La Signora sat down elegantly and crossed her legs.
The delicate toes of her high-heeled feet rested lightly against the floor. The crystal-like pattern tattooed along her right thigh contrasted sharply with her pale skin, giving off a faintly enchanting aura.
Resting her chin in one hand, she smiled lazily.
"Oh my~ I've heard that Mondstadt is famous throughout Teyvat for its high-quality wine. Yet the drinks I find in the streets are mostly cheap, inferior products."
"Boss Jiang Chen… don't you intend to defend Mondstadt's reputation for fine wine?"
So she came to drink?
Suspicious.
Instead of going to a tavern, she came to a restaurant.
Jiang Chen still couldn't determine her true purpose, so he played along.
"With your noble status, Madam, it's only natural that you wouldn't appreciate the drinks favored by ordinary citizens and adventurers."
"Madam?"
Signora's violet eyes observed him carefully.
His expression showed no reaction.
Perhaps it was merely a polite form of address.
After all, she had never shown herself publicly in Mondstadt before. Even now she was traveling in disguise, presenting herself only as a high-ranking Fatui official.
"If you have enough Mora, you can purchase fine vintage wines at Angel's Share," Jiang Chen continued.
"If you come to a restaurant like mine, you might end up disappointed."
"Is that so?"
Signora responded noncommittally.
"That's unfortunate."
Just as she was about to speak again—
Jiang Chen suddenly remembered something.
"Paimon, go to my room and bring that rectangular wooden box."
Paimon had been watching the scene like a spectator at a show.
Hearing the order, she froze.
"Ah—okay! Wait a moment!"
She hurried upstairs to the attic.
After all, she had to stay on Jiang Chen's good side if she wanted more delicious food later.
Soon she returned dragging a heavy wooden box that nearly scraped the floor.
"You're quite lucky, Madam."
Jiang Chen took the box and opened it.
Inside were two bottles of wine—one white and one red.
Each bottle bore elegant labels showing the scenery of Dawn Winery, the production year, and the craftsman who handled it. Matching wine glasses were neatly arranged beside them.
"Quite thoughtful."
Jiang Chen muttered.
These bottles had been delivered by Adelinde the day before, and he hadn't even opened the box yet.
He put on gloves, removed the red wine, and uncorked it.
Instantly, a rich aroma of fruit and aged wine filled the restaurant.
Signora merely inhaled the scent and immediately realized—
This wine was on a completely different level from the cheap bottles served at the Goth Grand Hotel.
"This is a rare vintage from Dawn Winery," Jiang Chen said.
"One bottle is worth over ten million Mora."
"Such a valuable drink."
Signora sounded mildly surprised.
"Boss Jiang Chen is willing to serve it to me?"
"I'm truly honored."
Jiang Chen simply smiled without answering.
Meanwhile—
Paimon had nearly lost her mind.
"Lumine! Don't hold me back—I want to drink it too!"
"I want to know what it feels like to have my stomach filled with Mora!"
Several people stared at her speechlessly.
Wine tasting was supposed to be an elegant and refined experience.
Yet somehow Paimon had turned it into something absurd.
"Kids can't drink alcohol."
Lumine held her tightly.
"No way!"
At that moment, Jiang Chen spoke calmly.
"Lumine, you two go do what you need to do."
His eyes briefly glanced toward the attic.
Lumine immediately understood.
They had originally planned to go to Mondstadt Cathedral tonight.
Who knew what Venti was doing by now?
"Okay."
Lumine nodded and carried the struggling Paimon upstairs.
Outside, the restaurant was completely surrounded by Fatui.
If they left through the front or back door, they might be followed.
Tonight's mission was too important.
So the only way out—
Was through the attic.
She understood Jiang Chen's hint.
There was a skylight in his room.
"Shh."
She signaled Paimon to stay quiet.
Paimon was still sulking about missing the chance to taste wine worth millions of Mora.
Feeling utterly miserable.
Lumine climbed onto the rooftop tiles, then quietly jumped to the roof of the nearby Cat's Tail.
From there she glided down to the ground and ran toward the cathedral.
Inside the Restaurant
Jiang Chen poured the decanted red wine into a glass.
Signora picked one up and gently swirled it.
The crimson liquid rippled softly in the cup.
She brought it closer and inhaled.
The oak barrel aroma from the aging process deepened the wine's fragrance.
A satisfied expression appeared on her face.
After a moment, she opened her eyes again.
Now there was no warmth left in them.
Before enjoying the wine properly, she intended to settle other matters first.
Only then could she savor it without distraction.
"The two girls just now…"
She spoke suddenly.
"They're the travelers who helped you drive away Stormterror, correct?"
Her voice was calm, almost emotionless.
Yet it carried the unmistakable meaning:
Answer carefully.
"What about it?"
Jiang Chen thought to himself:
So here it comes.
"I was just thinking…"
Signora paused.
"As travelers, interfering in another nation's affairs…"
Her voice suddenly turned ice-cold.
"Isn't that extremely rude?!"
In an instant—
An overwhelming chill spread through the restaurant.
Frost crept up from the floorboards.
Ice began forming at the legs of Jiang Chen's chair—
And rapidly climbed toward him. ❄️