The two of them, one tall and one small, walked hand in hand toward the Hall of All Peoples.
The streets of Liyue Harbor were still bustling as ever, the crowds flowing endlessly. Especially near the comic shop, it was packed shoulder to shoulder.
Yaoyao stared wide-eyed at the sea of people, shocked. "Big brother, is your shop always this popular? There are so many people… I can't even count them all!"
The little girl had lived in Qingce Village most of her life. Though she sometimes visited Liyue Harbor, she had only seen crowds like this during the Lantern Rite Festival.
Hearing her words, Su Han looked down and smiled. "Yeah, because comics are really fun, that's why everyone likes them so much. Wait… who's that?"
As he spoke, he suddenly noticed a small red figure wandering at the end of the street.
The tiny figure seemed to have been separated from her companions. Every time someone passed by, she would look up and ask a question.
As Su Han got closer, the figure became clearer, and he couldn't help feeling surprised. Logically speaking, she shouldn't even be here.
A red outfit decorated with clover patterns, cute feather ornaments, pointed elven ears, and that distinctive leather backpack...
Who else could it be but Klee?
"Excuse me, mister, do you know Kaeya? He has dark skin and an eyepatch. Huh? You don't? Oh… okay then."
"Miss, do you know Amber? She's really pretty and wears red clothes like me! You don't know her either? Why doesn't anyone know Kaeya and Amber…"
"My tummy's so hungry… and my Mora's all gone. Kaeya, where are you guys…"
The little girl's voice trembled with confusion and helplessness.
But she was sure she hadn't remembered wrong, Captain Jean had clearly said that Amber and Kaeya were coming too. So why couldn't she find them?
Klee stood there all alone, not knowing what to do. She rubbed her empty stomach, on the verge of tears.
Just as she was about to cry, a gentle voice came from behind.
"Hello there, Klee."
"Huh? Who's calling me?"
Someone in this foreign land knew her name, that instantly lifted her spirits. Could it be Kaeya?
Excited, she quickly turned around.
But when she saw the face of the speaker, it was a stranger. Klee blinked in confusion. "Big brother, who are you? How do you know Klee? Are you from Mondstadt?"
"No, no, I'm from Liyue. I just happen to know Kaeya and Amber. I saw you looking around and guessed you might've gotten separated from them."
The moment he mentioned her companions from the Knights of Favonius, her bright eyes lit up.
She immediately hugged Su Han's arm, excitedly saying, "Wow, big brother, how did you know I was looking for Kaeya and Amber? Klee came out to find them, but I've been searching all morning and still can't find them. I'm so hungry…"
Standing beside them, Yaoyao listened for a while and roughly pieced together the situation.
She looked at Su Han and suggested, "Big brother, since Klee hasn't eaten yet, why don't we all go to the Wanmin Restaurant? We can talk while we eat." (TL/N: this is the first time learning Wanmin Restaurant in chinese name called 万民堂 which means Hall of All People lol. I had to search it up because chinese genshin fanfics, they tend to use chinese names.. I know it's obvious but damn)
"Good idea. Klee, want to come have a feast with us?"
Hearing Su Han's invitation, Klee eagerly raised both hands in agreement, her stomach had already been growling for a while.
The restaurant wasn't far away, just a short walk.
Once inside a private room, Su Han handed the menu to the two little girls and told the waiter, "Bring us some juice, nothing sour."
"Yes, Mr. Su."
As a regular and a close friend of the owner, everyone at the Wanmin Restaurant knew him well.
Whenever Su Han came, he was treated as a VIP.
Klee stared at the menu, nearly drooling. Pointing excitedly, she said, "I want spicy fish! And golden shrimp balls! They look so fun!"
"No problem. What about you, Yaoyao?"
After some thought, the little girl chose two light dishes.
In less than fifteen minutes, the food arrived.
But to their surprise, the one bringing it in was Xiangling.
The young chef set the dishes on the table, pretending to be annoyed. "Well, well, Yaoyao! You came back to Liyue Harbor and didn't even come see your senior? After all the delicious food I used to make for you?"
"I just got back today! And I know you're always busy, so I was planning to visit after you closed," Yaoyao replied cleverly.
Her answer was watertight, leaving Xiangling no room to tease her further. She could only drop the matter with a sigh.
Just then, Klee, already munching on spicy fish, let out a satisfied sound. "Mmm! This spicy fish is so good! Even better than the Hunter's restaurant! Xiangling, you should come sit with us and eat too!"
"Well of course! Who do you think made it? Wait… hold on, Klee?! Why are you here? Su Han, what's going on?! Didn't Kaeya and the others already leave?"
Xiangling's eyes widened in shock as her voice jumped an octave.
If she remembered correctly, Klee hadn't been part of the group that came before.
So how did she end up in Liyue?
The little girl paused mid-bite and looked up at Su Han with wide eyes. "Big brother… Kaeya and the others already left?"
"Yes," Su Han nodded gently. "I was going to tell you earlier, but Yaoyao saw how hungry you were, so we decided to wait until after you'd eaten."
"How could this happen…"
Klee's shoulders drooped instantly. She lost all her energy and didn't even want to eat anymore.
Seeing that, Su Han quickly comforted her. "Don't worry, Klee. Once you've eaten, I'll arrange someone to take you home."
"It's not that, I'm not scared… Klee knows the way! And if there are monsters or bad guys, Dodoco can take care of them! It's just… Klee came to find the big brother who draws comics with Amber. If they're gone, he probably doesn't want to see me anymore…"
Everyone: "..."
Everyone fell silent for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Xiangling grinned teasingly at Su Han. "Oh, so that's how it is. Didn't expect you to be this charming! So, our famous comic artist, would you mind taking Klee out to play for a day? She's already here; going back a day late won't hurt anyone."
"Of course not," Su Han chuckled. "But we should still ask Klee, what do you say?"
Klee blinked in surprise, looking between the two of them before realization hit her.
"Wait, you're the big brother who draws comics?! Wow! Klee loves your comics so much!"
Overcome with excitement, the little girl jumped off her chair and threw her arms around Su Han.
Ever since she'd read his comics in the confinement room, she'd been a huge fan, and now, to meet her idol in person felt like a dream come true.
As the little girl clung to him, Su Han gently patted her back. "Alright, finish eating first, Klee. After that, big brother will take you and Yaoyao to explore all of Liyue."
"Yay! Klee wants to go play!"
Hearing she could go out with her idol, the little one beamed with pure joy.
As Su Han served her more food, he added softly, "Klee, we can play together anytime, but next time you can't sneak out behind Captain Jean's back, okay?"
"But… in Mondstadt, no one plays with Klee."
The little girl lowered her head. She hadn't wanted to run away, but most of the time, she was stuck inside the confinement room.
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