A few days later, the effects of the Stormterror incident had faded, and Mondstadt had returned to its former vitality.
Shops reopened, the Good Hunter restaurant was lively once more, and taverns were filled with people.
Everyone was discussing the major events of the past few days—who was stronger between Cao Zhong and the Anemo Archon, or who was more beautiful between the Archon and Xingqiu from Liyue.
All industries were recovering, yet the Wan Shi House remained as quiet as ever.
"Busy, busy… being busy is good…"
Cao Zhong idly flipped through an old Raiden Shogun doujin, then, out of boredom, tossed it onto the table and sprawled lifelessly in his chair.
Although the Stormterror crisis had passed, its aftereffects still lingered.
Jean was even busier than before, practically living in her office, working around the clock without stepping outside.
A boss with such dedication would make any employee feel ashamed.
Barbara led a medical team of cathedral nuns, traveling across Mondstadt to provide aid.
Amber and Eula were occupied with missions, rarely in the city.
Even Lumine hadn't been coming back to the shop much lately.
And because trade routes had only recently reopened, Cao Zhong couldn't even get the latest Raiden Shogun doujin.
His happiness was gone.
The so-called "friend of women," Boss Cao, had been completely neglected.
He felt like a lonely old man left behind.
Just as he was about to open the chat group for some entertainment, a figure appeared before him.
He lazily looked up—
"…Damn."
That was… dangerous.
Absolutely lethal.
Cao Zhong took a deep breath to steady himself and looked at the owner of that overwhelming presence.
It was none other than the Eighth Harbinger of Snezhnaya's Fatui—
La Signora, Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter.
Putting aside her personality, Cao Zhong quite liked her.
After all, who could resist a mature, elegant woman like this?
He smiled.
"May I ask what brings Lady Signora to my humble shop?"
Signora raised a slender finger and pointed at him, her voice soft and alluring.
"For you."
Cao Zhong chuckled.
"I? Just so you know, I sell skills—not myself."
"You understand what I mean."
Signora's gaze burned with intensity.
"Join the Fatui. Embrace glorious evolution. Create a new world with us."
There was a hint of madness in her eyes.
"No empty promises. I prefer something more practical."
Cao Zhong smiled calmly.
As expected of upper management—her persuasion skills were sharp.
Unfortunately, he had long grown immune to such "promises."
All he wanted now was to relax, take it easy, and maybe enjoy life.
"You truly are a man without ambition."
Signora observed him with mild disappointment.
Young, powerful, yet completely lacking in ambition—it didn't fit her expectations at all.
So she changed her offer.
"Do you want wealth? Beauty? Fame across all seven nations? Join us, and you will have everything."
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes intense.
Cao Zhong remained calm.
In this world, strength was everything. If he wanted those things, he could already have them.
He looked at her with a teasing smile and lightly pointed toward her chest.
"Does that include this too?"
Signora stiffened slightly, a flash of coldness crossing her eyes.
But then she endured it.
For the Tsaritsa.
For the future.
If bringing Cao Zhong into the Fatui required such a sacrifice—
So be it.
"For the greater cause… I can accept it."
"What if I refuse?"
Cao Zhong's smile didn't change.
Signora straightened, her tone turning cold.
"Then you are an enemy of the Fatui."
That arrogance—that was the Signora he recognized.
"I don't like looking up at people."
Cao Zhong said calmly.
"So—kneel."
A terrifying aura erupted from him, pressing down like a tangible force.
Signora trembled.
She tried to resist, but no matter how hard she struggled, it was useless.
In the end, she couldn't even muster the will to resist.
Her eyes filled with shock.
Even in front of the Tsaritsa, she had never felt such overwhelming pressure.
Just how strong… was this man?
Cao Zhong reached out and lightly held her chin.
"Watch your tone next time."
"I won't go easy on you every time."
A golden light flickered in his eyes, terrifying enough to shake her to the core.
"…Yes… understood, sir."
In the end, Signora fled the Wan Shi House in disarray.
Outside, Paimon pointed at the retreating figure.
"Hey, Traveler… doesn't that look like that Fatui Harbinger? She seems kind of off."
Lumine glanced over, but the figure was already gone.
"That's impossible. A Harbinger wouldn't look like that. You must be seeing things."
"Oh… maybe. It's your fault for not letting me eat another Sweet Madame earlier!"
"You've already had ten! If you eat more, I'll be broke this month!"
"Traveler, you're getting stingier… do you not like me anymore?"
"That's right. You eat too much."
"Waaah! I'll fight you!"
The two bickered as they walked toward the Wan Shi House.