There might be. How about you find it out yourself instead of me telling you? What's the fun in telling you everything?]
The next morning, Henry descended the stairs to find the café already buzzing with activity. Customers filled the tables, the aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods drifted through the air, and the soft hum of conversation created a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Anna was behind the counter, her cheerful smile brightening the space. She was idling since her job was only to accept payments from customers, and she looked up as Henry approached.
"Good morning, boss!" she chirped. "Busy day already. I think word's spread about the café. Everyone's talking about the cool air and the food from other regions."
Henry leaned against the counter, a grin spreading across his face. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
"People can't stop talking about the hot chocolate," Anna added, her eyes sparkling. "And the bao buns. And the samosa. And the—"
"I get it," Henry laughed, holding up his hands. "Everything's a hit."
"Everything's a hit," she confirmed.
Henry settled behind the counter next to Anna, chatting about the morning's rush. The café was a well-oiled machine now, the staff moving with practiced efficiency, and he felt a swell of pride as he watched it all unfold.
The door opened, and Henry glanced up automatically, a polite greeting already forming on his lips. Then he froze.
The man who walked through the door was tall and striking, with long crimson hair that fell past his shoulders and eyes the colour of red rubies. His posture was straight, his expression seemed unreadable, and his presence seemed to command attention without any effort at all.
No way. Is that—
Diluc's gaze swept across the room, taking in the warm lighting, the comfortable seating, and the cool air in the café. His expression didn't change, but Henry could have sworn he saw something flicker in his eyes—interest, perhaps, or curiosity.
Adrian approached the table, his demeanour calm and professional.
"Welcome to Crossroads Café. What may I bring you today?"
"I'll have black coffee. No sugar."
Henry came forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "Which coffee do you want, sir?"
Adrian handed him the menu, and Diluc glanced at it, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar names with a hint of confusion. His brow furrowed slightly as he read through the list—Jade Dew, Silk Oolong, Matcha, Golden Milk Tea, Cardamom Brew, Midnight Espresso.
Henry couldn't help himself. He strolled over, his smirk widening. "See anything you like?"
Diluc's gaze lifted to meet his, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before his composure returned. "These are... not the usual café offerings."
"They're not," Henry agreed. "We have coffee from all over Teyvat. Sumeru roast, Fontainian espresso, Natlan's Lava Roast—if you want it, we probably have it."
Diluc's eyes returned to the menu, scanning the options with renewed interest before he finally set it down. "I want the Sumeru roast. Black. No sugar."
"Good choice," Henry said, nodding to Adrian, who disappeared toward the kitchen.
Diluc looked up at him, his eyes settling on Henry's face with an appraising gaze. "You're the owner." It wasn't a question—more like a statement of fact, as if he had already known and was simply confirming it.
"I am." Henry extended his hand, a genuine smile on his face. "Henry. It's an honor to have you here."
Diluc's gaze lingered on Henry's outstretched hand for a moment before he took it, his grip firm and brief. "Diluc Ragnvindr."
"I know who you are," Henry said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "You're the boss of Angel's Share and the owner of all Dandelion Wine famous all over Teyvat."
Diluc's lips twitched as if he was almost smiling. "I could say the same about you. Word travels fast in Mondstadt. A strange building having a new café with cool air, all region food, and a mysterious owner."
Henry's grin widened. "Mysterious? I'm not that mysterious."
Diluc's eyebrow arched slightly. "You were selling noodles on the street, then those noodles disappeared, then you started selling bicycles, and now you've opened a café with recipes from across Teyvat." His voice was flat, but there was a note of genuine curiosity beneath it. "That's not exactly ordinary."
Before Henry could respond, Adrian returned with the coffee. He set the cup in front of Diluc, gave a small bow, and stepped back to attend other customers.
Diluc's eyes drifted to the cup, studying the dark liquid with an unreadable expression. Then he lifted the cup and took a sip. He paused. "This is... good," he said slowly.
"That's a Sumeru roast," Henry explained, taking the seat across from him without invitation. "Sumeru is known for its tea and coffee. More complex than the usual Mondstadt blends."
Diluc indicated the chair, gesturing for Henry to sit in front of him. He took another sip, his expression thoughtful. "You've been to Sumeru?"
"Not exactly." Henry smiled mysteriously. "But I have my sources."
Diluc studied him for a moment, as if weighing the answer, then nodded. "The quality is high."
Wow, coming from the guy who owns a winery, that's practically a ringing endorsement.
Henry's smirk widened. "High praise from the owner of Dawn Winery."
Diluc's eyes flickered with something—amusement, perhaps.
"So what brings you here? I'd imagine you don't make a habit of visiting new cafés."
Diluc set the cup down, his red eyes meeting Henry's. "I was just curious."
[He's probably trying to figure out if you're a competitor.]
I'm a café owner, not a wine merchant. Different markets.
[So what? Both of you are businesses. People might stop going to Angel's Share and come to your café.]
Now you are making me worry. Should I be worried?
"You've been busy. The café, the bicycles, the noodles—you've built quite a reputation for yourself."
"I try." Henry shrugged. "I figure if I'm going to be here, I might as well make an impact."
[More like Genshin Impact]
Diluc's gaze drifted past him, landing on the rows of cups on the shelf behind the counter. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied them, recognition flickering across his features.
"Those cups," he said slowly. "Aren't they the instant noodles from half a year ago?"
Henry grinned, reaching over to the shelf and grabbing a cup. He handed it to Diluc. "They are. Consider this one on the house."
Diluc took the cup, turning it over in his hands. "Why did you stop selling them?"
"I got busy with the bike shop." Henry shrugged. "But they are back now. They'll be on the menu."
Diluc took another sip of his coffee. "The bicycles. I've seen them outside the city a lot and I've ridden one myself. They're... practical."
"They are," Henry said. "Faster than walking, no need for food or rest. Good for getting around the city or short trips outside the walls."
"You did something revolutionary, introducing a faster mode of transport in Teyvat. Other than the trains in Snezhnaya, yours are the second best."
Henry's grin widened at Diluc's compliment. "Thank you. Second best is better than nothing."
Diluc set his cup down and rose from his seat, his movements fluid and graceful. "Thank you for the coffee. And the conversation."
He reached into his long jacket pocket and pulled out a small, folded letter, handing it to Henry. "Tomorrow is the start of Ludi Harpastum. I'm hosting a party at Dawn Winery. I'd like you to attend."
Henry took the letter, his eyes widening slightly. "A party? At the winery?"
"Yes. It's an annual tradition. I'd like you to be there."
Henry nodded. "I'll be there. Wouldn't miss it."
Diluc nodded at Henry, then turned and walked toward the counter. He paid Anna his bill and left without another word.
Henry shook his head, still smiling, and tucked the letter into his pocket. Tomorrow is—what did he say again? Ludi Harpastum?
He made his way out of his café and stepped onto the street. To his surprise, the streets of Mondstadt were transformed—colorful triangles in red, gold, and orange hung on long strings, flapping in the breeze and stretching from building to building, creating a canopy of color above the streets. Banners bearing the Anemo Archon hung from windows and lampposts.
___
Sorry for the chapter delay. I was sick for a few days, so I stayed away from screens. I'm feeling a little better now, so here's this week's chapter.
50 Power Stones for next chapter.
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