[Inazuma City – Lottery Venue]
Paimon stared at the winning numbers on the board, her eyes practically vibrating.
"Lumine! Lumine, did you see that?! That's luck! Hmph! I told you buying one ticket was enough, but noooo, you didn't believe in the God of Luck!"
"This is ridiculous," Lumine muttered, hands on her hips. "According to the statistics, they sold over 30 million tickets. You bought one with your leftover Sunsettia money. How is this statistically possible?"
Lumine was salty. She had spent half her earnings from the festival on tickets, hoping to strike it rich and treat Su Han to a feast. The result? Nothing. Not even a participation prize. She was ready to eat dry bread for a week.
But in her moment of despair, Paimon—her floating emergency food—won the Grand Prize.
"Hehe! Listen well, Sidekick!" Paimon floated in the air, nose high. "From now on, if you want to spend money, you have to ask for my permission! Got it?"
The Grand Prize wasn't just Mora. It was a fortune. Plus, a VIP Pass for lifetime half-price tickets to Watatsumi Island.
"Here is your Mora Savings Card," the official said, handing over a heavy card. "You can withdraw the funds at any Northland Bank branch. And here is the Recommendation Letter for a weapon crafted by the Shogun herself."
Since Lumine already had a good sword, they decided to exchange the weapon voucher for even more Mora.
Lumine watched Paimon smugly counting her imaginary riches and scoffed. "If you keep acting like that, I'll 'accidentally' drop you in a Hilichurl camp next time."
"Hey! How can you be so cruel to your financer?!" Paimon shrieked.
"Oh? I thought I was just the 'Sidekick'?"
"I was joking! Just a joke!" Paimon panicked.
Despite the banter, Paimon knew better. If Lumine stopped fighting, Paimon would be eaten by a slime in five minutes. She quickly humbled herself.
[Tenshukaku – Common Room]
Back at headquarters, the group stared at Paimon with strange expressions.
"Don't look at me like that!" Su Han raised his hands defensively. "I swear I didn't rig it this time! Her luck is just unnatural."
"We know," Hu Tao giggled. "You're too rich to care about rigging a lottery for pocket change."
The atmosphere was relaxed. But all good things must come to an end.
"The festival is ending," Jean said, walking up to Su Han. "Lisa and I will be returning to Mondstadt tomorrow. We have duties to attend to."
"Right," Su Han nodded. "Time flies. It's already autumn."
"Autumn?" Xiangling perked up. "Wait! That means the Moonchase Festival is coming soon!"
"Moonchase?" Raiden Ei looked up from her plate of Osmanthus Cake.
"It's one of Liyue's two biggest festivals," Ganyu explained. "Lantern Rite in the spring, Moonchase in the autumn. It's a time for family, food, and moon-viewing."
"But what are we going to serve?" Xiangling frowned, tapping her chin. "We used all our best dessert recipes for this festival. I need a new menu for Moonchase. Something spectacular."
"Don't worry," Su Han patted her head. "In two days, the Random Dungeon Gate refreshes. We'll go on a raid. Maybe we'll find some exotic ingredients in another world."
"Really? Yay!" Xiangling cheered up instantly.
"Alright, enough chatting," Beidou stood up, cracking her neck. "I'm bored. I'm going to find the Yakshas for a spar. Who's coming?"
"Me!" Eula followed her.
The combat maniacs left to train. The scholars went back to studying.
Xiangling went to her alchemy station. With the help of Madame Ping and her own Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit), she was becoming an expert at controlling heat for pill refining. Su Han had even given her a legendary cauldron. She was well on her way to becoming Teyvat's first Chef-Alchemist.
Meanwhile, Cloud Retainer was studying the artifact forging manuals Su Han provided. Everyone was busy getting stronger.
[Evening]
Lumine and Paimon returned from a shopping spree, arms full of gift boxes.
But when they looked around the main hall, Su Han was missing.
Keqing walked out of her office and saw them. "You bought a lot."
"It's a thank you gift!" Paimon beamed. "Su Han and everyone have taken such good care of us. Since we're rich now, we wanted to give back!"
Paimon pulled out a small box. "Here! This is for you, Keqing! I picked it myself!"
It was a bracelet made of amethyst beads, matching Keqing's eyes perfectly.
"It's beautiful," Keqing smiled, putting it on. "Thank you, Paimon. Thank you, Lumine."
"Hehe! I knew you'd like it!"
"Where is Brother Su Han?" Lumine asked, clutching a specific gift box. "I have something for him."
Keqing's eyes twinkled with amusement. "He went to Mt. Yougou. And I'm afraid he won't be back tonight. You should wait until tomorrow."
"Mt. Yougou? That's close!" Paimon said. "We can just fly over there!"
"I wouldn't recommend that," Keqing covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh. "He went there to fulfill a bet. If you go now... you'll just be massive third wheels."
"A bet?"
Keqing nodded.
The Dance of the Neon Skirt.
It was a legendary dance from Liyue. Tradition said a woman only danced it for one person in her entire life: her beloved.
Today, the Grand Narukami Shrine was closed to the public. Even the shrine maidens and the little Five-Poison Beast (Hanaying) had been sent away.
Tonight belonged to Su Han and Ningguang alone.
[Grand Narukami Shrine – Guest Chamber]
The moon was high and full, casting a silver glow over the sacred sakura tree.
Su Han gently pushed open the sliding door.
Sitting by the window, bathed in moonlight, was the Tianquan of Liyue. But tonight, she wasn't wearing her usual formal cheongsam.
She wore a flowing dress of sheer silk that shimmered like starlight, designed specifically for this dance.
Su Han smiled softly.
"Ningguang... I'm here."
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