flstandardbreds Chapter 148 Fine Wine (7)
Chapter 148 Fine Wine (7)
"Sumeru?"
"Yes, the winery industry cooperation in Sumeru. Their Port of Ormos is a bustling commercial area, the most developed industry outside of Sumeru City. I believe Mr. Diluc has already heard about it."
Xuan Yue's simple explanation made Kaiya understand the project's contents, which was a real piece of cake for Dawn Winery.
Since that area has the word "port" in its name, there must be many merchant ships there, and they can travel by water. Many countries conduct trade there, and as Xuan Yue said, it is indeed a location with good development prospects.
"Brother Jin Xuan, this gift of thanks is truly generous."
Kaeya was now in a bind. Dawnbringer Winery was one of the top wineries in Mondstadt. If Diluc joined, the Knights of Favonius could get a share of the profits, so why not?
"Yes, thank you. I was planning to expand outwards, but wineries outside the region usually prefer to cooperate with local businesses, and it's difficult for companies from other places to get involved."
Diluc accepted the contract and went along with it.
"Haha, as long as it wasn't sent to the wrong place." (Now, everything is ready.)
This collaborative project in Xumi was initiated by him through a letter to Dolly, a wealthy merchant in Xumi, and was jointly organized through various channels.
His explanation was that there were many international students in Sumeru, and most of the nearby shops only sold their own brewed wine, with very few outside wine merchants. It was almost unknown to outsiders, so he partnered with various taverns to introduce common wines from different countries, which he was sure would be a huge success.
But his goal was to establish his own information network in Sumeru.
After all, intelligence networks are crucial in any country. For example, in Winterfall, there's the Northern Bank; in Mondstadt, there's the Dawn Winery; and in Liyue, there's the Jade Pavilion.
Sumeru—has a teaching institute.
"...It's almost lunchtime. Would you like to join us for a meal?"
Diluc accepted the contract and extended invitations to them.
Upon hearing this, Kaiya was about to slip away: "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer..."
"Humph."
Diluc didn't try to stop him, so Kaeya knew he wouldn't stop her.
Before he could take more than a few steps, someone called out to him, "Returning home during the festival is a custom in any country. Since Young Master Kaia has said so, why don't you stay for a meal?"
It was Adeline from the Dawn Winery, and she was standing behind Kaia at that moment.
"Miss Adeline, how could I trouble you again?" Kaia said with a wry smile, already anticipating that her plan to sneak away for a drink was going to fall through.
"You're too kind. Every time you come back, it's as the cavalry captain. Think about it, all I've done these past few days is make tea for the 'cavalry captain,' not prepare dinner for the 'young master.'"
"Uh..." Kaiya was speechless. Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, but he couldn't come up with any good ideas.
"Where did your imposing manner go? Weren't you quite the talker?"
Diluc stood with his arms crossed, watching his brother make a fool of himself, showing no intention of helping him out.
“…Haha, Diluc, you…” Kaeya said this with a smile, but there was a hint of gritted teeth in his voice.
"You don't want to spoil Adeline's fun, do you?" Since they're brothers, it's best to give them a way out.
Kong: "It's more lively with more people."
“…Alright then. I won’t stand on ceremony. Miss Adeline, please bring another set of cutlery.”
(As for the alcohol... let's drink it after we finish eating.)
"Then I won't fight..."
"Brother Jin Xuan has given us such a generous gift, so please do us the honor of staying for a meal." Kaiya interrupted Xuan Yue's attempt to leave with a smile, directly asking him to stay.
“…This isn’t a good idea.” Xuan Yue couldn’t help but look at Kong and Paimon, seeking their help.
Empty (turns head away): (Can't see, can't see...)
Paimon (covering his ears): (I can't hear you, I can't hear you...)
"!" (Paimon, we can't just stand by and watch someone die!)
Kaiya's smile widened, and Miss Adeline understood. She nodded and said she would prepare an extra set before going to prepare the meal with a beaming smile.
“…I shall accept your command.” Xuan Yue resigned herself to her fate.
He didn't want to stay because he was uncomfortable.
Xuan Yue breathed a sigh of relief as she finally made it to the end of the meal.
"Ah, so full... Miss Adeline's cooking is wonderful, both my eyes and my stomach are satisfied."
Paimon patted his full stomach, unable to hide the smile on his face.
Kong also agreed: "Thank you for the hospitality."
Diluc: "If you like it, that's fine. You can come over anytime you want to eat something."
Kaiya: "Oh? Then I'll have to take advantage of the traveler's kindness a few more times."
Paimon: "Sigh, Kaeya is being silly again."
"Alright, I've finished what I needed to do and I've filled my stomach. I'm going back to work now."
Kaiya stood up and was the first to leave his seat.
"Young master, please take care on your journey."
“It’s about time we set off. We can leave Razer to Lisa; the Wine Festival definitely needs the two of us to lend a hand.”
Once Paimon is full, he's full of energy.
"See you next time, Lord Diluc!"
"Goodbye. However, Mr. Jin Xuan, please wait a moment, as I still have some questions about that contract."
When Diluc's gaze shifted to Xuan Yue, he noticed that Xuan Yue was staring blankly at the empty plate.
"Mr. Jin Xuan?" Diluc reminded him again, which brought Xuan Yue back to his senses.
"Hmm, oh, the contract? I'd be happy to answer your questions, Mr. Diluc. Sora, Paimon, you two can go now. See you in a few days. I'm probably swamped with work lately, and if I don't have some time to deal with it, I'll be overwhelmed when I get back to Liyue."
Kong: "Okay, we'll get back to work now. I'll contact you again when you have time. Bye."
Paimon: "Goodbye, Jin Xuan."
After Paimon and Kong left, Diluc asked Adeline to clear away the dishes, while he led Xuan Yue upstairs to his study, which was also his office.
"Mr. Jin Xuan, let's not beat around the bush. Are you planning to bring Morning Dawn Winery into your scheme?"
Diluc took out the contract that Xuan Yue had given him. He didn't sign it immediately because he wanted to ask for clarification: "As I said, locals generally don't welcome outsiders getting involved. And this contract only requires Dawn Winery to prepare best-selling wines with unique characteristics, and it also requires two people to stay in Sumeru for seven days, which is intended to reflect the sales situation."
"The reasoning is sound, but isn't this a special means of conveying information to the outside world?"
"Hmm~, as expected of Mr. Diluc, exceptionally perceptive."
Xuan Yue didn't hide anything; on the contrary, he readily admitted it. After all, his contract, and the one Xuan Qing wrote himself, were riddled with flaws.
Especially those blatant hints, which naturally couldn't escape the discerning eyes of a big shot like Diluc.
Diluc: "I want to know why."
"...For my brother's sake, I must make this move. I need to find the Grass Goddess of Sumeru; only by finding her can I save 'Qingyue'."
Xuan Yue's expression was solemn; he was not lying.
"Taboo" originated in Sumeru.
"If what you say is true, and Mr. Qingyue is bedridden, then who recently signed the documents?"
"it's me."
"To attend various business events in place of Mr. Qingyue..."
"still me."
"Recently, the people at Dawn Winery have also..."
"Hehe, it's all me." (￣▽￣)~*
Xuan Yue instantly felt proud. His acting skills had actually fooled Diluc. It seemed that his disguise had been very successful during this period.
Diluc: "..."