Your support has carved the path for these bonus Chapters—may they bring you joy.
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The world seed to spin for Kamisato Ayaka as her vision distorted, the sensation akin to being caught in the swirling vortex of a flushing toilet.
Monts later, her surroundings stabilized, and she found herself standing beneath the branches of a massive tree. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, dappling her figure with soft, silvery light.
"This place is..."
Looking down, Ayaka marveled at the colossal tree trunk beneath her feet. It was larger than even the Sacred Sakura of Inazuma. All around her, lush rainforests and tranquil streams painted a breathtaking scene.
"This is Suru," Luo Qing said from beneath her, his voice light with amusent. "And Ayaka, you can get up now. Unless, of course, you'd prefer to keep sitting on my lap..."
Only then did Ayaka realize their current posture: she was seated sideways on Luo Qing's lap, his arm securely around her waist. Both were still perched on the toilet they had used to teleport.
The position was intimate enough to set the stage for a romantic drama.
"Ah—sorry!"
Her face flushed a deep red as she quickly scrambled off his lap, smoothing her clothes nervously. Turning her gaze to the dense foliage around them, she asked softly,
"Luo Qing, why are you here in Suru?"
"Oh, work stuff." Luo Qing stood and casually brushed himself off. "You know how it is with the Fatui—either causing trouble or on the way to cause it."
"Mm..."
Ayaka nodded faintly, though her mind was elsewhere.
She couldn't help but think back to the challenges his Fatui identity had posed for their relationship. Her brother had vehently opposed it, and the Kamisato family's political position left no room for ties with such an organization.
But now, Ayaka no longer cared about any of that. She was determined to overco any obstacle for him.
Suddenly, she reached out and took his hand, her slender fingers entwining with his.
"Luo Qing," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. "No matter who you are or what you've done, it doesn't matter to ."
"Huh?"
Luo Qing glanced down at her, surprised.
Ayaka's cheeks turned crimson as she lowered her head. Her grip on his hand tightened. "No matter what happens... I'll never leave you."
"..."
Luo Qing was taken aback. When had Ayaka beco so forward?
If he didn't know better, he'd swear she was self-progging!
If only he could check her Affinity level—he was curious how high it had climbed.
"S-so..."
Ayaka lifted her head, her eyes shimring with unshed tears.
"Please, Luo Qing... don't abandon ."
"..."
Luo Qing felt a pang of guilt.
I've never even hinted at leaving her. Why does she look so heartbroken?
"Don't worry, Ayaka." He pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
"How could I ever abandon you? If anything, it should be asking you not to leave ."
"I... I would never!" Ayaka blurted out, her voice resolute.
"Good..."
Smiling softly, Luo Qing cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
The kiss lingered for a long mont before they finally parted.
Ayaka's face was a vivid shade of red, her breaths coming quick and shallow. She looked like a ripe strawberry, practically begging to be bitten.
Yeah, it's ti to upgrade the house, Luo Qing thought. A little two-story place isn't going to cut it anymore. I need a sprawling estate like Uncle Diluc's, or there won't be room for everyone.
"Luo Qing, do you usually rest here?" Ayaka asked shyly, glancing at their surroundings.
She had hoped that the other side of the teleport would lead to his ho, where she could look around and maybe... share a mont together.
But all she saw was the canopy of a massive tree.
"Of course not," Luo Qing replied with a chuckle. "I only ca here to test if the connection to your place would work properly. Next ti you visit, you'll be able to teleport directly to my ho."
With the stabilizer installed, traveling across Teyvat was going to be as convenient as using in-ga waypoints.
In the future, Luo Qing planned to dedicate a room in his ho to the teleport system. That way, Ayaka could visit him anyti without issue.
Though, given the self-proclaid "queen" of the house, he'd need to smooth things over before inviting Ayaka.
In truth, Luo Qing's imagined harem drama had yet to materialize. Makoto had an uncanny ability to keep things running smoothly. Even Theresa and Rosalyne were well-behaved under her watchful eye.
"Next ti..." Ayaka whispered. "Can't it be this ti?"
"Not yet," Luo Qing said, thinking quickly. "The house is still under renovation..."
Ayaka's shoulders sagged in disappointnt, prompting him to gently pat her head.
"How about this? I promise that next ti you visit, there will be a room just for you. Deal?"
"R-really?"
Her eyes lit up, though she quickly ducked her head again. "But... the Kamisato family has rules. Unmarried won can't live with n, and... and we can't, um..."
"It wouldn't be living together," Luo Qing reassured her. "Just a place for you to stay when you visit. The room will always be yours."
"Mm..." Ayaka nodded, her cheeks still flushed.
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In Liyue
After a brief respite, Lumine and Paimon set off toward Suru, their path taking them through The Chasm.
But unlike their usual duo, this ti they had two additional companions.
"I'm serious, Shenhe, Ganyu. Do you really have to co with us to Suru?" Paimon sighed, exasperated.
All she had done was drunkenly joke at dinner, saying, "Knowing that rascal Luo Qing, he's probably waiting for us in Suru already."
Sohow, Shenhe and Ganyu had taken her words to heart.
One had declared she was going to train abroad for six months, while the other had promptly filed for an extended leave of absence.
Shenhe was supposed to be the stoic type, and Ganyu a workaholic!
What did that scoundrel do to these two?
"I've made up my mind," Shenhe said firmly, her gaze locked on the horizon. "Paimon, there's no need to persuade further."
"But..."
"I will find Luo Qing in Suru," Shenhe continued, her tone resolute. "And if he's not there, I'll go to Snezhnaya."
"..."
[ 1 Frustration Point from Paimon]
Paimon turned to Ganyu, hoping for so backup.
"Ganyu, can't you talk so sense into her?"
But Ganyu rely lowered her head and said softly, "I feel the sa way as Shenhe."
"?!"
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T/N: AHHHH FAUNA IM CRYINGGGG WHYYYY DO U HAVE TO GO
Greetings, esteed Readers,
Your steadfast support throughout this journey has been as constant as the tides and as enduring as stone. In the spirit of gratitude, I am pleased to announce the release of bonus Chapters, a reflection of your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm.
Should you wish to continue fortifying the foundation of these tales, WiseTL's efforts can be supported here:
/WiseTL].
Even the humblest contribution becos part of an enduring legacy, a cornerstone for tales yet to unfold.
As my ti here concludes, may the strength of stone guide you forward. Until we et again.
With utmost sincerity,
— Zhongli
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