Meanwhile, in Liyue...
After a long sea voyage, the traveler Lumine and her flying companion, Paimon, finally set foot on Liyue's bustling shores once again.
"We're finally back in Liyue!" Paimon cheered, flitting excitedly around Lumine.
"After so many days of salty sea winds, the air here smells sweet and refreshing!"
"Don't exaggerate so much," Lumine said with a small smile, taking in the sight of the prosperous port. The familiar view tugged at her heartstrings.
"Our trip to Inazuma sure felt endless…"
"Oh, stop getting sentimental!" Paimon interrupted, puffing her cheeks. "We still have to visit Sumeru after meeting all our old friends here! The journey's not over yet!"
"I know, I know…"
Hearing the word friends made Lumine's thoughts drift unexpectedly to Luo Qing.
"Hey, Paimon…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Do you remember…" Lumine hesitated for a moment before continuing softly, "...that red string Ganyu and Shenhe asked us to deliver to Luo Qing?"
"Of course I remember! Why?" Paimon tilted her head, confused.
"I was just thinking…" Lumine's voice grew quieter. "Should we tell them about everything Luo Qing did in Inazuma?"
"Uh…"
Paimon scratched her head, recalling their final moments in Inazuma's Ritou harbor.
On the day they were set to leave, Raiden Ei herself—along with her puppet, Raiden Shogun—had handed Lumine a small, deep purple sachet.
The Archon's voice was calm but laden with meaning:
"If you meet him one day, give this sachet to him. Tell him this for me: 'I'm sorry for what happened before. If you want revenge for that strike, come back. I'll be waiting for you in Inazuma.'"
That was Raiden Ei's message.
Raiden Shogun's tone had been even more solemn.
"This sachet contains the power of my blade. Hand it to Luo Qing, and it will be as though I stand by his side at all times."
On another occasion, the Kamisato estate's eldest daughter, Kamisato Ayaka, had approached them with an entirely different demeanor.
Her face was flushed as she nervously handed them a scarf she had woven herself.
"This is for Luo Qing," she murmured. "I heard Snezhnaya is terribly cold. If you meet him, please give this to him. Tell him that Ayaka will always be waiting for him at Komore Teahouse… Oh, and take this notebook too, please."
Neither Lumine nor Paimon had understood the notebook's purpose, but Ayaka's embarrassed expression made its significance obvious.
When boredom overtook them during the sea voyage, Paimon had convinced Lumine to open it.
Inside were photographs of Ayaka, dressed in various exquisite outfits. Some were endearingly adorable, while others exuded an alluring charm that made one's heart race.
The last page bore a handwritten note:
"I'll be waiting for you in Inazuma."
The duo had asked each of these women why they were so devoted to Luo Qing.
Raiden Ei's reply was simple:
"I owe him a debt. This is my way of making amends."
Raiden Shogun's words were more resolute:
"Beyond eternity, he is my only pursuit."
Ayaka, meanwhile, had stammered and denied everything.
"W-what kind of question is that?! I… I don't like him or anything! Don't misunderstand!"
Though neither Lumine nor Paimon could fully comprehend the situation, they were thoroughly stunned.
What kind of sorcery has Luo Qing used to charm all these women?
Back in Liyue, Lumine and Paimon were now preparing to meet with Ganyu and Shenhe to let them know the red string had been delivered.
But a new problem arose.
Should they mention Luo Qing's escapades in Inazuma?
Would revealing the truth create unnecessary chaos for Luo Qing?
After all, he had saved both of them before…
"Let's just go in for now," Paimon suggested nervously. "We'll figure out whether to say anything when we meet them."
"Mm…"
Pushing the matter aside, Lumine nodded. The two exited the harbor, intending to treat themselves to a good meal at Wanmin Restaurant first.
But fate had other plans.
Just as they left the dock, they spotted Ganyu at the port's entrance, engaged in what seemed to be official duties.
"What… what do we do?!" Paimon whispered, panic-stricken.
Neither of them had expected to run into her so soon.
"Maybe we should sneak away?"
"Good idea."
The pair nodded to each other and began discreetly making their way to the other side of the port.
But before they could escape, a soft, familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Lumine, Paimon, is that you? You're back!"
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Lumine.][+1 Frustration from Paimon.]
Somewhere in Sumeru, Luo Qing sneezed. What's going on?
"G-Ganyu! What a coincidence!" Paimon exclaimed, feigning excitement.
"It really is you!" Ganyu smiled warmly. "How was your trip to Inazuma?"
"It was… fine," Lumine said awkwardly. "Everything went pretty smoothly."
"That's good to hear." Ganyu nodded, her expression softening. "Where are you heading next?"
"If all goes as planned, we'll be heading to Sumeru. But we'll probably rest in Liyue for a while first—traveling by sea was exhausting," Paimon chimed in.
"Of course. You deserve some time to recover," Ganyu said kindly. Then, as though recalling something, she looked at Lumine expectantly.
"By the way, Lumine, do you still have the red string Shenhe and I asked you to deliver to Luo Qing?"
"Ah… uh… yes?"
Paimon's voice cracked slightly.
"Shenhe mentioned that there's a flaw in the enchantment on the string," Ganyu explained. "She wanted to bring it to Cloud Retainer for refinement. Since you'll be in Liyue for a while, could you return it to us for now?"
"..."
The two fell silent, their minds racing.
Luo Qing, you absolute menace!
How did you manage to attract so many women?!
After a long exchange of uneasy glances, Lumine finally sighed and decided to come clean.
"Actually, Ganyu, we've already delivered it to Luo Qing while we were in Inazuma."
"He… he was in Inazuma?" Ganyu looked surprised.
The distance between Liyue and Inazuma was shorter than that to Snezhnaya. If she worked ahead, it wouldn't be impossible for her to visit him…
"Is he still there?"
"Probably not," Paimon said, scratching her head. "He left Inazuma before we did, but we don't know where he went next."
"I see…"
Ganyu's shoulders slumped slightly, but she quickly smiled again. "That's alright. As long as he received it, that's what matters."
"..."
Staring at Ganyu's gentle smile, Lumine felt conflicted.
Someone this kind and pure shouldn't be tangled up with a scoundrel like Luo Qing!
---
T/N: S M H these girls, I wouldn't have fallen for his charms im just way smarter
Greetings, esteemed reader.
Your presence throughout this chapter's journey is deeply appreciated. In Liyue, we hold that every tale, much like the enduring stone, gains strength through the appreciation of those who encounter it.
Should you wish to support WiseTL's dedicated endeavors in bringing these narratives to you, you may consider visiting:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Even the most modest contribution serves as a cornerstone, fortifying the foundation upon which future stories are built.
With sincere regards,
Zhongli