Inside the Wonderland Space.
Nolan spent quite a long time dawdling in the hot-spring bathhouse with Ei and Havria. By the time they finally came down, lunch was already about to start.
He was planning to go raise Rosaria's affection afterward, but there was no rush.
After all, Tingyun had just arrived in the Wonderland Space too—of course he had to host her properly. He couldn't let her feel neglected.
When he reached the hall, he saw Tingyun already getting along well with everyone, chatting cheerfully on the sofa.
She was sharing stories from the galaxy, while the girls told her about things from Teyvat in return.
"Benefactor, why were you gone so long…? These two elder sisters are…?"
Spotting Nolan coming down, Tingyun got up and hugged his arm, her curious gaze shifting to Raiden Ei and Havria.
Although fox-folk enjoyed long lifespans, Tingyun herself wasn't that old—her appearance was merely that of someone in her twenties.
Seeing two women who looked more mature than herself, she naturally assumed they were slightly older.
Calling them "older sisters" wasn't a problem at all.
"This is Raiden Ei, and this is Havria. They're Gods in our world," Nolan briefly introduced them, then introduced Tingyun to the two girls as well.
"Hello. Since you're with Nolan, that means we're family now. If he ever bullies you, feel free to come find us anytime—we'll help you punish him!"
Havria said with a gentle smile.
"Benefactor treats everyone very well. He's never bullied me. You two elder sisters must be overthinking it."
Tingyun shook her head earnestly.
From what she knew, he was not the type to bully girls.
"That's only because you've only just met him. Once you spend more time with this guy, he'll show his true nature. He just 'bullied' all of us a moment ago—he even messed up our clothes!"
Raiden Ei shot Nolan a sidelong glare.
"Eh—"
Hearing that "bullied," Tingyun instantly understood what she meant. A faint blush colored her pale cheeks, and she lowered her head shyly.
"A-Anyway, Noelle and the others seem to have finished preparing lunch. Let's go help carry the dishes."
Knowing he was in the wrong, Nolan hurried to change the subject.
"Okay~ Benefactor, let's go."
As expected of a fox-folk, Tingyun's shyness passed quickly. Hugging Nolan's arm cheerfully, she followed him toward the kitchen.
Not long after, with everyone helping, the table was soon filled with dishes.
During lunch, the Dendro Archon and Guizhong also came down and met Tingyun.
As time passed and lunch ended, everyone rested for a while on the couches by the wall, before those with work left for work and those with research tasks returned to their studies.
Ei also went upstairs to continue working on the armor. The living room suddenly felt far emptier.
Nolan glanced at Mona, half-lying lazily on the sofa, then at Layla, who sat beside her looking slightly stiff. Something came to mind; he gently left Tingyun's side and sat next to Layla.
"Eh? Mr. Adventurer, did you need something?"
Layla wasn't nervous while facing him—she was only shy because she wasn't familiar with the other girls yet.
"Layla, you've been researching the stars with Mona a lot lately. Why not just stay here? Saves you from running back and forth."
Nolan took her left hand and placed it on his palm, softly stroking her fair fingers.
"S-Stay… stay here? Won't that be troubling…?"
Layla's face flushed scarlet. But Mr. adventurer's hand felt gentle, warm—she didn't really want to pull hers away.
"How would it be troublesome? There are tons of empty rooms here. And when you and Mona worked too late and fell asleep in the lab, didn't you wake up feeling better than ever? No lingering fatigue, right?
"That's one of the Wonderland Space's traits. Living here helps you rest better, gives you more energy to study, and since Mona is right here, you can ask her anything anytime. Isn't that nice?"
While stroking her fingers, he listed the advantages one by one, trying to persuade her to stay.
"U-Um… Mona, what do you think…?"
Layla's affection toward Nolan had long reached max level. She liked him very much, and being invited to stay made her genuinely happy.
But she still worried she'd trouble everyone—she was clumsy, and she had sleepwalking episodes. If she scared anyone at night, she would be mortified.
Thinking it over, she decided to ask Mona.
"What's there to hesitate about? Sure, this guy wants you to stay so he can have easier chances to do those embarrassing things with you.
"But this place is great—the spatial properties alone are enough to deserve the name 'Wonderland.' And everyone here is like sisters. There's nothing to be shy about. So relax and stay."
Mona wrapped an arm around Layla's waist, pressing her cheek intimately against hers.
"E-Em… e-embarrassing things…?"
Layla covered her burning cheeks, unable to look at Nolan.
She vaguely knew lovers slept together, but she never imagined that sort of thing would come so close to her.
She was curious… but mostly embarrassed.
Nolan shot Mona an exasperated look, pinching her cheek.
"Why do you always make me sound like someone who only lusts after girls? It's also training, you know. Did you forget why your power grew so fast?"
"Hmph! You pinched me again!" Mona didn't let him off—she lunged forward and bit his hand.
When no one was around, she didn't mind being teased. She'd already been grabbed everywhere by this guy; it hardly mattered anymore.
But in front of a junior? She absolutely couldn't let her senior dignity crumble!
"Tsk—! You little—!"
Feeling the sting on his arm, Nolan instinctively tried to pull away, only for Mona to clamp on even tighter.
"Alright, alright! I surrender! I was wrong! I admit my fault—now let go!"
With no choice, he immediately switched into his practiced apology routine. After all, whenever he accidentally pushed a girl into a shameful pose, they would occasionally snap and bite him too.
He had long since perfected this whole begging-for-mercy routine. Otherwise, next time she might not bite his hand—she might bite somewhere else, and that would be troublesome.
Though with his defense, no matter how hard a girl bit him, it was basically just a massage. Experiencing it once in a while was actually… kind of nice.
But if he didn't show weakness, the girls would feel like they couldn't get the upper hand, leading to frustration—and that wasn't good for household harmony.
So as long as any girl bared her teeth, he would apologize first whether he was right or wrong. He had to admit: it worked. The moment he surrendered, the girl's anger disappeared.
The girls knew this too, of course, but seeing Nolan willingly admit fault still pleased them—just like now.
When Mona saw him surrender, she let out a proud little "hmph," finally releasing his hand and sparing him… for now. She grabbed Layla's hand and stood up.
"Come, I'll help you prepare your room. How about staying in the one next to mine?"
"Ah—y-yes."
Layla turned back to glance at Nolan before following Mona toward her room.
Nolan chuckled. Mona might throw small tantrums now and then, but she was very reliable when it came to serious matters. With this, Layla had officially moved into the Wonderland Space.
He sat back beside Tingyun, wrapped an arm around her waist, and smiled.
"Tingyun, our relationship is getting quite close. How about you live here too?"
"Aiya, Benefactor, this maiden still has work on the Xianzhou. If I move in with you… would it affect my duties? If possible, I want to manage both."
Tingyun looked troubled.
Of course she wanted to live with him. But she also had important responsibilities on the Xianzhou—her sense of duty wouldn't allow her to simply abandon them.
"That's easy. Most of the girls here have jobs too. I'll grant you the ability to freely enter and exit the Wonderland Space. And if you run into danger again, you can call me at any time—I'll come protect you."
Nolan summoned a golden Waymark and explained its abilities to her in detail.
"Thank you, Benefactor… then this maiden will follow your arrangements!"
Tingyun accepted the glowing golden orb. She never expected he could grant someone such a powerful ability. As expected of my man!
[Tingyun Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 450 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (230/900)]
Seeing the notification pop up, Nolan was delighted—Tingyun's affection was close to maxing out.
With just a little more effort, he could probably raise it fully. She was very straightforward in her fondness—she never hid or hesitated. That made raising affection exceptionally easy.
"Alright, I'll first teach you how to use Interstellar Travel, then I'll help you prepare your room."
He guided Tingyun through merging the Waymark, practiced mental communication and long-distance teleportation with her.
Once she was familiar with it, he accompanied her back to her home in Exalting Sanctum on the Luofu Xianzhou.
They brought back her valuable belongings—clothes, accessories, and similar items.
Then Tingyun dragged him out to shop on the street, buying a new bed, blankets, and other necessities for her new room in the Wonderland Space.
After all, she still needed her Luofu residence intact. Unlike Layla's rented place, which she emptied and returned, Tingyun was a high-ranking officer of the Sky-Faring Commission. If someone came to visit and found her house completely empty, it would look like she'd been robbed.
So even if she planned to live in the Wonderland Space, it was better to repurchase and redecorate. Money wasn't an issue.
As he accompanied Tingyun through the shops, Nolan considered how to raise her affection further.
He often used abilities like "Interstellar Travel" to ferry girls safely, improving their affection—along with skills like Divine Maiden's Purity and Grace of the Night's Opulent Splendor.
These buffs could remain active on them long-term, providing full-range protection: the first granted immunity to negative effects, the second transferred damage.
Every girl living in the Wonderland Space already had these. Based on his experience, giving them to Tingyun would surely raise her affection too.
After all, no girl would fail to be moved by a man who went to such lengths to protect her.
By his estimate, two more affection gains should max her out. With good luck, maybe even one.
After buying enough household necessities, it was already around seven or eight in the evening on the Luofu.
The two returned to the Wonderland Space and spent some time decorating her room.
These small chores were surprisingly time-consuming. By the time they finished, it was already after four in the afternoon on the Wonderland side.
"Hah… finally done. Benefactor, thank you for your hard work."
Tingyun lay on her new bed, turning her head to look at Nolan who lay beside her.
"It wasn't hard at all. Heh… to be honest, I've done this plenty of times."
Nolan reached over and found her hand, intertwining their fingers.
"Benefactor is loved by so many girls because you're simply too exceptional. Just like how this maiden loves you."
Tingyun tightened her grip on his hand.
"Speaking of which, after all this work, I'm a little tired. How about we visit the hot-spring bathhouse on the second floor? You'll definitely like it. And… I also have a gift I want to give you."
Nolan turned on his side, looking at Tingyun's beautiful fair cheeks.
"A gift? And it has to be given in the bathhouse? Benefactor, you're not planning to devour this maiden clean the moment we get there… are you?"
Tingyun turned toward him as well, eyes glinting with playful mischief.
"Ahem—of course not. You're overthinking."
Nolan avoided her gaze, focusing instead on her red eyeshadow.
"It's a perfectly serious gift. To prove my innocence, I'll give it to you right now. The other girls have it too."
He explained the effects of Divine Maiden's Purity and Grace of the Night's Opulent Splendor.
"So it can ignore negative effects and even transfer damage? Benefactor truly is incredible. If the other girls have it, then this maiden shall accept without hesitation."
Smiling brightly, Tingyun accepted both affection-skill blessings.
[Tingyun Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 420 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (650/900)]
Seeing the prompt, Nolan nodded—his guess had been correct. Gifts really did boost affection nicely.
"Well then… as thanks, this maiden will give Benefactor a return gift as well."
Tingyun propped herself up, eyes shimmering like ripples of water.
(End of Chapter)
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