As the aroma of the dishes slowly filled the air, Paimon finally stopped fooling around and quietly returned to her seat.
For Paimon, delicious food was the ultimate remedy for any trouble.
Just as the three were about to enjoy their meal, a commotion broke out in the distance.
Lumine's sharp eyes caught movement among the crowd and spotted a familiar figure.
A few seconds later, she pointed in that direction and said quietly to the others, "Isn't that Amber?"
Hearing this, Shao Yun followed her finger, squinting toward the crowd—and sure enough, he saw Amber running toward them.
She looked flustered, her eyes darting through the crowd as if trying to avoid something.
When she spotted the trio seated at Good Hunter, her eyes lit up with relief—as if seeing saviors. She ran while shouting urgently, "Lumine! Paimon! Shao Yun! Help me!"
The three exchanged looks, reading confusion and concern in each other's eyes. They didn't know what trouble Amber had encountered, but from her expression, it was clear they needed to act fast.
Shao Yun moved first. He stood up and said to Lumine and Paimon, "Let's go see what's going on with Amber. Stay alert!"
With that, he rushed toward her and pulled her behind him.
Turning back to the panicked Amber, Shao Yun assumed she was being pursued by leftover Fatui forces. He drew his revolver with confidence and said boldly, "Don't worry—Fatui remnants? I'll take them out right now!"
Just then, a cold and firm female voice rang out.
"Amber! I wasn't done talking to you—get back here!"
Shao Yun turned at the voice and saw a tall girl with short sea-blue hair, wearing an elegant yet battle-ready Knights of Favonius uniform. A double-layered cape hung from her right shoulder, and her tall boots clacked as she strode over briskly.
Wasn't this the Spindrift Knight, Eula Lawrence?
Eula scanned the area with a scowl, her gaze locking onto Amber behind Shao Yun. She shouted, "Amber, I see you! Come here now!" Her voice was thick with frustration and urgency.
Shao Yun stood aside, muttering to himself, What's going on today? Is everyone getting scolded by their better halves? He was baffled by Eula's fury.
And so began a bizarre chase between Eula and Amber—using Shao Yun as a moving pillar.
Eula was like a dagger-less Jing Ke in a palace drama, while Amber played a shorter version of Ying Zheng, darting around for her life.
Around and around the column—Shao Yun—they ran.
Eula reached out to grab Amber again and again, but Amber dodged skillfully each time.
Eula growled between grabs, "Amber! The moment I got back to Mondstadt, I heard you were captured by the Fatui! How can you be so careless!"
Her tone mixed anger and genuine concern.
Amber clung to Shao Yun's coat, dodging as she replied, "Eula! But I'm fine now, aren't I?"
Each explanation came with a deft sidestep from her pursuer.
Watching them circle around, Shao Yun grew dizzy. Finally, he spread his arms and shouted, "Enough! Stop already!"
His voice was filled with helplessness and fatigue. Seriously, is today National 'Nag Your Partner' Day or what?
At his command, the two girls stopped their antics.
Eula panted, staring at Amber with eyes full of worry and reproach. Amber, meanwhile, chuckled awkwardly.
Shao Yun glanced between them, pointed at Eula, then Amber, and asked with clear irritation, "What the heck is going on here?"
Amber cautiously peeked out and started introductions.
"That's Eula, my friend," she said, then gestured toward the table. "Eula, those are the Honorary Knight and Paimon. They're my friends too!"
Shao Yun frowned slightly, feeling a little overlooked. He turned to Amber and whispered, "What about me? Why didn't you say my name? Embarrassed by me?"
Amber blinked at the question and quickly replied with an awkward smile and a voice as tiny as a mosquito, "Ah, no—it's not like that, I… I just—"
Eula didn't catch Amber's excuse, only the introductions.
She folded her arms and huffed, "So you've got new friends now and forget your old ones, huh? I'm keeping score."
But there was no time to dwell on clichés. Why are these two causing drama this early in the morning?
Shao Yun looked at them in disbelief. "What are you two even doing this early?"
Eula turned to him, her eyes serious. She took a deep breath and began to explain.
"I'm here to discipline Amber!" Her tone was stern.
Then she looked back at Amber. "The moment I heard Hilichurls were going to attack Mondstadt, I didn't even sleep—I ran all the way back, worried something might've happened to you. When I got here, I heard someone named Shao Yun had already dealt with it."
A look of relief crossed Eula's face—clearly grateful for that news—but her tone turned sharp again.
"But I didn't expect the Fatui to try and seize the city's defenses!" Her eyes flashed with anger. "It's an insult to Mondstadt! And worse—Amber, you got captured!"
She lunged for Amber again, scolding, "How could you be so careless? You're a Knight of Favonius! You should be on guard at all times!"
This time, Amber failed to dodge. She flailed like a captured bunny in Eula's arms, struggling in vain.
"Ugh! Eula! The Hilichurls and the Fatui were all taken care of by Shao Yun! What's there to worry about?"
But Eula wasn't convinced. She tapped Amber on the head, frowning. "How couldn't I worry? You think that new friend of yours—this Shao Yun guy—is someone you know well? Who's always the first to save you when you're in danger?"
Eula then gave Shao Yun a suspicious once-over and muttered, "Well, you're tall, handsome, and built like a bear—fits the description. But they say that guy eats people... he wouldn't be hanging out at a café, right?"
Noticing Shao Yun staring at her, Eula snapped, "You're Amber's friend, not mine. Why are you butting into how I discipline her?"
[Notice: Eula currently considers you an enemy. Gunslinger Outfit effect is now applied to target: "Eula."]
Shao Yun sighed and raised his hand. "Isn't it possible... that I am Shao Yun? And also—I don't eat people!"
"Ah!" Affected by the Gunslinger Suit's aura, Eula yelped and released Amber, stumbling backward to the ground.
Beads of sweat formed visibly on her brow. She couldn't even look at Shao Yun—her eyes wide with fear.
Shao Yun sighed. He turned to Amber and said, "This is your fault. Lumine and Paimon introduced themselves, but not me. Look—you scared her."
Amber looked guilty and awkward.
She helped Eula, whose knees were still trembling, to her feet and scratched her head. "I was just in a hurry! And you don't seem scary at all… Who said you eat people?"
Shao Yun rolled his eyes. Forget the Gunslinger effect. I wiped out a whole hotel of Fatui. Word's spreading like wildfire—who knows what monster I've become in the rumors? Amber, have some self-awareness!
With Amber's help, Eula rose unsteadily, visibly fighting her fear. She stammered, "You… you're the man-eat—I mean, Shao Yun?"
Shao Yun chuckled and brushed off his coat. "Guaranteed genuine. Ten times your Mora back if fake."
He waved casually. "Enough about that. It's fate that brought us together. None of you've eaten yet, right? Come on—join us for breakfast. My treat."
Amber gladly accepted and pulled over two chairs for herself and Eula.
Sitting down, she patted the chair beside her. "Eula, sit next to me."
Eula looked at the seat, then at Shao Yun's friendly expression, hesitating.
Shao Yun gestured. "C'mon. Amber brought the seat over for you."
"Grr… this grudge… I…" Eula mumbled as she timidly sat beside Amber.
Amber tilted her head, thinking, Huh? Eula's usually got more lines than this...
Shao Yun sighed at Eula's timid posture. What kind of horror story have people turned me into?
In a few days, they'll say the Anemo Archon sent a three-headed, eight-armed demon to the Goth Grand Hotel who devoured every last Fatui member!
Shao Yun waved at the server behind the counter. Oddly, it wasn't Miss Sara—must be her day off.
"Excuse me, miss, could we get two more sets of tableware for these two ladies?"
The new server approached with the dishes.
She handed Amber her set with a bright, sunny smile—warm and graceful. But when she turned to Eula, her smile froze. It turned cold and stiff.
Her hands moved roughly, slamming the dishes onto the table with a loud clatter. One plate even cracked at the corner.
"You."
Without another word, the server walked off.
Eula watched her retreating figure, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes—but she held her tongue.
The Lawrence name wasn't welcome in Mondstadt—but even for her, this treatment was uncalled for.
You disrespect Eula, you disrespect me, Shao Yun thought with a scowl. He snapped his fingers.
"Miss, could you come back for a moment?"
The server returned, face plastered with a forced professional smile. "Yes? What can I help you with?"
Shao Yun stared steadily at her and pointed to Eula's broken plate. "Please bring a fresh set. And this time, set it down gently in front of Miss Eula. Thank you."
His tone was calm, but his meaning was unmistakable: Treat my guests properly.
"But… she's—"
Shao Yun cut her off without letting her finish. "She's my guest. Do your job. Understand?"
The server hesitated. It was her duty to serve politely—and this was a reasonable request.
"Understood..."
She begrudgingly brought Eula a new set.
Eula looked at the dishes, feeling a complex swirl of emotions. She knew the Lawrence name was reviled here—she'd expected to be treated differently again.
But Shao Yun's intervention made her feel something she rarely did: respected.
She glanced up at him, her eyes softening with gratitude.
Maybe he's not a terrifying man-eating monster after all. Maybe… he's a polite man-eating monster.
Shao Yun distributed the extra Apple Cider—one bottle each to Amber and Eula. But he let Paimon keep two all to herself.
Raising his bottle, Shao Yun looked around the table at Lumine, Paimon, Amber, and Eula.
"To a beautiful start to the day!"