Chapter Summaries

Bai You and Varesa prepared to leave for Mondstadt, and Columbina and Sandrone arrived with homemade buns and asked to join them. Odette was persuaded to come as well, while Sandrone hinted that their planned ship, the White Gull, might not be available; the group spent the evening together before their departure the next morning.

• Bai You and Varesa packed their belongings while Odette sat with them at the theater.
• Columbina and Sandrone visited with warm buns, and Columbina revealed that Sandrone had baked them herself.
• Columbina asked to accompany Bai You to Mondstadt, and Sandrone said she was going there to visit Rosalyne.
• Varesa, Columbina, Sandrone, and Bai You persuaded Odette to join their trip, and Sandrone hinted that the White Gull might not sail as planned.
• The five shared dinner and discussed their plans for Mondstadt before Columbina and Sandrone stayed overnight at the theater.
• Bai You and Varesa went to bed, while a brightly lit new cruise ship waited at anchor in the harbor.

Bai You and her companions found that the White Gull was out of service, but Pantalone arrived at the harbor and arranged another vessel for their journey. He was surprised to discover that Columbina and Sandrone were traveling with Bai You to Mondstadt.

• Bai You woke to find Varesa already dressed, then joined Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone downstairs with their luggage.
• At the harbor, Bai You and her companions found a notice stating that the White Gull would not sail because it was undergoing maintenance.
• Pantalone arrived to see Bai You off and was startled to find Columbina and Sandrone with her.
• Columbina said they were going to have fun and enjoy the food, while Sandrone said she planned to visit Rosalyne in Mondstadt for a tea party.
• Pantalone spoke privately with Bai You, praised her companions' willingness to travel with her, and offered them another vessel.

Pantalone gave Bai You the Star Raft, a new cruise ship, and she accepted it after he explained that he wanted her friendship. Before the ship left Snezhnaya, Bai You gave Pantalone a hundred packs of cigars, and the Star Raft sailed south with Bai You, Varesa, and their companions aboard.

• Pantalone showed Bai You and the others the Star Raft and presented documents transferring ownership to her.
• Bai You accepted the ship and signed the transfer papers after Pantalone said he wanted to befriend her.
• Pantalone asked for more cigars, and Bai You gave him a hundred packs without charge.
• Pantalone thanked Bai You and promised to personally help her through the Northland Bank.
• Sandrone deleted the tracking record on her light screen as the Star Raft departed port.
• As the ship sailed south, Bai You told Varesa she felt lucky to be with her, and Varesa replied, “because you deserve it.”

Bai You comforted Varesa by promising to keep listening to her songs, while Sandrone and Columbina drew closer after watching them embrace. Columbina invited Sandrone to come closer without making excuses.

• Bai You asked Varesa whether people had ever treated her kindness as something worthless.
• Varesa described how people exploited her handwritten tickets, including Lishnaya, who gave away a front-row seat to impress a wealthy merchant.
• Bai You promised Varesa she would listen to every performance and sing Varesa's songs back to her if Varesa could no longer sing.
• Sandrone and Columbina watched Bai You and Varesa embrace, then walked toward the cabin together.
• Sandrone offered to make Columbina bread and cake, and Columbina teased her about eating machine oil.
• Columbina noticed Sandrone had been talking more than usual and told her she could come closer without making excuses.

Varesa asked Bai You to sing, and Bai You sang about meeting the person she had been waiting for. She confessed that Varesa was the answer to her riddle, and Varesa kissed her.

• Varesa realized she had never heard Bai You sing and coaxed her into singing a line.
• Bai You sang about waiting to meet someone and called their meeting the most beautiful accident.
• Varesa asked who Bai You had been waiting for, and Bai You confessed that it was Varesa.
• Bai You told Varesa that she was the answer to her riddle, and Varesa embraced and kissed her.

As the Star Raft sailed toward Mondstadt, Bai You planned a surprise concert to share Varesa’s singing with a wider audience. She decided to recruit Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone, then seek funding from Pantalone.

• Bai You reflected on how Varesa had cared for her and decided she wanted to do something meaningful for her in return.
• Bai You came up with the idea of holding a concert for Varesa in Mondstadt, with Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone helping.
• Bai You realized the concert would require more Mora than she had and decided to ask Pantalone for support.
• Bai You planned to recruit the others, contact Pantalone, arrange the concert, and surprise Varesa.
• Bai You gently took Varesa’s hand and whispered that she would do something big for her.

Bai You secretly contacted Pantalone to secure funding for a concert she planned to arrange for Varesa in Mondstadt. As the Star Raft approached land, Bai You returned to Varesa, keeping the surprise from her.

• Bai You left Varesa asleep and found the Star Raft’s communications room with the captain’s help.
• Bai You called the Northland Bank main branch and asked to speak with Pantalone.
• Bai You told Pantalone she wanted to arrange a performance for Varesa but lacked funds, and he agreed to finance it.
• Pantalone promised the Mondstadt branch would open an unlimited line of credit for concert expenses, asking only that Bai You save him cigars.
• Bai You returned to Varesa and hid the reason for her absence as they spotted Mondstadt on the horizon.

Bai You used Varesa’s swim to secretly gather Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone. She told them she wanted to hold a concert for Varesa and asked them to keep it secret.

• Varesa invited Bai You to swim, but Bai You claimed she was hungry and stayed aboard the Star Raft.
• Varesa swam alone and suspected Bai You was hiding something, but decided not to confront her.
• Bai You quietly found Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone and led them to an empty cabin.
• Bai You asked Sandrone to keep watch for Varesa, then revealed she wanted to hold a concert for Varesa.

Bai You organized a secret concert in Mondstadt for Varesa, with Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone taking on roles in the preparations. Varesa appeared to suspect the surprise and quietly looked forward to it.

• Bai You told Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone that she planned to surprise Varesa with a concert in Mondstadt, and they each offered to help.
• Sandrone agreed to handle the lighting, sets, and publicity after Bai You revealed that Pantalone had promised to cover the costs without an upper limit.
• The group chose the central square in Mondstadt as the venue and divided up the concert preparations, including rehearsals, security, and keeping the surprise secret.
• When Varesa returned to the ship, Bai You and Columbina left the cabin pretending they had been eating together.
• Varesa looked toward the corridor Bai You had entered and smiled, anticipating the surprise.

Bai You and her companions prepared a surprise concert in Mondstadt while keeping Varesa unaware, though Varesa guessed Bai You was plotting something and reassured her of her love. The next morning, Varesa pulled Bai You back into bed before she could check on the stage.

• Bai You, Sandrone, Odette, and Columbina prepared the concert by posting notices, building a covered stage, rehearsing with Varesa, and inviting people to attend.
• Varesa noticed Bai You had been avoiding her and asked what mischief she was planning.
• Bai You refused to reveal the surprise, and Varesa told her she would love her no matter what.
• The next morning, Varesa pulled Bai You back into her arms before she could go check the stage.

Bai You and Sandrone prepared a free performance in Mondstadt to surprise Varesa and show her that people in other places loved her singing. Varesa arrived blindfolded and stepped onto the stage, but Bai You realized she had never asked whether Varesa wanted to sing, leaving the moment unresolved as a mechanical robot brought her a microphone.

• Bai You arrived at the plaza before dawn and found Sandrone finishing the stage, including a sea-painted backdrop she had made herself.
• Bai You counted the tickets as Mondstadt residents, Margaret, Amber, Kaeya, a green-hatted youth, and a hooded man gathered for the free performance.
• Columbina helped organize the crowd and seated a little girl near the front.
• Odette persuaded Varesa to wear her pale blue dress, blindfolded her, and led her toward the plaza while Bai You watched from behind the curtain.
• Sandrone switched on the lights, and Odette guided Varesa onto the stage, where she removed the blindfold and faced the silent crowd.
• Bai You realized she had rushed the surprise without asking whether Varesa wanted to sing, just as a mechanical robot pushed a microphone within Varesa's reach.

Varesa overcame her hesitation and began singing before the musicians could start, captivating the crowd in the square. As she sang a familiar, somber song from her years in Snezhnaya, Bai You realized how much Varesa had carried alone and wept behind the curtain.

• Varesa noticed Bai You behind the curtain, gave her a reassuring smile, and chose to stay onstage.
• Varesa sang the first verse a cappella, and the crowd fell silent as they listened.
• Paimon and Lumine arrived and stopped to listen to Varesa sing.
• Varesa waited for the crowd to catch its breath, then Odette began playing as Varesa moved into the second verse.
• Bai You recognized the song Varesa had sung in Snezhnaya and cried as she reflected on Varesa's past and the others' preparations.

Varesa and Odette performed for a warm, attentive crowd in Mondstadt, whose members gradually hummed along with the song. Varesa invited Bai You onto the stage for the finale, then bowed as the audience erupted in applause.

• Sandrone secretly adjusted the stage lights to follow Varesa's performance, and Odette joined her onstage to dance.
• Odette smiled at a little girl clapping in the front row, and the audience began humming along with Varesa.
• Bai You cried behind the curtain as Columbina comforted her, while the boy in the green hat listened and praised the crowd's singing.
• Varesa beckoned Bai You onto the stage and held her close while singing the final passage to her.
• The song ended in silence before the audience applauded, and Varesa bowed and smiled at Bai You.

After Varesa ended her performance, Amber praised the singers and welcomed them despite their Fatui connections. Diluc then offered Varesa and her companions wine, but Sandrone warned Bai You not to drink it.

• Varesa thanked the audience and ended the concert while holding the still-dazed Bai You close.
• Amber introduced herself, praised Varesa’s singing, and said the Knights of Favonius would not cause trouble over the group’s Fatui ties.
• Bai You introduced herself and indicated Sandrone, Columbina, and Odette, who had helped organize the event.
• Diluc arrived onstage, exchanged greetings with Sandrone, praised Varesa, and left two bottles of wine as a gift.
• Sandrone warned Bai You not to drink Diluc’s wine because she suspected he might have tampered with it.

Varesa’s performance drew Venti, Paimon, Lumine, and Amber to the stage, and Varesa invited the gathered group to celebrate at The Cat's Tail. The chapter ends with everyone settling into the tavern as Paimon and Columbina ordered an enormous amount of food.

• Venti climbed onto the stage, introduced himself to Varesa, and accompanied her as she hummed a tune that stirred a gentle wind through the square.
• Paimon praised Varesa’s singing, and Lumine introduced herself as a traveler and adventurer.
• Amber returned and greeted Lumine, while Sandrone’s puppets collected the stage lights and Columbina noted that she was hungry.
• Venti returned with a flask and suggested going to a tavern, and Varesa offered to treat everyone.
• The group went to The Cat's Tail, where Margaret welcomed Varesa and offered drinks on the house.
• Paimon ordered several dishes, and Columbina told Margaret to double the order.

After the party, Varesa reassured Bai You that she had enjoyed her surprise performance, and the two returned to their hotel together. As they prepared for bed, Varesa called for a “makeup lesson,” leaving Bai You flustered.

• Paimon noticed Varesa and Bai You's unusual ears, and they explained that they were Water Nymphs.
• Venti played a lively tune while Varesa hummed along, earning applause from Margaret.
• As the party wound down, Varesa kissed the half-asleep Bai You on the forehead, and the guests gradually left.
• On the walk back to the hotel, Bai You asked whether she had messed up, and Varesa told her she had loved the performance.
• After washing up, Varesa pulled Bai You close and said she deserved a “makeup lesson.”

Varesa cared for Bai You after their night together, and promised to take her to the seaside once she recovered. Bai You suggested inviting Sandrone, Odette, and Columbina, and Varesa agreed to ask them.

• Varesa woke before Bai You, covered her shoulder, and brought her water when she woke.
• Varesa teased Bai You about the previous day, then helped her drink water and told her to rest.
• Varesa brought Bai You porridge and fed her when her hand was shaking.
• Bai You asked Varesa not to leave, and Varesa lay beside her and held her.
• Varesa promised to take Bai You to the seaside after she recovered, and agreed to invite Sandrone, Odette, and Columbina.

Varesa invited Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone to explore Mondstadt and visit the seaside with everyone. The next morning, she and Bai You joined the group for a city outing, where Varesa doted on Bai You as they sampled snacks.

• Varesa asked Odette to explore Mondstadt and go to the seaside with the group, and Odette agreed.
• Varesa invited Columbina and Sandrone, and both agreed to join the seaside trip.
• Varesa stayed beside sleeping Bai You, then got under the covers with her when Bai You woke briefly.
• Varesa brought Bai You breakfast the next morning and told her they were going out, while Bai You blushed at wearing Varesa's shirt.
• Varesa, Bai You, Odette, Columbina, and Sandrone set out together, and Varesa bought Bai You skewers and shared her apple brew.

Sandrone, Varesa, and Columbina fussed over their companions during a market outing, leaving Odette feeling like the odd one out. The group picked swimsuits for the beach, and the chapter ended with Bai You blushing and thumping Varesa after Varesa whispered to her.

• Sandrone bought chestnuts and offered peeled ones to Columbina, while Odette watched the two of them and Varesa and Bai You with envy.
• Varesa held a drink for Bai You and watched her eat, while Sandrone peeled chestnuts for Columbina at their meal.
• Varesa led the group into a swimsuit shop because they planned to go to the beach, and Columbina, Sandrone, and Odette each picked a swimsuit.
• Varesa chose a pale pink swim dress for Bai You, who tried it on and asked if it looked good.
• Varesa tucked Bai You’s hair behind her ear and whispered to her, making Bai You blush and thump her.

Varesa and the others bought swimsuits and ice cream before walking to the beach, carrying a tired Bai You along the way. The chapter ended with Bai You seeing the sea for the first time and standing quietly before it.

• Varesa helped Bai You choose a pink swim dress, while Columbina, Sandrone, and Odette tried on swimsuits.
• Sandrone bought the brown swimsuit she had picked out and carried it along with Columbina’s pale blue one.
• Varesa bought ice cream for everyone and teased Bai You as they sampled their flavors.
• When Bai You grew tired during the walk, Varesa picked her up and carried her.
• Varesa set Bai You down at the shore, where Bai You saw the boundless sea and Varesa asked if she liked it.