As everyone began eating, the table bustled with even more dishes, thanks to the extra company. Paimon enthusiastically ordered a few more items—mint jelly, creamy vegetable stew with meat, and so on.
Lumine and Paimon were the type to enjoy everything on the table. Amber didn't care much either way, while Eula mostly stuck to sweet dishes like Sweet Madame.
Shao Yun quickly filled his stomach, downed the last sip of his apple cider, and said:
"You all keep eating. I'll go pay the bill."
He stood up and made his way to the counter, already having a rough estimate of the damage this meal would do to his wallet.
But when the new server tallied up the total, the final amount left Shao Yun utterly dumbfounded.
"Let me calculate... hmm, the total is 14,080 Mora (discounted). You only need to pay 5,000 Mora."
The server's tone was calm and matter-of-fact, as though it was the most normal thing in the world.
Shao Yun froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. He pointed at the numbers on the bill, stammering, "Huh? Are you sure you didn't make a mistake? Without the discount, this should be nearly 28,000 Mora. Even with a discount, how could it only be 5,000?"
The server smiled and shook her head. "No mistake. Five thousand Mora is the correct amount."
Shao Yun blinked, suspicious. "Is your restaurant going bankrupt? This isn't how you do business—aren't you losing money?"
As he glanced back at the dining table and replayed the meal in his head, he noticed the server had looked toward Eula when calculating the total.
Eula had frowned subtly at the look, but said nothing.
Shao Yun's suspicion deepened. He carefully observed the nearly empty table and quickly realized—he was only being charged for the dishes Eula hadn't touched.
Turning back to the server, he narrowed his eyes and asked, "What's the meaning of this?"
The server, seemingly prepared for the confrontation, pursed her lips and averted her eyes. "Uh, the rest of the bill... I was going to charge Miss Eula separately. You don't need to worry."
At this, Shao Yun's temper flared. He barked, "I'm the one treating them to a meal, and you're trying to charge my guest? Are you trying to pick a fight with me?"
The server, startled by his outburst, took a step back and asked hesitantly, "You... don't know who she is?"
Shao Yun glanced at Eula and replied, "Her name's Eula. She's Amber's friend."
The server's tone dropped to one of grave seriousness. "She's from the Lawrence family!"
His voice trembled, clearly harboring deep fear or disdain toward the Lawrence name.
From the table, the girls were already watching, their curiosity piqued by the disturbance. Eula looked down, wringing her sleeve, visibly tense.
Shao Yun frowned, bewildered. "And? What does that have to do with me treating her to lunch?"
The server seemed to think Shao Yun simply didn't understand the situation and began a preachy explanation.
"The Lawrences were the rulers of Old Mondstadt. Their reputation is terrible. If it weren't for your status, I wouldn't have even served her. I'll bill her separately for what she ate. You really should stay away from the Lawrence family if you don't want trouble."
Hearing this only made Shao Yun more irritated. This server was seriously overstepping. Who I dine with is none of your business.
He glanced around for a water barrel, considering splashing some sense into this fool.
Then he asked coldly, "Do you know what I'm thinking right now?"
Just as he was debating whether to start flipping tables, Eula stood up and stepped between them.
"Enough. I'll pay for myself. How much?" Her voice was steady and resolute.
Why are you making this a big deal? It's not even your fault!
Shao Yun, now thoroughly annoyed, snapped, "Sit down! I said I'm treating, so I'm paying. This clown is already insulting me—don't tell me you want to join in?"
With his usual assertiveness, Shao Yun slammed the money down and turned to Eula.
"I'm the host. I cover the bill. That's how I do things."
There was a sense of unshakeable principle in his tone, a clear message that he wouldn't let someone else's biases define his actions.
He waved for Eula to sit back down. Though she hesitated, wanting to say something, in the end she simply nodded and returned to her seat. In that moment, Shao Yun's presence grew larger in her eyes—firm and dependable.
The awkward tension hung in the air. Amber looked at Shao Yun, unsure what to say. "Um... Mr. Shao Yun, just now—"
He waved it off with a smile. "Don't worry about it. Let's eat. There's still plenty of good food—don't waste it."
His relaxed, unaffected tone quickly melted the awkwardness. One by one, the others picked up their utensils again, and the conversation gradually resumed its normal rhythm.
After breakfast, Amber leaned back, content, rubbing her stomach with a satisfied glow in her eyes.
"That was a delicious meal."
Her expression seemed to radiate the joy of a perfect dish.
"Sorry I didn't treat you to that Sticky Honey Roast earlier like I promised. Things got busy..." she said with some embarrassment, looking to Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun.
Paimon chuckled, patting her round belly. "It's fine, Amber. This meal was amazing. And we'll probably be in Mondstadt for a while—plenty of time for more good food."
Amber's gaze shifted to Shao Yun, concern flickering in her eyes.
Recalling the intense battle he endured the night before, she asked gently, "Um, Mr. Shao Yun, are you... doing okay?"
Her voice was soft and full of genuine worry.
Shao Yun blinked, then understood. He rubbed his shoulder casually and responded with a wry smile, "What makes you ask?"
His tone was light and teasing, as if the events of the previous night were already behind him.
Amber sighed and glanced toward the Goth Grand Hotel—the site of the battle. It had returned to calm, but a faint metallic tang still lingered in the air.
"I've never seen anything that intense before... I was worried..." she trailed off, but Shao Yun had already picked up on her concern.
He cut her off gently. "Don't worry, Amber. I've been through more than you can imagine. Last night might've been intense, but it didn't shake me. I know what I'm doing—and where my line is."
Paimon, listening to the exchange, felt completely lost. It was like they were speaking in code.
"What are you two talking about? I don't get it!" she asked, eyes wide with confusion.
Shao Yun looked at her innocent, curious face and made a quick decision—not to mention the massacre.
Clearing his throat, he smiled and redirected the topic. "Nothing serious. Paimon, any plans after breakfast?"
Paimon thought for a moment and answered, "Let me think… We're going to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters to report to Acting Grand Master Jean. Then we'll head to the Favonius Cathedral. That's the plan for now."
Amber perked up. "Oh! That's perfect—we're heading in the same direction. Let's go together!"
But Eula hesitated. She didn't want the group to be stared at or judged because of her presence. She tugged Amber's sleeve and whispered, "Amber… maybe I should go alone."
Amber read her expression and smiled, playing coy. "Why? You need to go to the headquarters too. Wouldn't it be easier if we went together?"
Her words carried to the others, who all turned toward Eula.
Eula shrank under their gaze but couldn't talk Amber out of it. In the end, she nodded quietly and agreed to walk back with them.
Just as they were leaving, Miss Sara—the familiar server from Good Hunter—returned with several adventurers and carts full of fresh ingredients, fresh from a delivery run.
She immediately noticed Eula, the empty plates, and everyone's satisfied faces.
With a glint of amusement in her eyes, she joked, "I go out for one delivery and miss all the fun, huh?"
Shao Yun looked at the new server from earlier and smirked, then turned to Sara with a serious tone.
"If you'd come back earlier, you might've seen me put a bullet through the new server's skull."
Sara's face turned pale in shock.
Shao Yun's name and his act of wiping out the Fatui had spread through Mondstadt like wildfire.
Seeing how serious he looked, Sara imagined the restaurant drenched in blood.
She quickly glanced at the new server, who still stood behind the counter—nervous but unharmed. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Shao Yun grinned and added, "Kidding."
Sara exhaled deeply, clearly relieved.
But even if he wouldn't actually shoot someone, his dissatisfaction was real.
"Still, I think you folks at Good Hunter need to give your staff some proper training. At least teach them not to let their emotions ruin the customer experience."
Sara caught the subtext immediately. She looked from Eula to the flustered server and nodded.
"I understand. I'll make sure to give that new hire a proper talk."
Shao Yun nodded toward Eula. "I think you should tell her directly."
Sara walked over to Eula with a kind smile and took her hand.
"Miss Eula, next time you visit, I'll personally serve you. I'll make sure you have a pleasant dining experience."
Eula looked at her, eyes touched by warmth, but she wasn't ready to admit it aloud. In classic stubborn fashion, she muttered, "Who needs your service?"
Sara winked playfully. "Don't be mad, Eula. Next time you visit, I'll make your favorite Moon Pie."
Eula gently pulled her hand back, the corners of her lips curling up. Still stubborn, she said, "Hmph. You dared defy me… I'll remember this grudge."
But her expression revealed something softer—perhaps a reluctant fondness for Sara's gesture.
With that, the group began to leave. Sara watched them go, then turned to the flustered server behind the counter.
Time to seriously retrain the staff—before someone really gets hurt one day.
As they walked toward the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, passersby noticed the group.
At the sight of Eula, many prepared to roll their eyes—but a single glare from Shao Yun made them all back down. For once, Eula walked through Mondstadt without judgmental stares.
They arrived at the headquarters, reporting in one by one.
Shao Yun waited outside for Lumine to finish, aimlessly wandering through the main hall, taking in the decor.
A short while later, Lumine and Paimon emerged. Just as Shao Yun was about to leave, Lumine stopped him and pointed toward Jean's office.
"Jean wants to speak with you. Alone. She said it's very important and has to be discussed face-to-face."
Shao Yun furrowed his brows, curiosity flaring.
What could be so important that Acting Grand Master Jean herself wants a private meeting?