Liyue, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao tugged at her twin tails in confusion.
"They're just twin tails… is there really some special meaning behind them?"
She looked completely puzzled.
"Consultant Zhongli, do you know why people like twin tails?"
She looked at him expectantly.
"Cough—"
Zhongli almost choked on his tea.
How am I supposed to answer that?
I am the Geo Archon… how would I know something like this?
"Ahem… perhaps you should ask in the group chat. My knowledge is… limited in this matter."
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes.
Suspicious…
[Hu Tao]: @Cao Zhong, what's the deal with twin tails? Explain.
[Barbara]: @Cao Zhong, explain.
[Keqing]: @Cao Zhong, explain.
[Mona]: @Cao Zhong, explain.
[Cao Zhong]: …Maybe I shouldn't say it.
[Bennett]: Even hiding things from your brothers?
[Arataki Itto]: Yeah! Even from your bros?
Kaeya: Even from your bros?
Venti: Even from your bros?
[Hu Tao]: Say it, or next year today will be your memorial day.
[Cao Zhong]: Do I really have to?
[Hu Tao]: Say it.
[Barbara]: Say it.
[Keqing]: Say it.
[Cao Zhong]: It's nothing special… just a joke.
Silence.
[Barbara]: @Cao Zhong, you pervert!
[Keqing]: One strike, and I'll cut you down!
[Hu Tao]: @Cao Zhong, give me your address. I'll send you some "special gifts" from Liyue.
Kaeya: You really crossed the line this time.
Venti: Ugh… disgusting. Some things shouldn't be said out loud!
[Barbara]: @Venti, Mondstadt no longer has a place for you.
[Cao Zhong]: @Venti, you seem experienced.
Kaeya: @Venti, open the door—Knights of Favonius inspection!
[Bennett]: I'm no longer innocent…
[Arataki Itto]: Wait—what are you all talking about? I don't get it!
[Xingqiu]: Everyone else is already speeding ahead, and you're still lost.
[Arataki Itto]: What do you mean?! Are you insulting my intelligence?
[Xingqiu]: Does your intelligence even need insulting?
Meanwhile, in Mondstadt, Knights of Favonius headquarters—
Jean's face was already flushed red.
"How can they discuss things like this in a public chat… this is too much!"
She felt that Cao Zhong, Kaeya, and the others were getting more and more outrageous.
Especially that bard—
What a disgrace to Mondstadt!
Jean: There are children in this chat—stop saying inappropriate things!
[Cao Zhong]: @Kaeya @Venti, you heard her—tone it down.
[Cao Zhong]: @Jean, by the way—what did you want to ask me earlier?
Jean paused.
That's right—she had originally wanted to ask about Stormterror.
But Lumine's earlier message had completely distracted her.
She shook her head and refocused.
Jean: I wanted to ask you about Stormterror. Do you know anything?
The chat instantly quieted.
This was serious.
Even Kaeya and the others knew better than to joke.
[Diluc]: Still no solution? The Knights of Favonius are as useless as ever.
[La Signora]: If Mondstadt cannot handle it… perhaps Snezhnaya can.
Jean: That won't be necessary. We will handle it ourselves.
Back at the workshop—
Lumine and Paimon were annoyed.
"That woman is so irritating!" Paimon stomped angrily.
Lumine turned to Cao Zhong.
"Do you actually know anything about Stormterror?"
Cao Zhong smirked.
"Is there anything in this world I don't know?"
Lumine rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, right."
And just like that