The setting sun sank into the west, its afterglow spilling across the calm sea, scattering golden ripples layer by layer.
Lumine and Shao Yun stood shoulder to shoulder, steady within the boat, both holding fishing rods, ready to enjoy a quiet and pleasant time together.
Shao Yun was the first to break the silence, casually asking, "So, how have you and Paimon been these past couple of days?"
Lumine nodded gently, then began speaking at length about her recent experiences.
"It was so much fun! We took adorable Klee to Inazuma City. She and Yoimiya became really good friends."
Hearing that Mondstadt's and Inazuma's two greatest explosive dealers had met, Shao Yun wondered if this world would one day be blown to pieces by the two of them.
Lumine went on with her story.
"And you'll never guess how amazing the editors at Yae Publishing House are! If it hadn't been for Kaedehara Kazuha stepping in today, thinking to use a stamp, poor Xingqiu would've been in serious trouble."
At that, she couldn't help but laugh aloud.
After finishing her lively tale, Lumine turned curiously toward Shao Yun, asking with concern, "By the way, Shao Yun, how have you been these past few days?"
At the moment, Shao Yun was staring intently at the water's surface, both hands gripping the rod tightly, afraid to miss even the slightest sign.
Hearing Lumine's question, he relaxed his nerves a little, but his eyes still never left the water. He answered casually.
"Well, you know, I've managed to snag a few little perks from Yae Miko. I've already read almost half of the light novels from the Overseer's Office overseas."
At the mention of "light novel," Lumine quickly freed her left hand, and from who-knows-where, produced a delicate, finely bound copy of a light novel.
She handed it to Shao Yun, standing at her left, her face glowing with a mysterious smile as she said softly, "Speaking of light novels, here—this one's something Klee especially asked me to give to you."
Shao Yun freed his right hand to accept the gift from Klee.
His eyes quickly fell upon the cover, and he read the title aloud.
"'Off We Go, Dodoco'… and it's even the deluxe edition from Yae Publishing House! What in the world is this about?" He looked at Lumine with a face full of doubt.
Lumine nodded gently, explaining in a soft voice, "This was originally a gift from Yae Miko to Klee. But Klee specifically told me to pass it on to you, and she even had me bring you a message."
"She said it's her way of thanking you for taking her out to play last time."
Shao Yun gazed at the book in his hands, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he sighed.
"Oh, Klee is just too sweet and thoughtful! I really hope that someday, we can have a child as adorable and caring as her."
But his words instantly brought a faint blush to Lumine's cheeks.
She looked at Shao Yun with feigned reproach, asking shyly, "Why do I get the feeling there's a different meaning hidden in those words?"
Shao Yun's lips curled upward into a mysterious smile as he said slowly, "Don't you agree that Klee really is both delightful and obedient?"
Lumine blinked, then quickly turned her head away, focusing entirely on her rod.
"Hmph, I'll just pretend you were simply making an innocent remark."
She bit her lip lightly, silently pondering over his words, her feelings growing ever more tangled.
…
The two fished for a while longer, but to their frustration, not a single fish appeared.
Realizing that continuing would only waste precious time, they silently agreed to put away their rods.
Shao Yun reeled his in, muttering to himself about his rotten luck.
"Sigh, today's luck is absolutely terrible! Not even a single fish biting."
The local Inazuma fish were just plain rude. If this hadn't been a date, Shao Yun would've been tempted to use Master Hunter VIII's method of catching fish.
Beside him, Lumine quietly packed up her rod as well, then softly suggested, "In that case, why don't we forget about fishing altogether?"
"How about we just sit back and enjoy the scenery instead?"
With that, she lightly sat down on the boat's bench, patting the empty spot beside her.
Seeing this, Shao Yun felt a warmth bloom in his chest. Smiling, he replied, "Sure."
He sat beside her, so close they could feel each other's breath and heartbeat.
Then, boldly, Shao Yun wrapped his arms around Lumine.
With Paimon—the eternal third wheel—not around, the air was filled with a unique tranquility and warmth.
After a while, Lumine suddenly broke the silence.
Out of nowhere, she said, "Shao Yun, I'm sorry."
Shao Yun froze, stunned by her words. He stared at the girl in his arms, puzzled, and asked, "Huh? What's this about?"
Lumine slowly raised her head, meeting his gaze briefly before lowering her voice. "About what happened over a month ago at Tenshukaku—I truly apologize. At that time, I guess my mind wasn't clear…"
She paused slightly, then explained earnestly.
"My intention was… at first, I believed things here would be like in Mondstadt and Liyue."
"That as long as we solved some difficult problems, we could then, like with Venti and Zhongli, build a lasting friendship."
At that moment, Shao Yun gently raised a finger, pressing it softly against her lips.
"You have no reason to feel guilty about that. Remember—it was Dainsleif who was at fault. He placed far too much importance on the Seven Archons."
"But your brother already made it clear: with the Seven who govern this world, if friendship is possible, then great. But if not—if they're like the Raiden Shogun—then they don't deserve our courtesy."
Shao Yun's voice grew firm. "We now have every reason to stand tall before the Archons and say 'no.'"
"Because we no longer need to rely on the Archons to find your brother. All I need to do… is help you reclaim the power that's rightfully yours!"
Lumine listened quietly, and when he finished, she finally spoke the thoughts buried deep in her heart.
"Dainsleif's words did affect me, yes. But to be honest, deep inside, what I really felt in Inazuma was strangeness. Something I can't put into words… Shao Yun, do you understand?"
"I mean, in the Golden House, I chose to follow your lead and 'kill' Childe. But in Inazuma, I don't know why… when you killed Raiden Ei, I just felt so conflicted."
"That's why I said I was lost. Looking back, I realize I hurt you."
"If it hadn't been for the acting shrine priestess 'Neko' I met on Seirai Island, I probably would've gone on hurting you for much longer. I'm sorry."
Shao Yun tried piecing together those broken and confusing fragments of memory, thinking, perhaps this was the problem with altering the storyline.
Was the strangeness Lumine felt really just a sense of déjà vu? Who could say for certain?
He didn't pursue it further, instead asking, "What exactly did that priestess Neko tell you?"
Lumine paused, recalled carefully, then answered simply, "She helped me go over our past journey again. In the end, she told me to come back and have a proper talk with you."
Shao Yun muttered inwardly.
'That cat meddling in this kind of matter? And what did she say exactly? Lumine, you didn't even tell me?'
Just then, the long-silent system suddenly popped up a message.
[This time I helped you. But next time, please—don't make such massive changes to the story!]
'So, it was you, system code. You interfered with Neko, just like before?'
The system gave no reply.
Shao Yun stared at the long-unseen interface, grumbling in his mind.
'Fine. Either way, thanks. But don't expect me to always listen to you!'
After all, this wasn't Mondstadt anymore. The novice missions were long past, and the snow of Reaper's Village could no longer bind him!
Another prompt appeared from the system.
Though it had no voice, Shao Yun could almost hear a suppressed, angry tone trying to reason with him.
[Take my advice. Do not place too much trust in that demon. It may grant you small favors, but it will never truly help you—you know this well. You've been deceived once already!]
Shao Yun rolled his eyes in his heart. Plenty of people wouldn't even give small favors!
"Yeah, it tricked me. But at that time, it was the only one who offered me help! You, a heartless code, only ever throw cold water and discouraging words at me!"
Now Shao Yun understood Miss Nianhua's feelings back then more than ever.
The thought stoked his anger. He shouted inwardly at the screen: "Shut your mouth and stop disturbing my time with Lumine!"
Yet the system persisted, with one last message.
[Before you immerse yourself in your 'time for two,' remember this: you must keep some reverence for the Seven Archons. It will serve you well.]
Shao Yun scoffed in return.
"Then let me answer you with Dutch van der Linde's words, you worthless code!
'Save the ones who should be saved, kill the ones who should be killed, feed the ones who should be fed! I'll decide for myself which Archon is a friend, and which is an enemy!'"
The system fell silent again.
Lumine, seeing Shao Yun wordless for so long, began to worry. Was he upset?
She stood lightly, seating herself on his strong lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. In a soft, coaxing voice, she asked, "Shao Yun, are you sulking?"
Shao Yun snapped out of his daze. His eyes fell on Lumine sitting in his lap, and he froze.
After steadying himself, he carefully took in her figure from head to toe.
Her graceful posture (and… well…), her beautiful features (beyond question!), and her bright eyes shimmering like stars.
Blinking, Shao Yun's lips curved into a teasing smile. He raised a brow and asked lightly, "Ah? Well… if I said I was angry, what would you give me?"
From his expression, Lumine could already guess what was on his mind.
She puffed up her cheeks, trying to sound fierce but only managing to sound adorably threatening. "Hmph! If you really are angry, then I'll beat the anger out of you!"
She raised her tiny fist, ready to strike.
"Haha, alright, alright! I'm not angry. How could I possibly be angry with you?" Shao Yun laughed, quickly explaining.
Then he seized her delicate wrist, that same smile still on his lips—but this smile seemed less than innocent.
"But since you're already sitting on my lap, and it's just the two of us out here… I won't be holding back."
After all, she had walked right into the wolf's den.
Lumine stiffened, suddenly feeling like a helpless rabbit caught in the trap of a cunning wolf.
"You don't mean…"
…
Before sunset, Shao Yun guided the boat slowly back toward Ritou Harbor.
The boat's owner had yet to realize his vessel had been borrowed.
After disembarking, Lumine reached up to fix her tousled golden hair, then carefully adjusted her white dress.
She turned back, pouting at Shao Yun. "Hmph, happy now? Bullying a girl like that, you big meanie!"
Shao Yun nodded with a face of pure satisfaction.
"Haha, I'd say you enjoyed it too."
At that, Lumine stuck out her tongue playfully.
"You bad guy! Taking advantage of me and still so smug! Hmph, I'm not talking to you. I'm going to find a hot bath and relax properly."
Shao Yun looked at her, especially at her pretty face still flushed pink, and felt a sudden surge of emotion.
He spoke without thinking. "Even though Paimon isn't here, I still want to say this: no matter what happens in the future… you and Paimon will always be by my side."
Lumine blinked in surprise, not sure why he suddenly said such a thing. But soon she understood, and nodded firmly, looking into his eyes as she answered, "Yes. I've always believed that."
Then, touching her stomach lightly, she headed off to find that hot bath—leaving Shao Yun alone at the harbor.
With her confirmation still echoing in his mind, a faint smile spread across his lips.