Night had fallen.
Mondstadt's streets were brightly lit, and the lights of countless homes reflected on Cider Lake, creating a beautiful scene.
Cao Zhong hid behind a tree, looking around cautiously. After confirming that Jean was nowhere in sight, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Tsk… that woman really hits hard!"
He touched the wound on his forehead—it hurt a little.
Of course, with his current strength, he shouldn't have been injured at all.
But… he had to make his "wife" happy.
As the saying goes: If the wife is happy, the whole family is happy!
Besides, although Jean looked fierce outside, in a different place and setting… who knows who would be beating whom.
Cao Zhong swaggered toward Angel's Share.
After running around all day, he was thirsty and hungry—time for a good meal.
Angel's Share, one of Mondstadt's most popular taverns, backed by the Dawn Winery and boosted by the reputation of Diluc, had an excellent reputation.
Its signature dandelion wine was Cao Zhong's favorite.
A few sips here and there—even the Anemo Archon can't compare to me.
"Damn it, Diluc—you really deserve this!"
At the entrance, a sign read:
"Cao Zhong and dogs are not allowed inside."
Cao Zhong's face turned as dark as charcoal.
So Diluc really meant it.
Fine.
If one place won't have me, another will.
Without Angel's Share, could he not drink elsewhere?
He turned and headed to another tavern.
The Cat's Tail Tavern, the only place in Mondstadt that could rival Angel's Share.
Although it lacked the same background, it had carved out its own unique path and attracted many loyal customers.
Thinking about the "little wild cat" inside, Cao Zhong felt a bit restless.
"Little kitty, here I come!"
As soon as Cao Zhong entered the tavern, he drew everyone's attention.
"Oh, look who it is—Cao Zhong. Haven't seen you in a few days. Looking rough. That injury on your forehead… did Jean beat you up?"
Cao Zhong looked up.
It was his dear "friend," Kaeya.
Perfect—his drinks were covered tonight.
"You don't understand. Beating is affection, scolding is love. This just proves Jean truly cares about me."
A nearby patron chimed in, "If you weren't a scumbag, would Jean hit you?"
Cao Zhong widened his eyes.
"How can you slander my innocence out of thin air…?"
"What innocence? Your glorious deeds have already been turned into videos for everyone's entertainment!"
Cao Zhong's face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Relationships are about mutual consent! How can you call me a scumba—love! This is proper dating! How can it be called scummy?"
He then started spouting incomprehensible phrases—something about "gentlemen" and "classics"—making everyone burst into laughter.
The tavern was filled with cheerful air.
Kaeya laughed so hard he patted Cao Zhong's shoulder.
"My brother, your mouth is as stubborn as ever."
Cao Zhong frowned, unwilling to argue with these uncultured people.
He turned to the small "wild cat" across the counter and spoke gently:
"Beautiful Miss Diona, could I have a drink? Put it on Kaeya's tab."
"Hey! Why is your drink on my tab?"
"Since when does a father need to be polite with his son?"
"Cao Zhong, I'll kill you!"
In an instant, chaos erupted.
"Childish!"
Diona looked at the two of them fighting and felt annoyed.
"You like drinking? Then drink yourselves to death!"
She aggressively mixed all kinds of strange ingredients into the drink:
chili powder, pepper, spices, slime condensate…
The scene was indescribable.
"Your drink."
Diona reluctantly placed a glass in front of Cao Zhong.
The liquid inside was a bizarre, colorful darkness.
Cao Zhong hesitated.
But he knew Diona well.
Although she wanted to destroy Mondstadt's wine industry, anything she made always turned out delicious—no matter what she added.
It was like a strange blessing… much to her frustration.
Diona now had an additional goal:
Make Cao Zhong drink the worst drink possible.
Serve him right for what he did back then…
Thinking of it, her face flushed red.
What am I thinking?! He's a scumbag!
Cao Zhong smiled and drank it in one gulp.
"Delicious… it has your flavor."
"Pfft!"
Diona spat lightly and hurried away.
Anyone could see how embarrassed she was.
Kaeya's eyes moved back and forth between the two.
Something was off.
Definitely off.
There must be some kind of secret between them.
Kaeya suddenly became excited.
My eyes miss nothing.
"Brother… is there some secret between you and Diona?"
Taking advantage of her absence, Kaeya wrapped an arm around Cao Zhong's shoulder and grinned.
Cao Zhong panicked slightly.
Damn… forgot there was a dog beside me.
"You're talking nonsense! I didn't! There's nothing!"