Hong Yue, a merchant from Liyue, specializes in selling windmills, models of Qunyu Pavilion, Yun Jin figurines, and other children's toys. This time, she has brought two full carts of goods to Mondstadt, hoping to make a big profit during the annual Mondstadt Gliding Contest.
However, on her journey to Mondstadt, a group of Hilichurls had set up a camp along the way, so she had to take a longer detour and only arrived in Mondstadt the day before the contest.
"Ugh, I'm two days late, and now I'm afraid these two carts of toys won't sell now," she said with a downcast expression as she looked at the city gates of Mondstadt from a distance.
According to her plan, once she sold all the toys in Mondstadt, she would take two carts of Mondstadt's special toys back to Liyue, making two profits on the round trip.
But if she had to return the toys from Liyue, she might end up with a loss this time.
"Haaaa~, let's just take it step by step!"
Thanks to the Gliding Contest, Mondstadt was especially lively these days, with numerous people entering and leaving at the same time. In the end, even entering the city now required waiting in line.
Hong Yue followed the crowd, slowly moving toward the city. She had been to Mondstadt several times, but every time it gave her a different feeling.
If she came during normal times, Mondstadt would give a relaxed, leisurely vibe, as if sitting there doing nothing could allow one to spend the whole day without any guilt.
If she came during the Windblume Festival, she could enjoy various Mondstadt-themed mini-games. Whether adults or children, everyone could immerse themselves in the fun activities full of childlike wonder.
But what about the Gliding Contest?
"Yo! Amber's fans, gather round! Everyone will receive a baron bunny plushie. Even if you're not a fan, we also have an introduction pamphlet about Amber. She's the most agile scout knight in the Knights of Favonius, the champion of the previous Gliding Contest, and she's most likely the winner of this year's championship again..."
"Hey! This time, Stanley the Adventurer is the most likely to win the Gliding Contest! He's a legendary adventurer who survived the Wyrmrest Sea without wind. Imagine how skilled his flying techniques must be..." (T/N: At this time, was this the real stanley or his friend 'Hans' (T⌓T))
"I say, if the Red-Clad Demon enters the Gliding Contest, they will definitely win the championship!"
"Yeah! I saw the Red-Clad Demon flying fast over Cider Lake that day. The speed was something even the Wind Glider can't match!"
"What kind of nonsense are you babbling about? How can anyone fly without a Windglider? The Red-Clad Demon is probably just a story invented by some parents to trick children!"
"I suggest that the Prince of the Cat's Tail Tavern enters the Gliding Contest. Whoever beats him won't be allowed to drink the drinks made by Miss Diona."
"Haha, who would dare beat him? The Prince is mighty! Miss Diona is mighty!"
"Hello everyone! I'm a first-time participant in the Gliding Contest, Adventurer Nikola. I hope everyone will support me and cheer for me during the competition!"
"Nikola! Nikola!"
...
As soon as Hong Yue entered Mondstadt, the shouting and discussions erupted in her ears. She covered her ears and had to adjust to the noisy sounds for a while.
Mondstadt during the Gliding Contest was like this, passionate and full of energy, just like Diona's special Tequila made with lizard tails and Jueyun Chili—spicy at first, but soon you start savoring the rich flavor that will stay with you for years.
After a difficult time pushing through the crowd, Hong Yue finally got her two carts of toys to a quieter part of the plaza. She turned around and was delighted to see that the famous "Good Hunter" restaurant was nearby.
"You all set out the toys, I'll go buy lunch for you," she told the short-term workers she had hired from Liyue.
One consequence of the huge increase in people flow was the long line to place an order. In front of her were two young women wearing Inazuman-style kimonos.
'Isn't Inazuma still under lockdown? Why would there be Inazuma people in Mondstadt?'
One of the long-haired women sighed, "So many Mondstadt people! Though not as many as in Liyue, there are definitely more than in Inazuma."
The short-haired woman nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we never had such a crowd during festivals back home."
The long-haired woman sighed again, looking a bit lonely. "Speaking of festivals, we haven't returned to Inazuma in a long time. I'm starting to miss home."
"Don't worry, what's so great about going back? The lockdown has only gotten stricter. We barely managed to escape, and I don't want to go back!"
Hong Yue understood. They must have escaped Inazuma when the lockdown was first implemented and hadn't returned since.
Soon it was her turn to order. She ordered five servings of Tea-baked Pancakes.
"Okay, five Tea-break Pancakes," the waitress said quickly, writing down the order in her notebook with her right hand while using her left hand to call other customers to pick up their packed dishes, trying to maintain a "nearly overwhelmed but not completely collapsing" state.
So busy! But I'll be busy soon too, she thought, shrugging. She took the five orders of Tea-break Pancakes and left, brushing past a girl in red at the door.
'That girl looked a little familiar.' Hong Yue turned to look but only saw the crowded masses and decided to let go of the thought, heading back to the plaza.
.....
Shen Qin regretted bringing Klee to the Good Hunter for lunch.
Because Klee hadn't kept her promise to Jean (not going to Cider Lake to fish), Klee had been banned from participating in the Gliding Contest. However, she didn't want to miss out on the excitement, so she dragged Shen Qin around Mondstadt, having fun everywhere.
Since they were out for fun, of course, lunch had to be eaten outside. So they arrived at Hunter's Feast, where they overheard the people at the next table discussing the "Red-Clad Demon."
"I heard the Red-Clad Demon flies as fast as an eagle and as high as a mountain, with amazing strength. Wherever they point their finger, it explodes!"
"That's fake! There's no such thing as a Red-Clad Demon, it's all lies. I have the latest news though! I heard the Knights of Favonius developed a new flying tool, and someone will use it to compete in the Flying Contest!"
"What new flying tool? That's impossible! Let's talk about the Red-Clad Demon instead. I'm a fan of the Red-Clad Demon now..."
Klee's eyes sparkled as she listened to their discussion. "Brother Shen, is there really a Red-Clad Demon in the world?"
Shen Qin smiled wryly. "I guess there is."
"Then can Brother Shen take Klee to find the Red-Clad Demon? I want to go fishing with the Red-Clad Demon!"
Shen Qin: "..."
I can't exactly say the Red-Clad Demon is you, can I? (T/N: Does she know, chat?)
"Shen!" A lively voice sounded by the table.
Amber stood with her hands on her hips, looking serious. "I heard from Kaeya that you're going to compete with me using a new flying tool and you've already booked the champion?"
'Oh? Kaeya is stirring things up? That's just his mischievous nature.'
Knowing Shen Qin's usual attitude, he should be explaining things and letting Amber take it up with Kaeya. But this time, he didn't do that. Instead, he nodded. "Indeed."
His tone and style were learned from Diluc, calm but firm.
"Hmph, I knew you were a formidable opponent!" Amber's face lit up with excitement. "I'll defeat you in the Flying Contest and let everyone know I'm the true flying champion of Mondstadt!"
Shen Qin smiled. "How about a bet? The loser has to grant the winner a wish."
"Bet on what?" Amber immediately covered her wallet with both hands, looking suspicious. "Just in case you didn't know, I have no mora!"