After handing the smart wristband to Rosaria, Shen Qin began designing a toy for Klee together with Sucrose.
"A flying mechanical pet? That's a fun idea!" Sucrose readily agreed with his plan.
"I'm thinking of simplifying the flight system from the hoverboard and installing it inside the mechanical pet. You can help me with that part. The rest of the design is pretty simple—I can handle it myself."
Sucrose nodded. "No problem!"
Since they wanted to surprise Klee, they spent the daytime playing with her, and only worked on the mechanical pet late at night after she returned to the Knights of Favonius.
Three days later, the design was complete. Shen Qin took the two girls out, planning to visit Wagner at the blacksmith's to get some custom parts made.
But first—they were headed to Good Hunter for lunch.
"Big Brother Shen, Sister Sucrose, what's your next alchemy invention going to be?" Klee asked curiously, holding both of their hands as they walked.
Shen Qin smiled, "A little box that can store things."
Sucrose stifled a laugh with her hand. Technically, he wasn't lying—it was a box that could store things, but that was only part of the mechanical pet's function.
"Oh…" Klee quickly lost interest and shifted her attention. "Then when can we go on a picnic outside Mondstadt again? It's been days since we went out with Brother Albedo and Acting Grand Master Jean!"
"Sure. Once we finish up later, let's go ask Master Jean at the Knights if she's free and wants to come with us," Shen Qin said, raising an eyebrow.
"Eh—" Klee's eyes widened. "Master Jean is super busy! We shouldn't bother her. The three of us can go, that's good enough!"
"Aww, but I think it'd be more fun with more people. Maybe we could ask Lisa to come too?" Shen Qin teased.
"Lisa… Sister Lisa is really busy too! She doesn't have time!" Klee protested, pulling her hand out of Shen Qin's and pouting.
A little witch afraid of a big witch—totally understandable!
"But I made that library management system for her. She doesn't need to be in the library all the time anymore…"
Sucrose quickly cut in, "Alright, stop teasing her. Klee, once Shen Qin and I finish our ne—uh, alchemy invention, the three of us will go on a picnic, okay?"
"Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore!" Klee ran over to Sucrose's other side and pushed her slightly so her shoulder bumped into Shen Qin's.
At that moment, the voice of a bard singing in the plaza drifted toward them:
We've walked through time hand in hand,
You know I'll always care for you,
In my heart,
There'll never be another.
(Original song: "Be Mine Tonight" T/N: by Blackmore's Night)
As Sucrose felt a small flutter of happiness inside, Shen Qin suddenly stopped walking and turned toward the singing bard.
"W-What's wrong?" Sucrose asked nervously.
"I see someone I know. Let's go take a look." Shen Qin joined the crowd surrounding Venti and watched him play, fully immersed in his performance.
When the song ended, applause broke out, and several people tossed Mora into Venti's lyre case.
Venti spotted Shen Qin and smiled at the audience. "Thank you, everyone! That's all for my daytime performance. If you haven't had enough, feel free to come to the tavern tonight and listen to me sing over a drink."
Then he walked over to Shen Qin and said with a smile, "Greetings, Mr. Qin! The esteemed alchemist. And to you, two lovely ladies—you may call me Venti." He bowed politely.
Seeing this, Shen Qin's mouth twitched slightly, tempted to sidestep.
After all, the guy in front of him was none other than Mondstadt's actual Anemo Archon. Who was he to accept such formal gestures? But since he shouldn't know Venti's true identity yet, he forced himself to stay still.
"I am an alchemist, but I wouldn't call myself 'esteemed,'" Shen Qin said modestly.
"No, you've already saved thousands of disabled people with your bionic prosthetics—how is that not great?" Venti plucked a melodic chord and smiled. "If you don't mind, may I spread your story in song and praise the contributions you've made?"
Shen Qin waved his hands. "No, no need for that. I'm just doing what an alchemist should. Alchemy was created to serve humanity, and bionic prosthetics are just part of that. I don't think I'm anything special—I just happen to have the skills, so I do the work."
"Oh? An interesting perspective." Venti's eyes sparkled. "Maybe instead of an alchemist, you're more suited to be a philosopher—or perhaps a bard like me? If you buy me a drink at the tavern tonight, I wouldn't mind teaching you a few bardic tricks."
"…Seriously?" Shen Qin mentally rolled his eyes. Your best buddy Dvalin is on the verge of corruption, and you're still out here scamming drinks? Truly worthy of being called Barbatos!
Shen Qin had wanted to warn him about Dvalin, but thinking about it, did Venti really not know?
He still wanted to chat with this free-spirited god a bit longer, but Klee tugged at his shirt and said pitifully, "Big Brother Shen… Klee's hungry… When are we going to eat?"
"Looks like the most important task right now is to feed our little elf. Farewell, you three—I'm off to the tavern to snag a seat and grab a drink," Venti said, turning and walking off with flair.
Watching his carefree figure, Shen Qin suddenly felt a little envious. Free, unrestrained, doing whatever he pleased…
But then again, why was he able to be so free? Because he was one of the Seven Archons.
Shen Qin: Never mind then.
Sucrose noticed him staring off and said worriedly, "You're not actually thinking of becoming a bard, are you?"
"Of course not," Shen Qin snapped back to reality. "What, and end up as one of those broke guys who can't even afford a drink?"
Somewhere near the tavern, a certain broke bard sneezed out of nowhere and looked around. "Weird… who's talking bad about me?"
"Drinking is bad!" Klee declared firmly, arms crossed.
Shen Qin quickly patted her head with a sheepish grin. "I don't drink—I was just making a point."
Joking and laughing, the trio finally arrived at Good Hunter.
"Mr. Shen, Miss Sucrose, Miss Klee—welcome!" Sara greeted them warmly.
Ever since Shen Qin set up the digital ordering system for Good Hunter, it felt like the portions had gotten bigger too!
Shen Qin returned the greeting and handed her a pouch of Mora. "The usual, please."
"Got it. Take a seat inside—your food will be right out."
Since Good Hunter was close to the alchemy workshop and served great food, it had practically become their go-to spot. At this point, they were eating all three meals there.