Yun Fan looked at Barbara, who was resting her head on his arm, and then at his hand resting on her waist. He was momentarily stunned. What's going on? I was just sleeping peacefully at home. How did the blanket turn into a beautiful girl when I woke up?
"Mm…" Sensing something moving at her waist, Barbara reached down and felt a warm hand. Instantly, a chill ran through her body. Who's holding me?!
Barbara's blue eyes snapped open, meeting Yun Fan's gaze. Since they were in such close proximity, they could feel each other's body heat. The atmosphere suddenly became intimate.
"Good morning, Barbara," Yun Fan spoke first, noticing that Barbara seemed to be at a loss for words. In situations like this, it was better for him to take the lead.
"It's not morning anymore," Barbara said with a hint of complaint, recalling what had happened earlier. She had come to wake him up but had somehow ended up taking a nap with him. Judging by the sunlight, it was already noon. She had missed her morning duties at the church—her first time skipping work.
"Ahem, you're right. It's quite late. You must be hungry, Barbara. Let's go have lunch," Yun Fan said, sensing her mild complaint. He felt a bit awkward. Earlier, he had thought he was dreaming and had pulled the "dream" Barbara into his arms. Who knew it wasn't a dream?
"Alright," Barbara pouted slightly but didn't dwell on the matter. She was currently in his arms, and if she kept pushing, who knew what might happen? She wasn't ready for that yet.
"Sara, bring us some spicy dishes and a few of my special spicy dried fish," Yun Fan called out as he led Barbara downstairs, still holding her hand.
"Let's sit over there," Yun Fan found a secluded corner and guided Barbara to the table. He had originally planned to dine in one of the private rooms upstairs, but due to the recent celebrations after the dragon crisis, all the rooms were booked. Although he was the owner of the Good Hunter, he didn't feel right about taking a reserved room.
"Barbara, is something on your mind?" Yun Fan noticed that Barbara, sitting to his left, had been quiet. He knew the little girl must have something to say, most likely about the divine decree.
"I…" Barbara's cheeks puffed up, and she shot Yun Fan a slightly annoyed look. How am I supposed to ask that with everyone around us watching?
"Ah, my bad," Yun Fan realized the issue and cast a spell to create a soundproof barrier and weaken others' perception of them.
After casting the spell, Yun Fan spoke.
"Alright, I've blocked others from noticing us."
"Mhm," Barbara nodded, then got straight to the point.
"Yun Fan, was last night's divine decree your doing?"
"Yes, I asked Lord Barbatos to issue that decree."
"I knew it," Barbara said, her expression showing understanding but also a hint of disappointment. She had hoped that her piety had moved the unreliable Anemo Archon.
Still, she felt a small sweetness in her heart. Yun Fan had gone so far as to ask Lord Barbatos to issue a divine decree for her. He really was something.
"Are you a little touched?" Yun Fan teased.
"Mhm, just a little. But really, only a tiny bit," Barbara turned her head away, refusing to look at Yun Fan.
"Haha, my adorable little Barbara," Yun Fan couldn't resist pinching her cheek. He hadn't expected Barbara to have a tsundere side.
"You're so mean!"
The two spent a pleasant meal together. After they were done, Yun Fan escorted Barbara back to the Cathedral of Favonius.
"Miss Barbara, you've finally arrived," Sister Victoria sighed in relief upon seeing Barbara, who had been missing all morning.
"I'm sorry, Sister Victoria. This is my fault," Yun Fan apologized before Barbara could speak. After all, it was because of him that Barbara had skipped work.
"Ah, Mr. Yun Fan. Although I'm an outsider, I must say—please treat Barbara well," Sister Victoria bowed slightly, her expression serious.
"Of course. I, Yun Fan, swear to love and protect her for all eternity," Yun Fan replied solemnly. For those who genuinely cared about Barbara, he was willing to show respect.
"Then I can rest easy. Miss Barbara, come with me. The church is in an uproar because of you…"
After watching Sister Victoria and Barbara enter the Cathedral of Favonius, Yun Fan stretched and headed out of Mondstadt.
His destination was the Symbol of Mondstadt's Heroes—the great tree at Windrise. During his last drunken encounter, Venti had accidentally revealed that he had hidden some Dandelion Wine there. Yun Fan was eager to taste this legendary Mondstadt wine, said to have a thousand flavors.
Yun Fan spread his senses, conducting a thorough scan of the area around the great tree. Soon, he found what he was looking for.
"Let's see… Wow, Venti's been hiding quite a stash," Yun Fan dug up the soil and unearthed several crates of fine wine, all of them rare and exquisite. Some of them he had only read about in Cloud Retainer's ancient texts.
"Let me see… This must be the Dandelion Wine," Yun Fan picked out the Dandelion Wine and removed the cork. Instantly, a refreshing aroma filled his nostrils—a blend of a thousand floral and fruity scents, some of which he had never encountered before. It was intoxicating.
"This really is excellent wine!" After taking a sip, Yun Fan's face lit up with delight. It was the best wine he had ever tasted.
After confirming that this was indeed the Dandelion Wine, Yun Fan buried the other wines back underground. He wasn't about to take all of Venti's stash—just one bottle was enough.
After drinking about half of the bottle, Yun Fan summoned Void Archives.
"Void Archives, use those two extraction opportunities for me."