Cross through Teyvat, and you'll become stronger by taking the hits!

After receiving Columbia and Ruo'e at the Hall of Rebirth, Lu Li proposed to treat them to a meal.

Hu Tao readily agreed and invited Zhong Li to join her.

This also aligned with Lu Li's purpose. After the meal, he quietly mentioned to Zhong Li that he was going to "visit" Barbatos, hoping to get a bottle of wine from him as a gift.

When Venti asked Dvalin to escort Lu Li back to Liyue last time, he specifically mentioned this matter.

If Lu Li wants to see Dvalin again when he returns to Mondstadt, he will probably have to ask Wendy for help, so he has no choice but to seek out Zhong Li.

Otherwise, what if Wendy doesn't let Dvalin play with her if she just buys a bottle of wine from a random roadside stall?

"Ha, that drunken poet, if you hadn't gone to Mondstadt first and then returned to Liyue, I would have suspected that he had planned this all along."

Zhongli smiled and gently shook his head upon hearing this.

"As for the wine, just come to Wangsheng Hall to find me before you leave tomorrow."

Zhong Li eventually agreed.

"Then thank you very much, Guest Elder Zhongli!"

Lu Li immediately clasped his hands together in gratitude.

"You're too kind, but if you really want to thank me..."

As Zhongli spoke, he glanced discreetly at Hu Tao, who was explaining the recipe for a dish on the table to Columbia, to make sure she wasn't paying attention.

"Just tell him to bring the few bottles of good wine buried under the tree when he comes over as a guest."

……

So, the next day.

Lu Li retrieved a jar of osmanthus wine that Zhong Li had treasured from the Hall of Rebirth.

With Ying's help, Lu Li brought Columbia and Ruo'e to the teleportation point in Mondstadt.

"Lu Li, you know how to get to the Knights of Favonius, so you don't need us to lead the way, right? We happen to have a mission to return to Mondstadt today, so we'll head over first~"

After landing, Paimon waved to Lu Li and the others, and then left with Ying.

They often take on international commissions, since international commissions are often the simplest for them, as they can use teleportation anchors. Usually, all they need to do is deliver messages, letters, or goods.

"Since this is your first time in Mondstadt, I'll take you to the Deer Hunter's Restaurant to try Mondstadt's specialty, Sweet Flower Chicken."

After Ying and Paimon left, Lu Li wasn't in a hurry to go to the Knights of Favonius. Instead, he made a suggestion to Columbia and Ruo'e.

The Deer Hunter Restaurant is similar to the Wanmin Restaurant in Liyue; it's a relatively affordable place to eat, so Lu Li doesn't need to feel particularly stingy.

"OK."

"Let's go, I'm starving!"

Columbia and Ruo'e responded.

This wasn't Lu Li's first time at the Deer Hunter Restaurant. He familiarly asked Columbia and Ruo'e to sit down first, while he went to the front desk to order from the waitress Sarah.

However, just as Lu Li finished ordering, someone suddenly squeezed through the crowd.

"Miss Sarah, do you buy this fresh poultry?"

The newcomers were Luminous and Paimon, who had just left. Paimon waved to Sarah and then asked her something, while Luminous was carrying some small pieces of poultry.

"..."

"Huh? Lu Li, you guys are here for dinner, right?"

Then Paimon greeted Lu Li as well.

"Isn't this Your Excellency, Knight of Honor? Welcome back to Mondstadt. We'll certainly accept the fresh poultry."

Sarah recognized Ying and Paimon and immediately nodded.

"...These poultry pieces, are they from the pigeons on the bridge outside Mondstadt?"

When Lu Li discovered that Ying and Paimon had returned with a lot of poultry meat after leaving for only a short while, he couldn't help but lean closer and ask them in a low voice.

"Ahem, you, you mustn't be talking nonsense. We catch all our poultry in the wild."

Hearing Lu Li's question, Paimon looked embarrassed but still retorted, while Ying nodded in agreement.

However, despite Paimon's rebuttal, Lu Li could tell from her embarrassed expression that she was lying.

"Miss Sarah, I don't want the sweet flower-stuffed chicken I just ordered. Could you please replace it with honey-glazed carrot and pork?"

Then, Lu Li turned to Sarah without hesitation and explained.

Although Columbia wasn't actually a pigeon, Lu Li still felt that making her eat pigeon meat was somewhat of a nightmare.

"Okay, sir, please wait a moment."

Despite some doubt, Sarah responded immediately.

Only then did Lu Li feel relieved and return to sit down beside Columbia and Ruo'e.

After a while, the dishes that Lu Li ordered were served one by one.

The honey-glazed carrot and pork stir-fry was a large, generous piece of meat, which was more than enough for Lu Li.

In addition, Lu Li also ordered vegetable salad, manor pancakes and other food, partly to let Columbia try something new, and partly to fill Ruo'e's stomach.

"Okay, everyone's full, I'll go pay the bill."

Seeing that the table was empty, Lu Li stood up and spoke.

Upon hearing this, Ruo'e seemed to have triggered some key word and immediately stood up.

"Let me do it! I just learned how to pay the bill!"

Ruo'e raised a hand to stop Lu Li.

"Are you... are you sure you're coming?"

Lu Li looked at Ruo'e, who had stopped him, with some surprise.

Where did she get Mora?

"Hmph, just watch and see."

Ruo'e walked triumphantly and arrogantly to Sarah.

"Hello, please put this in the account book of the Rebirth Hall."

Ruo'e first greeted Sarah politely, then put her hands on her hips and said smugly, before turning back to look at Lu Li.

"..."

Who taught her this?! So unethical!

"Little sister, what is this Hall of Rebirth you mentioned...?"

Sarah had clearly never been to Liyue, and was completely confused after hearing Ruo'e's words.

"what?"

"Then, was it recorded in the Wanmintang's account?"

She was clearly taken aback for a moment, and Ruo'e, who was originally very confident, asked with some doubt.

Sarah: "...?"

"Don't bother writing it down, don't bother writing it down. I'm sorry, Miss Sarah, the child is just imitating others. Please don't mind him."

Realizing what was happening, Lu Li immediately ran over, placed the Mora he had already counted on the counter, and then grabbed Ruo'e's hand and ran off.

Columbia followed lightly behind, raising one hand to gently cover the corner of her mouth.

Lu Li finally breathed a sigh of relief after escaping the Deer Hunter Restaurant.

"That's strange, I could definitely do it in Liyue..."

Ruo'e looked puzzled.

She actually practiced it several times.

"Because relatively few people in Mondstadt know about the Hall of Rebirth."

Lu Li silently explained to Ruo'e.

"I'm going to the Knights of Favonius next. Little Pigeon, would you like to come with me? Or could you take her for a walk around the city first?"

While Ruo'e was completely bewildered, Lu Li turned to Columbia and asked her a question.

"I think I'll pass. She and I will wait for you outside."

Columbia shook her head slightly upon hearing this.

Although she used to be quite idle in Winterfall, she still knew the things she needed to know, such as the bad relationship between Mondstadt and Winterfall.

Unlike Liyue, before Tartaglia caused trouble, Liyue and Winter were in a honeymoon period because of the Laminar Abyss incident.

In Mondstadt, if she, a Fatui executor, were to accompany Lu Li to the Knights of Favonius headquarters, it might create a tense atmosphere.

"Okay, I'll come find you after I come out, or you can take her to the restaurant later."

Lu Li responded and gave Colombia some instructions.

……