Venti originally planned to wait in Mondstadt until the Windblume Festival, then personally take Durandal to experience Mondstadt's festival properly.
But then she thought, the Lantern Rite Festival was Durandal's first festival.
Although she was very reluctant for Durandal's first festival not to be in her own nation, she at least had to accompany her through this very memorable festival.
To achieve this goal, Venti came to Liyue, stepping into a place that was a little dangerous for him.
Why say that? Because he had a bit of a grudge with the old man; although the old man had almost forgiven his past actions, it was better to be careful to avoid being disciplined by him.
"Hoo~ It's really more relaxing here with you. It's been a long time since I've had fine wine from Liyue. Hehe~ Although it's different from Mondstadt's fine wine, both are delicious!"
For Venti, a seasoned alcoholic, as long as it's good wine, it doesn't matter where it comes from.
"Is it really okay to drink on the street so early in the morning? In your current state, aren't you worried about being arrested and lectured by the Millelith?"
"Don't worry, don't worry. I'm not a minor, a little drinking is fine. Besides, this time you're with me, even if they don't trust me, they'll definitely trust Durandal."
The Millelith might not trust Venti, but they would definitely trust Durandal. After all, she is the great hero of Liyue Harbor, and the benefactor of so many people; every resident here trusts her.
Seeing that Durandal wasn't averse to their intimate interactions, those people would surely see that they were friends. Since they were friends, there was nothing to worry about.
Shenhe, who was following behind, looked at Durandal and Venti with complex eyes. She had originally thought she could spend some quality time with Durandal today, but a spoiler had appeared.
The crucial point was that he was also planning to stay in Liyue Harbor for the foreseeable future, which completely disrupted her plans.
Most importantly, he couldn't do anything about it. She was clearly good friends with Durandal.
Never mind, he only came to see Durandal occasionally, just like Klee before. Once he leaves, it will be my time.
"You seem very afraid of Zhongli. Why are you afraid of him? He's quite kind."
As long as she didn't cause trouble, Zhongli was impeccable in how he treated people. So why was Venti so afraid of interacting with Zhongli?
"Ahaha~ Actually, it has something to do with something I did in the past."
Venti gave a bitter laugh, leaned close to Durandal's ear, and whispered, "You know the old man is the god of contracts, and his authority in contracts is very high. To exploit this, for a period of time, I signed various contracts in the old man's name."
Simply put, he impersonated Morax to sign contracts with others. To increase the credibility of the contracts, he even practiced a signature that could pass for the other party's handwriting.
At first, this trick worked quite well, but later, for some reason, the matter reached Zhongli, and he even got hold of the original.
He remembered very clearly that the old man himself came to Mondstadt to find him, asking what this thing was about.
Although Zhongli had no evidence to prove that she did it, among the Seven Archons, the only one who would do such a thing was him, the Anemo Archon.
That day, he deeply realized the old man's power and understood how powerless he was under his control.
That battle made Venti somewhat fearful of Zhongli, not daring to be too presumptuous in front of him.
After listening to Venti's story, Durandal silently lowered her head. This person... is too reckless, isn't he?
"It's a miracle you're still alive. Is there anything you wouldn't dare to do?"
This guy, besides slacking off, actually did such self-destructive things. She seriously suspected that besides forging Zhongli's signature, he might have done similar things to the other Archons.
"Ehe~"
To Durandal's question, Venti used his usual cute tactic to deflect, and the response he received was naturally a cheek-pinching punishment.
"Sister Durandal! Sister Durandal! Who is this unfamiliar big sister? Is she your friend?"
Just then, the children he usually knew ran over to greet Durandal and, seeing Venti whom they had never met before, asked.
"No, he's just someone who likes to cause trouble for others. I don't have friends like him."
"Here he goes again, here he goes again. Don't always talk about me like that when introducing me to others. What if the children believe it?"
Venti gently stepped forward and greeted the children: "Hello, little ones. I am a Bard from Mondstadt, and I am Durandal's good friend."
"A Bard? Is that a profession similar to storytellers?"
"Somewhat similar, but not entirely the same. If you'd like, how about I tell you a story?"
Venti was clearly very adept at handling such situations. He took out his lyre, strummed it a few times, and a melodious tune emanated.
The music, different from Liyue's usual tunes, caught the attention of others nearby. They all noticed Venti, the foreigner, and couldn't help but gather to enjoy his performance.
"Hmm? That sound... that drunkard has also come to Liyue."
As soon as Zhongli heard the sound, he knew that Venti, the drunkard, had come to Liyue. In fact, he had long stopped being angry with Venti; after all, he was a friend, and he was very tolerant of his friends.
The Lantern Rite Festival with his appearance might become even livelier. Zhongli also knew why the other party had come to Liyue Harbor; with her watching this drunkard, nothing should happen.
Soon, the piece ended. Venti politely bowed to the onlookers, and the listening audience responded with warm applause.
Since this performance was not for money, Venti did not take off his hat to ask the audience for Mora.
After receiving the audience's applause, Venti returned to Durandal's side and asked, "How was it? Wasn't it amazing?"
"Just the same level as your usual performances in Mondstadt. I can only say there's no regression or progress."
Having existed for such a long time, in terms of lyre skills, no Bard in Mondstadt could surpass his technique.
So, his claim to be the best Bard also makes sense; indeed, no one can do it better than him.
"Oh my~ Just give me a little praise. You clearly think I'm amazing, but you always use these words to brush me off."
Venti shook his head helplessly. Sometimes he really wished Durandal could be a little more honest and praise him a bit, so he would feel more of a sense of achievement.
"Big sister! Big sister! You are so amazing!"
The children who had come to talk earlier ran over and excitedly said to Venti.
"Right? I am the best Bard in Mondstadt. My performances usually cost money, but to celebrate this Lantern Rite Festival, I, big sister, have decided that this performance is free."
"So it's an instrument from Mondstadt, no wonder I haven't heard it before. Compared to Sister Xinyan's rock, big sister's is even better."
"Thank you for liking my music, but every kind of music has its unique qualities. Sister Xinyan's rock, whom you mentioned, must also be great; it's just that you prefer my style."
"Big sister is right! Every time I listen to Sister Xinyan's music, I feel a surge of passion."
Compared to girls, boys are indeed more receptive to rock music.
Venti resolved the issue with a few words, while Durandal, who was initially addressed, stood by and watched them.
Although he was ignored, he was happy to see such a situation; at least his side was quiet.
"Big sister, you said you came from Mondstadt. Did you come here specifically to celebrate the Lantern Rite Festival with Sister Durandal?"
"That's right. Because he always refused my invitations before, this time he finally agreed to celebrate the festival. Although it's not in Mondstadt, I still rushed over to celebrate with him."
"Big sister, you said you are Sister Durandal's best friend. Is that true?"
"Of course, I've known him for a very long time. In terms of friendship, I dare say no one is better than me."
"No! Big sister is lying! Durandal's best friend is clearly Sister Lumine! I often see them walking very intimately on the streets!"
Venti, who had been looking smug, heard this answer and his body instantly stiffened.
What he couldn't accept wasn't over yet; another Children heard his words and immediately retorted.
"No! It should be Sister Shenhe! It's always Sister Shenhe who follows Sister Durandal around; Sister Shenhe is Sister Durandal's best friend."
Shenhe, who had been sulking and following behind Durandal, finally showed a faint smile on her face when she heard the Children's words.
If conditions allowed, he would really like to give this Children a big thumbs up and praise how well this Children spoke.
The ever-optimistic Anemo Archon was also unable to maintain his composure at this moment, and the smile on his face was somewhat difficult to hold.
"Ahaha~ Ahaha~ You're wrong. Big sister knew Durandal earlier than all of them. Big sister is the best friend."
"That's not true."
Children have their own stubbornness; they all believe their own ideas are correct, so how could they so easily agree with Venti's point of view?
Venti wanted Durandal to confirm this, but with Durandal's personality, how could he openly admit it?
So, without any surprise, he turned his head away, ignoring Venti's gaze.
Facing such a scene, Venti's smile stiffened as he clenched his fists, his tone not as gentle as before.
"I... am Durandal's best friend."
Of course, even if they weren't the best of friends, it didn't matter, because what he wanted wasn't just this superficial relationship of friendship.
Venti secretly glanced at Durandal. Since he was so uncooperative, he shouldn't blame him for doing strange things.
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