"Stay away from Fontaine?"
Luo Qing's confusion only deepened.
Could it be that the Tsaritsa not only informed Arlecchino of his plans to go to Fontaine but also mentioned his intention to seize the Hydro Archon's Gnosis?
Really now, Tsaritsa? I thought you were above such sneaky little games.
For a brief moment, Luo Qing felt an urge to rip the Pure Ice Crystal from his chest, summon the Tsaritsa, and give her a stern talking-to.
Just kidding. He'd never dare.
"This is advice from a 'father,' Brighella," Arlecchino said in her usual emotionless tone.
"Your abilities are formidable, but they shouldn't be wasted in Fontaine."
Her message was clear: if Luo Qing insisted on going to Fontaine, the only thing awaiting him would be death.
"Arlecchino... are you warning me or trying to provoke me?" Luo Qing asked, his suspicion evident.
This woman was always like this—seemingly caring, yet her every move felt like a calculated manipulation, pulling strings as if everyone around her were mere puppets.
"That's all I'll say."
Arlecchino's gaze briefly flicked to the icy-blue crystal on Luo Qing's chest. If she said any more, she might inadvertently reveal the Tsaritsa's instructions.
She was well aware of what that crystal represented, and who knew if the Tsaritsa was currently eavesdropping on their conversation from the other side?
"The decision is yours, Brighella."
With that, Arlecchino took a few steps back and disappeared into the shadows of the night.
"Trying to stop me, huh?"
After ensuring Arlecchino had truly left—using a utility card to scan the surroundings for good measure—Luo Qing pulled the Pure Ice Crystal from his chest and tapped it with his finger.
"Your Majesty, what's the deal here?"
First, she'd tasked him with personally retrieving the Hydro Archon's Gnosis, and now Arlecchino was warning him against going after it.
What exactly are you playing at? Trying to bait me?
The crystal remained silent, showing no reaction. It seemed the Tsaritsa was still sulking over their last argument.
"Acting all high and mighty, huh..." Luo Qing muttered to himself, tucking the crystal back into his shirt.
"Fine! I'll go to Fontaine anyway and see what happens!"
---
With a small huff, Luo Qing leapt off the rooftop and swung by a nearby grocery store to grab a bottle of soy sauce before heading home.
"Here's your soy sauce," Luo Qing said, kicking off his shoes as he handed the bottle to Makoto.
"Just leave it there. We don't need it anymore," Makoto replied, nodding toward the kitchen while balancing a dish in her hands. She didn't bother to take the bottle.
"Don't need it anymore?" Luo Qing frowned. "Then why did you ask me to get it?"
"Hmph..."
Makoto set the dish down and smirked. "If I hadn't, who knows when you'd have come back?"
"..."
She had him there.
"Alright, the food's ready. Everyone, take your seats!"
Bu'er emerged from the kitchen, carrying a platter of Sumeru-style cuisine.
"As we agreed, we'll roll dice to decide the seating arrangement."
"Mom... er, I mean, Rukkhadevata, where should I sit?" Nahida asked, raising her small hand with a sweet, innocent expression.
"You sit next to Dad... er, I mean Luo Qing. Let him serve you whatever you want to eat."
"Okay!"
Nahida nodded eagerly and skipped over to the seat on Luo Qing's right. She glanced at his lap, then looked up at him with wide, sparkling eyes.
"..."
Luo Qing felt a bit awkward. He didn't need to guess what Nahida was thinking.
Also, what was with that slip of the tongue? Was it really unintentional?
"How about this—why don't you sit on my lap, Nahida?"
Though he already knew what she wanted, Luo Qing couldn't exactly say no. After all, Nahida was essentially his daughter.
Eating New Year's dinner with his five-hundred-year-old little girl on his lap? Nothing weird about that.
"Thank you, Dad... er, I mean, Luo Qing!"
Nahida beamed and hopped onto his lap.
Her subconscious bond to Luo Qing ran deep, rooted in their shared connection. Coupled with the truths she'd uncovered about her origins, her affection for him had only grown.
Outside, she was the current Dendro Archon. Inside this house, she was simply family.
"Well then, let's roll the dice!"
Makoto placed a set of dice cups on the table. "Three dice per person, one roll each. No cheating. Seat selection will go in descending order based on the roll."
Although she and Bu'er bickered endlessly over who deserved the title of "first wife," the two worked together seamlessly when it came to household matters.
Even something as seemingly trivial as seat arrangements.
The stakes were high tonight.
The girls crowded around the table, their expressions tense.
After all, there were only two seats directly beside Luo Qing—his left and right. With nine women in the house, excluding Rosalyn and Nahida, that left seven vying for those coveted spots.
Each took their turn shaking the dice, carefully rolling them into the cup.
When all was said and done, Ayaka's incredible luck landed her a roll of 16, securing her seat on Luo Qing's left. Ganyu followed with a roll of 15, sitting to his immediate right.
The remaining seats filled up in order: Theresa, Ei, and Makoto on his right, with Shenhe, Rosalyn, and Bu'er on his left.
Notably, the two "first wives," Makoto and Bu'er, both rolled the lowest score of 3, relegating them to seats directly opposite Luo Qing—on the far side of the round table.
As fireworks lit up the night sky outside, the family's Lantern Rite reunion dinner officially began.
Makoto and Bu'er had outdone themselves, preparing a feast that spanned the cuisines of three nations, filling the table with dishes that catered to everyone's tastes.
There was Ganyu's favorite Four Joys Dumplings, Ei's beloved Tri-Colored Dango, and Theresa's long-craved Liyue-style barbecue.
Even Rosalyne's preferences were considered—though she was technically the maid, her role had long since evolved into that of family.
Normally, she'd wait until everyone had eaten and cleaned up before quietly preparing her own dinner.
But tonight, Luo Qing insisted she join them at the table to share this Lantern Rite feast.
Suddenly, a massive firework exploded outside, casting colorful light through the balcony doors.
Ganyu, typically reserved, raised her glass in realization and said loudly, "Happy Lantern Rite!"
The others followed her lead, raising their glasses in unison.
"Happy Lantern Rite!"
---
T/N: Daddy Luo Qing!