"Venti, you're just in time. Everyone is discussing what kind of flowers the Anemo Archon Barbatos likes. What do you think?"
Feng Yi waved to Venti as he walked into the tavern.
"The Anemo Archon Barbatos? I think he'd like any flower that grows in Mondstadt..."
Venti chuckled and offered a generic answer.
"Venti, no one understands the Anemo Archon better than you. Why don't you analyze what flower he would most like to receive for this year's Windblume Festival?"
Instead of guessing what flower Barbatos liked, it was better to ask him directly.
"If you ask me, I think the Anemo Archon Barbatos would most like wine flowers, especially the hidden varieties from the 'Cat's Tail' tavern!"
Venti thought carefully and then said with utmost seriousness.
"Venti, you really live up to your reputation!"
Feng Yi sighed, resting his forehead. Only a drunkard like Venti could come up with such a nonsensical answer.
It was unexpected, yet perfectly in character!
"Heh!"
Venti narrowed his eyes into a smile and then ordered a special drink from the stunned cat-girl bartender.
"Wishes are beautiful, but I doubt the Knights of Favonius would allow such an uncharacteristic 'flower' to be presented to the Archon's statue, would they?"
Feng Yi smiled and punctured Venti's fantasy.
"That's true..."
Venti sighed. Honestly, he rather wished he could receive wine flowers as a gift during the Windblume Festival's floral ceremony.
But given the personality of the acting Grand Master Jean, she certainly wouldn't allow such an unconventional 'flower' to be among the candidates for presentation.
However, if Feng Yi could become the "Star of the Windblume Festival," there might be a sliver of a chance.
("Star of the Windblume Festival" is one of Mondstadt's highest honors, usually bestowed only upon those who have made significant contributions to Mondstadt or have shown the most outstanding performance during the Windblume Festival. The "Star of the Windblume Festival" will attend the Floral Ceremony alongside the Grand Master, representing the people of Mondstadt in presenting the "Flower of the Wind" to the Anemo Archon Barbatos.)
Venti cheered Feng Yi on in his heart, hoping Feng Yi would step up and be elected the "Star of the Windblume Festival," thus giving him hope of receiving wine flowers.
"Speaking of which, tomorrow is Mondstadt's Windblume Festival. For such a grand occasion, I heard that the 'Angel's Share' next door is offering free wine tasting and discounts. Does your 'Cat's Tail' have any plans?"
Venti looked at Feng Yi with hopeful eyes. He didn't expect free unlimited drinks, but given that he was the revered Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, surely a discount on Windblume Festival day wouldn't be a problem?
"Well, my bartender is planning to take the day off tomorrow. What's the point of keeping the tavern open without a bartender?"
Feng Yi nudged Diona, informing Venti that the tavern might even be closed tomorrow.
"Oh, no, don't do that! If you close, what will happen to loyal patrons like us who have always supported the 'Cat's Tail' tavern? No, absolutely not! I, on behalf of all patrons, strongly protest your closure!"
Venti became anxious upon hearing this. Not only were there no special events, but the tavern was closing?
This was completely contrary to his expectations, and he immediately banged on the counter to voice his protest.
"Protest is invalid. Without a bartender, it would be a laughingstock to keep the tavern open! Unless you can convince my bartender not to take the day off tomorrow for the Windblume Festival..."
Feng Yi pointed out a way for Venti, and whether he could succeed depended on him.
"Little Diona, I'll give you five small dried fish. Can you not take the day off tomorrow?"
Venti looked pleadingly at Diona, who was busy mixing drinks, trying to win her over with dried fish.
"No, absolutely not! Diona has to work hard for her love tomorrow, and that's much more important than dried fish!"
Venti was stunned, then recalled the customs of Springvale and felt a bit helpless. He didn't understand why this child Diona was getting involved.
"You're still young. It's not too late to try when you're older..."
Venti's persuasion was similar to Feng Yi's, but Diona was very stubborn.
"No, Diona must prepare for the future! Just like hunters prepare for winter prey, it's a necessary preparation. Diona has to start preparing now!"
Diona snorted, spewing out one illogical reason after another, leaving Venti speechless.
At noon, Diona finished her shift and hurried back to Springvale.
When Feng Yi and Lumine returned after lunch, they found Diona curled up alone in front of the tavern, weeping softly.
"Diona, did someone bully you? Tell me, and I'll get them for you!"
Feng Yi squatted in front of Diona, patting her cute cat ears, assuring her that no one could bully his bartender.
"It's Father. He... he won't let Diona participate in the fox-catching event..."
Diona rubbed her tear-swollen eyes, not understanding why everyone disagreed with her going fox-hunting. She felt abandoned by the world.
"Diona, be good, don't cry. Mr. Durin must have his reasons. Haven't you eaten? Here, have some dried fish..."
Feng Yi gently patted Diona's small head and handed her a few dried fish for lunch.
"Since Mr. Durin doesn't agree, as per our agreement, I can't approve your leave. However, if you work diligently tomorrow, I can grant you two hours of rest time. During these two hours, I will keep whatever you do a secret. If Mr. Durin asks, I'll say you were visiting Mondstadt's Windblume Festival!"
Feng Yi's heart finally softened, and he chose a compromise. He gave Diona a glimmer of hope to strive for. Whether Diona could travel to Wolvendom and catch a fox within the limited two hours would depend on her luck.
"Feng Yi, you're the kindest to Diona!"
Diona threw herself into Feng Yi's arms, but with too much force, knocking him to the ground. Diona lay beside Feng Yi, nuzzling his chest, conveying her happiness.
"Alright, alright, if others see this, they'll misunderstand!"
Feng Yi rubbed Diona's head, accidentally dislodging the hair tie holding her bangs. With her bangs down, Diona looked less mischievous and more adorable.
To avoid gossip, he quickly opened the tavern door and brought Diona inside.
"Feng Yi, c-can you help me comb my hair? And, and just so you know, it's not because I find brushing comfortable, that I'm asking you!"
"And if you hurt me, I'll bite!"
Normally, Diona tied her hair up for bartending and hunting. As Feng Yi had accidentally removed the hair tie, Diona had a sudden idea and asked Feng Yi to help her comb her hair.