Seeing Kaeya look like he was genuinely about to take the key back, Yi Chen reacted instantly. With lightning speed, he snatched the key off the table and whoosh—stuffed it straight into the small pouch he carried with him. He even pressed a hand over the pouch opening, looking exactly like a food-guarding animal protecting its treasure.
He lifted his head and glared at Kaeya righteously, turning the tables without the slightest shame.
"What are you doing? This is my house key!"
Kaeya stared at him. For a moment, he was stunned—then he burst out laughing, shoulders shaking as he chuckled helplessly.
"Hahaha… alright, alright, you win."
He raised both hands in surrender.
"You really are getting thicker-skinned by the day."
Shaking his head, Kaeya stood up and straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes.
"I still have some official business to handle at the Knights' headquarters, so I'll leave you to it."
He smiled at Yi Chen, then politely nodded to Lumine and Paimon.
"Take good care of these two guests from afar, will you? And try not to cause any more 'crashes' or 'house demolitions'."
With that, he waved casually and walked out of the tavern, leaving behind a back view that screamed mission accomplished, no credit needed.
Only after confirming Kaeya was truly gone did Yi Chen finally relax. He patted the pouch holding the key smugly, as if he had just won a major battle.
Paimon flew over and peeked at the pouch curiously.
"So… mysterious crash guy, you finally have a place to live now?"
"Of course!"
Yi Chen lifted his chin proudly.
"And it's a villa! After we eat, I'll take you both to check out my new house! Though… it might not have much furniture yet. But it's definitely big!"
A short while later, the three of them left Angel's Share.
Afternoon sunlight bathed Mondstadt's streets, yet the usual liveliness was absent. The city still felt subdued after the attack—pedestrians hurried along, many shops were closed, and only the Knights of Favonius and craftsmen repairing buildings could be seen busily at work.
Looking at the scene, Yi Chen let out a soft sigh, a trace of worry flickering across his brows.
He turned to Lumine, who was curiously observing her surroundings.
"By the way… since you're new here, do you have anywhere to stay tonight?"
The question hit straight at Lumine's weak spot.
A flash of embarrassment crossed her face. She instinctively touched her empty pocket, her voice dropping slightly.
"…We don't have any Mora. We were thinking of… maybe finding a bridge or a bench to get through the night."
She tried to sound casual, but the slight frown on her face betrayed her discomfort.
Paimon floated lower too, fiddling with her fingers.
"Paimon… Paimon doesn't know either…"
Yi Chen looked at the blonde girl forcing herself to stay composed and, for a moment, saw his own past reflected in her—the day he first arrived in Teyvat, penniless and lost at Mondstadt's gates.
A strong sense of empathy welled up inside him.
"Sleeping under a bridge? That's not happening."
Mondstadt got cold at night.
He patted the pouch holding the key and smiled brightly—steady, reassuring, and unexpectedly reliable.
"If you don't mind, and if you trust me, you can stay at my place for now. Kaeya rented a whole villa—there should be plenty of empty rooms. Living alone would be pretty lonely anyway."
As if worried Lumine might feel awkward, he quickly added,
"Don't worry, it's not free! Once you get familiar with things and find a way to earn Mora—like doing Adventurers' Guild commissions—you can slowly pay the rent back. Or help with cleaning to offset it. Fair deal, right?"
There was no hint of charity in his words—only an equal, friendly offer that carefully protected her dignity.
Paimon's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?! We can live in a villa?! No bridge sleeping?! Lumine! Say yes, say yes!"
Lumine looked at Yi Chen's sincere eyes, then at Paimon bouncing excitedly in the air. Warmth spread through her chest.
Arriving in a strange world and being met with kindness like this—Mondstadt was already leaving a wonderful impression on her.
She nodded seriously, a genuinely relaxed smile appearing for the first time since arriving.
"Thank you, Yi Chen. We'll be in your care… and we'll pay the rent back as soon as we can."
"No need to be so formal! Let's go!"
Yi Chen waved grandly and led the way.
"I'll show you the place first—though it might be nothing but dust inside…"
With mental preparation for an empty house, the three arrived at the villa beside the Cathedral.
Yi Chen inserted the brass key into the lock and hesitated slightly as he turned it—
But instead of bare walls and echoing emptiness, what greeted them was a spacious, bright, and exquisitely furnished living room.
Soft, thick carpets. An elegant fireplace. A crystal chandelier.
And most importantly—
A massive, unbelievably plush sofa set that practically screamed expensive.
"Wooooah—!!!"
Paimon screamed first, shooting inside like a white lightning bolt, eyes sparkling.
Even Yi Chen froze. He blinked, stepped back to check the address, then peeked inside again.
"Kaeya… that guy even prepared furniture…?"
Before he could finish the sentence, his body acted on instinct.
"YES—!!! SAVED!!!"
With a running start, he launched himself like a missile and dove perfectly onto the biggest sofa, sinking deep into its softness. A blissful, almost sinful sigh escaped him.
"Ahhh—!!! Kaeya! You are my god!!!"
Paimon followed suit, shouting "Paimon's coming too!" as she cannonballed onto a single sofa, rolling around happily.
"So soft! So comfy! This is amazing!"
She buried her face in the cushions, then looked up at Yi Chen with genuine admiration.
"Crash Guy! Your friend is way too nice! He even prepared everything!"
Lumine stepped in more carefully, touching the polished wooden table, peeking into the kitchen with its pristine cookware. Her eyes filled with disbelief.
Yi Chen sprawled on the sofa, waving lazily.
"Right? That guy's actually pretty reliable when it matters. Almost makes up for all the times he's messed with me."
He rolled over, surveying the luxurious new home, feeling like the chaos and emotional whiplash of the past few days had finally found closure.
"Decision made!"
He suddenly sat up and slapped the armrest.
"Tonight, we celebrate the housewarming with a feast! Paimon—order whatever you want! I'm in a good mood today!"
Paimon sprang up instantly.
"Sweet Madame! Honey Roast! And—"
Watching Yi Chen and Paimon instantly descend into chaos again, Lumine laughed softly.
Any lingering anxiety about staying here completely faded.
Life in Mondstadt… was going to be interesting.