Chapter 45: Coffee with Three Parts Sugar

I have to say, Navia arrived just in time, essentially helping Yu Xie out of an awkward situation.

Yu Xie stood up and quickly went to open the door.

Standing outside, Navia was holding a lot of food—everything from ready-to-eat snacks and fruits to ingredients like vegetables and meat.

"Why bring so much stuff?" Yu Xie was a bit surprised. Normally, when Navia came to visit, she would only bring a small dessert she made herself. It was the first time she had brought so much.

"I'm here to thank you properly for helping my father," Navia said with a warm smile on her face. "I went to the Palais Mermonia just now to find you, but they told me you were already... and Clorinde is here too?"

"Yes, I came to find Yu Xie," Clorinde said.

"Well, that's perfect," Navia said, shaking the bags of food in her hands. "Let's eat together!"

A moment later, the coffee table was filled with snacks and fruits.

Since it wasn't yet time for a full meal, the meat and vegetables were placed in the kitchen.

"Yu Xie, I heard from the people at Palais Mermonia that you've resigned from your position as Champion Duelist?" Navia asked, looking at him.

"That's right, I resigned this morning," Yu Xie replied.

"But... why?" Navia wondered. "Could it be..." She seemed to be thinking deeply.

Navia had also seen the news in the papers about Yu Xie's comments on the Duel System during the trial.

Yu Xie sighed and explained his thoughts on the Fontaine Court's Duel System once more.

After hearing all of this, Navia fell into a brief silence, but soon, she nodded at Yu Xie.

"I support you too."

Navia's support came even faster than Yu Xie had imagined.

Yu Xie could roughly guess why. Clorinde and Navia's support wasn't just because they had been convinced by his argument about the potential flaws of the Duel System. It was also because they trusted him.

"Clorinde, Navia, thank you," Yu Xie said with a slight smile, his voice soft.

"I should be the one thanking you," Navia replied. "You've helped my father so much. Today, I'll make you a hearty lunch. Though one meal can't fully express my gratitude, let's start with this!" Navia stood up, and before Yu Xie could say anything, she turned and headed toward the kitchen.

Yu Xie glanced out the window. It was still early—well before lunchtime.

"I'll go help Navia," Clorinde said, following her to the kitchen.

There were a lot of ingredients to prepare, and it wouldn't be an easy task.

As Clorinde was processing the ingredients, she noticed children playing and laughing as they passed by on the street outside.

Her thoughts were suddenly pulled back to the past.

Since she could remember, Clorinde had never had many friends.

Before Yu Xie appeared, she only had Navia as a friend.

After Yu Xie came, she gained another.

She still remembered one night, when she and Yu Xie sat together on the grass, looking up at the sky full of stars.

The night breeze was just right, and the temperature was perfect.

Yu Xie had said to her, "Clorinde, if we ever get the chance, let's go to Liyue together."

Liyue... that was a place Clorinde had never been to.

She had heard that it was a land of towering mountains, home to the largest port in Teyvat, with breathtaking landscapes and hidden immortals in the mountains.

From what she had heard, Clorinde could tell that Liyue must be an incredibly charming place.

She had wanted to go and see it with Yu Xie.

The sound of birds chirping outside brought Clorinde back to the present. In her distraction, she accidentally cut her finger with the kitchen knife. A small cut appeared on the pad of her finger, and bright red blood began to seep out.

She stopped what she was doing and placed her finger in her mouth.

"Clorinde?" Navia noticed the scene and quickly rushed over. "Did you cut your finger?"

"It's fine, just a small cut," Clorinde said nonchalantly.

As a Champion Duelist, such a minor injury was nothing to her.

"Still, you should take care of it," Navia said, looking a little worried.

"It's really fine, no need," Clorinde reassured her.

"You should take care of it," Yu Xie, who had entered the kitchen at some point, said as he gently pulled Clorinde back to the living room.

"The bleeding has stopped, really, it's fine," Clorinde insisted again.

Yu Xie didn't respond. Instead, he opened the drawer below the coffee table, took out a band-aid, and carefully applied it to the cut on Clorinde's finger.

As he placed the band-aid, Yu Xie gently held Clorinde's hand, and she could feel his warm breath on her skin.

For a moment, Clorinde felt her cheeks flush slightly.

"All done. Looks like you need to practice using that kitchen knife more carefully," Yu Xie joked. "You sit here for now, I'll go help Navia."

Time passed quickly, and as the sounds of cooking filled the kitchen, by the time it was lunchtime, the table was set with a full spread of dishes, each more delicious than the last.

After a hearty meal, the afternoon arrived.

Clorinde and Navia had already left, and Yu Xie sat alone at home, lost in thought for a while before heading out.

The streets were as usual, with pedestrians walking at various paces.

Yu Xie arrived at the Café Lutece, his favorite spot, and took a seat at an empty table. He was a regular at this café.

The café owner, Arue, spotted Yu Xie and was slightly surprised, but quickly walked over to greet him.

"Yu Xie, what'll it be today? Same as usual?"

"Same as usual, one coffee, three parts sugar."

"Coming right up."

Not long after, Arouet returned with a cup of coffee and placed it in front of Yu Xie.

Yu Xie took a sip, and as always, the coffee with three parts sugar had just the right balance—no overwhelming sweetness, just enough to soften the bitterness of the coffee without masking its original flavor.

"Yu Xie, I heard you... resigned from your position as Champion Duelist?" Arouet sat down beside him, looking a bit hesitant but eventually asking the question.

"Yeah, that's right," Yu Xie nodded, "I resigned."

"I just don't get it," Arouet said, looking at Yu Xie with a puzzled expression. "You've been a Champion Duelist for so many years and your reputation has always been great. Why would you choose to resign?"

"There are many reasons, but it's a long story, so let's not get into it," Yu Xie replied.

"Alright, I respect your decision," Arouet nodded. "Would you like some dessert? It's on me."

"No need, I just want to have my coffee," Yu Xie said.

"Okay, enjoy your coffee. I'll go take care of things," Arouet said before returning to the counter.

Yu Xie picked up his coffee cup and was about to take another sip when a man approached his table, followed by several bodyguards.

From his attire, it was clear that the man was wealthy or of high status.

"Can I help you?" Yu Xie asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

The man smiled slightly and introduced himself, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Darduf, a businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Yu Xie, I hear you've resigned from your position as Champion Duelist, so I have something I'd like to ask of you."

End of chapter

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