Hearing Old Zhao ask about his first meeting with Beidou back in the day, Ye Xi felt a bit embarrassed.
It had been about a year since he'd arrived in Inazuma.
Raiden Ei hadn't issued the Sakoku Decree yet, so ships coming and going between Liyue and Inazuma were as numerous as strands of hair on a cow's back.
Because he could use Resin to claim the ley line's blessings, he often wandered to every corner of Inazuma.
One time, as he passed through Kannazuka to collect some Everflame Seeds, he went to bully the Pyro Regisvine.
On his way back, he ran into Beidou, who was passed out drunk by the riverside.
Come to think of it, there were a few shortsighted Treasure Hoarders eyeing Beidou's coin purse at the time.
Who could handle that?!
But they were intimidated by the massive greatsword stuck in the ground beside her, scratching their heads and racking their brains from a distance.
He figured they were just petty thieves, so he dealt with them on a whim.
Who knew that after Beidou learned he'd saved her, she'd stumble right over and pull him into a wobbly hug.
Well, it was more like leaning on him than a proper hug.
With the scent of alcohol on her breath, she called him "brother," and the strong booze smell wafting off her nearly knocked him out.
And just like that, this odd friendship was born.
Beidou came to Inazuma every few weeks or so, and they made plans to meet up for drinks.
Before long, they became drinking buddies.
However, the faint embarrassment in Ye Xi's heart actually stemmed from his past life.
Back then, he hadn't been the one in charge of Beidou's character design—it had been one of his subordinates.
A female colleague a few years older than him, but wild and unrestrained when she got going.
It might be more accurate to say that Beidou's personality was modeled after that colleague's real-life traits.
To this day, he still couldn't forget it!
That big sis, who was technically his subordinate, had insisted on dragging him out for drinks and swearing brotherhood!
What era was this? Swearing oaths like that?!
Afterward, he called her "big sis," and she called him "director."
The whole company would crack up for ages every time the story came up.
Now, seeing Beidou, he couldn't help but recall that colleague's figure, feeling a touch of nostalgia.
Still, getting along with Beidou was incredibly smooth, and at the time, he was already considering leaving Inazuma.
So, they built a solid friendship.
Recalling those old times, Ye Xi felt a bit dazed.
By the time he snapped back to reality, he heard Beidou chattering away beside him.
"...Back then, Brother Ye Xi and I would often drink by the shore, and we hit it off so well. Who would've thought he'd end up thriving in Inazuma like this!"
"The young lady from the Yashiro Commission herself came to see him off—looks like they're pretty close, huh!"
Beidou winked at Ye Xi, leaving him chuckling helplessly as he denied it over and over.
Hearing the boss lady's words, Hailong and Old Zhao beside them suddenly understood, and they started cracking jokes.
"Yeah, back then, the brothers were all wondering just who this big shot was that had our boss risking danger to wait around!"
"Heh heh, don't worry, Brother Ye Xi—we weren't laughing at you. While we waited, some of the brothers were grumbling, saying you were putting on airs! But then the Yashiro Commission folks came by saying it was a send-off for you, and they were all too stunned to speak!"
At this point, a sailor who was there to keep the drinks flowing scratched his head sheepishly. "Brother Ye Xi, I was blind to it all. I'll down three cups as punishment!"
"I really didn't expect the Yashiro Commission to throw a send-off for you!"
"Even the famous White Heron Princess and the High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine showed up!"
"Hell, even the Raiden Shogun cleared the thunderstorm for you!"
"Brother Ye Xi, you're the real deal!"
With that, the guy gave Ye Xi a thumbs-up, looking utterly convinced.
Before Ye Xi could respond politely, another sailor jumped in: "Brother Ye Xi, no need to deny it—we brothers on the ship saw you exchanging tokens with the White Heron Princess ourselves!"
"To win the heart of the White Heron Princess like that! Brother Ye Xi, I'm calling you big bro now—give a guy some tips! I'm 28 and still single!"
These words left Ye Xi smiling bitterly again and again.
Thinking about it carefully, today's spectacle was indeed over the top. His thing with Kamisato Ayaka was probably going to become common knowledge now.
"Alright, stop teasing Ye Xi," Beidou said. "My brother Ye Xi here is handsome, dashing, a real jade tree in the wind, and he's got real skills too. It's only natural that the girls in Inazuma would like him."
With Beidou's words, the group's vibe shifted back to lively chatter.
"The boss lady's right—Brother Ye Xi's looks would make him a top-tier hunk in Liyue too!"
"Sigh, guess I lost out on the face department..."
"Speaking of skills, that step Brother Ye Xi took to board the ship earlier scared the pants off our new sailors!"
Ye Xi smiled faintly. "I've been in Inazuma for years; you pick up some basic moves to get by better."
"You're too modest, Brother Ye Xi! If that's basic, then no one has any skills at all."
"Brother Ye Xi, I'm no slouch with martial arts myself, but that move of yours? It didn't fool my eyes for a second! You're a top-notch expert!"
"Alright, alright—Brother Ye Xi likes to keep a low profile, so let's not show off in front of him anymore!"
"Hahahaha!"
At the table, everyone raised their glasses in merry toasts, laughing heartily.
This feeling of sitting around drinking and chatting brought back the easy, carefree vibe of gatherings with childhood friends from his past life.
Just as they were deep in their lively conversation, a startled cry came from the deck.
"Help! The ingredients are attacking me!"