A Canvas of Chaos and a Sky of Wishes

The late afternoon sun dipped low over Mondstadt, casting a warm golden hue across the city's cobblestone streets, the light reflecting off the shimmering surface of Cider Lake in the distance. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the faint tang of dandelion wine, a lingering reminder of the city's recent celebrations. Mondstadt buzzed with a renewed energy, the expulsion of the Fatui and the resolution of the Wind Dragon crisis lifting the spirits of its citizens. The streets were alive with the sounds of merchants closing their stalls for the day, children playing near the fountain, and bards strumming their lutes, their melodies a celebration of freedom restored. The towering statue of Barbatos loomed over the plaza, its stone wings spread wide, a silent guardian watching over the city as the wind whispered through the streets, a gentle breeze that carried the promise of a peaceful evening.

In the plaza near the city gates, a large crowd had gathered, their attention fixed on the virtual screen of the Teyvat Second Creation broadcast room, its ethereal light casting a soft blue hue over the cobblestones. The citizens of Mondstadt laughed and cheered, their spirits lifted by the latest video, a comedic take on the Traveler Ying's "crumbs" that had already caused a stir across Teyvat. Jean stood near the fountain, her blue cape fluttering in the breeze, her Anemo Vision glowing at her waist, her blonde hair catching the fading sunlight as she watched with a mix of amusement and concern, her arms crossed over her chest. Eula leaned against a nearby wall, her silver-blue hair shimmering like frost, her Cryo Vision glowing at her hip, her icy blue eyes narrowed with a smirk as she observed the chaos unfolding on the screen. Paimon hovered in the air, her starry cape fluttering as she clutched her tiny fists, her face a mix of indignation and embarrassment, her cheeks puffed out with frustration. Ying stood at the center of the crowd, her golden eyes wide with horror, her blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight as she gripped her sword, her Anemo powers swirling chaotically around her in response to her rising panic.

Xander sat at a table outside the Good Hunter, a mug of cider in hand, his cloak draped over the back of his chair, the Shadowfang Blade resting against the table, its dark steel glinting in the fading light. His recent upgrade to A-level had left him feeling invigorated, his senses sharper, his movements more fluid, a vibrant blue aura still lingering faintly around him. He had orchestrated this second creation video with a clear goal in mind—to highlight Ying's chaotic and often morally questionable antics, a humorous take on her "billions of crumbs" that had made her a beloved yet infamous figure in Teyvat. The video had already caused a stir, and as it played on the big screen, the audience's laughter grew louder with each passing scene, their reactions flooding the chat with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

The video continued near the intersection outside Mondstadt's bridge, where Ying, Paimon, Noelle, and a young woman named Beatrice were discussing plans for Beatrice's upcoming date. Beatrice, a Mondstadt local with a somewhat childish demeanor, clutched her head in confusion, her brown hair tied back in a messy bun, her green dress slightly rumpled as she fidgeted nervously. "I want to go on a date with my boyfriend, but I don't know what gift to choose, or where to go, or how to make it romantic," she had said, her voice a mix of frustration and hope as she turned to Noelle for help.

Noelle, ever the earnest maid, had been stumped by the request, her lack of experience in matters of romance leaving her at a loss. But Ying had stepped in with confidence, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief as she took charge. "Leave the date spot to me," Ying declared, her tone brimming with self-assurance as she crossed her arms, her Anemo Vision glowing faintly at her waist. "I'm a Traveler who's run through the entire Teyvat continent—I know all the best spots for a date."

Paimon, hovering nearby, rolled her eyes, her tiny fists planted on her hips as she scoffed. "Let's just listen to her brag," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Running through the entire Teyvat continent? I'll explore the area ahead, and she'll just stand there—"

Before Paimon could finish, Ying pulled out her comically out-of-place Desert Eagle, the click of the gun loading echoing through the plaza as she fired a single shot. The bang rang out, and Paimon let out a dramatic yelp, her tiny body collapsing to the ground with a puff of blue smoke rising from her head, her expression one of exaggerated betrayal as she lay there, "dead" once again. Ying blew the smoke from the barrel of the gun, her expression unapologetic as she turned back to Beatrice and Noelle. "I've been to all the famous scenic spots in Mondstadt," she said, her tone casual. "We'll let Beatrice choose for herself."

Noelle's eyes lit up, her voice soft but filled with gratitude as she clasped her hands together. "That's wonderful—but how will we show her the views?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity as she glanced at Ying.

Ying's grin widened, her golden eyes gleaming with pride as she puffed out her chest. "It's simple," she said, her voice brimming with confidence. "I'll go to the places and paint them. My painting skills are incredible."

Paimon, who had miraculously "revived" from her latest "death," hovered nearby, her expression skeptical as she crossed her arms. "With your drawing skills, you can't even draw a piece of… well, you know," she said, her tone teasing as she dodged Ying's glare, her tiny body darting out of reach.

Ying's eyes narrowed, her hand reaching for the Desert Eagle once more as she loaded it with a dramatic click. "Say that again," she growled, her tone menacing as she pointed the gun at Paimon, her golden eyes flashing with mock anger.

Paimon yelped, her tiny body trembling as she raised her hands in surrender. "Your painting skills are the best in the world!" she shouted, her voice a mix of panic and resignation as she hovered behind Noelle for protection.

Ying smirked, holstering the gun with a flourish as she turned to Noelle. "See? It's settled," she said, her tone confident. "Noelle, you go pick out some gifts for Beatrice. I'll handle the scenic spots."

Noelle nodded, her expression earnest as she clasped her hands together. "Then I'll leave it to the Honorary Knight," she said, her voice filled with trust as she turned to Beatrice, her Geo Vision glowing faintly with her renewed determination.

The scene shifted, the video transporting Ying and Paimon to the Cape of Oath, a breathtaking cliffside overlooking the ocean, its jagged rocks framed by the vibrant green of the surrounding fields. The sky above was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below a soothing rhythm in the background. Ying stood at the edge of the cliff, her yellow hair whipping in the wind, her Anemo Vision glowing at her waist as she surveyed the landscape with a critical eye.

"This is Mondstadt's first tourist check-in point—the Cape of Oath," Ying declared, her voice filled with dramatic flair as she gestured to the scenery. "Legend says that couples who make vows here will be together forever. It's perfect for a date."

Paimon hovered beside her, her starry cape fluttering in the wind as she nodded in approval. "That does sound good for a date," she said, her tone more genuine this time as she glanced at Ying. "Let's draw it now."

Ying waved a hand dismissively, her expression one of exaggerated confidence as she adjusted her stance. "Don't rush me—I need to find the perfect angle," she said, her tone serious as she paced back and forth, her golden eyes scanning the landscape for the best view.

After a moment, Ying settled on a spot, pulling out a set of drawing tools—a sketchbook, a pencil, and a few colored paints—from her bag. She sat cross-legged on the grass, her tongue sticking out in concentration as she began to draw, her hands moving with a speed that suggested more enthusiasm than skill. In less than a minute, she held up her masterpiece with a triumphant grin, her voice brimming with pride. "Done!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with self-assurance as she turned the sketchbook toward Paimon.

Paimon's eyes widened in anticipation, her tiny hands clapping together as she floated closer. "So fast! Let me see!" she said, her voice filled with excitement as she peered at the drawing. But as her gaze landed on the paper, her expression shifted to one of utter disbelief, her mouth dropping open in shock.

The drawing was… abstract, to say the least. The green grass was represented by a single streak of green paint, the blue sky by a streak of blue, and the white clouds by a few haphazard patches of white smeared across the top. It was the kind of drawing a child might produce—chaotic, simplistic, and utterly devoid of detail. Paimon stared at it for a long moment, her tiny body trembling with a mix of disbelief and amusement before she finally spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What is this supposed to be?!" she exclaimed, her tone a mix of incredulity and laughter. "Little Klee's random scribbles are better than this!"

The crowd in the plaza erupted in laughter, the absurdity of Ying's "masterpiece" sending them into hysterics as they clutched their sides, their voices rising in a chorus of amusement. The chat flooded with reactions, the audience reveling in Ying's artistic failure as they poked fun at her lack of skill.

Kaeya: "Hahaha, it's true—Klee's drawings are better than this!"

Klee: "Hehe, Brother Albedo taught me how to draw!"

Yae Miko: "Oh, cutie, how about I teach you to draw in person?"

Xiangling: "Guoba, look—this painting looks like yours!"

Guoba: "Lulu?"

Xander: "I have to say, Ying's painting is… a bit like an abstract master's work."

Ying: "Stop laughing! My real drawing skills are much better than this!"

Paimon: "I don't believe you—you'll have to draw something to prove it!"

The real Ying in the plaza buried her face in her hands, her voice muffled as she groaned, "This is the worst day of my life… I'm not that bad at drawing, I swear!" Paimon hovered beside her, her tiny hands patting Ying's head in a futile attempt at comfort, though her own cheeks were flushed with secondhand embarrassment. "There, there… at least you tried?" she said, her tone uncertain as she glanced at the screen, her own mortification evident.

The video continued, Ying's expression one of reluctant admission as she looked at her drawing, her golden eyes narrowing with frustration. "Fine," she muttered, her tone gruff as she tossed the sketchbook aside. "We'll borrow a Fontaine camera instead. Let's go to the next spot."

The scene shifted again, Ying and Paimon arriving at Starfall Cliff, a stunning vantage point overlooking Mondstadt, its rocky outcrops framed by the vibrant green of the surrounding fields. The sky above was beginning to darken, the first stars twinkling into view as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft purple hue over the landscape. The sound of the wind whistling through the cliffs was a gentle melody, the air cool and crisp as Ying set up the borrowed Fontaine camera, its sleek design a stark contrast to the natural beauty around them.

"This is Mondstadt's second tourist check-in point—Starfall Cliff," Ying declared, her voice filled with dramatic flair as she gestured to the scenery. "Legend says that if you make a wish here, a shooting star will fly by, and lovers who see it will have their wishes come true. Plus, there's a couple who sprinkle dog food here all year round—it might even be a forbidden love."

The camera panned to a couple sitting at the top of the cliff, their silhouettes framed against the starry sky. The man, Marvin, had short brown hair and wore a simple tunic, his arm wrapped around the woman, Mara, whose long auburn hair cascaded down her back, her dress a soft shade of blue that shimmered in the moonlight. They sat close together, their hands intertwined as they gazed at the stars, their laughter a soft echo in the night air.

The chat erupted with reactions, the audience intrigued by the couple's story as their comments revealed a deeper subplot.

Marvin: "Wait, what's this about forbidden love? Mara and I are in a normal relationship!"

Mara: "Yes, we're not siblings or anything—we're just lovers who truly love each other!"

Goethe: "This is a disgrace! Now all of Teyvat knows—Marvin, you brat, why won't you listen to me?!"

Marvin: "@Goethe, Father, please support me and Mara—we really love each other!"

Xander: "For children of wealthy families, love and marriage are often out of their control."

Xinyan: "What's going on? This turned into a love-and-suffering melodrama real quick!"

Madam Ping: "It's normal for elders to worry about their children, but marriage should be the children's choice."

Zhongli: "A child's happiness is what matters most—don't let stubbornness ruin their life."

Uncle Tian: "Mr. Zhongli is right. Children know their own hearts better than we do."

Xander: "Exactly—we've practiced free love for ages. In Mondstadt, the land of freedom, are young people's love still restricted by the older generation?"

The video paused on this scene, the screen fading to black as the broadcast room announced the rewards: Ying received a "Fontaine Camera for the Artistically Challenged" as a tongue-in-cheek nod to her failed painting attempt, while Paimon was given a "Starfall Wish Voucher" to make a wish of her own. The crowd in the plaza erupted in applause, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they dispersed, their spirits lifted by the lighthearted spectacle.

Ying, still reeling from the video, turned to Xander, her golden eyes narrowed with a mix of embarrassment and determination. "You're enjoying this way too much," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and amusement as she pointed a finger at him, her Anemo powers swirling faintly around her in response to her emotions.

Xander raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin unapologetic as he leaned back in his chair, his tone teasing. "What can I say? You make it too easy," he said, his voice filled with amusement as he took a sip of his cider. "But don't worry—I'll give you a break next time. You've had enough for one day."

Ying sighed, her shoulders slumping as she managed a small smile, her tone lighter now as she turned to Paimon, who was still muttering about her new voucher. "Let's go, Paimon—I need a break from all this," she said, her voice filled with exhaustion as she started walking away, the crowd's laughter fading into the background.

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, casting a soft glow over Mondstadt, the city basked in the light of laughter and love, the second creation video a reminder that even heroes could be the source of a good laugh—and that even in the land of freedom, love could still face its challenges.

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