Bonus Chapter!
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"Ah-choo! Who's thinking about me?"Luo Qing rubbed his nose. Ever since his body had been enhanced, it had been ages since he'd last sneezed.
"Milord, are you alright?"
Natalia's voice carried a hint of concern.
As Luo Qing's rotating personal assistant, it was her turn to take care of his daily affairs after swapping shifts with Teresa.
"I'm fine. Maybe someone's secretly in love with me."
Luo Qing chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed his fishing rod, ready to head out.
Suddenly, a carrier pigeon flew in through the window, dropping a pink-edged envelope before flapping away.
"Hm?"
Picking up the envelope, Luo Qing noticed a faint cherry blossom scent lingering on it—an unmistakable trace of that sly fox.
Opening it confirmed his suspicions. The letter was signed by none other than Yae Miko.
The note explained that Lumine had been taken to the Grand Narukami Shrine. If he wanted to see her, he could head over there.
The tone of the letter resembled that of a small, sulking fox baring its teeth at him in frustration.
From Yae Miko's perspective, Luo Qing had seemingly anticipated her every move and intention, including her plan to use the Gnosis to rescue Lumine and bring her to the shrine for her purposes.
For someone as cunning as Yae Miko, the thought of being toyed with in such a way was unbearable.
Yet, there wasn't much she could do to him—hence, the letter filled with her penned grievances.
"Milord, this is..."
Natalia glanced at the letter curiously.
"Nothing. Just a grumpy fox venting," Luo Qing replied with a chuckle, casually burning the letter.
"Shall we still go fishing, Milord?"
Natalia asked hesitantly. Fishing was the one activity that tested her patience to the limit. She could handle almost anything Luo Qing asked of her, but the slow pace of fishing made her feel like she was dying inside.
"Of course, why not?"
Luo Qing let out a hearty laugh, slinging the fishing rod over his shoulder as he headed out.
Whatever Lumine and Yae Miko were up to had nothing to do with him. He just had to wait for them in Inazuma City.
"Oh..."
Natalia sighed softly, following Luo Qing dejectedly.
Several days passed.
Since the near-intimate encounter with the Raiden Shogun, Luo Qing had visited Tenshukaku a few more times.
As she had warned, the Shogun wasn't there.
After a few failed visits, Luo Qing decided it wasn't worth the trouble to keep going. When Lumine arrived, the Shogun would surely return as well.
Meanwhile, Kamisato Ayaka's mood had visibly improved ever since she heard Luo Qing was back in Inazuma City.
She frequently invited him to Komore Teahouse for tea or to stroll through Hanamizaka and browse light novels together.
Over time, even Thoma had come to accept that Luo Qing and Ayaka shared a close—and possibly romantic—relationship.
He wasn't particularly thrilled about it, but as the Kamisato estate's housekeeper, this was something for Lord Kamisato to worry about, not him.
One day, Luo Qing found himself once again invited to the Komore Teahouse.
This time, Ayaka and Thoma were both there, waiting to play a thrilling three-person game with him.
"Same game as last time?" Luo Qing asked in a low voice as he closed the door behind him.
"Um... I don't mind," Ayaka replied, her face tinged with a faint blush.
"Same as before...? Isn't that too much for Lady Ayaka?" Thoma hesitated, his concern for Ayaka's well-being evident.
"It's fine! I can handle it!" Ayaka insisted, her gaze steady as she looked at Luo Qing.
"Well, if Ayaka says so, then let's begin."
Luo Qing shut the windows, pulled a small box from his coat, and set it on the table.
At the same time, Lumine had returned to Inazuma City after completing her training with the Raiden Shogun.
Following Yae Miko's instructions, she made her way to Komore Teahouse to seek help from Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma.
Her wanted status hadn't been cleared yet, so she had to sneak in to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Exchanging a quick glance with the teahouse manager, Shou, Lumine and Paimon slipped into the teahouse.
After confirming Ayaka and Thoma's presence, they headed toward the room where they had once played a hotpot game together.
As they approached, strange sounds drifted from inside.
"Luo Qing... I... I can't take it anymore."
"Hang in there, Ayaka! It's almost over!"
"?"
Lumine couldn't understand what was happening, but she was utterly shocked.
Was she interrupting something she shouldn't?
"Luo Qing! What are you doing to Ayaka?!"
Paimon didn't bother thinking twice. Assuming the worst, she yanked the door open with her tiny hands.
Light flooded the dark room, revealing the trio inside.
"Luo Qing! Stop bullying Ayaka—wait, huh?"
Paimon had her hands on her hips, ready to scold Luo Qing, but froze at the sight before her.
At the table, Luo Qing and Thoma were sitting calmly, a pile of scattered playing cards in front of them.
As for Ayaka, she was standing on one foot with a Sunsetia balanced on her nose, her body wobbling to maintain balance.
Luo Qing blinked in surprise before breaking into a grin.
"Oh, you two are finally back?"
"What... what are you doing?"
Paimon scratched her head, completely bewildered by the scene.
"Playing a game of Dou Dizhu! Want to join?" Luo Qing asked with a smirk.
Just as he spoke, Ayaka finally lost her balance, collapsing onto the floor as the Sunsetia rolled onto the table.
Ayaka wasn't very skilled at Dou Dizhu, but she cherished the opportunity to spend time with Luo Qing.
Even if it meant enduring forfeits every time she lost as the "landlord."
Her punishment for this round had been standing on one foot with a Sunsetia balanced on her nose for a full minute.
"Dou Dizhu? What kind of game is that?"
Paimon tilted her head, eyeing the cards in confusion.
"It's a fun card game Luo Qing taught us," Thoma explained with a laugh. He seemed genuinely happy to see Lumine and Paimon again.
"So, how's the situation outside? Can I leave yet?"
"Not yet," Lumine replied, shaking her head. Her expression turned serious as she directed her gaze at Luo Qing.
"And you, Luo Qing. Why are you here?"
"Me?" Luo Qing leaned back lazily, tilting his head toward Ayaka.
"Because Ayaka and I are good friends. Is that a problem?"
Lumine glanced at Ayaka, whose cheeks flushed red as she gave a small nod.
"..."
Lumine felt an inexplicable unease.
Ayaka!
Doesn't she know this scumbag was flirting with two other girls in Liyue?
Did she notice the red string tied around his wrist?
Those girls had made it for him!
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