Shao Yun returned to his lodging, a mix of emotions welling in his chest as he knocked on Lumine's door, eager to share with her what had happened today.
However, Lumine did not emerge from her own room. Instead, she stepped out from the one next door—his own.
Leaning casually against the doorframe, Lumine waved him over with a soft smile. "I'm here. Paimon and Shenhe are already asleep, so don't wake them."
Shao Yun glanced back at her, curiosity flickering in his eyes, though he kept his composure and nodded calmly. "Oh, I see."
He walked up to Lumine, gently reaching out to pinch her delicate cheek. "How was dinner tonight?" he asked, voice full of concern.
Lumine swatted his hand away, frowning. "Before I answer you, I want to know—why did it take you so long to come back? And why was it Xiao who delivered the food to us?"
At her words, Shao Yun let out a helpless groan.
"Don't even bring it up! Ningguang, Zhongli, and those Adepti of Liyue—who knows if they were drinking some strange wine in secret? Their minds were all over the place!"
With that, he entered the room and dropped heavily onto the bed. Lumine followed, sitting down beside him so the two were shoulder to shoulder.
Taking a deep breath, Shao Yun began recounting the events of the day.
He told her everything about his discussions with Ningguang, Zhongli, and the others: how he had been tricked into going up to the Jade Chamber, how he had been forced to help decide the fate of Liyue.
His tone shifted between anger and resignation as he relived the moments in detail.
But when he mentioned that Ningguang had given him one hundred billion Mora, the calm atmosphere cracked apart.
Lumine's eyes widened instantly, her expression incredulous. "What? Did you just say Ningguang gave you one hundred billion Mora? But didn't she only give you one Mora before?"
Shao Yun chuckled awkwardly, patiently explaining. "That single Mora was just for show, given in front of the Adepti. But the hundred billion? She gave that to me in secret afterward."
A sly glint flashed in his eyes as he said it.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he added quickly, "Oh, but to be exact, it wasn't for me—it was for you. I told Ningguang to hand the money over to you."
Lumine's brow furrowed in confusion at that.
She thought back on recent events before voicing a long-held doubt.
"Wait a second… lately, whenever Paimon and I go to Katheryne for commissions, she keeps giving me these huge bags of commission rewards out of nowhere.
"Sometimes all we do is take down a few slimes, and suddenly we're getting hundreds of thousands of Mora. That… was you?"
Shao Yun nodded nonchalantly. "Ah, that. Probably transfers from the Liyue Merchant Guild."
"Back on Ritou, I helped Kurisu out of a big mess. As thanks, President Kurisu promised me thirty percent of the guild's profits, and I set you as the beneficiary."
He shrugged, as if the matter was hardly worth caring about.
But Lumine's eyes widened further, her disbelief plain. "So, you've been raking in money like that all along… no wonder you never wanted to take on those tiny commissions!"
Shao Yun laughed proudly.
"Haha, thanks for the compliment. But honestly, I prefer getting my riches the old-fashioned way—through force. That heist on the Northland Bank? Now that was exhilarating."
As he spoke, he suddenly shifted the topic, producing the single Mora Ningguang had given him and handing it to Lumine.
"Oh, and here—this is the Mora Ningguang gave me back then. I'll leave it with you."
Lumine took the coin, tilting her head curiously. "What do you mean by this…?"
Before she could finish, a faint fragrance drifted up to her nose. She leaned closer, realizing the scent came from the coin itself.
"This Mora has a scent? It doesn't smell like perfume… how odd."
Shao Yun pointed at the Mora in her hand, smiling knowingly. "I told you before, this was the very first Mora Ningguang ever earned. She kept it as her lucky charm, always close to her."
He didn't elaborate on why such a charm carried her fragrance, leaving only a mysterious smile for Lumine to interpret.
At that, realization dawned on her face. "Ah, so that's it… a keepsake charm kept close. No wonder it carries that scent."
She examined it a moment longer before returning the coin to him with a small smile. "Looks like it really is genuine Mora, not counterfeit. You can have it back."
Shao Yun stared, surprised. "Huh? You're giving it back? Are you sure? I thought you'd be upset at me for holding on to something Ningguang kept so close."
But Lumine waved him off casually. "Mora is Mora. What's there to fuss over?"
She even brought up Paimon's habit of hiding money in her shoes.
"Paimon stashes her savings in her shoes, and the shopkeepers never complained."
Shao Yun chuckled awkwardly. "Maybe it's because Paimon's too cute. Even if the money came out of her shoes, shopkeepers would probably give her a discount on top of it."
Lumine only gave a flat look, then said firmly, "Anyway, I trust you're not the type to sniff a coin and fall asleep like some creep."
Shao Yun nodded calmly. "True enough. If anything, I'd be more likely to secretly sniff your clothes while I slept."
Though his voice was even, his words froze Lumine stiff.
Her eyes widened, arms shooting up to hug herself as her cheeks turned scarlet like a ripe apple.
"Y-You pervert!" she cried, glaring at him in flustered fury.
Finding her reaction amusing, Shao Yun grinned. "Don't be mad, I was only joking. If I really wanted to take your clothes while you slept, I'd have just carried you into my room instead. You're far more tempting than any garment."
But the joke did nothing to soothe Lumine—if anything, it made her more uneasy.
She edged slightly away, studying him with wary eyes. "Yae Miko was right… once a man turns into a pervert, he's terrifying to a girl!"
Shao Yun raised a brow. "And what exactly did that fox tell you?"
Recalling Yae Miko's words from that night, Lumine shivered with both distaste and embarrassment.
She shook her head softly. "Nothing you need to hear. Just vulgar nonsense—not worth dirtying your ears with."
Since she was unwilling to share, Shao Yun didn't press further, though curiosity gnawed at him.
Then suddenly, he slapped his forehead, realization striking. "Ah! I nearly forgot something important."
Lumine, sensing it was serious, steadied her tone. "What is it?"
Shao Yun explained slowly, "The Chasm is about to reopen for mining. One of Ningguang's female subordinates needs to go down, and I was asked to act as her guard."
"But I didn't give an answer right away. I thought maybe you had something you wanted me to help with first."
Resting her chin in her hand, Lumine asked curiously, "I see. And what reward did she offer you?"
Shao Yun shook his head. "I didn't accept yet. She only said she'd offer a reward I'd be satisfied with. But what that means… I've no idea."
Lumine thought for a while before nodding. "In that case, you should take it. I approve."
Her quick agreement left Shao Yun momentarily stunned.
Usually, she wanted him to stay in Liyue Harbor with her. Why so different now?
Scratching his head, he asked, "You don't need me to accompany you on your travels?"
But Lumine only tapped his arm with a smile. "Adventuring is work. Being with you is life. Anyway, when do you plan to head to the Chasm with Ningguang's subordinate?"
Shao Yun gave a helpless shrug and a wry smile. "When Ningguang holds her banquet, I'll let her know, and she can pass it on. The timing will be set then."
Lumine nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Then I wish you luck. It's late—I'll head back and rest. You should too."
She rose to leave, but Shao Yun quickly called after her. "Wait, Lumine."
She turned, puzzled. "What is it?"
He pressed his lips together, glancing around before speaking with hesitation. "It's been a month since you left me alone like this.
"All this time, you've been focused on Shenhe, while I've been… neglected. So…"
His eyes glimmered with unspoken meaning as he patted the pillow beside him.
Lumine froze, staring blankly before her face twisted in mild disgust. Under her breath, she muttered, "Don't tell me… a month ago, you already bullied me once…"
Clearly displeased by such a request.
If it were Paimon pouting at him with disdain, it'd be called cute.
If anyone else looked at him like that—it was grounds for a beating.
Shao Yun sighed at her expression, whispering, "Fine. Good night. Rest well—we've been through enough today."
Lumine saw his disappointment, and after thinking carefully, realized she truly had been neglecting him lately.
She counted softly on her fingers, then sat back down beside him, her face tense. "Alright then… just… be gentle."