12: A Letter from the Future

"To my dear Rosalyne,

If you're reading this letter, then I've failed. I'm sorry—I wasn't able to save you.

But… like █████ once said, there are always more chances ahead. We still have time. So don't rush.

I don't know how many times you've read this letter now—maybe even you don't realize it—but that's okay. I'll keep trying.

You know, I've never met a girl quite like you before.

Calling you a 'girl' probably sounds weird, right?

Just pretend I'm drunk—ha.

What I mean is: before you do anything reckless in the future, could you please think of how I'd feel?

I'll remember you for thousands of years, so… don't make my heart ache, okay?

I can't write any more. The shell of this world is too fragile. If I overload it with nonsense, that old witch Alice will tear me a new one.

…Wait, you're not going to tell her, are you?

Anyway—next time we meet, tell that version of me you received this letter.

Maybe we can avoid one more mistake.

I'll be waiting for the moment you open your eyes in front of me.

—██? Saphir Afurola."

A seemingly ordinary piece of paper appeared before Rosalyne.

She skimmed the letter and instinctively dismissed it as one of Saphir's dumb jokes. She nearly tore it up on the spot.

But after a pause… she folded it neatly and tucked it away.

She wanted to see what that girl was up to this time.

Only a few days ago, she'd gotten word from Pierro saying Saphir would be sent to Mondstadt to assist her operations.

Then, just as suddenly, Tartaglia sent word that Saphir had taken over his duties in Liyue and wouldn't be arriving in Mondstadt after all.

And now—this letter.

"That girl used to be so reliable. What happened?

Unreliable? I don't know…

But annoying? Absolutely."

Rosalyne rubbed her temple. Her head was starting to ache.

"Let's go.

City of freedom. Winds of liberty. Knights sworn to protect it…"

With a wave, she led her subordinates into the city she once called home—Mondstadt.

Liyue — Three Days Later

The mess at Rockridge Teahouse had finally been resolved.

The discovery of the real ledger made it clear: the teahouse had been dodging taxes, running illegal loan scams, operating an unlicensed casino, and even communicating with foreign agents.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a swift and harsh verdict.

The former owner?

Sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

As for the teahouse itself—by the final bet, the massive debt, and the legally binding terms—it now belonged to Saphir.

She didn't dismantle the place. Instead, she restructured it.

Most of the staff left. Those who stayed were kept on.

Saphir considered it carefully.

"No need to change the name…

But all the gray-market stuff? Shut it down."

Let others sink into shadow trades. She wasn't Yelan.

Saphir had no intention of running an underground network.

She was the Dark Shepherd, not a spymaster.

Yelan, no longer in disguise, sipped tea within the now-reopened teahouse.

She was here to deliver the Ministry's official verdict.

Saphir, hearing the results, raised an eyebrow.

"Illegal contact with foreign powers?"

"Mmm-hmm~" Yelan hummed smugly, hiding a grin behind her cup.

That specific charge? She'd tacked it on just to annoy Saphir.

"Calling me 'Little Yelan,' huh?

You think you're cute with your flat chest and priestess cosplay?"

Yelan glanced at the girl across from her, then down at herself.

Yup. Clear winner.

Saphir caught the look and sighed internally.

This woman was insufferable.

"…I got the message. Anything else?" she asked, her tone dry.

"Oh? Eastside Boss, don't tell me you've forgotten?" Yelan grinned like a cat.

"You're the one who told me to follow you, remember?"

"I told Randy. Not Yelan."

"Same difference," Yelan leaned in.

"Besides, you said anyone who saw the result of that last roll was yours.

I saw it. Triple sixes. You said it. I heard it.

Don't think of backing out now~"

Saphir's soul left her body for a second.

She only said that to show off. And now this leech was never leaving.

"Let me guess," she asked flatly. "Did Ningguang send you?"

"Nope," Yelan replied with a sip.

"I volunteered. Ningguang just gave her blessing.

Someone like you, walking around Liyue… we'd be crazy not to keep tabs."

Her eyes glinted blue—Elemental Vision surging faintly.

Saphir narrowed her own.

Yelan knew exactly what kind of threat she was dealing with.

The moment Saphir snapped her fingers, the teahouse could collapse into light.

And yet… here she was, unafraid, still teasing.

"Fine. Stay if you want." Saphir waved her off.

"Your legs are quick. I'll have you run errands."

She pulled a slip from her sleeve and handed it to Aida at the door.

"Go make the pickup. Premium tea from Qingce Village. This will be our new specialty. Be polite. Don't piss off the supplier."

"Understood, ma'am."

Aida bowed and departed.

Saphir spared Yelan a final glance, shook her head, and left the room.

Meanwhile, at Chihu Rock

Most people thought of grilled tigerfish or the Wanmin Restaurant when they heard of Chihu Rock.

They rarely thought of Rockridge Teahouse, tucked near Feiyun Slope—until recently.

Down the winding path from Feiyun came a stately figure.

A man in elegant robes, gold eyes glimmering with dignity, diamond-shaped pupils faintly glowing.

Zhongli.

His steps were calm, his presence magnetic.

Passersby nodded or bowed, whether they knew him or not.

"Mister Zhongli! Headed to Wanwen Bookhouse for more storytelling today?"

An older man called out with a friendly wave.

Zhongli smiled and shook his head.

"Not today. I heard Rockridge Teahouse has reopened under new ownership.

Thought I'd pay a visit and sample the tea."

"That place?" the old man scoffed.

"Bah! Used to be a den of thieves and gamblers. No class at all!"

Zhongli nodded calmly.

"You're not wrong.

But… if it's under new management, perhaps we shouldn't judge so quickly.

We might miss something worthwhile."

The elder scratched his chin, thoughtful.

"Hmm. Fair enough. But the place had a terrible reputation.

How about this—wait a moment, I'll go grab a few others. If anything happens, we'll have each other's backs."

"There's no need to worry." Zhongli chuckled.

"I have my own means of self-defense."

He gently touched the Geo Vision hanging at his waist.

"Ah, right! You're one of those Vision-holders.

Haha, silly me! Well, you go ahead, Mister Zhongli. I'll catch up in a bit."

"Then I shall go on ahead."

Zhongli nodded and resumed his leisurely pace—toward Rockridge Teahouse.

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