December Double Drop!
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"It seems Mr. Luo Qing doesn't have the best relationship with his colleagues," Yae Miko said with a slight smile, clearly puzzled by why Luo Qing wanted her to pass that message to the puppet.Still, teasing that little fellow might be entertaining.
"Alright then. Since you're a valued guest of the Yae Publishing House, I'll do you the favor," she said with a playful smirk.
"Thank you very much, Miss Yae." Luo Qing paused, considering something before adding, "By the way, there's another small favor I'd like to ask."
"Oh?" Yae Miko arched an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she looked Luo Qing up and down.
"Just now, I agreed to help because Mr. Luo Qing is an esteemed guest of the Yae Publishing House. But if you want me to assist you again..." Her voice took on a teasing tone.
"That'll cost you extra, you know~."
"That's fair enough." Luo Qing chuckled. "If I'm not mistaken, Miss Yae is here because of Lumine, right?"
"Mm-hmm. And?" Yae Miko nodded, her fox ears twitching ever so slightly.
"Since that's the case, I can give you a little tip," he offered with a mischievous glint.
"A tip?" Yae Miko's expression showed a flicker of doubt.
"If you keep an eye on the Delusion Factory, you might come across something unexpected." Luo Qing's smile deepened.
"Lumine might just storm in there in a rage, and if Miss Yae is interested in having a more... intimate conversation with her, you could always try playing the hero and saving the day."
"My, my, it seems Mr. Luo Qing is quite well-informed," Yae Miko's face turned a shade more serious, her playful demeanor fading slightly.
It was unsettling that Luo Qing seemed to have such an accurate grasp of her intentions—intentions she hadn't shared with anyone.
"Well? What do you think, Miss Yae? Isn't that a fair price?" Luo Qing pressed.
Yae Miko pondered his words, then spoke again,
"Very well. What is it you want me to do this time?"
"It's nothing too complicated," Luo Qing replied lightly. "Just let me know when you bring Lumine back to Narukami Island."
"Mr. Luo Qing seems awfully confident... as if he knows exactly what will happen next," Yae Miko said with a hint of suspicion.
Does he really know the future? she wondered, but quickly dismissed the idea. He didn't seem like an astrologer...
Just as she was getting lost in thought, Luo Qing interrupted her musings.
"Alright then, Miss Yae. See you back in Inazuma City."
A glimmer of gold flashed in Luo Qing's eyes as he disappeared from her side, reappearing instantly at the foot of the cliff by the Fatui's makeshift harbor.
"That man..." Yae Miko muttered, her hands lightly resting over her chest, her expression turning more contemplative.
Meanwhile...
Theresa, clutching Luo Qing's golden executive badge, managed to commandeer a small skiff from the harbor—barely big enough for two. When she saw Luo Qing arrive at the docks, she stood on her toes and waved.
"Did you find a boat?"
Luo Qing glanced at the various ships docked in the port, assuming one of the larger ones was his ticket back.
"Yes, Lord Luo Qing. It's over there," Theresa pointed to the outer edge of the harbor, retrieving the badge Luo Qing had entrusted to her from her pocket.
"Here, your badge."
"Mhm..." Luo Qing took back the badge, about to head in the direction Theresa indicated, when he noticed a strange dampness.
Looking down, he saw a faint shimmer of moisture clinging to the surface.
His face darkened as he turned to glare at Theresa.
"What did you do to my badge?"
"..."
Theresa froze, the joyful expression she wore moments ago now turning stiff.
"Well... uh..."
"Speak up, or I'll leave you here while I sail back on my own."
"No, no, no! I'm sorry, Lord! It's just... I-I might have... tasted it," Teresa stammered, staring at her feet.
"...?"
[Frustration Value +1 from Luo Qing]
There's something wrong with this girl, Luo Qing thought. If she'd taste the badge, who knows what she'd do if he handed her his spear...
"Sigh. Never mind. I'm used to this by now. Let's get on the boat," Luo Qing said, glancing upwards in exasperation as he walked toward the dock.
But as he made his way down the pier, he quickly noticed something off.
There was no proper boat waiting for him—just a tiny skiff, barely big enough for two people.
He turned and pointed furiously at the boat, his voice sharp with annoyance.
"Is that what you found?!"
"Uh... well..." Theresa looked down, fiddling with her fingers nervously.
"I asked about the cargo ships, but they're all under orders from the Doctor. They'll be heading back to Snezhnaya soon, and even with your badge, I couldn't convince them..."
"..."
Luo Qing's gaze darted from the tiny skiff to Teresa.
If this wasn't one of her tricks, he'd eat his hat.
"Fine then, you stay here and figure out your own way back."
"W-Wait, what?!" Theresa's voice trembled as she watched him step toward the skiff.
Before he could take another step, she clung to his leg like a stubborn limpet.
"Let go of me..."
[Frustration Value +1 from Luo Qing]
"Lord, you can't just abandon me here!"
Theresa wailed, burying her face against his thigh. Her grip was so tight that Luo Qing couldn't shake her off.
The commotion was beginning to draw the attention of nearby Fatui soldiers, who were now watching with mild amusement.
"Let go, right now..."
"No."
"If you don't let go, I'll force you."
"Even if you beat me to death, I'm not letting go!"
"..."
[Frustration Value +1 from Luo Qing]
For the first time since his reincarnation, Luo Qing felt utterly drained.
Why had he even bothered to save this girl in the first place?
"Fine, fine. You can come," he finally relented, feeling defeated.
"Really?" Theresa's eyes sparkled with hope.
"Would I lie to you?"
"Of course you would! You lied last time when you told me to warm your bed! I waited all night, and you never came back..." Theresa grumbled.
"..."
Luo Qing's face twitched.
"Ahem... I trust you, my lord," Theresa said, quickly standing up and beaming with a bright smile.
"Lord Luo Qing, I'll pilot the boat! I'm really good at it~!"
"..."
"Fine." Luo Qing had no energy left to argue with her.
Once Theresa climbed aboard the skiff, Luo Qing moved to follow her—only to find there was practically no room left.
"Where am I supposed to sit?"
"Uh..." Theresa blushed, hesitating before rising slightly and gesturing to her lap.
"Lord, you can sit here, and I'll just... sit on your lap."
"...?"
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T/N: There's no saving this girl...
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