Winter Executor, starting with a system of wronged individuals.

Sandoni almost burst out laughing, but he struggled to hold it in.

After all, this is just a brief farewell, not a matter of life and death, so there's no need to be so heavy-hearted.

"Friend, this food is enough for you to eat for a month. Be careful on the road," the young master said with a smile as he carried the supply boxes into the carriage and neatly stacked them into a pile.

"Thank you, young master."

Su Ming chuckled. He had just given the normal Liyue cuisine recipe to Donya a few days ago, which finally saved the young master from having to be a splatoon every day.

"Speaking of which, where is Columbia?" Sandoni asked in confusion. Columbia was never the type to be late, unless she hadn't planned to come at all.

Su Ming's smile froze. Could it be that Columbia wasn't coming because she didn't want to show him her white stockings?

Don’t do that kind of thing!

"Columbia is in charge of selecting the entourage, and she should be arriving soon," the young master indicated to Su Ming that there was no need to rush, since it didn't matter whether they left later or earlier.

Before long, two figures appeared not far away.

Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief. When he saw the white stockings on Columbia's legs, his gaze froze. It was like heaven.

Columbia smiled and said softly, "We're a little late, mainly because the child is still a bit upset."

"Ok?"

Su Ming looked in confusion at Columbia's back. The petite figure was clutching the long sleeves on both sides, her body trembling slightly, and a few tears were glistening in the corners of her eyes.

“Your Excellency, I do not want to leave you.”

Lily of the Valley's voice trembled as she sobbed. She had never left Columbia since she could remember. As an orphan, she had nothing except Columbia, whom she respected most.

Columbia knelt down in front of Lily of the Valley and gently held her right hand in both of hers. "I don't want you to be confined to the winter. There is a wider world outside. You will meet more people and see more beautiful scenery."

"Make a choice after the journey is over."

"Um..."

Lily of the Valley's eyes were slightly red, but her gaze was incredibly firm. "My Lord Hermit, Sister Lily of the Valley Antalina will become your attendant."

She bowed respectfully, but a sense of reluctance still lingered in her heart.

Suzuran didn't know much about the new Twelfth Executive, the Hermit, except that he was very close to Columbia.

Su Ming remained calm, showing no surprise whatsoever. From a professional standpoint, the nuns in the church were impeccable professionals; from a practical standpoint, who could resist having an attractive little girl accompany them on the road?

Sensing danger, Sandonne smiled kindly as he stepped on Su Ming's foot and said coldly, "What are you thinking?"

"Of course, I'll risk my life and shed my blood for Her Majesty's plan, burning with all my heart!"

Su Ming finished explaining the standard procedure in a very fast voice, and looked at Sandone with a smile. "Little brat, what can you do to me when I get to Mondstadt?"

White stockings can be looked at as one pleases, and Klee can be kidnapped as one pleases.

Never had such a wonderful start!

Sandoni's lips twitched slightly. The smell was too strong. Didn't this person feel guilty saying such a thing?

“What do you mean? These are my heartfelt words,” Su Ming raised an eyebrow, indicating that his loyalty to the Empress would never waver.

“It’s getting late,” Columbia said helplessly, interrupting the two lovable goofballs’ daily bickering. “Let’s get ready to go. I’m leaving Mondstadt to you.”

"Don't worry, if the Queen tells me to go east, I will never go west. Mondstadt is naturally a piece of cake." Su Ming glanced at Columbia's white stockings, or more accurately, white garter stockings, which added a touch of charm to her elegance. It was simply perfect, like stepping on Su Ming's liking.

Columbia arched her eyebrows slightly, revealing a gentle smile. "It seems you don't need any more precautions, so I have nothing more to say."

"Bon Voyage."

Finally, she smiled and spoke to Su Ming, her words like a warm fire in the snow, dispelling the chill in his heart.

“I will,” Su Ming waved goodbye to his executive colleagues, boarded the carriage that was leaving for winter, and headed towards the distant free city-state.

Sandonne stood outside, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of never having such delicious breakfasts again. The past two months had passed so quickly, almost in the blink of an eye.

Su Ming had also cultivated the habit of wearing white stockings every day, and it would probably be difficult for him to change it anytime soon.

Columbia then bid a final farewell to Lily of the Valley, gently comforting the little nun before seeing her off to the carriage.

Lily of the Valley clutched the white feather Columbia had given her before she left, her right hand tightly gripping it, and a faint glimmer of tears welled in her eyes.

The carriage slowly drove away from the Winter City area, driven by a trained coachman.

The sound of wind and snow around us grew increasingly harsh, but fortunately the sound insulation and warmth of the car were excellent, and the ride was very smooth with almost no bumps.

After all, it was a carriage personally modified by Sandoni, which added many useful advanced technologies without affecting its efficiency.

The most useful item was the small wardrobe hidden on the side of the carriage.

Su Ming's expression froze instantly when he opened it; inside were neatly arranged little leather shoes and white stockings.

Is he that kind of person?

Sandone... did a good job!

Those who know Su Ming are puppets, so the journey won't be so boring.

Lily of the Valley, sitting quietly in her chair, looked out the window somewhat nervously as heavy snowflakes fell onto the clear glass and slowly melted into water stains.

Even now, Lily still doesn't feel it's real. She really left Winter, left the country where she had lived for seventeen years, and went to an unknown new world.

To become the Executor's attendant is an opportunity that many people do not have, and it is something to be proud of.

Lily of the Valley wasn't sure if she could do it well. She was just an ordinary nun; could she really be of any help?

"Don't underestimate yourself; believe that you can do it."

"Eh?"

Linglan was stunned for a moment, then looked up and met Su Ming's gaze. "How could you guess what I was thinking...?"

“I can tell from your expression,” Su Ming shrugged and took out a white stocking from the side. “For example, I can’t wear white stockings, but you can.”

Lily of the Valley: "???"

Chapter 046 Heading to a Wider World

"Isn't this a bit against etiquette?"

Lily of the Valley carefully chose her words, her tone somewhat indifferent.

She's a nun, how can a nun wear white stockings in a place like this? That would be incredibly disrespectful to the Executor.

Being an executive officer's attendant is a very serious job, and the choice of attire must be dignified and elegant, neither losing the executive officer's dignity nor failing to showcase winter elegance.

White stockings... are definitely not elegant enough!

Suzuran seriously rejected Su Ming's proposal. Although the Hermit's intention to encourage her was good, as a servant, she still had to have her own principles.

Now that I've become the Executor's attendant, I can no longer treat this as a game; I must take it seriously.

Lord Columbia trusts her so much, she cannot betray that trust!

Su Ming sat down next to Linglan and handed her a bottle of water. "White silk symbolizes the purity of winter and also signifies Her Majesty the Empress's supreme purity and pristine heart, representing winter's journey towards a new future and also indicating the direction we executives are heading."

"Eh…?"

Lily of the Valley opened her eyes wide, somewhat bewildered, her mind seemingly unable to process what was happening.

"To prepare for winter, you need to wear white stockings!"

Su Ming said with a serious expression, his face full of passionate determination to dedicate oil to winter.

Suzuran always felt like she was being harassed by KFC, but she had no proof. "I... I'll wear it, okay?"

She hesitantly took the stockings; they felt very smooth to the touch and must have been quite expensive.

She gently removed her boots, revealing clean white socks, and her dainty toes looked quite adorable.

Linglan's pretty face flushed slightly, but wearing socks wasn't something to be ashamed of. Although she hesitated a bit, she still started putting on her white stockings.

The stockings perfectly outlined her slender yet fleshy calves, and the slight marks at the top added a touch of sensuality.

This was the first time Lily of the Valley had worn white stockings, and the feeling of being wrapped up was surprisingly good, plus they were exceptionally warm.

"Congratulations, Lily of the Valley, you have become an excellent waiter!"

Su Ming nodded in satisfaction. Linglan's expression of resistance as she was forced to wear white stockings despite her asceticism was just too wonderful. What an adorable child.

"Lord Hermit."

"Just call me Su Ming."

"..." Linglan hesitated for a few seconds, then whispered, "Brother Suming, everything about going to Mondstadt is here, including the amount of funds allocated and the time for the mission."

Su Ming was in high spirits one second, but was speechless the next. Why did he have to listen to his superior's nagging even in Teyvat? What he did after he arrived in Mondstadt would be out of the Empress's hands.

"It's alright, you don't need to worry about the funds. I have a good relationship with Xiao Pan, and I definitely won't let you go hungry when we get to Mondstadt."

Su Ming waved his hand, saying that in public he was called President Pan, but in private he was called Little Pan, highlighting the flexibility in how one was addressed.

Lily hesitated for a moment, then looked at the mission section and continued, "The main mission is to investigate the personnel configuration of the Knights of Favonius, as well as the general activity patterns of the guards in Mondstadt."

"Um... Brother Su Ming, are we the villains?"

Linglan was somewhat puzzled. This mission didn't seem like a good thing at all. Was it really Her Majesty the Empress's request?

"You've been reading too many light novels. There aren't that many villains in this world," Su Ming chuckled. "Do I look like a villain to you?"

Linglan shook her head. She didn't see Su Ming often, but she could see him coming to the church every week to pray devoutly.

Moreover, this hermit was also very kind to the orphans, often going to the Hearth House to help with cooking; he was a very good adult.

“There are only different perspectives,” Su Ming patted Linglan’s little head. “The world is neither black nor white, but a delicate gray.”

Linglan nodded thoughtfully, as if she understood something, and her favorability towards Su Ming increased significantly.

This executive officer is also a very knowledgeable person.

"So, could you please move your hand away?" Linglan's pretty face flushed slightly as she looked shyly at her right leg.

Su Ming chuckled a few times and removed his hand from the white stockings. He didn't have any perverted thoughts; he was just used to touching Sandoni's white stockings every day, and it was hard to feel uncomfortable when there were no white stockings around.

Sandonna: So love will disappear, right?.jpg

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Lily of the Valley Antalina: Data/Voice