While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

She hasn't been in Teyvat for very long, but she's met quite a few people.

But Xu Chuan gave her a feeling that was really different from others.

"It's nothing," Xu Chuan waved his hand, his tone relaxed. "Besides, aren't we friends? You don't need to be so polite with me."

friend.

Ying chewed on those two words, a slight smile curving her lips.

"I've written it down."

She didn't say anything more about thanking her.

I simply keep these two words gently in my heart, like a seed, slowly taking root and sprouting in a place where no one can see them.

After Xu Chuan paid the bill, he actually deducted the money from Paimon's savings. Paimon looked at his empty wallet and almost burst into tears.

The afternoon sun was no longer so glaring, shining obliquely on the stone pavement and lengthening the shadows of pedestrians.

Ying went to Cat Tail Tavern and came out carrying several bottles of specialty drinks.

“I’m going to find Wendy,” she said, putting the drinks away.

"Are you sure he won't finish his drink and then ask you for more?" Xu Chuan raised an eyebrow.

"Then let him drink some more."

"Then, you can ask for more after you finish drinking?"

"..."

Ying paused for two seconds, then a subtle expression appeared on her face: "Then I'll bring regular wine next time."

Xu Chuan watched her figure disappear around the street corner before turning his gaze away and letting out a deep breath.

He turned and walked in another direction.

A gift from angels.

Of course, he didn't go there to drink.

To be honest, after that drinking session with Yura last time, he has developed a certain psychological aversion to drinking.

It's not that there's anything wrong with the drink, but rather that unexpected situations always occur after drinking it.

For example, waking up in the home of a certain surf knight.

Xu Chuan walked briskly across the main street of Mondstadt, paused at the entrance of Angel's Gift, and pushed the door open to enter.

The tavern was quieter and dimmer than Cat's Tail Tavern. The dark wooden bar was polished to a shine and gleamed warmly in the candlelight.

Diluc was standing behind the bar, wiping a glass with a white cloth.

Her long red hair was casually tied back, and her wine-red eyes held a habitual indifference.

It's not indifference, but more like a habitual aloofness, keeping a distance from everything.

"Here you are." He glanced at Xu Chuan, his tone indifferent.

“Hmm,” Xu Chuan walked to the bar and sat down, “I need to ask you about something.”

Diluc placed the wiped cups on the shelf, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

Just as Xu Chuan was about to speak, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner.

Kaeya was holding a glass of deep red wine and talking to Rosalia across from him.

The two seemed to be discussing something; the atmosphere wasn't relaxed, but it wasn't tense either.

Kaiya seemed to sense Xu Chuan's gaze, raised her head, and raised her glass to him.

After nodding to the other party, Xu Chuan did not go over to disturb them.

He turned to Diluc and asked what he wanted to know.

After exchanging information, Xu Chuan got the information he wanted, turned around and left the angel's gift, heading towards the commercial street.

The Adventurers' Guild's mission reward has arrived, and he's now much better off financially.

After spending so many days running through the wilderness, enduring wind and rain, I'm finally back, so of course I have to treat myself.

And also treat others to a meal.

Xu Chuan strolled around the commercial street and bought quite a few things.

Fresh meat, freshly baked bread, a few bottles of fruit wine, and some seasonal fruit...

He carried large and small bags as he walked along the cobblestone streets of Mondstadt, attracting the attention of passersby.

He walked and stopped along the way, passing through several alleys, until he arrived at the door of a secluded house.

This house is not on the main street of Mondstadt; it is in a somewhat remote location, and the surroundings are very quiet, with almost no noise from the commercial street.

The house wasn't big, but it was very tidy. Several chrysanthemum bushes were planted at the entrance, their orange petals swaying gently in the breeze, exuding a simple beauty.

Xu Chuan put his things on the ground, leaned against the wall by the door, and waited quietly.

He didn't knock.

Because he knew that Yura had not returned yet.

As the sun gradually set, the clouds on the horizon were dyed orange-red, like a richly colored oil painting.

The lights in Mondstadt came on one by one, and the clock tower in the distance rang out six o'clock, the sound long and lingering.

Xu Chuan waited for a long time.

He leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on the end of the street, his expression unreadable.

finally--

Footsteps came from afar.

It was neither fast nor slow, but carried a tiring rhythm.

Xu Chuan looked up.

Yura was walking from the other end of the street.

She was wearing her signature Wave Rider uniform, and her face showed obvious signs of fatigue.

She kept her head down, seemingly lost in thought, and didn't notice Xu Chuan standing by the door.

It wasn't until she reached the door and reached out to push it open that she realized what was happening.

"came back?"

Yura's hand stopped on the doorknob, and her body stiffened for a moment.

She turned her head and her gaze fell on Xu Chuan.

A hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, followed by confusion, and finally something indescribable.

It felt like an unexpected surprise, or like having a soft spot touched, and a subtle warmth welled up in my heart.

"You..." Yura opened her mouth, "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you." Xu Chuan said matter-of-factly, bending down to pick up the bags and packages on the ground and waving them at her.

"I brought some food. You probably haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

Yura stared at his face for a few seconds, her lips twitching slightly as if she wanted to say something.

She turned around, pushed open the door, and stepped aside to make way for her.

"Come in."

The voice wasn't loud, but Xu Chuan could tell that it contained a gentleness that wasn't easily revealed.

He smiled, picked up his things, and went inside.

The lights inside the room came on, and a warm yellow glow shone through the windows, appearing especially warm in the Mondstadt night.

Chapter 55 Yura's Choice

The interior furnishings remained the same: a simple wooden table, a gleaming stove, and a few potted, unidentified green plants on the windowsill breathing quietly in the moonlight.

Everything was just as Xu Chuan had left it, desolate yet carrying the unique feeling of someone living alone.

But tonight, with the addition of another figure, the room suddenly became different.

The fire was rekindled, and the orange glow danced on the walls, illuminating even the usually neglected corners with a warm glow.

A subtle sense of warmth, like water, spreads silently.

Xu Chuan placed the bags on the kitchen counter and expertly rummaged through the cabinet to find an apron.

Yes, he already knows where the apron is. He figured out the layout of the whole kitchen when he made breakfast here last time.

They quickly tied the straps, rolled up their sleeves, and started taking out the ingredients.

He moved with the same ease and grace as if he were at home.

True time travelers make the world their home.

Yura stood at the kitchen doorway, staring blankly at the figure busy at the stove.

She leaned against the door frame, her arms crossed over her chest, in the same posture as usual, but the expression on her face softened unconsciously.

In those icy blue eyes, surprise and something indescribable flashed alternately.

After all, there are only two people she can bring back to her residence these days.

One is Amber.

That passionate scout knight had barged into her life uninvited.

That day, Amber sat in a chair in the living room, her whole being exuding "restraint".

The two became good friends partly because of Amber's warm personality, and partly because Amber's grandfather had taught her swordsmanship.

But the person in front of me.

Yura watched as Xu Chuan reached into the cabinet above her head and took the salt shaker without turning his head, his movements as natural as if this were his own home.

Her lips twitched involuntarily.

"What are you standing there for? Come and help!"

Xu Chuan's voice came from the kitchen.

"Here...here I am."

Yura paused for a moment, then stepped into the kitchen.

She responded calmly, but the unspoken feelings in her heart were smoothed out by this "you're welcome."

She didn't dislike Xu Chuan's unceremonious way of ordering her around.

Rather, it's this simple and carefree way of getting along that she has always been pursuing.

In Mondstadt, there aren't many people who can get along normally with Yola Lawrence.

Most people kept their distance from her, and the few who were willing to get close to her were always very cautious.

Think carefully about your words before you speak, and consider whether your actions might touch on her "family issues."

That feeling of being treated with extreme care can sometimes be more exhausting than outright malice.

But Xu Chuan is different.

All those things weighing on her shoulders—the Lawrence surname, the Mondstadt people's cold indifference—none of them existed in his eyes.

She is not "Laura of the Lawrence family".

She is Yura.

An ordinary person who chops onions until tears stream down their face, gets their hands slipped by potato peels, and is bossed around in the kitchen.

This feeling is wonderful.

The two stood side by side in the kitchen, the pot on the stove was already hot, and the oil was sizzling at the bottom.

Xu Chuan put the chopped meat into the pot, and the oil and flames created an enticing aroma.

As he stirred the food, he casually recounted his experiences over the past few days, how troublesome the Hilichurls camp in Wolf's Lair was, and how annoying those large Hilichurls who only threw slimes were.