Chapter 35: Rumors

Early the next morning, Jean's internal clock woke her up as usual. She glanced out the window at the still-dark sky, got dressed, washed her face briefly, and set off under the morning light.

Along the way, Jean noticed many Hilichurl camps. Compared to Mondstadt before the dragon crisis, the number of monsters had increased significantly. The Knights of Favonius, already stretched thin dealing with the dragon crisis and the Fatui's pressure, had little manpower left to handle the monsters in the wild.

Once the dragon crisis is over, we must clear out these monsters as soon as possible.

After about two hours, Jean finally returned to Mondstadt. As she crossed the bridge, the pigeons that usually gathered to eat breadcrumbs flocked around her, with some even landing on her shoulders.

"Good morning, Acting Grand Master Jean!" a young boy feeding the pigeons waved cheerfully, practically jumping with excitement.

"Good morning, Timmy," Jean smiled and responded, gently petting the pigeons before letting them fly away.

"Good morning, Acting Grand Master Jean!" Lawrence, stationed at the city gate, was drowsy from waking up early. His eyes barely open, he snapped to attention upon seeing Jean and quickly saluted.

"Good morning. You've worked hard," Jean returned the salute and entered the city. Along the way, many people greeted her, including children, the elderly, and even some foreigners.

Just as Jean was nearing the Good Hunter, she overheard a conversation that made her stop in her tracks.

"Did you hear? Miss Barbara has a sweetheart..."

"Really? That's Miss Barbara we're talking about, Mondstadt's top idol!"

"It's true. I heard she even took him to her room..."

"What?! Miss Barbara and that man...?"

...…

After hearing these words, Jean felt a wave of unease. Barbara was her dearest sister. Although she couldn't openly express her feelings due to various reasons, her love for her sister was genuine.

If this rumor were true, Jean would shield her sister from all the pressure and gossip. If it were false, she would severely punish those spreading the lies.

Jean suppressed her anger and entered the Good Hunter.

"Oh, Acting Grand Master Jean, come join us for breakfast."

It was peak breakfast hours, and the Good Hunter was nearly full. Yun Fan, sitting in a corner eating breakfast, spotted Jean and immediately called her over to join him. After all, it was obvious she was here to see him.

Hearing Yun Fan's call, Jean quickly walked over. However, the young man before her—munching on a fried dough stick while cutting a Teyvat Fried Egg with a knife and fork—didn't look like a god-level powerhouse. Instead, he seemed more like a cheerful boy next door.

"Mr. Yun Fan, pardon the intrusion," Jean said as she sat down. Shortly after, a server brought her the same breakfast as Yun Fan.

"No intrusion at all. Let me guess, Acting Grand Master Jean, you're here because the plan to save Dvalin hit a snag, right?" Yun Fan set down his utensils and looked directly into Jean's eyes.

"Mr. Yun Fan, you truly have a keen insight," Jean sighed with a bitter smile. The operation had been interrupted by the Abyss Order, resulting in failure. Now, they had no choice but to resort to force.

"So, you're here to ask for my help?" Yun Fan chuckled and shook his head. He had originally planned to join them at Starsnatch Cliff to resolve the dragon crisis in one go, avoiding further complications. However, Venti had stopped him, claiming that his presence would "scare Dvalin." From that moment, Yun Fan knew he'd have to step in eventually.

The two quickly finished their breakfast and set off for Dawn Winery.

Along the way, Jean was still troubled by the rumors she had heard that morning, her mind wandering. She nearly bumped into a tree several times.

Yun Fan didn't pay much attention to Jean's state. As a known workaholic, Jean was lucky to get six hours of sleep a day. Yun Fan simply assumed she was tired from lack of rest.

Once the Stormterror issue is resolved, I'll have to find a way to make Venti do his job properly.

"Good morning, everyone," Yun Fan greeted as he arrived at Dawn Winery. He opened a bottle of Dandelion Wine he had swiped from Venti upon entering. Born in Shandong on Earth, Yun Fan had a fondness for alcohol, and the Dandelion Wine from Dawn Winery was a unique delicacy unlike anything from his home world.

"Ah, my Dandelion Wine!" Venti looked at Yun Fan with teary eyes, his big eyes blinking as if to say, "How could you do this?"

Yun Fan ignored Venti's antics. If it were a cute girl making that face, he might feel a twinge of guilt, but a thousands-year-old man? Not a chance.

"Good morning, Fan," Lumine smiled and responded. Indeed, Lumine's smile was breathtaking, rivaling that of any stunning beauty.

"Huh? The Traveler can smile too?" Venti looked at Lumine in surprise. In the days he had spent with her, he had never seen her smile. He had even begun to think she was incapable of it.

"Hmph, of course the Traveler can smile! What, do you have a problem with that, bard?" Paimon crossed her arms, looking proud.

"No, no," Venti chuckled awkwardly.

"Back to the main topic. Have you all prepared a strategy for the next phase of the operation?" Yun Fan set down the empty wine bottle and looked around at the assembled group, steering the conversation back on track.

"No, Master Diluc said we should wait for you to arrive before discussing it," Paimon replied, shaking her head. Then, in a mysterious tone, she added, "By the way, Yun Fan, I have a secret to tell you. Venti is actually..."

"Venti is the Anemo Archon Barbatos, right?"

"Huh?" Paimon was stunned. How did you know before I even said it? Paimon racked her tiny brain, trying to figure it out.

"Oh! I get it! Acting Grand Master Jean must have told you, right?" Paimon looked smug, convinced she had solved the mystery.

Yun Fan smiled but neither confirmed nor denied her assumption.

"As for the operation plan, I have a proposal," Venti said, gently strumming the damaged Skyward Harp. He suggested breaking through the wind barrier and heading to Stormterror's Lair...

Yun Fan listened carefully. Venti's proposal was essentially the same as in the game. After hearing it, Yun Fan's lips curled into a smile.

"I have a proposal too."