Liyue is a city that stands in stark contrast to Mondstadt.
Towering mountain ranges and stone forests, vast plains, and vibrant riverbanks together form Liyue's diverse landscape, which flourishes with colorful splendor under its distinct four-season climate.
Although Stone Gate is named a "gate," it is actually a natural chasm that resembles a gate, hence the name.
This place is easy to defend and hard to attack. Although Liyue and Mondstadt have always had good relations, the Millelith still guard this place year-round. However, the main purpose of the Millelith's presence here is to prevent groups like the Treasure Hoarders from setting up camp and committing robberies.
As one of the key routes connecting Liyue and Mondstadt, merchants frequently pass through here, which naturally attracts the attention of lawless individuals.
Fortunately, since the Millelith stationed themselves here, illegal activities have become rare.
Over time, an old man set up a tea stall here. This old man, said to be from Qingce Village and surnamed Zhou, is affectionately called "Old Zhou" by everyone.
After growing old, he couldn't sit idle. He didn't open the tea stall to make money but purely out of a love for the hustle and bustle.
Sometimes he listens to travelers' stories, or tells them stories he's heard, enjoying a leisurely life.
However, the old man's skill is undeniable. His large-bowl tea has left a lasting impression on many, and some even travel all the way from Liyue Harbor just to drink it.
It's said that two famous restaurants in the city even invited the old man to join them as a tea master, offering a high price.
But the old man didn't hesitate to refuse both offers.
"This old man sells convenience. If someone is thirsty and doesn't have money, I'll refill their bowl for free. It's not about money."
Those were the old man's exact words.
Indeed, in old age, it's rare to find something one truly enjoys. Why turn a hobby into a job and torment oneself?
And so.
Stone Gate remains Stone Gate.
The tea stall remains the tea stall.
The old man remains the old man.
Nothing has changed for years.
Today, the tea stall is as lively as ever. The old man, now older, isn't as quick and nimble as he used to be, but the tea he brews still tastes the same, unchanged.
The customers don't rush him. They quietly watch him boil and pour the tea, then respectfully accept the large bowl of tea he hands them.
Businesspeople, after all, don't always have smooth sailing.
Many have suffered setbacks in their ventures and slink back home in defeat.
On their way home, they can't even get a sip of hot water.
Whenever this happens, the old man always offers them a bowl of tea.
"No worries, no worries. It's just a bowl of tea."
Whether these down-and-out merchants later make a triumphant comeback or not, they always return to this place, quietly paying back the tea money they owed.
Gratitude, appreciation, and repayment.
The people of Liyue have always been like this.
However, a group arriving from Mondstadt gradually disrupted the peace of the tea stall, even causing some people to quietly leave.
The Fatui.
Recently, the Fatui's reputation in Liyue has improved somewhat, mainly due to Snezhnaya establishing diplomatic relations with Liyue and actively helping to deal with the evil beneath The Chasm. This has made the people of Liyue less hostile toward them.
But for some businesspeople, the Fatui are still a nightmare.
Because the Fatui have opened a profit-making organization in Liyue Harbor, similar to a bank, called the Northland Bank.
Although it's run by the Fatui, their credibility is the highest on the continent. To date, there hasn't been a single case of lost property or damaged valuables.
Most importantly, no one dares to mess with the Fatui, so many are willing to store their valuables at the Northland Bank.
In addition to deposit services, the Northland Bank also offers loans. If you can repay the loan on time, the Fatui remain the warm and welcoming service providers.
But if you dare to default on your debt, the Pyro Agents aren't just for show.
Among the businesspeople present, many have had unpleasant experiences with the Fatui over loans, so when they saw the Fatui, they instinctively left.
The behavior of this small group spread like a contagion, quickly affecting the entire tea stall. Some who didn't understand the situation also stood up and left.
In the end, only one person remained at the tea stall.
"Sir, aren't you leaving?"
Old Zhou, the tea seller, couldn't help but ask the well-dressed man who was still sipping his tea.
This man had been coming to his stall for tea for some time. Though his attire was noble, he didn't have the arrogance of the typical aristocrat. Not only did he have a deep understanding of tea, but he had also once said something that puzzled Old Zhou.
"Your tea has more stories than your grandfather's."
What was strange, however, was that this man never brought money to pay for his tea, yet he acted as if it were perfectly natural. This made people suspect he might be some swindler dressed up in fine clothes to deceive others.
Although some had privately offered to help Old Zhou drive away this "fake noble" who freeloaded on tea, Old Zhou always laughed it off.
"It's just a bowl of tea. If he likes it, I'll brew it for him. Besides, when I gave you free tea back in the day, no one tried to chase you away."
Hearing this, those people didn't press the matter further.
And so, every day at a fixed time, the man would appear at the tea stall, listening to travelers' stories with Old Zhou and occasionally offering his commentary.
"The Fatui are nothing to fear."
The man lifted his tea bowl, took a small sip, and spoke calmly.
The rough tea bowl contrasted sharply with his luxurious attire.
Recently, he had tried to drink tea like the travelers, gulping it down in large mouthfuls. But compared to that crude method, he still preferred sipping it slowly.
Because unlike those hurried travelers, he had plenty of time.
He wasn't in a rush.
"Ah, these people aren't like me. Be polite when you speak to them later. Don't offend them, or even the Millelith might not be able to protect you."
Seeing his stubbornness, Old Zhou didn't press further. After giving him a few words of advice, he turned to greet the approaching Fatui.
Earlier, he had seen a group of Fatui hurrying toward Stone Gate. He thought they were going to Mondstadt on business, but they returned so quickly.
He just hoped they would drink their tea quietly and leave.
Surrounded by a group of Fatui, a man in black stepped down from the floating Slime-drawn carriage and looked at him.
"Customers, would you like some tea?"
The old man placed tea bowls on the table, greeting these uninvited guests just as he would anyone else.
"One large bowl of tea for each of us. Hmm... do you have any snacks?"
"Only peanuts and some pickles."
"Then bring some peanuts."
"Alright, that'll be 20,000 Mora in total."
Charging over 20,000 Mora for this group, Old Zhou was clearly trying to make things difficult for the Fatui.
But the Fatui were more generous than he expected, completely unfazed by his deliberate attempt to make things difficult.
"Put it on Tartaglia's tab."