Bai You went downstairs and left the bank.
The doors of the Northland Bank closed behind us.
A cold afternoon wind swept over her, and she instinctively squinted her eyes, looking across the street.
Two or three small tables were set up at the entrance of the hot drink shop. At one of the tables, Varesa was resting her chin on her hand, idly twirling a strand of hair between her fingers.
There were two cups in front of her, one of which was still untouched and steaming.
As if sensing something, Varesa looked up, their eyes met, and her eyes lit up as she waved to Bai You.
Bai You quickly crossed the road and sat down opposite her.
"Finally figured it out." Varesa shoved the cup of hot cocoa into Bai You's hand.
"Take this and warm your hands."
The cup was warm, and the warmth gradually spread up my palm.
Bai You held the pomelo in both hands and whispered:
"Sorry, I seem to have taken a bit too long. I've kept you waiting."
"Not long," Varesa said lightly, though the tips of her ears were red from the wind, clearly indicating she had been standing in the cold air for quite some time.
Seeing that Bai You was holding the cup without moving, she looked down at her and said, "Take a sip first, don't let it get cold."
Bai You did as instructed and took a small sip, the sweet warmth sliding down her throat.
"Go ahead and say it." She picked up another glass herself.
"I've been counting; you've been inside for almost an hour. What, did Pantalone try to talk business with you?"
"It's even more convoluted than negotiating a business deal," Bai You said slowly.
"Official business is done. His Majesty's share is one million Mora, plus a voucher from the Mondstadt branch, which can be withdrawn for another one million upon arrival."
Varesa paused, her hand holding the glass still, and raised an eyebrow. "... Your Majesty's gesture is quite generous."
"I didn't expect that either." Bai You took a sip of cocoa and paused.
"After it was over, he didn't let me leave and said some more personal things."
"Oh?"
He said Dottore was a friend he had known for many years.
Varesa's smile faded slightly, and she leaned forward a little.
Bai You then recounted everything that had happened in the office—he had been unaware of it beforehand and had not been involved.
Then he took out a money bag, saying it was a personal apology.
Varesa listened quietly, then leaned back in her chair and remained silent for a long while.
She finally spoke, tapping her fingertip lightly on the rim of the glass.
"Unexpectedly, he distanced himself completely first."
Varesa chuckled softly again:
"My poor Little Bai You, it's been talking to such a cunning person for so long--""
Odette once said that the " Pantalone " people's rise to their current status wasn't solely due to Mora, and it seems that's indeed the case.
She changed the subject, her gaze landing on Bai You's face:
"So what about you? You're just going to accept it like that?"
"I've accepted it." Bai You blinked, a hint of smugness in her eyes.
"But I didn't accept it for nothing. I gave him a return gift—a pack of cigarettes."
"I had some cigarettes in stock, and I heard he has a particular fondness for them. He accepted them politely, saying he would savor them."
Varesa looked at her suspiciously:
When did you stock up on cigarettes? I didn't know.
"It was... something I created using my own abilities before." Bai You's eyes darted around.
Varesa stared at her for two seconds. Having spent these days with this Little Bai You, she realized how diverse her abilities truly were.
She seems to have so many abilities. If Little Bai You said she was Archon or a legendary Descender, I would believe her.
"Alright," Varesa said, finishing the last sip of her cocoa.
"After you finish drinking, let's go back to the theater."
The two walked east along the long street, turned past the stone-paved square, and after walking a while, the magnificent theater came into view.
"Let's go," she said softly to Bai You.
The two entered the theater, and the door closed gently behind them.
After a while, I returned to the house and opened the door.
In the sofa, Odette was reclining, a blanket covering her lap, holding a book in her hands, her eyes lowered, engrossed in reading.
Hearing the door open, she slowly raised her eyelids.
"You're back." Her voice was indifferent. "I thought you were going to wander around outside until dark."
"Don't even mention it, I spent an hour in the bank." Varesa took off her coat, tossed it onto the back of her chair, slumped back on the other side of the sofa, and let out a long sigh of relief.
Bai You also took off her coat, sat down next to Odette, and recounted the events of the afternoon in detail.
Odette listened quietly, her fingertips pausing slightly when she heard the word " The Doctor," and she spoke softly only after Bai You finished speaking:
"He's smart to clear himself of all charges; and he's decent enough to pay up after clearing himself of all charges."
"You accepted it appropriately—his giving was within his means; your acceptance was within yours."
"Oh, right." Bai You remembered something and looked at Odette.
"We're leaving first thing the day after tomorrow. Aren't you coming with us? It should be springtime in Mondstadt now, the hillsides are covered in dandelions."
Odette glanced at her, her Kamisato filled with a hint of helplessness, as if to say, "Why haven't you given up yet?"
"I'm not going," she said.
"You guys go have fun, but remember to bring me some Mondstadt special brew when you come back."
"I know, I won't forget," Bai You said with a smile.
The sky outside the window darkened completely, and snow began to fall sporadically again.
The fireplace crackled in the lounge as the three of them sat around the coffee table, eating dinner—thick soup, noodles, and a large piece of roast meat—while chatting idly.
After dinner, the three of them snuggled up on the sofa and chatted for a while, mostly about their trip to Mondstadt.
Then Odette played an opera, and they watched quietly.
After the show ended, Bai You started yawning. Seeing that she was sleepy, Odette got up first, said goodnight, and went back to her room.
Back in her room, after washing up, Bai You climbed into bed and wrapped herself in the blanket.
Varesa turned off the main light, lifted the covers, and lay down on the other side of the bed.
Bai You thought of snuggling into Varesa's arms to sleep as usual.
" Bai You."
Varesa suddenly interrupted her, her voice very soft.
Bai You was taken aback; she rarely heard Varesa call her by her full name so seriously.
Normally, she's either calling him " Little Bai You " or "My Little Bai You," with a teasing laugh at the end of her sentence.
She turned her face away.
The two were very close. In the dim light, Varesa lay on her side, propping her head up with one hand, staring at her without moving.
Those beautiful eyes, now so deep, reflected a faint light.
"You were at the bank today, dealing with Pantalone all by yourself."
She spoke slowly, raising her fingertips to gently brush away the stray hairs from Bai You's forehead.
Do you know what I'm thinking when I'm out there?
Bai You's breathing inexplicably softened. "... What are you thinking about?"
"I think, how come my Little Bai You is so lovable?"
His fingertips traced her forehead, down to her temples, and then along her cheeks, slowly moving downwards. His fingers brushed against her skin, causing a soft tremor.
Bai You's ear tips flushed bright red, and she instinctively shrank further under the covers. "You, you're teasing me again..."
"No joke." Varesa moved closer to her, the distance between them almost filled with their breaths.
"How many times have I teased you? Can you even count them yourself? But this time, I'm serious."
Her hand stopped at Bai You's chin, her fingertips lifting slightly so that Bai You couldn't avoid her gaze.
" Little Bai You," Varesa looked at her, her voice low and steady, uttering each word clearly, "I've liked you for a long time."