"Klee ate too much! I won't have room for anything at the banquet later," Klee sighed, patting her round belly as they left Springvale.
"Don't worry, it's not even 5 PM yet. By the time we get to Dawn Winery, you'll be ready to eat again," Shen Qin chuckled.
Even he had eaten a bit too much of the delicious grilled meat ribs. His stomach felt about 90% full.
To aid digestion, they decided to walk leisurely instead of using their hoverboards.
The fresh outdoor air, gentle breeze, and pleasant company made Shen Qin feel at peace. This was the kind of life he envisioned in Teyvat.
If he didn't have the system and was just an ordinary person, he might have chosen to live a quiet life in Mondstadt, far removed from troubles like the Abyss, the Fatui, forbidden knowledge, or Celestia.
"Wow! Look at all these berries!" Klee exclaimed excitedly.
They had arrived near Dawn Winery, where the vast vineyard sprawled out before them. At the center stood the large manor of the Ragnvindr family, its grandeur and prominence unmistakable.
Shen Qin nodded approvingly. "Very nice, exactly how I imagined a noble estate to look."
"Whoa! Such a big house!" Klee shouted in awe, hopping onto her hoverboard and zooming toward the manor.
"Klee!" Sucrose called out, extending her hand helplessly as Klee disappeared from sight.
"Let her go," Shen Qin reassured her. Together, they strolled slowly through the vineyard until they reached the manor entrance.
"Shen! Sucrose!" Amber greeted them with a cheerful wave. Beside her stood a tall, elegant woman with light teal short hair.
The woman stepped forward and introduced herself. "Hello, Mr. Shen Qin. I am Eula Lawrence, captain of the Reconnaissance Company of the Knights of Favonius."
"Nice to meet you, Lady Eula. I've heard a lot about you," Shen Qin replied with a smile.
She was just as breathtaking as he imagined—beautiful, poised, and effortlessly commanding attention.
"H-Hello, Lady Eula," Sucrose stammered softly. Despite both being part of the Knights, Eula's overwhelming aura made Sucrose nervous. She also still felt guilty about a reconnaissance device she had made for Eula that malfunctioned and revealed her position.
Eula sighed. "Sucrose, you really don't have to be so afraid of me every time we meet. We're colleagues; I wouldn't harm you."
"Y-Yes, I understand," Sucrose mumbled, clearly unconvinced.
Eula turned to Shen Qin. "Your hoverboard invention has been incredibly useful. It's boosted the mobility of our team immensely. Thank you!"
"Would you like to say your signature line?" Shen Qin teased with a grin.
Amber burst out laughing, and even Sucrose turned away to hide her giggle.
Eula glared at Shen Qin. "You really have heard a lot about me. Fine, I'll remember this grudge!"
"Perfect!" Shen Qin said, satisfied.
"Ah, my dear friends, you've finally arrived!" Kaeya sauntered over, holding a plate of snacks.
"I'm surprised he invited you," Shen Qin remarked.
"Why wouldn't he? After all, we are—"
"I didn't invite him," Diluc interrupted, emerging from the manor. "He just showed up uninvited to freeload."
Ignoring the jab, Kaeya smirked and popped another snack into his mouth.
Diluc turned to Shen Qin. "Since everyone is here, let's head inside. The banquet is about to begin."
The interior of the manor left Shen Qin awestruck. Ornate carvings adorned the walls, abstract oil paintings hung on display, and luxurious crystal chandeliers illuminated the space. Every piece of furniture radiated elegance and wealth.
"With your current income, building a similar estate wouldn't be difficult," Diluc commented, noticing Shen Qin's expression.
"There's no need. I'm already comfortable where I live," Shen Qin replied.
Diluc nodded. "Focusing on alchemy—perhaps that's why you've been so successful."
Shen Qin thought to himself, 'No, my success is thanks to the system.'
Inside the grand hall, familiar faces greeted him —Jean, Lisa, and others welcomed him warmly. Diluc declared the start of the banquet, encouraging everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.
Klee and Amber ran around the hall playing games, much to Jean's initial dismay. However, she decided to let it slide, as today was meant to be a rare day of relaxation.
Lisa and Sucrose sat together, discussing alchemy while occasionally glancing toward Shen Qin.
Kaeya lounged in a corner, sipping wine, and gave Shen Qin a casual wave when their eyes met.
Eula, initially enjoying some food alone, was eventually dragged into Klee and Amber's antics.
Shen Qin savored the soothing music as he sat by a table, relishing the calm atmosphere.
Nearby, he overheard a minor dispute:
"Miss Noelle, please let us handle this. You're a guest tonight."
"But I'm a maid of the Knights of Favonius. It's my duty to assist," Noelle argued earnestly.
"But this isn't the Knights, nor Mondstadt. Tonight, you're a guest of Dawn Winery," the maid insisted.
Reluctantly, Noelle handed over the dish she was holding.
Still restless, she noticed Shen Qin's empty glass and eagerly offered to refill it.
"Hello, I'm Noelle from the Knights of Favonius. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask!" she said politely.
"I'm Shen Qin, you can call me Shen," he replied. Gesturing to the seat beside him, he added, "Why not sit down and relax—or have a drink with me?"
"Oh, no! Maids aren't allowed to drink. It might dull our senses and lower our work efficiency!" she said seriously.
"Ah, Noelle! You're finally out of the kitchen!" Amber suddenly appeared, pulling Noelle away to join their games.
"Wait, but—!" Noelle stammered as she was dragged off.
In a quiet corner, Diluc sipped his wine, watching the lively scene with a rare, subtle smile.
Later in the evening, an amusing incident occurred when Klee tried some wine, thinking it was juice, and ended up drunk and passed out.
By the time the banquet ended, it was past 9 PM. Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A tipsy Shen Qin decided to stay the night at the manor, along with the others.
Under the moonlit sky, Shen Qin fell asleep with a contented smile.
'This has been a truly wonderful night.'