Yu Xie sat by the lakeside. The wind swept across the water, stirring ripples on the once-calm surface—much like the turbulence in his heart.
Before coming to Mondstadt, Yu Xie had wondered whether he had visited this place in the past. Now, the truth was confirmed.
It seemed his former self had indeed traveled far and wide, met many people, and accumulated numerous "debts."
Footsteps echoed in his ears. Ei had returned and sat down beside him.
She said nothing, simply sitting there quietly, accompanying Yu Xie.
He didn't know how much time had passed before Yu Xie stood up.
"Ei, are you hungry? Let's go get something to eat."
........
Nighttime, at Angel's Share Tavern.
Eula sat alone at a table, silently drinking.
Yu Xie had indeed returned. Although she didn't know what had happened in the meantime, today, Yu Xie had truly stood before her. Yet, he had forgotten the past.
Memory is an essential bridge, connecting the past and the present. Without his memories, was Yu Xie still the same Yu Xie she once knew?
One glass after another, Eula continued to drink alone.
The other patrons in the tavern kept their distance.
Prejudice was like a mountain. The name "Lawrence" caused most people to overlook Eula's deeds and contributions to Mondstadt, choosing instead to view her through a lens of bias.
"Anyone with the name Lawrence is a black sheep"—this was the prevailing belief among the majority of the populace.
These days, Eula no longer cared about such things. Though she often spoke of "holding grudges" and "seeking revenge," it was merely a tactic to avoid unnecessary trouble.
By the time Eula finished yet another drink—who knows how many it was today—there were few patrons left in the tavern. It was likely quite late.
Eula's head was starting to feel a little fuzzy. She thought she should head back, but alcohol seemed to have a special kind of magic—making people always want just one more drink. It was as if one more glass could help them forget their troubles.
As the Cavalry Knight and the captain of the Reconnaissance squad of the Knights of Favonius, Eula naturally had strong self-control. But the events of today had left her heart in turmoil.
Just for today, it wouldn't hurt to have one more drink.
Eula was about to signal the tavern server for another glass when a familiar figure sat down across from her, placing a glass of orange juice in front of her.
"Have this instead. Don't drink any more alcohol," Yu Xie said, looking into Eula's eyes with sincerity.
"Yu Xie…" Eula was pleasantly surprised at first, but she quickly remembered that Yu Xie no longer remembered the past. Disappointment soon showed in her eyes. "Why are you here…?"
"I originally came to have a drink, but then I saw you sitting here alone," Yu Xie replied. "You've had quite a bit already. Don't drink any more."
"..." Eula was silent for a moment, avoiding Yu Xie's gaze. "My tolerance isn't that bad."
"Even if your tolerance is good, you can't drink like this—especially not when you're drinking alone."
Eula didn't continue the conversation but instead picked up the glass of orange juice Yu Xie had brought and took a sip.
Her slightly fuzzy mind seemed to clear up a little, but the emotions in her heart remained unresolved.
"Because my last name is Lawrence, no one is willing to drink with me," Eula said softly, voicing her inner frustrations.
Most of the time, Eula didn't care about these things. Her surname, Lawrence, was not something she had chosen. All she could do was accept it, move forward, and focus on doing what she needed to do.
But on rare occasions, she couldn't help but feel aggrieved, unable to suppress her thoughts about the unfair treatment she received.
After all, sometimes, she was just a vulnerable and ordinary girl.
From a young age, she had borne far more than someone her age ever should.
"Well, isn't there me to keep you company? Though for today, I'll only join you with a drink," Yu Xie said, picking up another glass of juice and smiling gently at Eula. "Another day, I'll have a drink with you—if you'd like."
Yu Xie's words made Eula pause for a moment. She looked at him, and for a brief instant, it felt as though she had returned to the past. Her eyes couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"Yu Xie… what do you think of the Lawrence name?" After a moment of hesitation, Eula asked the question.
Back when she first met Yu Xie, she had asked him this same question.
Yu Xie took a slow breath, pondering for a moment.
"The Lawrence family of the past did indeed do many unforgivable things to Mondstadt. Those events are part of history, and Mondstadt's people should not forget them. However, the present should not be judged solely by that history, nor should every person with the name Lawrence be condemned for it—especially someone like you, Eula Lawrence, who is sitting right in front of me now."
Yu Xie paused for a moment before continuing:
"You are different from the stubborn nobles. Even though you carry the Lawrence name and bear the prejudice of many, you still protect Mondstadt in your own way, disregarding the rumors."
Eula was stunned.
The image of their first meeting flashed in her mind, and in this moment, it felt just like back then.
The answer Yu Xie had given back then was the same as the one he gave now.
Even if he had lost his memory, Yu Xie was still Yu Xie.
The turbulence in Eula's heart was like a surging wave. She looked at Yu Xie, and her eyes couldn't help but well up. Crystal-clear tears escaped her eyes and fell down her cheeks.
Seeing this, Yu Xie suddenly wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
"Did I… say something wrong? Maybe I wasn't very clear, but anyway…"
His words were cut off halfway.
Eula stood up and walked to him, bending down to hug him. The scent of her perfume filled the air.
The embrace was brief, and Eula quickly released Yu Xie, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't control myself... My emotions got a little out of hand today... I'll buy you a drink another day. I'll leave first today."
After speaking, Eula quickly turned and left the tavern.
Yu Xie didn't think much of it and immediately followed her outside.
The street outside was bathed in bright moonlight. It was getting late, and there were few pedestrians.
"Eula!" Yu Xie called out to her, raising his voice.
Eula stopped in her tracks, pausing where she stood.
Yu Xie hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking:
"I don't remember the past, and maybe I never will. But if you don't mind, let's get to know each other again... Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Yu Xie—'Yu' as in the 'remaining years,' and 'Xie' as in 'growing old together.'"
Eula's eyes welled up once again, but a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She took a deep breath, slowly turned around, and looked at Yu Xie.
"My name is Eula Lawrence, a descendant of the Lawrence family, and I'm the Cavalry Knight and the captain of the Reconnaissance Company of the Knights of Favonius. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yu Xie."
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