Shao Yun stood in front of the Goth Grand Hotel, just across from the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. What lay before him was a bustling construction site.
Sweat-drenched workers moved about busily with tools in hand.
Old Mr. Goth, hunched over, stood to the side offering encouragement. His voice, though raspy, was filled with enthusiasm.
"Keep it up, everyone! I'll provide free cold drinks during the lunch break!"
His voice echoed across the site, bringing cheerful smiles to the workers' faces and boosting their energy.
Drawn by his voice, Shao Yun looked at the slightly stooped figure and murmured in admiration.
"So, this is the legendary landlord, Mr. Goth… loaded, huh? Renovating already before the compensation's even paid."
Shao Yun appeared behind Goth and cleared his throat. "You must be Mr. Goth."
Goth, absorbed in watching the labor, flinched at the sudden voice behind him. He spun around, eyes wide in shock.
Even though Shao Yun's tone was gentle, it still sent a chill down his spine. Recognizing the source, Goth forced a nervous smile.
"Ah! And you are…?"
Seeing the forced grin, Shao Yun offered an awkward nod, rubbing his hands together.
"Didn't Amber tell you? I'm here to discuss the hotel compensation. Been busy lately, so I'm only coming now."
Goth's face fell instantly, like some terrible secret had been exposed.
He glanced around hastily and pulled Shao Yun aside into a quieter spot.
With a strained smile, he asked, "Compensation?"
Shao Yun pointed to the half-rebuilt hotel in the distance.
"A few days ago, I cleared out those Fatui agents—busted some windows and doors in the process. I'm here to cover the damages."
Goth's expression grew complicated.
Shao Yun reached into his backpack without hesitation.
"How much to get this place back in shape? Just say the number."
His voice carried an unmistakable tone of sincerity and resolve—he meant to make things right.
Goth's eyes filled with panic. He waved his hands quickly, trying to pull Shao Yun's hand out of the bag. "No, no! My estate's big enough—I don't need the money!"
But Shao Yun shook his head, smiling calmly. "Come on. You're already renovating before getting compensation—you'll lose out. Name a figure and I'll reimburse you."
Goth grew even more frantic, nearly on the verge of tears.
"Please, Mr. Shao Yun! You got rid of the Fatui—that alone brought peace to Mondstadt. After all you've done, how could I ask for money?"
Shao Yun eyed him curiously. Something felt off. He tested the waters.
"The Knights' reimbursement budget really that generous?"
Goth sighed, realizing he couldn't hide anything. He gestured for Shao Yun to lean in and whispered, his voice low and cautious.
"The Knights took the intel the Fatui left behind… but didn't touch their treasure. Not a single coin."
Shao Yun's eyes narrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Goth grimaced, then gave in with a resigned sigh. "You really want the whole story?"
Shao Yun nodded firmly. "You can't stop halfway. How am I supposed to understand otherwise?"
Amused and a little resigned, Goth relented.
"They told me—if I don't ask you for damages, I get to keep everything the Fatui left behind."
He did a quick mental tally and grimaced. "It's enough to tear the place down and rebuild and turn a hefty profit. If you pay for repairs now… I've got no excuse to keep that money. I'd lose big."
Well, damn. So if the Knights hadn't made that deal, would you have chased me down with a banner outside Amber's house?
Shao Yun looked around, anger flaring. His hand twitched toward his revolver. This old man got the biggest payday out of all this?
Should've pocketed some of that stash back then—now it's all feeding this sly fox!
Goth, seeing Shao Yun's face darken like a thundercloud, began to panic.
He knew he had to act quickly. He pulled a hefty coin pouch from his pocket, the heavy clink of Mora echoing as he handed it over with a trembling smile.
"Please, take this—it's a token of my appreciation. I know what I did wasn't exactly honest. Let this make up for it."
The pouch was packed—Shao Yun could tell just from the weight it had to be over 300,000 Mora.
He weighed the bag in his hand. The anger in his eyes eased slightly—but only slightly. He glared at Goth.
"You really made a killing, old man. And I… I feel like a damn fool."
You walk off rich. I walk away bloodstained. What kind of deal is that?
Goth, terrified Shao Yun might lose it, bowed and scraped, spouting apologies.
"Alright, alright—I owe you one! Please, don't stay angry!"
Three hundred thousand Mora and a favor from the richest landlord in Mondstadt… actually, that wasn't too bad.
Shao Yun snorted and tucked the money away. His scowl hadn't fully faded. He pointed at Goth and snapped.
"Fat horses graze at night. Wealth comes from windfalls. You really played it well. I kill the Fatui, they target me, and you're here grinning and counting coins."
Goth saw the pouch vanish into Shao Yun's bag and finally relaxed. Better a tongue-lashing than a bullet.
He bowed again, face plastered with a sheepish grin.
"Haha, you're such a joker! I'll get back to overseeing the renovations. Take care!"
Shao Yun clicked his tongue and turned away.
"Yeah, yeah. Go patch up your hotel. I'm outta here."
He left without another glance.
Goth watched him go, secretly relieved. Things had gotten dicey, but it was resolved. He called out politely, "Safe travels!"
Without waiting for a reply, he rushed back to the construction site and resumed shouting instructions.
As Shao Yun walked away from the Goth Grand Hotel, rage simmered in his chest, hot enough to burn the whole world down.
Each step thudded heavily on the cobbled street—like a drumbeat of anger echoing through Mondstadt.
His face was a storm cloud, dark and terrifying, like a thunderstorm about to break.