"Apologies, Acting Master Kaeya," Feng Yi said regretfully. "I just remembered I left my doors and windows open at home. If a thief breaks in, the losses would be huge. How about we call it a day? Next time, next time I'll treat you to a drink!"
Feng Yi wished he could have a do-over. He'd rather be teased by Lisa in the library than deal with Kaeya. The main reason was that he had too many secrets, and he was afraid of accidentally letting something slip and causing unnecessary trouble.
But Kaeya, like a stray dog sniffing out... oligo. Hmm, that metaphor is a bit off.
Kaeya was like a toad staring at a swan... Ugh, that metaphor doesn't seem right either.
In short, Kaeya had his sights set on him and wasn't about to let Feng Yi go.
"Rest assured, under Acting Master Jean's governance, intrusions are rare in Mondstadt. Even if a thief were to enter your room, Feng Yi, as the Acting Master of the Knights of Favonius, I will surely bring the culprit to justice!" Kaeya blocked Feng Yi's path and gestured for him to proceed.
Feng Yi sighed helplessly. It seemed he wouldn't be getting rid of this persistent fellow today without a trip.
"If you intend to treat me to a drink, Acting Master Kaeya, you should reconsider. My tolerance might be beyond your imagination!" Feng Yi's lips curled into a smile. If Kaeya dared to agree, Feng Yi would definitely make him regret offering.
"Of course. All the wine consumed today at 'Angel's Share' will be on me, Feng Yi. You can drink to your heart's content!" Seeing Feng Yi finally agree, Kaeya couldn't help but show a triumphant smile. He wasn't afraid of Feng Yi's drinking capacity, but of Feng Yi constantly avoiding him. As long as Feng Yi dared to drink, the more he drank, the happier Kaeya would be. After all, a drunk person would be more likely to spill their secrets!
"Feng Yi, please follow me!" Kaeya smiled slightly and led the way to the 'Angel's Share' tavern.
*Jingle bells~*
"Lord Kaeya, what would you like to drink today? We just received a batch of treasured dandelion wine. Its quality will certainly not disappoint you!" The bartender, Charles, heard the bell ring and saw Kaeya and Feng Yi entering. He quickly recommended the newly arrived specialty.
"Is it the treasured dandelion wine from Dawn Winery? It has indeed been a long time. I must have my fill today! Charles, quickly bring a barrel of dandelion wine. Don't keep our esteemed guest waiting!" Kaeya licked his lips slightly. He used to love this slightly bitter dandelion wine the most. Compared to the apple wine, which was primarily sweet and sour, the unique, slightly bitter flavor of the treasured dandelion wine was more to Kaeya's liking. This dandelion wine, upon the first sip, held a complex bitterness, but upon closer inspection, its taste profile was incredibly rich and varied, much like life itself. Kaeya enjoyed a cup when feeling troubled; it effectively calmed his mind and made him think more clearly.
Since his battle with Diluc, the two who were once as close as brothers had parted ways. Kaeya returned to the Knights and, through his efforts, successfully rose to his current position as Acting Master. However, since then, Kaeya had never returned to Dawn Winery—the place where he grew up. Thus, he had never had the chance to drink his favorite dandelion wine. Today, with dandelion wine right before him, he wouldn't miss it for anything!
"Lord Kaeya, are you sure about a barrel?" Bartender Charles stared at Kaeya, gesturing with his arms. This wasn't tea; how could two people finish a whole barrel? By Barbatos, even Lord Diluc, with the highest tolerance, would be utterly drunk after half a barrel of dandelion wine!
"Of course, my esteemed guest has a very high tolerance. This barrel of dandelion wine might not even be enough for him alone. Wouldn't you agree, Feng Yi?" Kaeya said with a smile, subtly employing both flattery and provocation.
"Acting Master Kaeya is right. Just one barrel of dandelion wine, who could that possibly be enough for? Bring two barrels first. Acting Master Kaeya and I will each have one!" Feng Yi chuckled inwardly. If he couldn't get Kaeya drunk today, he wouldn't be Feng! Feng Yi thought: Have you ever heard of magic for sobering up? Besides, Kaeya was treating, and he wasn't going to help Kaeya save money, was he?
"Lord Kaeya, your thoughts?" Bartender Charles looked at Kaeya questioningly. He didn't know Feng Yi, so he deferred to Kaeya's decision.
"As Feng Yi suggested, bring two barrels of dandelion wine. Feng Yi and I will each have one barrel. Also, all expenses today will be on my tab!" Kaeya nodded at Charles. He was investing heavily today and wouldn't stop until he extracted some valuable information from Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, you might not know this, but the treasured dandelion wine from Dawn Winery is a rare delicacy in Mondstadt. From what I understand, the raw material for this wine is dandelion flowers that bloom in September..." As Kaeya and Feng Yi chatted, with Kaeya introducing the origin of the dandelion wine, Charles bowed before the storage room door of 'Angel's Share' and met the tavern's owner—Diluc.
"Master, Lord Kaeya has brought a new guest and ordered two whole barrels of dandelion wine..." Charles reported respectfully.
"Hmph, he's still the same! Quickly fetch the wine and serve them. If you keep the guests waiting, you won't get paid this month!" Diluc knew very well that Kaeya was targeting another suspect and planned to get them drunk to extract information. However, the fact that Kaeya was willing to pay for two whole barrels of dandelion wine to get information made Diluc curious. After subtly urging bartender Charles, Diluc moved to the second floor of the tavern and observed Kaeya and Feng Yi's conversation from the shadows. Although he was reluctant to admit it, Diluc had come here for Kaeya, and had specially transported some of Kaeya's favorite dandelion wine from Dawn Winery. Although Kaeya had hidden many things from him... Although Kaeya had parted ways with him... Although Kaeya's current identity displeased him... However, given their years of friendship, Diluc still felt a sense of nostalgia and reluctance. But he would absolutely not show such conflicted emotions openly! Delivering some of his favorite wine was the limit of what he could do!
"Lord Kaeya, your guest, the dandelion wine is here!" Charles arrived with two large barrels of dandelion wine on a small cart, causing both Feng Yi and Kaeya's mouths to twitch involuntarily. These barrels, over a meter tall and too large to embrace, certainly wouldn't fit in their stomachs, let alone be consumed entirely, even if they were filled with plain water!