Whether it was the level of 'technician' skill or the 'vessel' performance comparison, despite certain shared attributes in the latter, Dottore had lost utterly. However, the exceedingly magnanimous Mr. Jiang Qiao, upholding his principle of guaranteed after-sales service, not only thoughtfully provided two small parting gifts, but also generously offered an additional reunion present.
The number of Fatui Harbingers decreased by one—oh wait, considering the remnants of Scaramouche left behind after dealing with Dottore, shouldn't it be two?
Not because of [Mei], but simply because it had borne excessive Abyssal power. That kind of thing had a significant impact on ordinary beings. Having lost Dottore's intervention, unable to continue containing this power, the puppet named Kunikuzushi, though seemingly intact, had entered an irreparable state of disrepair.
"This puppet..."
Nahida, looking at Scaramouche's remains, couldn't help but entertain some thoughts. As a benevolent deity, connected to Irminsul, and knowing Scaramouche's less-than-pleasant experiences, she felt a twinge of compassion, wanting to do something.
For example, repairing it, guiding it towards good, and so on.
But—[Mei], aware of the little cabbage's thoughts, didn't leave the puppet to her.
"You don't have to worry about this. I plan to return it to the manufacturer."
"Eh?"
"Isn't there someone more responsible for him than you?"
"This..."
Little Miss Cabbage glanced at the broken Scaramouche puppet with some regret, then nodded, "Alright, then."
She knew Scaramouche's story—and therefore, had to admit that Jiang Qiao was right.
That person was indeed more qualified and more obligated to deal with this not-so-well-behaved child.
"Alright, it won't be long before the Sabzeruz Festival begins."
"The people of Sumeru are waiting for you."
"Mm."
Having dealt with the Fatui intrusion, they returned to Sumeru City to welcome the upcoming Sabzeruz Festival.
"Hmm, you still can't control that ability yet?" During their return, Elysia approached [Mei], asking with a teasing smile.
The latter smiled. "Of course I can."
[Mei] was quite calm.
Although the [Body Swap] ability had been quite magical and difficult to handle for him for a long time, as he became able to perceive it beforehand and now, having reached the Apex, this previously uncontrollable ability had become completely at his whim.
However, even so, he hadn't prevented this 'phenomenon' from occurring.
After all... this was a 'rule.'
Though not insurmountable, it was completely unnecessary for Jiang Qiao to do so.
Wasn't this fun 'randomness' quite nice?
Just like how boys liked to collect 'figures,' he enjoyed savoring new vessels during the exchange process, molding the acquired 'vessels' into his own form. He was quite satisfied with the pleasure derived from this process.
"So, do you want to switch back, Mei?" The girl smiled lightly, looking at the culinary expert who was currently using 'Jiang Qiao.'
The latter's heart skipped a beat, and she whispered, "Switch back?"
Mei felt reluctant. Although some aspects of a boy's body made her feel embarrassed, this body belonging to Qiao—this precious experience of swapping with Qiao—she was really unwilling for it to end so briefly.
"That depends on you~" [Mei] gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her soft voice like cotton, brushing past Mei's ear.
"Then... let's wait until it naturally switches back." Although a bit daring, and her heart pounded as she said it, Mei still voiced her thoughts in a small voice, "Actually... I'm also a bit curious about Qiao's body."
"Of course, no problem." The girl smiled.
Although this kind of 'friendship' seemed a bit strange, from a certain perspective, swapping bodies with him was, for most people, a rare opportunity.
After all...
Jiang Qiao's body, having reached the Apex—that original vessel was the 'embodiment' of his understanding of the material plane.
And this exchange process was, without a doubt, the closest one could get to 'Truth.'
However... [Mei] glanced at 'herself,' who looked like a lovestruck teenager, and shrugged helplessly.
It seemed... most people who used his body completely misunderstood the correct way to 'open' him.
Well... whatever makes them happy.
—Just as Mei wanted to take this opportunity to chat with [Mei], Bronya and Seele quickly joined in.
She didn't mind; after all, it was just chatting. One person, two people, it made no difference. More people even made it livelier.
But... Although the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious, Miss Mei quickly realized that the rhythm of the conversation was almost entirely dominated by the others.
And she didn't even have a chance to speak... no, she should say she didn't know how to interject at all.
She could only stand awkwardly yet politely by the side.
At this moment, Mei wailed internally—I can't join in at all!
She felt like an outsider, excluded from the topic.
Of course, what was worse was the constant 'Mei-neesan' this and 'Mei-neesan' that—in short, when facing [Mei], they had no mental block about using her name at all! They called out to her so intimately and enthusiastically!
At this moment, Mei couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Part of it was that she was the real Mei, yet Jiang Qiao, this temporary Mei substitute, seemed even more popular than the original Mei. She could only watch as Seele and the others called Jiang Qiao "Mei" so casually...
And part of it was that she was the one who swapped bodies with Qiao, yet at this moment... she had no room for interaction at all.
...Closer, yet a seemingly insurmountable chasm has formed between us...
The culinary expert felt incredibly complicated.
"Mei."
Lost in thought, Mei even subconsciously thought this call was for Jiang Qiao. Only after the other party repeated it did Mei come to her senses. She saw the white-haired tuna—Kiana Kaslana.
Seeing Kiana, her eyes lit up.
"Are you calling me, Mei?"
"Who else would I be calling Mei?" Kiana looked at her strangely.
This made Mei's eyes well up with tears. Wuwuwu... Kiana is so nice.
This feeling of being recognized as the real Mei moved Mei deeply.
"Nothing... What's up?"
"Geez, do I seem like the kind of person who only looks for you when I need something? Can't I just want to chat?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Mei was incredibly moved.
The next moment, the white-haired tuna whispered, "Hey, Mei... could you scoot over? I want to be closer to that Mei."
"Mm-hmm." Mei, not paying attention, subconsciously nodded.
Then.
The next moment, she froze.
—Could you scoot over? I want to be closer to that Mei.
I want to be closer to that Mei.
The crystal-clear words echoed in her ears, causing Mei's brain to short-circuit.
"I'm Mei!" She wanted to emphasize her authenticity, unwilling to accept this.
Kiana also realized her slip of the tongue. "Mei, don't misunderstand, the Mei I'm talking about... ah, no, Jiang Qiao!"
"Of course I support you too."
"Yeah, right! In my eyes, Mei is the only Mei."
Hearing this, Mei's eyes lit up again.
"So... could you move aside?"—I'm devoted to Mei.
Limited edition Mei is still Mei!
Upholding this principle, the white-haired tuna squeezed past the ashen-faced Miss Mei and snuggled up to [Mei].
"Heehee, Mei smells so good~"
At this moment, the real Miss Mei felt utterly dejected.
Although the substitute Miss 'Mei' was very popular, it ultimately couldn't change the fact that this was the home turf of Little Miss Cabbage, the star of the Sabzeruz Festival.
Amidst the curry-flavored music, the Sabzeruz Festival, free of all obstacles, officially began.
All the people of Sumeru began to celebrate at this moment.
And Nilou offered the Dance of Sabzeruz to Nahida.
The Traveler and the people of Sumeru presented various 'gifts.'
Among them were even gifts given to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata by the former Dendro Archon and the Scarlet King during the first Sabzeruz Festival.
Deeply moved by this, Nahida also chose to reciprocate with a gift, activating her divine power.
At this moment, a dreamlike Sabzeruz Festival, like a fairy tale, enveloped all of Sumeru.
The parade floats swayed, and candy rained down. The Aranara danced—and noticing this, Furina, who had originally intended to offer a dance as well, seized the opportunity and presented a dance belonging to Fontaine, to the God of Festivals, Focalors.
The melodious flute music lingered for three days, unforgettable.
After the ceremony, [Mei] said to Nahida, "I hope you like the gift I gave you."
"Of course, I like all the gifts you gave me." Nahida nodded, but the next moment, she looked puzzled—she didn't seem to have received a gift from [Mei].
Of course, Nahida didn't really care about receiving gifts; as long as the thought was there, it was enough.
But... no matter how she searched, there didn't seem to be a gift from [Mei] among those given to her.
She was very concerned about this—she must have made a mistake.
After all, if she lost a gift someone else gave her, wouldn't that be disrespectful of their feelings?
However... "Sorry... I didn't find the gift you gave me. What did you give me?" Nahida asked, clueless.
"It's this."
"Greater Lord Rukkhadevata should have passed the gift on to you, right?" [Mei] said, glancing at the guilty, embarrassed Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. Sensing something, [Mei] facepalmed and sighed.
Then, she handed Nahida the gift in her hand.
At this moment—after smelling the sweet fragrance, Little Miss Cabbage instantly understood everything.
She looked at Greater Lord Rukkhadevata angrily.
The latter averted her gaze. "I was just testing it out for you."
This instantly amused Nahida. Oh really... testing it out until it ended up in your stomach, huh? We grew from the same tree; what you're thinking, how could I not know?
—Undoubtedly, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, whose little hands weren't so clean, was severely criticized by Little Miss Cabbage.
The latter even took away the gift that originally belonged to the former, amidst her pitiful look.
What? Two portions are the same as one, no difference?
Nahida declared—I want to eat two portions!
After the Sabzeruz Festival concluded, Paimon and the Traveler, the unfortunate duo, bid farewell, preparing to head to Natlan first.
And Kiana, Bronya, and the others also joined them—although they had come with the intention of attending the Sabzeruz Festival with Jiang Qiao, the anecdotes and events of Teyvat truly intrigued them.
It would be a shame to end it so briefly.
Jiang Qiao naturally had no objections to this.
After all.
"Are you going to Inazuma next?" Paimon looked surprised, having learned of [Mei]'s plans.
"Yes, I'm going to return this puppet to a certain irresponsible manufacturer."
"And incidentally, I have some matters to attend to there."
"So we're parting ways now... That's a pity. If you were there, no matter how difficult things got, they could probably be solved with a swoosh," Paimon said with some regret. In the eyes of the unknown flying object, [Mei] was an absolute powerhouse!
With her there, even if they encountered another Fatui Harbinger, there would be nothing to fear, right?
Lumine nodded in agreement, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked at [Mei]—the moment she fought against Scaramouche had left a deep impression on her.
But the girl just smiled. "But if that were the case, wouldn't the journey become meaningless?"
"That's true."
"Don't worry. Although there are some troublesome things in Natlan, Kiana and the others traveling with you are also very powerful."
"Also, if you truly encounter any difficult problems, you can call for my help."
"When that happens, I will definitely come to your aid."