"Splash!"
The faucet in the kitchen was turned on, and clear water flowed out from the pipes.
Just as Nolan was about to wash the freshly bought potatoes that Lumine and the others had brought back, he noticed a figure with long, soft white hair—Shenhe. Her usual cold and melancholic expression followed her as she quietly walked into the kitchen.
"Let me help," Shenhe said, parting her soft red lips to speak.
"No need. There's no reason to make a guest help with the cooking," Nolan shook his head.
"I have something I wish to ask you."
Shenhe didn't seem to hear his refusal and stood close beside him, her hip lightly brushing against his side as she picked up a dirt-covered potato and began washing it under the faucet.
A faint, ethereal fragrance wafted from Shenhe, and Nolan's understanding of her lack of common sense deepened further.
Wait, didn't Lumine mention to Shenhe some basic courtesies between men and women?
Did she leave out details like this?
Otherwise, why was she still so naturally close?
Nolan didn't mind the unintentional benefits Shenhe's proximity provided, but he couldn't help feeling a bit guilty about it.
However, that sense of guilt also brought a certain degree of satisfaction.
"What is it you want to ask?" Nolan pretended to stay calm as he spoke.
The two continued washing the potatoes as they talked.
Because they were sharing the faucet, Nolan's hand often brushed against Shenhe's soft, pale one, adding an odd sense of excitement to the situation.
I'm hopeless…
Nolan sighed internally, realizing for the first time just how shallow he could be.
But then again, physical contact with the opposite sex is a natural human instinct, so really, there's nothing wrong with it.
Yes, that's right, having these feelings is perfectly normal.
He successfully convinced himself.
"Lumine and the others seem to know teleportation techniques. Did you teach them?" Shenhe, unaware of Nolan's internal musings, asked directly without hesitation.
"Oh?"
Nolan sensed her curiosity and desire to learn.
"Yes, their spatial transfer abilities are indeed connected to me."
"To be specific, I've found a way to share my own spatial transfer ability with them. If you'd like, I can share it with you too. After all, you taught me the 'Focus Technique.'"
Of course, he wouldn't hesitate to share the waymarks of "Interstellar Travel," especially with someone like Shenhe.
If he could share this ability with her, it would make it easier to keep in touch and teleport to her whenever he wanted, helping him build rapport with Shenhe.
"So, abilities can be shared..." Shenhe's silver eyes showed a hint of doubt.
"It can really be shared with me?"
In adeptus training stagnation means regression. Gaining the ability to teleport might even help her in her cultivation journey.
And if she could master teleportation, she could visit Lumine and the others more often, even if she returned to Mt. Aozang.
Although Shenhe liked the cold solitude of Mt. Aozang, she was starting to enjoy the warmth of being with everyone here.
It was a warmth she hadn't felt since her childhood, back when she still had a home.
The thing she might be missing is something that could help her stay true to herself on the path of cultivation, preventing emotional wear and tear from the loneliness of training.
"Of course," Nolan smiled. He placed the freshly washed potatoes aside, wiped the water off his hands with a towel, and took out a golden waymark.
He explained, "This is what will allow you to use spatial transfer. You just need to merge it into your body."
Shenhe gazed at the starry-looking object for a moment, then nodded slightly, "Alright. How do I do it?"
"Just stand still," Nolan said, as he gently pushed the golden ball of light forward, embedding it into Shenhe's lower abdomen.
His fingers brushed against the smooth texture of her skin, and even through her semi-transparent black stockings, he could feel the warmth and softness of her lower belly. His palm could even sense the slight indentation of her navel.
"Is it done?" Shenhe asked, her expression puzzled as she watched Nolan's hand resting on her abdomen for a long time without moving.
The golden ball of light had merged into her body, bringing a brief sensation of warmth, but it was quickly overshadowed by the lingering warmth from Nolan's hand.
"Uh, it's done. If you focus, you should be able to sense how to use 'Interstellar Travel,'" Nolan said, trying to keep a calm demeanor as he awkwardly withdrew his hand.
"Hmm, it seems like you enjoy touching girls' bodies. According to Lumine, this kind of intimate behavior is typical between couples. If you want to, you can keep touching me for a while," Shenhe said, her tone indifferent.
Although she had learned some of this knowledge from Lumine, Shenhe's emotions had been partially suppressed by the red ropes binding her. As a result, she didn't instinctively feel the discomfort that Lumine had described when Nolan touched her abdomen in such an intimate way.
She wasn't sure if it was because her emotions were dulled, or if she felt something for him, like Lumine and the others, and thus didn't mind his touch.
Shenhe couldn't figure it out, but she thought she might ask Lumine about it over dinner later.
[Shenhe Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 200 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (80/400)]
"Uh... well, there's no need for that right now. Let's focus on making dinner first. We can talk about this later," Nolan replied, instinctively wanting to agree but realizing that several figures were standing just outside the kitchen, arms crossed, watching him with speechless expressions.
Their looks clearly conveyed, You're even thinking of taking advantage of Shenhe? You scoundrel!
There was also a sense of helplessness in their gazes, as if they were thinking, This guy is great in every way, except his mind is always full of girls!
After all, he had just brought Sucrose home, and now he was already making moves on Shenhe.
Lumine sighed.
Forget it. Let him be, she thought. As long as he's good to everyone and doesn't hurt anyone, it's fine. After all, in this world, it's not uncommon for capable men to have multiple wives.
Nolan watched as Lumine and Fischl rolled their eyes at him one last time before leaving.
He let out a small sigh of relief.
Luckily, their affection towards him was maxed out, so they didn't have any urge to beat him up.
Otherwise, any ordinary person would have been in serious trouble if their partner, especially one as remarkable as Lumine, caught them flirting with someone else right in front of them.
At dinner, the atmosphere was livelier than the previous night, with Sucrose joining them at the table.
The girls were already friends, but now, with the shared relationship of being Nolan's girlfriends, they naturally felt even closer, like a real family.
After dinner, since Sucrose needed to organize her experiment data, Nolan escorted her back.
With his fully mastered "Anemo Manipulation," he didn't even need to use wind gliders. He could simply fly with Sucrose, and at a much faster speed.
After dropping Sucrose off at her lab, he didn't rush to return home.
Thanks to "Interstellar Travel," there wasn't much difference between being at home or elsewhere.
As he helped Sucrose organize her experiment records, he also opened his character panel, preparing to fuse some less-used skills into the "Lumine's Sword Intent."
(End of Chapter)
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