They arrived at the entrance of the Angel's Share.
It looked very quiet. Even though yellow light shone through the windows, there was no sound coming from inside.
There wasn't even a bard's voice, which was unusual. Bards usually came to taverns to earn a living by performing.
Even with the place booked out, it was too quiet. It felt like no one was there.
"It's so quiet..." Bonanus put one hand on her hip and the other on Noelle's shoulder, tilting her head in confusion.
She looked at Noelle and said gently, "Don't worry too much. Even if no one comes, you still have your sister."
Noelle nodded. Of course she knew her sister was comforting her. But she also understood that everyone had their own things to do. It was understandable if they couldn't make it.
That was just Noelle's personality. She would be disappointed for a while, but she wouldn't blame anyone.
"Let's go in. But no drinking, Noelle. You're still underage." Bonanus rubbed Noelle's soft silver hair. The girl's hair color was really beautiful.
"But you're not an adult either, Sister." Noelle looked at her curiously. Her sister looked about the same age as her.
"Don't be fooled by my height. I'm a lot older than I look." Bonanus puffed out her chest proudly.
"Sister, you're such a strange person." Noelle covered her mouth and laughed. Other girls always tried to make themselves sound younger. Her sister said she was older.
Bonanus: I'm thousands of years old, of course I'm older.
Noelle took a deep breath and put her signature smile back on. She took Bonanus's hand and walked slowly toward the Angel's Share.
---
Creak~
She pushed open the door gently. The interior of the tavern was beautifully decorated. The lighting felt warm and inviting. And there was a red-haired bartender standing there.
Wait... was that Master Diluc himself? The owner of the Angel's Share was actually standing here?
"Hi?" Bonanus hesitated in her greeting.
Seeing Diluc's expressionless handsome face, Bonanus couldn't help but shrink back. She felt like she owed him millions of Mora.
It wasn't anything personal. Master Diluc just had an overwhelming presence. His cold gaze silently watched the two girls.
That look made Bonanus unconsciously press her legs together.
He was so handsome. If he smiled more, he would probably look even better.
Damn it! She wasn't a flirt. Yes, she was devoted to the Conqueror of Demons. No second thoughts.
"Hello, Mr. Diluc!" Noelle stepped forward and reached out her slender hand in greeting.
Diluc simply nodded at Noelle and said flatly,
"You're here. Everything is ready."
He gestured toward the large table in the center of the tavern. It was covered in fragrant, mouthwatering dishes.
There were also several bottles of wine on the table. Bonanus didn't recognize the brands. They came in all sorts of colors.
"Also, you two are underage. This tavern does not serve alcohol to minors. But juice is fine." Diluc said calmly.
"Wow! Thank you so much, Mr. Diluc. I'll be sure to pay you back." Noelle smiled gratefully.
"No need. They already paid for you." Diluc shook his head. As he said this, his cold gaze shifted to a group of people crouching under the bar.
Tch. That dark-skinned guy was among them too.
Yes, that dark-skinned guy was Kaeya, the Cavalry Captain. At that moment, Kaeya raised his finger to his lips, signaling Diluc to stay quiet.
"Hmph." Diluc snorted coldly and looked away, focusing on the two girls again.
"Them?" Bonanus asked, confused. Who was "them"? Were they Noelle's invited friends?
Noelle was just as confused. It looked like no one else was here besides Mr. Diluc.
Diluc didn't answer their questions. He just crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and waited quietly for whatever would happen next.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Just as they were wondering, popping sounds erupted all around them. But they weren't bullets. They were colorful paper streamers flying through the air.
Bonanus immediately recognized what they were. In her previous life, these were usually used for birthdays or parties. They were called party poppers.
As the poppers exploded, the previously quiet tavern suddenly came alive. People popped out from all sorts of hiding places, including from behind the bar.
"Noelle finally made it!"
"Welcome, welcome! Our two guests of honor are here!"
"Don't just stand there! This is your party!"
A bunch of people suddenly appeared and greeted them warmly. Bonanus and Noelle were completely caught off guard.
Where did they all come from? There was absolutely no sound just a moment ago. Was it magic?
Bonanus couldn't understand how they stayed so quiet. In a very quiet place, even a pin drop would be heard. Yet these people had managed to make no sound at all.
She hadn't even noticed them. Ah, she was getting old and useless.
Bonanus put her hands on her hips and sighed internally.
"Ah! Everyone came!" Noelle's signature smile turned into one of genuine surprise.
Among the crowd, there were Knights, church members, and people Noelle had helped before. They hadn't come just to attend a party. They came to thank Noelle.
"Of course. Everyone was looking forward to this party hosted by Noelle and her Liyue friend." Kaeya slowly walked out from behind the counter, clapping his hands.
As he stepped forward, the cheering crowd fell silent. It was as if Kaeya was a speaker and they were his audience.
Kaeya's smile wasn't fake. It was gentle, the kind of smile a senior gives to a hardworking junior.
"Everyone..." Noelle covered her mouth with both hands. She was deeply moved. She never expected so many people to show up.
"Haha, this isn't just a party. The people of Mondstadt have also prepared gifts for you. All to thank Noelle for everything she's done." Kaeya pointed at the corner of the room.
Gifts had piled up like a mountain. There were all kinds of interesting things, dolls, decorations, flowers. All of them were gifts from the people of Mondstadt.
"You all didn't have to go this far for me!" Noelle's face turned red as she quickly waved her hands. There was so much stuff. How could she accept it all?
"Don't be like that. Even the Acting Grand Master is here, you know."
"Besides, this is everyone's way of showing their appreciation. If you don't accept it, everyone will be sad." Kaeya said seriously.
Hearing this, Noelle hesitated for a moment. Then she nodded. She didn't want to make everyone sad.
"Okay... okay!"
The moment Noelle agreed, the place became lively again. The party officially began.
Guests ate meat and drank wine heartily. Everyone talked about Noelle. Some even came up to greet Bonanus.
They were very happy that Miss Fashui had come to Mondstadt. Even though the Stormterror crisis had cast a shadow over the city, that didn't stop them from enjoying themselves.
Standing to the side, Bonanus nodded with relief. This was the best outcome. No one had made Noelle sad.
And some familiar faces had come too. Amber, Grand Master Jean, and that purple-haired lady. All characters she had seen in the game.
Hmm... the standard characters from the beginning.
She would find a chance to get to know them. If not this time, then next time.