Late Night
The lively city of Liyue Harbor had long since fallen into slumber.
The only lights still burning bright were halfway up Mt. Tianheng, in a cozy little house.
Inside, Ganyu, Shenhe, and Luo Qing sat around a tea table, their expressions sowhat awkward.
It was already well past midnight—dawn wasn't far off—and yet the trio had inexplicably settled in for tea.
"Luo Qing, perhaps I should just co back tomorrow..."
Shenhe glanced toward the door, regret flashing in her eyes.
It was Ganyu who had written to her, telling her Luo Qing had arrived in Liyue.
She should have realized—of course Luo Qing would be here at her senior sister's house. If she'd been more thoughtful, she would've waited until morning to visit.
"Senior Sister, Luo Qing... you two should get so rest. I'll just... head back."
Shenhe began to rise, but before she could take a step, a pair of strong hands pressed gently on her shoulders, guiding her back into her seat.
"Shenhe, it's already so late. Why don't you stay here tonight?"
Luo Qing's tone was warm and inviting, as if he were rely being a good host offering a guest a place to stay.
But the reality was...
Ganyu's ho had only one bed—a double at that. There wasn't even a couch, just a few sturdy wooden chairs.
If Shenhe stayed the night, well, there was no question where she would be sleeping.
"Luo Qing..."
Ganyu's face turned crimson, and she averted her gaze, unable to et Shenhe's eyes.
She couldn't believe Luo Qing could be this shaless—trying to keep Shenhe here, too.
Although... she had already known this about him.
Back in Suru, there had been nights when Ganyu, alone in her room, could hear muffled sounds from Luo Qing's room—his voice mixed with Teresa's...
Ugh... Why did I have to fall for soone like him...?
"No, Luo Qing, I think it's better if I—"
Shenhe shook her head firmly and made for the door again.
It wasn't that she minded sharing a bed with Luo Qing. After all, the entire reason she had co down the mountain was to find him...
But arriving so suddenly felt like intruding on her senior sister's... ti.
While she wasn't keen on sharing Luo Qing with other won, her senior sister was an exception.
She and Ganyu were on the sa side, after all!
Luo Qing sighed, casting a glance at Ganyu.
The mood for the evening was gone. Even if Shenhe left now, Ganyu had cooled off.
In matters like this, timing was everything. Once the mont passed, there was no getting it back.
"Ganyu..."
Just as Shenhe opened the door to leave, Luo Qing turned to Ganyu, about to ask her what she thought.
But before he could, Ganyu suddenly stood up, grabbed his clothes from beside the bed, and hurriedly pushed them into his hands.
"Luo Qing, put your clothes on and go after Shenhe!"
"...Huh?"
Luo Qing blinked, completely dumbfounded.
Was Ganyu kicking him out?!
"Shenhe must have really missed you while she was in Liyue, and she probably sneaked out of the mountains just to see you..."
Ganyu's voice softened, her expression turning serious.
Cloud Retainer had once spoken to her about Shenhe's training, so Ganyu knew full well that Shenhe leaving the mountain was no small matter.
For Shenhe to rush down so urgently, there was no question what her intentions were.
"But we were just about to—" Luo Qing started, trailing off as he gestured vaguely to the bed.
"A-ah..."
Ganyu's cheeks flad scarlet, but she pushed him toward the door nonetheless.
"We'll... deal with that later, when we have more ti!"
Before Luo Qing could protest, Ganyu shoved him outside and slamd the door behind him, leaving him standing in the cool night air with his clothes in his hands.
"...?"
Luo Qing stood frozen, still trying to process what had just happened.
From inside the house, Ganyu's muffled voice carried through the door.
"Luo Qing, go after Shenhe. I won't be letting you back in tonight..."
"...Seriously?"
[ 1 Frustration Value from Luo Qing][ 1 Frustration Value from Ganyu]
"...You're really not opening the door?"
"No!"
"...Alright then."
Luo Qing sighed, shaking his head as he slipped on his clothes.
He could have opened the door easily if he wanted—locks were no obstacle to him. But what mattered wasn't the door itself; it was Ganyu's attitude. If he forced his way back in, Ganyu would only get mad at him.
"Fine. I'll see you in the morning, then."
"Mm...!"
From behind the door, Ganyu let out a quiet, almost reluctant reply.
Luo Qing stared at the red paper charm pasted on the door for a mont before scratching his head and turning toward the mountain path.
As the sound of Luo Qing's footsteps finally faded, Ganyu sank to the floor, breathing a long sigh of relief.
It wasn't that she regretted agreeing to Luo Qing's teasing earlier.
But seeing Shenhe's face again had stirred up unexpected feelings—a strange guilt that gnawed at her heart.
She knew her junior sister liked Luo Qing, too. And Shenhe had always been on her side, supporting and protecting her, even in matters of the heart.
If she went ahead and did that with Luo Qing while Shenhe was standing at the door...
I would've felt so guilty...
"Luo Qing..."
Ganyu murmured softly, resting her forehead against her knees.
"I'm sorry..."
---
Having been unceremoniously kicked out, Luo Qing shook off his surprise and quickly caught up with Shenhe.
"Luo Qing? Why are you here..."
Shenhe turned, her expression puzzled as Luo Qing appeared at her side.
"Your senior sister asked to see you off," Luo Qing said casually, glossing over the part where he'd been locked out.
"You don't need to walk back. You should return to—"
Before Shenhe could finish, Luo Qing grabbed her hand, his tone cheerful.
"Co on, Shenhe. Why be so polite with ? By the way, where's your place? I'll co in for a visit."
"...?"
Shenhe blinked, montarily speechless. She stared at Luo Qing's face, sensing that sothing was off but unable to put her finger on it.
Luo Qing's thick skin was as formidable as ever, and Shenhe could hardly argue with him.
Resigned, she let him hold her hand as they made their way through the quiet streets of Liyue Harbor.
Shenhe's residence was modest—a small house surrounded by a bamboo fence, simple yet neat.
She fished out a key from her pouch and, after a quick glance at Luo Qing, unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Turning back to face him, she said firmly, "Luo Qing, I'm ho now. You should head back—Senior Sister is waiting for you."
"No rush."
Before she could react, Luo Qing slipped past her, stepping inside and flopping down onto her bed as if he owned the place.
"After that long walk, I need a break."
"...?"
Shenhe stared blankly at him.
"Luo Qing, if you don't go back, Senior Sister will be worried."
"Hmm?" Luo Qing feigned confusion, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't I tell you? Ganyu said I should spend the rest of the night here with you."
"...?"
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