Shao Yun was still resting in his own room that night. Apart from what Lumine had said—that it had only been half a month, which was a bit too fast—the main reason was Paimon. One bed simply couldn't fit three people.
…
As night deepened and the world fell silent, only the faint sound of breathing could be heard from Shao Yun's room.
However, the tranquility of the night was shattered by a sudden bang bang bang of someone hammering on the door, as if trying to tear the peace apart.
Shao Yun was jolted awake. His mind still foggy from sleep, the abrupt noise echoed painfully in his ears.
Holding his head, he squinted toward the window. Moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting shadows on his furrowed brow and annoyed expression.
"Son of a—! Who the hell is it? Someone dead coming to deliver the news? Summoning ghosts?!" Shao Yun cursed angrily, his voice filled with rage and frustration.
He sat up abruptly, donned his black gambler hat, threw on his brown sharpshooter coat, and prepared to head out and see who was disturbing the peace.
At the same time, Amber stumbled out in her pajamas, rubbing her sleepy eyes, clearly also disturbed by the noise.
"Geez, who is it? It's the middle of the night—why the hell are you banging on our door?"
Paimon lay sprawled on Lumine's shoulder, her tiny face scrunched up in tired frustration as she muttered, "So noisy..."
Lumine walked over to Shao Yun's side, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she teased, "I thought it was you snoring, Shao Yun."
Shao Yun froze, then chuckled helplessly. "If I snore like that again, just strangle me awake."
"Not happening anytime soon."
Before Lumine's words had even faded, the pounding on the door intensified, as if it would shake the whole doorframe apart.
Amber stamped her foot angrily. "Seriously, who is it! So damn rude—I'm going to see for myself!" she declared and stormed toward the door.
Shao Yun quickly stopped her, rubbing his neck with an irritated tone. "I'll deal with this impolite bastard!"
Lumine, watching Shao Yun's back, reminded him, "At least ask what's going on—don't just start shooting!"
On the first floor, he opened the door and shouted impatiently, "Who is it?!"
Outside, a figure nearly stumbled through the doorway as the door swung open unexpectedly.
Shao Yun squinted—it was Rosaria.
He looked her up and down, surprise written all over his face. "Rosaria? What are you doing here?"
Rosaria didn't answer. She glanced at him, then grabbed his arm and said, "Come with me."
Caught off guard by her sudden action, Shao Yun quickly shook her off and cursed, "Get lost!"
Rosaria seemed unfazed by his reaction, continuing to stare at him intently.
Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Shao Yun frowned and snapped, "Don't you know how to knock properly? It's the middle of the damn night! You delivering funeral news or something? Should I get you a hammer so you can flatten the whole building?!"
Rosaria took a deep breath. "It's important. Come with me!"
Shao Yun rolled his eyes and replied impatiently, "What important thing?! Don't tell me Barbatos is dead?!"
Just then, Lumine came downstairs and asked, "What's going on?"
Seeing Lumine, Shao Yun toned down his demeanor and waved at Rosaria.
"Go on, leave already. Don't disturb the neighbors."
Rosaria stepped forward and grabbed the door to stop him from shutting it. Then she dropped the bombshell.
"I can't find Sister Jilliana."
Shao Yun shot her a look, clearly thinking she was spouting nonsense.
"She's got a home, a husband, a kid—obviously, she went back to sleep! Get out, don't disturb us."
He tried to slam the door, but Rosaria held firm, growling, "You get out here!"
Just as they reached a standoff, Rudolf came running over in a panic, worry etched deep into his face.
He rushed up to Rosaria and asked urgently, "Sister Rosaria! Have you found Jilliana? I've turned all of Mondstadt upside down—I still can't find her!"
Seeing Rudolf's anxious face, Shao Yun was taken aback and asked, "Mr. Rudolf? What's going on?"
Rudolf, breathless, struggled to speak as he tried to calm himself. His eyes were filled with worry and fear.
"My wife's missing. I'm really worried about her."
At that moment, Lumine joined Shao Yun, concern evident in her voice.
"Your wife is missing? What exactly happened? Could you explain in detail?"
Rudolf nodded, trying to recall everything.
"Tonight, I gave her the gift you all sent. She was really happy and said she wanted to go out to buy some wine so we could celebrate together."
At this point, a mysterious smile crept onto Rudolf's face as he shyly added, "Actually, I was quite happy myself. I thought after we put Lilly to sleep tonight…"
What is this, spring fever?
Before he could finish, Shao Yun cut him off harshly.
"Stop! I wished your family happiness, not for you to overshare every private detail! Just get to the point!"
Embarrassed, Rudolf wiped off his grin and continued with a tinge of concern. "After I gave her the gift, she left—and never came back."
Shao Yun's brows furrowed. "Did she leave after seeing which gift?"
Rudolf pointed at him helplessly. "Yours. I opened the food gifts long ago. Yours was the only one still wrapped."
Rosaria gave Shao Yun a cold glare and said in a frosty tone, "That's why I need you to come with me to find her."
Lumine eagerly chimed in, "I'll go too!"
But Shao Yun stopped her with a firm hand, his tone decisive.
"Hold on, Lumine. You don't need to charge in every time something happens. Go back to sleep. I'll handle this."
Lumine looked hesitant but asked, "Can you really manage it alone?"
Shao Yun nodded confidently. "Trust me, finding someone isn't your specialty. Besides, you need rest. If you handle everything, what's the point of me being here?"
Lumine considered for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. Just be careful."
She turned and headed upstairs, casting worried glances back at him with every step.
Shao Yun watched her light steps with a soft smile, warmth and affection radiating from his face.
But as he turned back, his face hardened, and he stared coldly at Rosaria, his tone annoyed.
"That gift came from that Mondstadt intel broker, Vile. If you have a problem, take it up with her, not me."
Rosaria crossed her arms, unrelenting. "All I know is you gave the gift to Mr. Rudolf! And you just promised your little girlfriend you'd help me!"
Grinding his teeth in frustration, Shao Yun took a deep breath to calm his growing rage.
"Damn it, that Vile's got me in deep trouble."
Rosaria frowned, clearly impatient. "Quit whining. What matters now is finding Jilliana. Come on, you're going with me."
Shao Yun sighed, organizing his thoughts.
He frowned slightly. "Wait—do you know where Vile is right now? We might need to ask her a few things."
Rosaria thought for a moment and pointed toward the Adventurers' Guild headquarters. "If anywhere, she's probably there. But I don't know exactly where."
Just then, a prompt echoed in Shao Yun's mind.
[Please proceed to the Adventurers' Guild to inquire/interrogate Vile and obtain more information.]
Shao Yun turned to Rosaria. "Miss Rosaria, I'll go to the Guild and ask that Vile."
Rosaria eyed him suspiciously. "How do I know you won't run off?"
Shao Yun rolled his eyes. "Where would I even run to? The top of the cathedral?"
"I don't trust you. I'm coming too!"
Shao Yun didn't argue, just dropped three words.
"Suit yourself."
Under the night sky of Mondstadt, Shao Yun strode through the streets, eyes sharp and focused, heading straight for the Adventurer's Guild.
The city's lamps faded behind him, leaving only his long shadow accompanying him forward.
At the Adventurer's Guild steps, he spotted Vile slumped on the stone, seemingly asleep.
Her breathing was soft and even, a bit of drool hanging at the corner of her mouth.
Shao Yun frowned and tapped her leg with the tip of his boot.
Vile jolted awake, rubbing her eyes in confusion. She hadn't fully shaken off sleep.
"Ah!" she yelped, scrambling to her feet, her face filled with alarm.
Shao Yun's face was expressionless. He drew his cowboy revolver and pointed it straight at her head.
His voice was cold and firm, filled with menace.
"Didn't I tell you, if anything went wrong, you'd end up held together by sticks?!"
Vile turned pale, backing away in terror, hands trembling as she waved frantically.
"Ahh! Don't—don't shoot! We can talk!"
Shao Yun's eyes burned with fury. "It's about Jilliana! That gift you gave me made her disappear. What the hell did you put in it?!"
At the mention of Jilliana, Vile visibly relaxed.
She dusted herself off and smiled cryptically. "Oh, that. I thought it was something serious..."
Shao Yun's anger erupted.
He fired several shots near her feet. Vile jumped and shrieked in a ridiculous dance.
"Hey hey hey! Help!"
Shao Yun pressed the barrel under her chin, fury radiating off him like heat.
"I'm interrogating you. Don't think I won't blow your damn head off."
Vile, trembling, admitted, "Alright! I know where Jilliana is!"
She carefully pulled a map from her coat and handed it over.
Shao Yun holstered his gun and examined the map.
As he saw the marked location, his face darkened.
"Whispering Woods?! Are you messing with me?"
Vile nodded frantically. "I swear! It's true!"
Shao Yun narrowed his eyes.
"Lying gets you shot."
Sweat beaded on Vile's forehead. "I'm telling the truth! Jilliana used to be in the Treasure Hoarders. Some old comrades were spotted in Whispering Woods."
Shao Yun wasn't buying it.
"Don't lie. The Hoarders haven't been around in ages! You think I'd fall for that?"
Panic rising, Vile laid it all out in desperation.
"The plan was—your gift had a Raven Mark inside. She'd see it, leave in a hurry. You'd come ask me. I'd explain. You'd heroically help her with the Treasure Hoarders. Everyone wins—she's safe, you're a hero, I eliminate threats to Mondstadt for my boss. No lies!"
Vile was now sobbing and near collapse.
Shao Yun glared at her. So, you took me for a chump, huh?
He was about to cock the revolver again when he felt a gaze behind him. Reluctantly, he holstered it and called out.
"Sister Rosaria, you heard it all, right? She's yours."
Rosaria stepped out of the shadows, arms crossed and brows furrowed.
"What do you mean, yours?"
She glared at him, clearly unhappy.
Shao Yun tossed her the map. "Your Church's mess. Your job."
Rosaria glanced at it and threw it back. "No. You and I— we're going together."
Shao Yun threw his hands up. "Why should I do unpaid work? I've been busy enough already!"
He wasn't anyone's doormat.
Rosaria turned to Vile, who still looked shaken.
"Miss Vile, you're going to compensate him fairly."
Vile was stunned. "Huh? That's not how I planned it..."
Rosaria wasn't surprised. "Jilliana's disappearance is partially on you."
Vile lowered her head, muttering bitterly, "Just my luck. Why couldn't the overly nice Honorary Knight show up instead..."
"You little—! Taking Lumine for a fool? I'll kill you right now!"