Can't Kaveh just fix the rooms if we run out?
Luo Qing thought to himself.
Would sothing as trivial as room availability really stump him?
If no one else was around to argue, wasn't it entirely up to him?
"Alright then..."
He waved his hand dismissively, standing to leave. As he headed out, he gave Rosalyne a quick instruction.
"Keep preparing dinner—and make extra desserts."
"Yes, Master," Rosalyne replied with a slight bow.
Before she could look up, Luo Qing's figure had already vanished.
The night had fallen, and darkness shrouded the streets.
Luo Qing scanned both sides of the road outside his house but found no trace of Furina.
"She's really mad this ti, huh..."
Given Furina's usual antics, Luo Qing had assud she would sulk sowhere nearby, throwing a tantrum to bait him into coaxing her.
But it seed she had truly stord off this ti.
Sigh, this girl...
Shaking his head, Luo Qing headed toward the Pneuma Palace.
Although night had settled in, so of Fontaine's governnt officials were still hard at work, including the ever-diligent Neuvillette.
As Fontaine's top workaholic, Neuvillette practically lived in the office, personally overseeing most governnt affairs and high-profile court cases. He was, in every sense, Fontaine's ultimate "toolman."
Since Luo Qing's stealthy opera house escapade had been discovered, he hadn't spoken to Neuvillette since.
To avoid any awkward encounters, Luo Qing decided to suppress his aura and sneak directly into Furina's room at the Pneuma Palace.
In Fontaine, anyone caught trespassing in Lady Furina's chambers would be sent to ropide Fortress for at least half a lifeti.
But for Luo Qing, Furina's room was no challenge—he could co and go as he pleased.
And no, he was only referring to the room.
"Hmm? She's not here either?"
Standing in the middle of Furina's grandiose and excessively large bedroom, Luo Qing frowned.
The space was empty, as though Furina hadn't even returned.
"Where did she run off to now..."
With a slight ntal effort, Luo Qing extended his awareness into the Void Network, attempting to locate Furina's connection point.
But her Void Terminal had been removed, leaving no trace of her presence online.
"...Fine, I'll deal with it later."
He shook his head and left the room.
Knowing Furina's personality, she'd likely cool off by tomorrow and act as if nothing had happened. Once her anger subsided, she'd reappear on her own.
Exiting the Pneuma Palace, Luo Qing chose not to use his temporal powers, instead strolling leisurely toward ho.
As he entered the streets of the Lyonne District, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Hey, Brighella! Just the person I was looking for!"
A brown-haired, green-eyed figure—none other than Tartaglia—ran up to him, brimming with enthusiasm.
"What now..." Luo Qing glanced at Tartaglia's clenched fists. "You're itching for another beating?"
"More or less—wait, no!" Tartaglia quickly corrected himself.
"It's like this: I ntioned before that I wanted to spar with Clorinde, the dueling champion. But no matter how much I provoke her, she won't take the bait!"
"And how exactly did you provoke her?" Luo Qing asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know..." Tartaglia scratched his head. "Stuff like standing outside her house with a sign that says, 'Fight or I'll shoot your windows with a slingshot.'"
"..."
"And?"
"And... uh, I also said, 'If you don't fight , you're not a real man.' Though, she's not one to begin with, so..." Tartaglia trailed off, embarrassed.
"..."
Luo Qing stared at him, speechless.
Back when he first t Tartaglia in Snezhnaya, this guy hadn't been this eccentric.
Was it the beating he took from the Traveler?
Or was it that everyone who interacted with him eventually beca... peculiar?
"What do you want from ?" Luo Qing finally asked. "I don't know Clorinde—I can't set you two up."
"But!" Tartaglia's expression turned serious.
"I asked Arlecchino if she could help, and she said you're close with the Hydro Archon. And Clorinde happens to be her bodyguard. So she told to find you!"
"..."
Luo Qing sighed inwardly.
After all these years, Arlecchino's talent for deflecting responsibility had only improved.
"Co on, Brighella, help out..." Tartaglia pleaded, rubbing his hands together. "If I don't fight Clorinde soon, it feels like ants are crawling all over !"
"Fine," Luo Qing relented. "But forget the drinking. I'm from Liyue—we believe in fair exchanges. If I help you, you'll owe a favor. Deal?"
"Deal!" Tartaglia thumped his chest in agreent. "If you ever need for anything, just say the word!"
"Alright." Luo Qing waved him off. "Go ho and wait for news. I'll let you know when there's an update. Keep your Void Terminal on."
Tartaglia leaned forward. "Can't we just go now?"
"Oh, about that..." Luo Qing tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Not right now. The Hydro Archon's in a bad mood, and I haven't cald her down yet. Once I do, I'll ask for you. See ya."
With that, Luo Qing patted Tartaglia on the shoulder and walked off, leaving him standing there, bewildered.
Did he just say the Hydro Archon is mad at him?!
"?"
After wandering for a bit, Luo Qing finally returned ho. The streets of Fontaine were filled with the faint aroma of baked goods, signaling dinnerti.
As he stepped through the door, he was greeted by the sight of a table laden with desserts.
Facing away from him was a familiar white-haired girl, furiously devouring the treats at a speed that left even Theresa—who had seen the Traveler's appetite—staring in awe.
"?"
Curious, Luo Qing approached Furina, who lifted her head at his arrival. Her adorable, pale face was smudged with cream and cake crumbs, looking utterly disheveled.
The sight sparked an odd urge in Luo Qing—he almost wanted to wipe her face clean himself.
"Weren't you gone?"
"I..." Furina mumbled, averting her eyes in embarrassnt.
Luo Qing turned to Rosalyne for an explanation. She calmly replied,
"Master, Lady Furina never actually left. She was crouched in the bushes outside the house. I believe she was hungry and snuck in for so desserts, but I caught her."
"The last part wasn't necessary..."
Furina's cheeks flushed red as she hung her head, nervously shifting her feet in her little black shoes.
"Not mad anymore?" Luo Qing chuckled softly.
Furina's foolish antics had a certain charm, reminding him of how Theresa had been when they first t.
Pouting, Furina avoided his gaze and muttered under her breath,
"Since you had her make all these desserts for ..."
"Fine... I'll forgive you."
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