Rustle.
The sound of fabric being unfolded came from behind Ningguang as a black robe was draped over her shoulders.
"While I do think your declaration to claim the throne—or, more accurately, your bold ambition to overthrow the other Qixing—is pretty impressive, I still need to remind you not to catch a cold while showing off," Gu Sanqiu said with a chuckle. "After all, you're just a mage. You don't have the same rugged constitution as someone like me."
"I keep up with my training," Ningguang replied, pulling the robe tighter around herself. "It's just a bit of wind. Nothing serious." She ran her hand over the fabric. "Oh, this material is nice. Something from Feiyun Commerce Guild?"
"Uh, kind of?"
"Kind of?"
Gu Sanqiu scratched his head. "Yeah, kind of. I got the silk from Xingqiu. It's one of the luxury materials Feiyun doesn't sell to the public. But I made the robe myself."
"Well, not bad. Is this supposed to be a New Year's gift?"
"New Year's isn't here yet, so no. I just thought I'd bring it over this time since I was heading home." Gu Sanqiu patted the sleeve of the robe. "Sure, it's not as refined as what you'd get from professional tailors, but it's thick and warm enough to keep out the cold, even at this altitude."
"Heh, you're right about that. But no patterns or embellishments? Is this the handiwork of you men?"
"Don't knock it! Most guys couldn't make something half as good as this. I read a ton of books and ruined a lot of drafts before I got it right. You calling me clumsy makes me look bad."
Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "If an average guy made this, it'd probably fall apart after a couple of tugs. At least mine's solid."
"Fine, fine. You win. Happy now?" Ningguang turned toward the pavilion. "Let's go. That should be enough of a break. I'll need your help again."
"So that's why you had me move in—so I'd be on call for overtime?"
"How could you say that?" Ningguang reached out and pinched Gu Sanqiu's cheeks. "I just wanted to spend more time with my dear brother."
"Sure, I believe you," Gu Sanqiu replied with a deadpan expression.
Yeah, right.
---
Early the next morning, two figures appeared outside Liyue Harbor. Or, more accurately, two strikingly handsome young men. Judging by the way passing women lit up at the sight of them but didn't dare approach, their identities were anything but ordinary.
"Phew, finally made it to the harbor. I'm definitely dragging Old Gu out for a meal later," Chongyun said, raising his right sleeve and grimacing at a strange stain on it. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at it with obvious distaste. "This was my last clean outfit, and now look at it. Disgusting."
"Hey, I didn't expect Ruin Graders to leak oil," Xingqiu said with a shrug. "Not my fault."
"How is this my fault either?" Chongyun shot back, incredulous.
Xingqiu pointed at his own equally stained clothing. "I'm covered too. Let's not play the blame game. We both look filthy."
"Before we meet Gu Sanqiu for lunch, we're stopping by my place to clean up." Xingqiu's eyes gleamed mischievously as he turned toward Chongyun. "By the way, one of my maids recently learned some Sumeru-style massage techniques. Want me to have a few of them help you wash up?"
"You... you scoundrel!" Chongyun's cheeks turned scarlet. "There are people around! Stop spouting nonsense!"
"Oh, so it's fine if no one's around?" Xingqiu teased.
"That's not what I meant, you idiot!"
Xingqiu waved it off casually. "Relax. Your Pure-Yang body isn't unstable anymore. With the high-quality Whopperflower nectar, Mist Flower Condensate, and popsicles you've been using—not to mention that artifact we found to suppress it—you're in the clear."
Though he avoided mentioning the artifact's true nature as a "demonic residue," Xingqiu kept his tone light. Attracting the wrong kind of attention would only spell trouble and ruin the mood.
"How is any of that related to what you said earlier?" Chongyun demanded.
"Everything." Xingqiu adopted a serious expression. "You want to prove yourself as a competent exorcist and revive your family's exorcist lineage. Am I wrong?"
"Not at all! That's why I'm dedicating all my energy to training and suppression. One day, I'll achieve my goal!" Chongyun clenched his fist in determination.
"Well, there's another way," Xingqiu said matter-of-factly.
"What is it?" Chongyun's eyes lit up. "Tell me! I've faced plenty of setbacks already. What's one more?"
"Simple." Xingqiu smirked. "I'll introduce you to a few well-read, beautiful, and virtuous women. You start a family, and your lineage will thrive in no time."
Boom!
Chongyun's face flushed a deep red, though a faint silver aura shimmered briefly, dispelling the heat.
"Wh-what are you even talking about?"
"Exactly what I said." Xingqiu's tone was unnervingly calm. "Say you get married by the New Year and have seven or eight wives. By this time next year, maybe a little later, I could be holding my nieces and nephews. I wouldn't mind being their godfather, either."
He grinned. "Think about it. Your descendants mastering exorcism techniques, carrying on your legacy... It's a different kind of revival, but effective nonetheless. Am I wrong?"
"If it's so easy, why don't you show me how to pull that off!" Chongyun snapped, his voice low and teeth clenched in frustration. "And don't even think about introducing my kids to you in the future!"
"Ah, worried you can't pull it off?" Xingqiu feigned understanding. "To be fair, having too many kids at once can strain the body. The next generation might not be as healthy either."
He stroked his chin in mock contemplation, then clapped his hands decisively. "I've got it! Let's find Sanqiu. He can whip up some tonic pills to strengthen your vitality and prepare supplements for the mothers of your future children. Heck, he could even create a personalized regimen for you."
"With that setup, I guarantee you and your wives will be the picture of health. Maybe your kids won't be born lifting heavy cauldrons, but they'll definitely be a cut above the average. Trust me."
"How did we get to discussing the health of hypothetical children already?" Chongyun threw Xingqiu's hand off and growled, "And stop dragging me to Gu Sanqiu! There's no way he'd agree to your ridiculous ideas!"
"Uh, hate to break it to you," Xingqiu said, turning with a sly grin, "but that plan came straight from Sanqiu."
"...What?"
"...?!"
"You heard me." Xingqiu smirked as Chongyun's blood pressure dropped back to normal, the silver aura cooling his flushed face.
At this rate, if life kept serving up surprises like this, their next quest for demonic residue might come sooner than expected.
"Don't yell. You didn't think Sanqiu was normal, did you?" Xingqiu asked, his grin widening. "He told me to float the idea to you and see how you'd react. Oh, and if you're serious about a girl, he said he'd step in as the head of the Gu family to ensure everything's settled properly."
Watching Chongyun's stunned expression, Xingqiu patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it. The guy's only serious when it's life or death. The rest of the time, he's a fake intellectual." Xingqiu sighed dramatically. "Compared to him, my harebrained schemes are child's play."
---
T/N: Xinqiu can't you see? He only has eyes for you (released Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds)
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