When they first met, Paimon had been terrified of Lu Heng because his gaze seemed to see right through everything.
But after Lumine encouraged her with 200,000 Mora, Paimon finally mustered up the courage to approach him.
And after spending some time together, Paimon realized—Lu Heng wasn't nearly as scary as she'd imagined!
Especially at the dinner table.
After all, Lu Heng himself had said he wouldn't eat Paimon!
So what was there to worry about?
Paimon threw all caution to the wind.
If she was hungry, she was gonna eat!
Even if she were to drop dead the next second, she'd rather die with a full stomach!
Lu Heng, on the other hand, found the little creature quite endearing.
Sure, while playing the game, she often talked too much and had a habit of accepting random quests on his behalf. But from a storytelling perspective, having a companion like her made the journey feel less lonely.
Dinner ended a little past ten.
Even though Liyue Harbor was a bustling city, the streets were mostly empty at this hour—everyone was busy resting up for work the next day, after all.
As they left Wanmin Restaurant and strolled down the quiet streets, Lu Heng suddenly remembered to ask, "Where are you staying?"
"Feiyun Slope, not too far from your shop," Lumine replied.
Lu Heng blinked in surprise.
That was one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Liyue!
It was practically the equivalent of a high-end villa district in a metropolitan city.
"Lady Ningguang, the super-rich, lent it to us!" Paimon chimed in, now comfortable enough to speak up.
"That's a pretty nice area," Lu Heng nodded, impressed by Ningguang's generosity—and her political acumen.
This wasn't just about being generous; it was a calculated move.
The twins, Aether and Lumine, were the protagonists of this world. Did anyone really think they were ordinary?
Lumine's future achievements would undoubtedly be extraordinary, even in this new era.
Ningguang's gesture was an early investment—not quite "climbing the ladder," since she was already a powerhouse in her own right.
But it was a way to forge a connection.
Exchanging something trivial for someone's goodwill? That was just Ningguang's brand of wisdom.
Put it this way—if a wealthy woman showed you kindness without expecting anything in return, not even your body or favors, wouldn't you be inclined to trust her?
If Lu Heng were in Lumine's shoes, he'd have accepted in a heartbeat.
"Ningguang's a real one," Lu Heng chuckled.
"I'm planning to buy the place eventually," Lumine said with a smile.
"Oh?"
Lu Heng was briefly surprised but quickly understood her reasoning.
No matter how nice someone else's home was, it never felt truly like your own.
Having your own place meant freedom—you could do whatever you wanted without hesitation.
"Besides, housing prices have dropped lately," Lumine added lightly.
Compared to a month ago, property values had fallen by about 20%, with luxury villas seeing an even steeper decline.
Wealthy merchants, realizing that a mansion worth 100 million Mora could be traded for 10,000 gacha pulls—which might just elevate them to near-Archon levels of power—had no reason to hesitate.
Business was a gamble anyway. Why not take the chance?
If luck was on their side, they'd strike it rich.
No hesitation—sell the house and go all in!
So even the most extravagant properties had taken a nosedive in price.
"Sounds like a good plan," Lu Heng agreed.
Then he added, "But you might want to wait a bit longer. Who knows? Maybe you can trade a card for it later."
"Mhm."
Lumine was sharp.
If she could avoid spending Mora, she would.
If she happened to pull a useful material card, she could just gift it to Ningguang.
Ningguang was the kind of person worth befriending deeply.
Though she was a merchant at heart, she didn't play dirty and had a solid reputation. You could trust her.
Before long, the three of them arrived at a quiet, upscale district.
The streets here were wider, the houses grander—each one a mansion in its own right.
The architecture in this area was something else.
Wealthy residents meant spacious properties, though they weren't quite sprawling estates.
Still, every home had its own private courtyard.
"We're here," Lumine said, checking the address before turning to Lu Heng.
She pulled out a key and unlocked the gate, then gestured inside. "Want to come in for a bit?"
"I wouldn't want to cut into your rest time, but I wouldn't mind a quick tour of your future luxury home," Lu Heng joked.
Lumine smiled faintly and shot Paimon a look.
Paimon caught on immediately and fluttered into the courtyard. "I'll go make some tea!"
"Tea this late might keep you up," Lu Heng pointed out.
"Then I'll boil some water!"
Paimon hurried off.
Lu Heng chuckled and stepped inside, taking in the beautifully landscaped front yard.
A small koi pond, a miniature waterfall cascading over an artfully placed rock formation, and meticulously trimmed shrubs—it all exuded an air of refined elegance.
"Now this is a proper mansion," Lu Heng remarked.
"I'm actually seeing it for the first time too," Lumine admitted. "Ningguang said everything was ready, but I only just got the chance to check it out. So I can't really give you a proper tour."
"No worries, just wandering around is fine."
Lu Heng didn't mind.
As they explored, the understated luxury of the place became apparent.
To the untrained eye, it might not look ostentatious, but every detail spoke of taste—and expense.
Even a single chair might have cost hundreds of thousands of Mora a month ago.
Lumine couldn't help but marvel.
"After I woke up, I never imagined I'd live in a place like this someday," she said with a light laugh.
"Life's funny that way," Lu Heng agreed.
"The water's ready!"
Paimon came fluttering back, wiping her forehead.
She'd had to search around a bit—it was her first time here too—but she'd managed.
After a quick drink, Lu Heng checked the time.
"It's getting late. You two must be tired from running around all day—I should let you rest."
"Don't call it 'letting us rest,'" Lumine protested.
As Lu Heng stood, she added, "Paimon, go get the bedding ready. I'll see Lu Heng out."
"Got it!"
Paimon nodded.
Lumine walked Lu Heng to the gate, where he turned and said, "No need to go further. Get some rest."
"Mhm."
She nodded, her golden eyes lingering on him.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, then hesitated.
"What is it?" Lu Heng asked curiously.
Lumine paused before finally speaking. "I don't know what kind of change you want to see in me… but I'll do my best."
"That's all?"
Lu Heng raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "Don't pressure yourself. Just because I have expectations doesn't mean you have to meet them. Even if you don't, my opinion of you won't change. Just live freely, make decisions based on what you truly want—not because of others' demands or judgments. As long as your values stay sound, be yourself."
Lumine's heart warmed.
Standing in the doorway, the night breeze playing with her hair, she listened quietly before breaking into a soft smile.
"But I don't want to disappoint you."
"Don't force it," Lu Heng said with a grin.
"I'm not that silly."
Lumine took a step back and waved. "You should get some rest too."
"You as well."
With a nod, Lu Heng turned and headed back toward his shop.
Lumine watched until his figure disappeared around the corner.
Only then did Paimon's voice pipe up beside her.
"He's gone?"
Lumine startled, then relaxed when she saw it was just Paimon. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"You were the one spacing out!" Paimon pouted.
Lumine rolled her eyes and closed the gate. "Let's go inside."
Paimon followed, studying her curiously. "You act really different around him compared to other people."
"Do I?"
Lumine paused.
"Yeah, and it's super obvious!"
Paimon crossed her arms. "If even I can tell, other people definitely will!"
Lumine: "…"
She opened her mouth, then sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"Why's that?" Paimon pressed.
"I don't know," Lumine admitted.
Her emotions were complicated.
After a moment of thought, she finally said, uncertainly, "Maybe… I just don't want to let down a friend who understands me so well?"
"Really?" Paimon scratched her head.
"Maybe?" Lumine shook her head. "I can't really explain it. Anyway, let's wash up and sleep."
"Okay! I found a bathtub—we should soak and relax!"
Back on the streets, Lu Heng strolled leisurely, hands behind his back like an old man out for a walk.
Lumine's mansion really wasn't far from his shop. Before long, he was back.
With the Civilization Core managing the robotic staff, he didn't even need to lock up—just a word, and he was back inside his pocket dimension.
In the floating island of his personal realm, Lu Heng appeared before the grand palace complex.
He meandered over to the garden to check on the Irminsul sapling—still thriving.
Then he pushed open the palace doors.
The interior wasn't some vast throne room.
Like any proper residence, the layout was practical—more like a home than a royal court.
The living room was softly lit, with a wall-mounted TV playing an AI lecture on some chemical experiment.
Sitting on the sofa, the small form of the former Dendro Archon—now in her childlike state—was curled up under a blanket, watching intently.
When she noticed Lu Heng's return, her starry white eyes shifted from the screen to him.
"Sleep well?" Lu Heng asked as he approached.
"Quite well," she nodded.
Then, like a curious kitten, she leaned in and sniffed at him.
"Hmm… the scent of food. And this person's fragrance," she murmured.
Lu Heng instantly went on high alert.
Digital divination, save me!
Before his mental plea could finish, the tiny Archon wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close.
Her whisper tickled his ear:
"I'm not jealous~"
…Was this a trap?
Lu Heng pondered seriously.
But as it turned out, she wasn't lying.
An Archon's concept of love was fundamentally different from a human's.
And for an immortal being like her, possessiveness didn't manifest the same way.
With Furina and Focalors as precedents, she knew Lumine wouldn't be the last.
But was that an issue?
For mortals, time was limited—they might worry about sharing their partner's attention.
But for beings like them?
In the face of eternity, who got more time with whom stopped being a concern.
Frankly, she hadn't even considered it.
Her only question was:
"Can you win her over?"
Lu Heng met her gaze.
Her small hands cupped his face, those starry eyes unwavering.
There was no jealousy—just genuine curiosity.
If he couldn't, she seemed ready to offer advice.
He'd thought Focalors was the perfect wife, but this one might just surpass her.
Whose wife is this?
Lu Heng thought smugly: Oh right, mine.
"Honestly, having you all is already more than enough. I'm not pushing for anything else."
He scooped her up in a princess carry.
She smirked. "The first half of that was a lie."
"Let's just let things happen naturally. Forced affection isn't sweet."
"But it quenches thirst~" she teased.
"I'm not that thirsty," Lu Heng laughed. "Though I will say—I might've had a late-night snack earlier, but now it's time for the main course!"
With a flick of his foot, the door swung shut behind them.
The Next Morning
Lu Heng yawned as he appeared in his Liyue shop.
He had to admit—the former Dendro Archon, bolstered by the Moonlit Dewwater, had put up quite the fight.
But thinking that gave her the right to challenge him?
Lu Heng had simply needed to teach her who was really in charge.
"Big brother, did you not sleep well? You should rest more!"
"Hm?"
Lu Heng looked down to see a small girl with chestnut-brown hair tied into twin spiral buns, each adorned with golden bells. A woven basket hung on her back, inside which a white rabbit plushie peeked out.
Yaoyao?
For a moment, Lu Heng was surprised—then his face broke into a doting smile.
"Aww, whose kid is this adorable?" he cooed, bending down to her level.
"Big brother, stop joking! You know it's me, Yaoyao!"
She puffed her cheeks before asking worriedly, "Why didn't you sleep well? Tell Yaoyao, maybe I can help!"
Ah, the ever-thoughtful little sparrow.
She really was too cute.
"Just stayed up late with some things. Don't worry about me—I'm fine," Lu Heng reassured her.
It wasn't about stamina or strength. Some things, as the tiny Archon had put it, dealt percentage-based exhaustion.
No matter how strong you were, you weren't invincible.
But Lu Heng's recovery was top-tier. Just this brief conversation had already refreshed him.
"That's good~"
Yaoyao visibly relaxed.
Lu Heng glanced up.
As expected, Yaoyao hadn't come alone—Madame Ping was with her.
"Madame Ping, it's been a few days," Lu Heng greeted.
"Master Lu, you should just call me 'Streetward Rambler.' Being called 'grandma' by you would shorten this old woman's lifespan," she chuckled.
In matters of cultivation, achievement outweighed age.
In terms of power, Lu Heng was her senior.
Madame Ping couldn't treat him as a junior—that would be presumptuous.
But how should a young powerhouse treat an elder of lesser strength?
That depended on both character and mutual respect.
If both were virtuous, then calling someone "elder" wasn't a loss.
Lu Heng grinned. "Too used to it now. Guess I'll never break the habit."
"By the way, has life been too disrupted lately?"
Madame Ping smiled. "Not too bad. Most people are considerate of the adepti. Though lately, Yujing Terrace's gotten livelier with little ones running about."
Lu Heng understood immediately.
Adults might hesitate to bother Madame Ping, but clever parents sent their kids instead.
Who knew? Maybe she'd take a liking to one and accept them as a disciple, like she had with Xiangling and Yaoyao.
(The latter called her "grandma" to maintain their cover in the city, but their relationship was master and student.)
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T/N:
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