Days passed.
The Sabzeruz Festival drew closer with each sunrise, yet Luo Qing had no word of Lumine or Paimon's arrival in Sumeru.
The uncertainty gnawed at him. If they're late, am I supposed to handle Scaramouche myself?
As much as Luo Qing liked a challenge, the idea of facing Scaramouche felt awkward. If Teyvat's convoluted family tree held, Scaramouche might technically owe him a "dad."
That's too much familial drama, even for me.
Fortunately, his efforts with Azar, the Grand Sage, were proving effective. After several... customized dream scenarios tailored to push his limits, Azar had been left visibly shaken.
The man now walked around with dark circles under his eyes, flinching at the sight of muscular men or broad-shouldered women. Despite his fragile state, Azar still managed to oversee the God Creation Plan. Truly, the man's work ethic was unparalleled.
With the power of Void Authority now fully in Luo Qing's hands, he no longer needed Nahida's assistance to upload data into the Void Terminal. Over the past few days, he had used this newfound freedom to share the healing anime he had once enjoyed in his previous life: Plastic Memories, Angel Beats, and Akame ga Kill, among others.
Thanks to Dori's shrewd marketing and her "Void influencer network," these shows quickly became the talk of the town. Everywhere Luo Qing went, he overheard excited discussions about the emotionally devastating tales.
"This show is amazing! I've cried three times!"
"I can't stop recommending it to everyone I know!"
The popularity paid off in droves. Every anguished viewer contributed frustration points, which Luo Qing collected like a hoarder saving for his next big banner pull.
---
Meanwhile, things with Kamisato Ayaka were progressing smoothly.
Makoto already knew about Ayaka's existence, so when Luo Qing proposed adding a room for her in the house, Makoto hadn't objected. Her only condition was that Luo Qing spend an entire day as her personal... companion.
The new room was finished, and tonight Luo Qing planned to invite Ayaka over for her first visit. Makoto, Theresa, and Ayaka—four people, perfect for a friendly game of mahjong.
What else did you think I meant?
---
That afternoon, Luo Qing went fishing outside Sumeru City, as he often did. Makoto, feeling cooped up at home, decided to join him.
By evening, they returned to the city, Luo Qing proudly carrying several large fish strung at his waist. He walked with exaggerated swagger, making sure everyone could see his impressive catch.
Makoto, however, was unimpressed.
"Do you have to carry them like that? It's embarrassing!"
"Embarrassing? This is a badge of honor for a fisherman!"
"Honor? You look ridiculous. Put them away!"
As they bickered, they headed toward the Grand Bazaar to buy spices for dinner.
Not far behind them, Lumine and her ever-present companion Paimon arrived at the gates of Sumeru City, accompanied by Shenhe and Ganyu.
"This is Sumeru City?" Paimon marveled, her gaze darting between the locals and their Void Terminals.
"Everyone here has one of those Void thingies," she observed. "Oh! I heard the Grand Bazaar has lots of yummy food. Should we grab something to eat before finding a place to stay?"
"That sounds reasonable," Ganyu agreed.
"After all, we'll need our strength to search for Luo Qing tomorrow."
Shenhe nodded silently, her steely gaze fixed on the distant skyline as if willing Luo Qing to appear.
The four of them asked for directions to the Grand Bazaar and began walking.
As they approached the market, Paimon's sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar figure up ahead.
"Wait... isn't that...?"
"Hmm?" Lumine turned to look.
Ahead of them, a man with fish strapped to his waist walked confidently down the street, hand in hand with a purple-haired woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to Raiden Shogun.
"Is that... Luo Qing?"
Lumine's heart skipped a beat. If the woman really was Raiden Shogun—or worse, her alter ego—this could spiral into an international incident between Inazuma and Liyue.
"What do we do, Paimon?" Lumine whispered.
"Should we tell Shenhe and Ganyu?"
Paimon hesitated. Her loose tongue had already caused enough trouble by inadvertently dragging the two icy women along. If she alerted them now, it might escalate into a scene straight out of a disaster novel.
"Let's... just keep quiet for now," Lumine decided. "We can talk to Luo Qing in private later."
"Good idea," Paimon agreed.
However, before they could put their plan into action, Luo Qing and Makoto stopped to talk.
"I think that stall over there had the spices we need," Makoto said, gesturing to a nearby vendor.
"So, we're skipping the Bazaar?"
"Yes. And don't even think about sneaking off to watch the dancers again!"
"I never did that!" Luo Qing protested, turning around in exasperation.
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to freeze.
Shenhe and Ganyu stopped dead in their tracks, their gazes locking onto the scene before them.
Luo Qing. A woman. Hand in hand. Laughing.
The shock hit like a tidal wave.
"Luo Qing..." Shenhe's voice was quiet, but trembling with unrestrained emotion.
"Luo... Qing..." Ganyu's usually soft voice was filled with an edge of disbelief.
Ding!
[Frustration Points from Luo Qing +10]
---
Meanwhile, at Port Ormos
A merchant ship from Inazuma docked gracefully in the bustling port.
A striking woman in a dark violet kimono disembarked, her elegant features and cool demeanor turning heads as she passed.
Workers paused mid-task to admire her beauty, though none dared approach her.
Standing at the edge of the dock, she gazed toward Sumeru's towering trees and murmured to herself.
"Calm yourself," she said softly. "When we find Luo Qing, I'll let you meet him. But remember, this is Sumeru. Behave yourself."
There was no response, yet she seemed to argue with an unseen presence.
"What do you mean, I'm eager to see him too?"
"You're imagining things. I'm only here because of you—stop putting words in my mouth!"
Her voice grew quieter.
"I... didn't say I wasn't looking forward to it..."
---
T/N: LMAO PERFECT PLACE FOR A CLIFFHANGER
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