"I didn't... bring an umbrella," Shen He's voice was soft, like a faint buzz in the ear.
She gazed at Yu Xie, surrounded by the falling rain. The pitter-patter of raindrops formed the soundtrack of the moment.
Her clear, beautiful eyes were devoid of impurities—pure and serene, evoking joy yet inexplicable heartache.
"I'll take you back," Yu Xie offered.
"I... don't want to go back just yet," Shen He replied softly.
"Then..."
"I want to walk around a bit. Yu Xie, can you accompany me?" Shen He asked, making this request herself.
In Yu Xie's memory, this was the first time Shen He had ever asked for something directly.
"But your clothes are wet. You might catch a cold," Yu Xie said.
"I won't," Shen He shook her head. "They're not very wet, and I don't get cold that easily."
True enough, as a Cryo Vision wielder, Shen He had a much greater tolerance for cold than the average person.
"Alright then," Yu Xie agreed.
The look in Shen He's eyes was simply impossible to refuse.
And so, the two of them walked together under a single umbrella, listening to the sound of raindrops hitting its surface.
It was unclear how long they walked. The streets gradually emptied of people, and the rain began to subside.
Night seemed to grow deeper.
The moon re-emerged from behind the clouds, casting its silvery light over Liyue Harbor, as if sprinkling salt upon the streets.
Shen He, who understood so little about emotions, only knew that being with Yu Xie in this moment brought her a sense of peace.
Many of the worries she carried seemed to dissipate, cast far away.
"Once, I secretly left the mountains without my master's knowledge and went back to the place I lived as a child," Shen He suddenly said as they walked. "It was then I learned that not long after abandoning me, he died. The home of my childhood was long gone."
"At the time, my feelings were complicated, as if there were so many emotions, yet it also felt empty, like there was nothing at all," she continued. "Now... I truly don't know what I should do to fit into human society, to become a 'person.'"
"Shen He... you're doing very well already," Yu Xie turned to look at her. "You don't need to think about it too much. Just follow your heart. Being part of human society doesn't mean you have to be like everyone else on the street. To truly integrate, you first need to be true to yourself."
Shen He looked back at Yu Xie, silent for a moment.
After a long pause, a faint smile, so subtle she didn't even notice it herself, appeared on her face.
In the moonlight, Shen He's smile was enchanting, like a frozen lake in winter finally feeling the warmth of spring. That warmth washed over the heart.
...
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Today, Keqing was busy.
The work of the Yuheng Star was even more challenging than most people imagined, yet Keqing always managed to complete it with great efficiency and excellence.
Recently, however, Keqing found herself distracted during work.
She couldn't help but think: if it were Yu Xie, what would he do?
A thousand years ago, Yu Xie had been a deputy general tasked with defending Guili Assembly. His abilities were indisputable.
Though a millennium later, Yu Xie was now just an ordinary resident of Liyue Harbor, some qualities ingrained in his character remained unchanged.
Keqing occasionally imagined Yu Xie's heroic figure from the past, standing guard over Guili Assembly all by himself. She often wondered if she could one day become like him—a mortal guiding Liyue forward and ensuring its continued prosperity.
Thoughts like these frequently surfaced in her mind, often at the most unexpected moments.
During work, meals, breaks, and even while bathing, they would creep into her thoughts.
Although it hadn't disrupted her work yet, it was beginning to subtly affect her daily life.
Keqing found herself puzzled as to why this was happening.
She wanted to get to the bottom of things, so... she found herself standing at Yu Xie's door.
Taking a deep breath, Keqing raised her hand and knocked.
"Yu Xie, it's me. Are you home?"
"One moment, please." The voice that came from inside was not Yu Xie's, but a melodious female voice.
Shortly after, the door opened.
Standing there was a woman with short silver hair, breathtakingly beautiful, with an extraordinary air about her.
"And you are?" The woman, Kitsune Saiguu, glanced briefly at Keqing before asking.
"Hello, I'm here to see Yu Xie. Is he in?" Keqing responded instinctively, though her mind was already racing.
Who was this beautiful woman?
Could she be...
Had Yu Xie already... after just a few days apart?
Countless thoughts surged through Keqing's mind, overwhelming her like a tidal wave.
For some reason, Keqing felt a peculiar and indescribable emotion stirring within her heart.
"Yu Xie, a lovely young lady is here to see you," Kitsune Saiguu called over her shoulder into the house.
Shortly, Yu Xie emerged.
Upon seeing Keqing, Yu Xie appeared slightly surprised.
"Keqing, what brings you here?"
"I came to..." Keqing suddenly found herself at a loss for words. The carefully prepared phrases she had in mind now felt unnecessary. Perhaps this wasn't the right time for her visit.
"It seems you're busy. Maybe I should come back another time," she said, already preparing to leave.
"Wait a moment. We're not busy at all," Yu Xie said with a smile. "If you have something to discuss, come on in."
Keqing paused mid-step. "If I may ask, who is this lady to you?"
Kitsune Saiguu chuckled softly. "You misunderstand. I'm just like you—someone here to see Yu Xie. I only arrived a short while ago."
"Ah, I completely forgot to introduce you," Yu Xie said with a slightly awkward smile. "This is Kitsune Saiguu, from Inazuma, the former High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine. And this is Keqing, the current Yuheng Star of Liyue."
The former High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine... Keqing pondered this for a moment.
As the Yuheng Star, Keqing was naturally aware of the Grand Narukami Shrine in Inazuma. Liyue Harbor had some connections with it, though these dealings were primarily handled by Ganyu, so Keqing was not particularly familiar with the details.
What she did know was that the current High Priestess, Yae Miko, was known for her cunning and was rumored to be a member of the fox clan.
So this former High Priestess, Kitsune Saiguu, must also be from the fox clan, right?
"Miss Kitsune Saiguu, a pleasure to meet you," Keqing said, composing herself and greeting the woman with a smile.
"Likewise, Miss Keqing," Kitsune Saiguu replied with a warm smile of her own.
"Let's not stand around at the door. Come in and sit down," Yu Xie suggested.
The three of them moved to sit around a table inside, where Yu Xie poured them each a cup of tea.
The fragrant aroma of tea filled the air. Keqing picked up her cup and took a sip, using the moment to organize her thoughts.
Although it turned out that Miss Kitsune Saiguu's relationship with Yu Xie wasn't what Keqing had initially assumed, now... with a third person present, Keqing found it difficult to bring up the matter she had originally intended to discuss.
End of chapter
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