The sun climbed higher, and Mondstadt's citizens began to bustle about.
Unlike the bleak, miserable state of the city just after it had been attacked by Stormterror a few days ago, after several days of repairs and cleanup, the whole city was lively and prosperous again.
"Hey!"
(^^*)/
After hurriedly saying goodbye to Amber, Lumine, and Paimon, Annie had only just run out through Mondstadt's city gate when she waved excitedly toward someone by the bridge and called out a greeting. Ignoring the curious, astonished looks of the passersby and guards, she sped up and dashed over.
Because the impatient-looking girl up ahead, standing by the bridge with her arms folded and looking around, was the person Annie had a date with today!
(●￣(?)￣●)
"!!"
"Ah!"
"You finally made it!"
"Great! Let's hurry!"
At Annie's call, the young girl standing by the bridge at the city gate finally jolted in surprise. She looked about sixteen or seventeen, with a neat head of short blue-black hair and two playful braids tied at the back of her head like little buns. Cute, lively, and full of charm, she hurriedly threw her arms open to Annie, cheering in relief.
"!?"
But when she saw that Annie seemed to be holding some greasy, sticky pastry, she immediately gave up on the idea of giving her a big hug.
"All right!"
"Annie."
"It's still not too late, so let's set off together and hurry to stock up on some fresh ingredients!"
"I was starting to think you weren't coming!"
As she cheered and welcomed Annie, the tall, slender girl with slightly tanned skin couldn't help complaining.
"I said I'd come, so of course I came!"
(?????)
"But, Sister Xiangling!"
(?????)
"Why were you waiting here so early?"
(?o?)
Annie said, turning the blame around and