A Heart at Peace with Circumstance

In the early morning, sunlight slipped through the cracks in the mountain wall, falling uncomfortably across her face. Pei Nana struggled to open her eyes, and for a few seconds, the uneven cave ceiling left her dazed before the events of the previous night slowly returned to her. She could not help but rake a hand through her disheveled hair and mutter a curse, still finding it all somewhat unreal.

It felt like some absurd dream after a game. How could the barrier between worlds shatter so casually? Surely this was a fantasy.

The bed of branches and dry grass was still as soft as floating driftwood—pressing down gently would make it sink. But perhaps with experience, or simply because she knew now she hadn't been kidnapped and needn't be so cautious, she descended without the awkwardness of yesterday, only a little sore from sleeping in an odd position, and slid down smoothly.

Her feet landed on some scattered stones, one sharp edge pressing into her sole, making her wince and gasp as a stinging pain shot up her leg. Looking down, she noticed a few pale scratches across her calf. She reached down to touch them—fortunately, only the surface was abraded and there was no bleeding. She'd likely scraped herself sliding past branches and rocks.

Now was hardly the time for complaints. Having a burden along was already troublesome enough; if she became another source of trouble, who would want her around?

She blinked hard, clearing the pain-induced tears from her eyes, and slipped on her shoes—thank goodness she'd worn comfortable sneakers to visit relatives, not high heels, or she’d be in for the misery of climbing mountains in stilettos.

She had no idea where the Traveler or Paimon were, but the moment she stepped out of the cave, she couldn't help but gasp in awe. The sight struck her with overwhelming force.

The rising sun painted the sky with crimson, the meadows spread lush and green, and a winding river was shrouded in wisps of lingering morning mist, cool and ethereal, drifting among the trees. A startled squirrel dashed past her feet; crystalline butterflies sparkled as they fluttered lazily through the air. Ducks and white cranes called out now and then, their cheerful cries echoing across the tranquil wilderness.

Standing at the cave’s mouth, Pei Nana gazed at the vast hills and plains, and the sense of unreality that had haunted her was suddenly swept away, replaced by a piercing certainty—she had truly come to another world.

Sunlight was warm, the grass was fresh, the breeze gentle and carried the scent of flowers. With her mind clear and all her senses strikingly vivid, how could she still believe this was a dream?

Strangely enough, perhaps because of the breathtaking scenery, the openness of the land, or the vibrant pulse of life all around, she felt no fear or anxiety. Instead, a bright, expansive sense of exhilaration welled up within her.

Unable to resist, she cupped her hands to her mouth, faced the distant mountains and plains, drew a deep breath, and shouted with all her might:

“Aah—!”

Branches trembled, and a nestful of round, fluffy sparrows scattered in fright, but she burst into delighted laughter, feeling as light and free as a mountain sprite.

Kong heard her cry and thought something had happened, hurrying back only to find her standing at the cave entrance, laughing as if she’d lost her mind.

Kong: “…”

Paimon hesitated, “Did she eat some poisonous mushroom?”

Kong shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Paimon fluttered down, hovering directly in front of Pei Nana, curiosity bright in her eyes. “Nana, what are you laughing at?”

Pei Nana looked up, the remnants of a smile and a rosy flush still lingering on her delicate, porcelain-like face. Her features glowed with a gentle radiance, and as her smile faded shyly, a misty beauty, like distant mountains veiled in cloud, softened her expression.

She shook her head and laughed, “I don’t really know. The landscape is just so beautiful—I feel so happy! You two are back? Where did you go?”

“We went to find breakfast!” Paimon immediately boasted, “The Traveler made a super-delicious carrot and vegetable soup! And caught a huge bass—he’s going to make us the best Mondstadt-style grilled fish! You have to try it!”

“Really? Is it that delicious? I definitely have to try it!” Watching Paimon’s tiny figure gesturing excitedly was impossibly adorable, and Pei Nana’s own tone involuntarily turned playful and exaggerated, as if she were coaxing a child.

But… carrot and vegetable soup? Could that really be tasty? And grilled fish for breakfast—was that really alright?

Still, when you’re eating someone else’s food, it’s best not to be picky.

Unaware of her doubts, Paimon waved her over eagerly. “Traveler! Traveler! Hurry up! Nana wants to try your cooking! We can’t wait!”

Kong smiled, “I think it’s you who can’t wait.”

Paimon retreated two steps, her chubby face a picture of guilty surprise, and protested, “What are you talking about! Obviously Nana wants to eat! Don’t slander innocent people!”

Kong chuckled, “Is that so? Then I apologize for wronging you. In that case, since you don’t want any, we’ll just give it all to Nana.”

“Hey!” Paimon stomped her foot, fuming. “That would be so awkward for her! Of course we have to eat together!”

Pei Nana couldn’t help laughing as she watched Paimon’s round little self wave her arms in protest—it was endlessly endearing. Unable to resist, she hugged Paimon, squeezing her soft, warm little body, and coaxed, “Don’t worry, I can’t finish it all myself.”

Paimon nodded quickly, “Exactly! She can’t finish it alone, so we’ll help her!”

She finished with a winning smile at Kong.

Kong looked at Paimon, then at Pei Nana—one large, one small, both gazing at him with wide, expectant eyes. He gave a snort of amusement, shook the fish dangling from its grass-twine, and said, “Alright. We’ll help her.”

“Yay!” Paimon cheered, twisting around awkwardly to extend a hand toward Pei Nana. Pei Nana hesitated, then reached out, and Paimon immediately tapped her palm in a high-five, cheering again, “Yay~!”

Pei Nana struggled to keep a straight face, while Kong, too, was amused. Their eyes met, brimming with laughter—and in that moment, a sense of spontaneous camaraderie and understanding blossomed between them.

As Kong busied himself with the fish, Pei Nana leaned closer to Paimon and whispered, “Paimon, do you know where there’s water? I haven’t washed my face yet.”

Paimon popped out of her arms and declared enthusiastically, “I know, I know! I’ll take you! Traveler, I’m taking Nana to the river, so be careful by yourself! Don’t wander off!”

Kong rolled his eyes inwardly. Really, with clueless Paimon and Nana, who took ages just to get out of bed, heading out together—who should really be worried about whom?

Still, the water source wasn’t far, and with monsters and hilichurls all cleared out, and wild animals tending to flee at the sight of people, there truly wasn’t much danger. Without stopping his preparations, Kong called out, “Got it. Be careful, and don’t get lost.”

“Hmph! Don’t look down on us!” Paimon huffed, hands on her hips, then beamed at Pei Nana, “Let’s go, Nana!”

The water source truly wasn’t far. From above, the plain seemed dotted with low hills, but as Pei Nana approached, she began to doubt her own senses—were these cliffs?

A sheer wall, some ten meters high, jutted up from flat ground—how was this terrain even possible? Could natural forces really form such features? Her geography teacher would weep!

This bizarre, irregular landscape gave her the oddest feeling—as if, once upon a time, this was a great mountain, blown apart by some tremendous force. The scattered rocks landed everywhere, and after centuries of wind and weather, a layer of soil formed, creating the broad plain.

Otherwise, these massive boulders were simply inexplicable!

Even if the original design was just some artist’s wild fancy, there should be some logic to it if brought into reality.

Paimon’s voice rang with irrepressible energy. “Once we climb this hill, there’s a pond on the other side! There were a few Cryo slimes there before, but the Traveler’s taken care of them all, so it’s safe now!”

Pei Nana stared at the cliff, taller than seven or eight of herself stacked together, and asked in a quiet, haunted tone, “Paimon, is it possible… that I might not be able to climb this kind of mountain?”

Paimon: “…?”