I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 78

The lady's expression turned serious. "Her Majesty, the Queen, is arriving in Liyue Harbor today. We need to be there to greet her."

The young man nearly choked on his food. "Are you serious? Why wasn't I informed?"

"Because she contacted me," the lady replied smugly. "Now hurry up and eat—we need to get to the port."

Realizing the importance of the occasion, the young man quickly focused on finishing his meal.

Meanwhile, the four little ones had each purchased two large meat buns and a cup of soy milk before heading back onto the street.

As they walked, Klee suddenly spotted a small figure standing still nearby. It was Qiqi, staring blankly into the distance.

Curious, Klee walked over. "Hello! My name is Klee. What's your name?"

Qiqi slowly turned to look at Klee, her voice monotone. "Qiqi. Qiqi's name is... Qiqi."

Klee's eyes widened in delight. "Hi, Qiqi! What are you doing here?"

Qiqi took a moment to think before answering in her usual slow and deliberate manner. "Qiqi. Wait. For. Yaoyao. To make. Night. Lanterns."

"Night lanterns? That sounds fun!" Klee's curiosity was piqued.

Qiqi blinked. "Fun. Right?"

"Can I come with you?" Klee asked eagerly.

Qiqi thought for a moment. "Ask Yaoyao."

Just as Klee was about to ask who Yaoyao was, a cheerful voice called out.

"Qiqi, I'm here!"

Yaoyao, a small girl with a bun hairstyle and a bamboo basket on her back, approached them.

Qiqi pointed at her. "She is Yaoyao."

Yaoyao greeted them with a bright smile. "Hello! My name is Yaoyao. Nice to meet you! What's your name?"

"I'm Klee! Can I make night lanterns with you?" Klee asked excitedly.

Yaoyao nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! But first, we need to gather materials."

Klee turned to the others. "Wait! I have friends!"

She waved to Hook, Bai Lu, and Diona, who were playing a ring-toss game nearby.

"Bai Lu! Hook! Diona! Come over here, let's make night lanterns!"

The three girls quickly ran over, eager to join in.

After a round of introductions, Hook asked curiously, "Yaoyao, what's a night lantern?"

Yaoyao explained, "It's a type of flying lantern. Every year during the Lantern Festival, we light them and send them into the sky to pray for peace."

Hook's eyes sparkled with understanding. "I see! Hook wants to light a night lantern!"

Yaoyao giggled. "Then let's go find some bamboo in the wild! Good bamboo will help our lanterns fly high."

Klee grabbed Qiqi's hand, bouncing with excitement. "Yay! We're making lanterns with new friends!"

With that, Klee and Qiqi took off running, with Bai Lu, Hook, and Diona following close behind.

Yaoyao called after them, "Slow down! Be careful not to fall!"

Rios trailed behind at a steady pace, keeping watch over the little ones.

Meanwhile, Kevin, Hu Tao, March 7th, Ying, Amber, and Seele were enjoying breakfast at a teahouse near Wangsheng Hall.

Kevin took a bite of his egg custard and turned to Hu Tao. "Where are we going later?"

Hu Tao grinned. "I'll take you to Wangshu Inn."

Ying raised an eyebrow. "Wangshu Inn? What's there to do? When I came from Mondstadt last time, there wasn't much happening."

Hu Tao smirked mischievously. "You probably don't know this, but I recently found a ruin nearby. Let's go check it out. There are usually treasure chests in places like that!"

The mention of treasure chests immediately grabbed everyone's attention.

March 7th's drowsiness vanished in an instant. "Treasure? Say no more! Let's eat quickly and get moving!"

Hu Tao nodded. "By the time we're back, it'll be evening. Ningguang invited us to her treasure ship tonight."

Amber tilted her head. "Treasure ship?"

Hu Tao thought for a moment. "It's a massive ship designed for sightseeing. The guest who told me about it said it's really fun. We'll see for ourselves tonight."

Eula smirked. "Then let's hurry and finish up. Adventure awaits!"

With newfound excitement, they quickly finished their meal and set off for Wangshu Inn.

Meanwhile, Jing Yuan, Welt, Yuri, Zhongli, and Huai Yan had boarded a cruise ship, where they drank tea, played chess, and enjoyed the view.

Jing Yuan leaned against the railing, gazing at the open sea. "The last time I was here, the weather wasn't this nice."

Zhongli, sipping his tea, recalled the past. "That time, there was a demon wreaking havoc. Naturally, the scenery wasn't as peaceful."

His thoughts briefly drifted to Osel, the defeated sea god currently imprisoned in Luofu.

At that very moment, inside Luofu Prison, Osel lay sprawled in his cell, resembling a lifeless fish.

Yet, despite his captivity, he found his current situation surprisingly comfortable. Zhongli's seal had ensured he was well-fed and given fresh air breaks every day.

With a sigh, Osel muttered to himself, "Honestly, this isn't so bad..."

Asmodeus was finishing a round of Audition with a happy look on her face, having just secured another victory.

She took off her headphones, stretched, and leaned back in her gaming chair, gazing down at the bustling streets below. The sight was unlike anything she had ever seen.

"This Lantern Festival in Liyue is so lively," Asmodeus murmured.

Nahida, who was standing nearby, overheard and smiled. "The Lantern Festival is the most important celebration in Liyue. Almost everyone returns home to reunite with their families and welcome the new year together."

Asmodeus nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Nahida with a sudden idea. "By the way, Nahida, can you find out where those guys are?"

Nahida tilted her head. "You mean the other gods?"

Asmodeus nodded again. "Yeah, I told them yesterday to come to Liyue for the festival. Are they here yet?"

Nahida closed her eyes, using her divine power to investigate. "Your Highness the Ice God and Your Highness the Thunder God are almost at Liyue Harbor. Your Highness Furina has already arrived at Qiaoying Manor with an attendant and will reach Liyue Harbor tonight."

Asmodeus grinned in satisfaction. "Perfect. Nahida, shall we have dinner together tonight?"

Nahida shook her head gently. "I'm afraid that's not possible. Your Majesty Asmodeus, didn't you promise Ningguang that you'd attend the dinner on the treasure ship tonight?"

Asmodeus blinked before realization dawned. "Oh! I almost forgot. Alright, let them enjoy themselves for now—we'll all meet on the treasure ship later."

Nahida nodded and sent a divine message to the Ice God, Shadow, and Furina.

Just then, the door swung open, and Silver Wolf stepped inside. "I'm here, Asmodeus."

Asmodeus beamed. "Silver Wolf! Finally! Come on, come on!"

At Liyue Harbor.

Just as Raiden Ei and Miko disembarked from their boat, they spotted the Ice God along with the young master and the lady nearby.

The Ice God approached Shadow. "Long time no see, Baal."

Raiden Ei blinked. "Didn't we just see each other on Sky Island?"

The Ice God was momentarily speechless. "Baal, you haven't changed at all. Still as direct as ever."

Shadow nodded. "That's what I think."

Beside them, Miko sighed. Her dear Shadow really wasn't great at conversation—she had shut down the mood in just a few words.

Miko smiled and greeted the Ice God properly. "Long time no see, Your Majesty Barnabas."

Barnabas gave a small nod. "Yes, it has been a while. The little fox I once knew has grown so much."

Miko smirked. "And Sister Barnabas is still as beautiful as ever."

Barnabas chuckled. "You've become quite the smooth talker."

Miko waved a hand dismissively. "I only speak the truth."

Barnabas looked around. "Did you receive the message? We're planning to take a stroll. Would you like to join us?"

Miko shook her head. "I'll pass on that. I have some old friends in Liyue I'd like to visit. See you tonight."

With that, she pulled Raiden Ei along, heading toward Yujingtai.

Miko's first stop would be Ganyu. It had been years since they last saw each other, and she missed her dearly.

However, as they walked, Miko suddenly sensed something was off. She turned around and, to her surprise, found Raiden Ei missing.

"Where's Shadow?!"

Panicked, she hurried back and found Raiden Ei standing at a candied hawthorn stall, holding a skewer and eating it with deep concentration.

Miko buried her face in her hands. Who would have thought that the mighty and intimidating God of Thunder had such a sweet tooth?

Sighing, she walked over and took Raiden Ei's arm. "Come on, we need to find Ganyu."

Raiden Ei nodded but didn't move.

Miko frowned. "What is it now?"

"I haven't paid for the candied haws yet," Raiden Ei replied matter-of-factly.

Miko was dumbfounded. "Then just pay for it?"

Raiden Ei took another bite. "I don't have money. You pay."

Miko groaned. How could the God of Thunder wander around without bringing any Mora?

She paid the vendor, then firmly took Raiden Ei's arm to prevent further dessert-related distractions.

The journey to Yujingtai was anything but smooth. With food stalls lining the streets, Raiden Ei stopped at nearly every one, wanting to try everything—sugar figures, sugarcane juice, osmanthus cakes, flower cakes...

Miko was certain that if she hadn't been dragging Raiden Ei along, the God of Thunder would have eaten her way from one end of Liyue Harbor to the other.

In Qiaoying Village.

Furina and Clorinde stepped off their transport.

Furina was brimming with excitement. It had been ages since she left Fontaine for a trip, and everything around her was fresh and new.

She looked around eagerly and spotted a small stall selling flower cakes, run by an elderly woman.

The old lady noticed Furina's curiosity and smiled. "Young lady, would you like to try my homemade flower cakes?"

Furina's eyes sparkled. "Really?! I can try them? That's amazing!"

The old lady chuckled and handed her one. "Here you go. Be careful—it's still hot. I make them fresh every morning."

Furina took the cake carefully and blew on it before taking a bite. The moment the flavor hit her tongue, her eyes widened in delight.

"Mmm! This is delicious! Way better than the ones I've had before!" She turned to the vendor. "How much are they? I'll buy some."

The old lady smiled. "They're only 300 Mora each. How many would you like?"

Furina grinned. "I'll take them all!"

The vendor, however, shook her head. "You won't be able to finish so many. These cakes don't last long—they'll spoil if left for too long."

Furina waved a hand dismissively. "That's fine! I have lots of friends—I'll share them."

With that, the old lady packed up all the flower cakes for her.

After paying, Furina carried the large bag to a nearby bench and sat down.

A little while later, Clorinde returned, driving a carriage. "Lady Furina, I've rented us a carriage."

Furina beamed. "Great! But first, try this flower cake I just bought!"

Clorinde finally noticed the large sack of cakes. "Lady Furina... why did you buy so many?"

Furina took another bite, grinning. "Because they're delicious! Now, help me load them into the carriage. We're heading to Liyue Harbor."

Clorinde effortlessly lifted the heavy sack that Furina had struggled with earlier. "Understood."

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With that, Furina climbed into the carriage while Clorinde secured the flower cakes and took the reins.

As they rode toward Liyue Harbor, Furina enjoyed her snacks while admiring the breathtaking scenery around her, excited for the festivities ahead.