On Mu Yang's side.
His group had just arrived in Mondstadt City.
He knew Lumine could use waypoints.
He wasn't in a hurry.
Because he had planned in advance not to participate in the Windblume Festival's main storyline.
So upon entering the city, Mu Yang took everyone to the Goethe Grand Hotel to check in.
Eula and Mika brought them here, considering the task complete.
Then they bid farewell to everyone and went back to report to Acting Grand Master Jean.
And mention Ningguang's arrival.
Ningguang specifically instructed her that this time she came as a friend.
Hoping Jean wouldn't make too much fuss to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Among the group, not many had been to Mondstadt.
Ningguang and Ganyu had come before only for official business, with dedicated reception.
So now it was dinner time.
Everyone was eagerly waiting for Mu Yang to speak.
Who knew Mu Yang ruthlessly pulled out a card.
Letting them go wherever they wanted to play, eat whatever they wanted; all on him.
He had some things to handle later and wouldn't join them for now.
Everyone didn't ask much; who doesn't have their own little secrets?
It was a good vacation anyway.
Mu Yang had taken care of them the whole way.
It was already hard enough.
He really should rest too.
Unfortunately, Ningguang and the others could never imagine.
Mu Yang's action this time was simply because he didn't want them to see.
Because he was going to dig up a little cat girl...
Mu Yang left the Goethe Grand Hotel alone.
It was evening now.
Because of the Windblume Festival.
There were many out-of-town tourists like them who came for the fame.
So Mondstadt City was bustling.
The streets were mostly couples out together.
Mu Yang chose to turn a blind eye.
Just as he was heading toward the Cat's Tail tavern.
He was suddenly hugged from behind.
It wasn't that he wasn't guarded, but this person really didn't need guarding...
It seemed Lumine wasn't doing this actively for the first time.
During the previous sword challenge event.
When she woke from the illusion, she also gave him a big hug.
— — — — — —
Two minutes ago.
In Guinaifen's livestream room.
Hearing Eula's meaningful words about friends from Liyue also arriving in Mondstadt City.
Little Gui instantly perked up.
"Mu Yang really comes out after being called so many times; he's finally here!"
"Quick quick quick!"
Guinaifen couldn't watch the following dialogue anymore.
She just wanted to quickly proceed to the next part of the plot.
To see the Mu Yang she had been thinking about for several major versions.
[Hehe, the streamer is way too obvious about wanting to see Mu Yang]
[The streamer still loves Mu Yang so much]
[Is there anyone in this livestream room who isn't Mu Men? Fork them out (no mercy)]
Little Gui didn't care about that.
After watching the dialogue, she controlled the character to walk toward the quest direction.
At the Cat's Tail tavern door.
Animation triggered.
Lumine spotted that white figure in the crowd.
Without a word, she rushed up and hugged him from behind.
Not even giving Paimon time to react.
The camera didn't show Mu Yang's front face; players didn't know his expression.
Just based on Guinaifen's purity.
She was almost sweetened to dizziness...
"What is this, the feeling of absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
[After not seeing for so long, getting close is fine]
[If it were me, I'd do the same; think about Sumeru without Mu Yang—that was suffering]
[Really, Mu Yang dependency syndrome acting up]
[Already a dummy who can't live without Mu Yang husband]
[Some characters' invitations aren't even this direct, haha]
[Giving ten pulls, what's wrong with a hug]
[The hug isn't much; I got all the benefits!]
[When going to see you, Electro power is really useful (doge)]
[Mu Yang: Why does my back feel tingly]
[Ice-Electro Superconduct; he has no defense now, take him down directly!]
— — — — — —
Mu Yang didn't move, just softly asked, "Lumine?"
"Mm."
There were many passersby on the road, but in the festival atmosphere.
Everyone just thought it was normal.
Earlier, they had seen a blind young lady.
Also stumbling into her lover's arms like that.
Crying about dandelions and the Anemo Archon finally giving her an answer...
What others thought was their business.
The big third wheel Paimon didn't care about that.
She chased up, shouting loudly, "Lumine, what's wrong with you, why did you suddenly run so fast..."
As she spoke, she saw the person clearly, "Eh?! Mu Yang?!"
So it was Mu Yang, whom they hadn't seen for a long time.
No wonder Lumine was so excited.
With Paimon's loud shout, Lumine also embarrassedly let go.
Seems like she shouldn't have treated her to chicken today.
Shouting so loud; clearly ate too much.
Lumine might have underestimated Paimon's appetite.
She had just started exchanging greetings with Mu Yang.
Paimon asked if Mu Yang had eaten dinner.
Mu Yang replied, "No, I'm out looking for something to eat now. You guys?"
"We haven't either." Paimon quickly waved, having an idea again.
"You don't come to Mondstadt often, right? Let me, your guide, show you around..."
[What pig Paimon; the picnic food isn't digested yet?]
[Better to raise a boar; Paimon eats so much but only has one-fifth the boar's strength]
[Paimon has emotional value; responsible for being cute]
[Exactly, and can be used too]
[The one above's car just ran over my face?]
Mu Yang nodded, letting Paimon lead the way.
Although Lumine wasn't hungry yet, she had many things to ask Mu Yang.
Might as well chat while eating at the table.
Lumine first asked about the reason Mu Yang left without saying goodbye.
Mu Yang told her:
To handle something like karmic debt stained on him.
It wouldn't take much time.
Back then, just out of The Chasm.
Seeing Lumine and the others too tired, he didn't disturb them.
Thought he'd return to Liyue Harbor in a couple days.
As for why he was gone so long afterward.
It was because he had an epiphany during recovery.
Yes, after experiencing The Chasm's 'great calamity of life and death', Mu Yang had an epiphany in swordsmanship.
The long period after was actually in cultivation.
To add persuasiveness, Mu Yang lightly tapped the table with his fingertip.
Lumine's consciousness suddenly entered an icy snow space.
Then pulled back by Mu Yang.
This time, without even drawing his sword.
Mu Yang's strength had indeed advanced a lot.
The martial fanatic persona deeply ingrained, Mu Yang easily made Lumine accept this explanation.
But from God's perspective, Guinaifen and the others definitely didn't believe it.
Anyway, Silver Wolf didn't believe it.
After hearing Mu Yang's experience, Lumine also talked about her adventures and sights in Sumeru.
Though some things she deliberately omitted.
Perhaps she felt that even if she mentioned Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, no one would remember anyway.
And our little Paimon didn't interject a single word from start to finish.
To eat more.
She was as well-behaved as could be...