"Something's wrong. Something's really wrong."
Wende watched Stelle, who was dry-heaving into a trash can, with a thoughtful expression. She hadn't eaten anything, so why was she spouting such terrifying nonsense?
"Could it be some kind of mental attack? Wende, can you check her brain?" March 7th suggested, struck by a sudden idea.
"Er... I don't think so?"
Seeing the perfectly balanced Yin and Yang energy within Stelle's body, Wende shook his head at March, dismissing the thought.
"Maybe... maybe the kid just had a brain fart and spouted some nonsense."
Looking at Stelle, whose eyes were welling up with tears as she stared at him pitifully, Wende couldn't help but feel his heart soften.
After all, this child's brain wasn't exactly normal to begin with. Spouting nonsense... it surely wasn't her fault. It must be that group of improper players in the real world choosing some improper options again. Yes, that's it!
Wende's eyes became clear, his face a picture of sudden enlightenment.
How could his Stelle possibly want to drink a "weapon" on the level of a "nuclear warhead"?
It must be the fault of the miHoyo players!!
Wende decisively patted Stelle's back with great affection, trying to make her feel better. He also bought her a bottle of mineral water so she could rinse her mouth.
"Well... this is truly an undeserved disaster."
Welt shook his head helplessly. The renowned manga artist Joachim once said that he would rather gaze directly into the final afterglow of Finality than drink a single cup of Himeko's coffee.
That was... a coffee that could corrode even a black hole, a substance that transcended the material plane!
"Sigh... Huh? Isn't that Miss Tingyun?"
Just as March was sighing over Stelle's abnormal thought processes, a familiar figure flashed before her eyes. She pointed a finger into the distance and announced to the group.
"Mhm, it is indeed Miss Tingyun."
Wende watched Tingyun up ahead, who was chatting happily with another foxian woman, and nodded in confirmation.
"Ooh, Miss Tingyun looks to be in good spirits lately. Is this the benefit of taking a vacation? How nice... I want a long vacation too."
March sighed with emotion, looking at the elegant and lively Tingyun.
But that was the life of a Nameless—no holidays all year round.
"Hm?"
Wende subconsciously furrowed his brow. Looking at Miss Tingyun through his Yin-Yang vision, he seemed to have discovered something amiss.
Previously, Tingyun's Yin and Yang energies had been very balanced, but why was her Yang energy so overwhelmingly powerful now?
"Let's go say hi!"
March pulled Stelle, whose stomach had yet to settle, and ran toward Tingyun.
Watching the two of them, Welt just smiled. He hadn't yet noticed the slight wrongness about the Tingyun up ahead, but seeing the subtle change in Wende's expression, he suddenly seemed to realize something.
"Mr. Yang."
"We'll talk when we get back."
Welt promptly stopped Wende from saying more. There were too many eyes and ears here; they had to be careful of walls having ears.
"Mhm."
Wende nodded. As expected of the reliable Welt.
"Miss Tingyun!"
March greeted Tingyun, who had just finished her conversation with the foxian stall owner.
"Oh? Well, if it isn't my two Benefactors. What a coincidence. To be able to run into you in the vastness of Changle, it seems the fate between us is quite deep~"
Tingyun fanned herself with a folding fan, her ears twitching. Her jade-green eyes, like tranquil water, were filled with amusement as she looked at the two of them.
"Wow, I feel like Miss Tingyun's whole aura has changed after just a few days of rest," March said with surprise, looking at Tingyun, whose presence felt like a refreshing spring breeze.
"Benefactor flatters this humble lady. I merely found a colleague's house and had a good few days of sleep," Tingyun said, her fluffy, lustrous tail wagging. She looked completely refreshed.
"Yeah, that's true! After we finish a Trailblaze Mission, we also catch up on all our missed sleep on the Express. We'll sleep for a whole day, and it feels so good every time we wake up!" March nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. But speaking of which, Benefactor Stelle, why do you look so listless? Changle has finally regained some of its liveliness today, you should be happy."
Tingyun looked at Stelle's pained expression with confusion.
"Oh, her... she said some earth-shattering, ghost-wailing words earlier. We thought she was possessed by something unclean, or maybe even replaced by someone else."
March put her hands on her hips and looked at Stelle, who was the spitting image of a bitter melon, with an exasperated "hating iron for not becoming steel" expression.
You're supposed to be the most carefree person on our trailblazing team! Why are you losing your nerve in front of an outsider now!
"Wuuu... I suddenly feel so hungry..."
Stelle looked pitiful. After Wende had forcibly induced her to vomit, she felt like she had thrown up all of the morning's Douzhir, and her stomach was completely empty.
"I told you not to drink that stuff in the morning. It's sour and stinky, and it's not even filling. See, now you're hungry."
"Hehe, it seems Benefactor Stelle's tastes are quite unique. But this is perfect timing. This humble lady just met a friend who gifted me many snacks. If Benefactor doesn't mind, please take them to fill your stomach."
As she spoke, Tingyun handed March a pouch that gave off a faint medicinal fragrance.
"Uh... wouldn't that be imposing? After all, it was a gift from your friend. Besides, Wende is going to cook for us later. Would Miss Tingyun like to come?" March extended an invitation to Tingyun.
"Oh? A fine meal cooked by Benefactor Wende? Then this humble lady certainly won't be absent. And I still fondly recall Benefactor Wende's massage techniques."
Tingyun said with a reminiscent sigh.
"Ever since my last session with Benefactor Wende, trying out other masseurs on the Xianzhou just doesn't give me that same exhilarating feeling anymore."
"If Miss Tingyun doesn't mind, I can help you loosen up your body after dinner tonight as well."
Wende and Welt slowly walked over. Wende smiled at Tingyun, his purple eyes filled with sincerity.
"Oh my, then this humble lady would be truly honored. To be able to both taste Benefactor Wende's cuisine and get a good relaxation session."
"In that case, Miss Tingyun, come back to the inn with us!"
March took Tingyun's small hand in hers.
"Mhm, of course! This humble lady recently learned of a secret little shop in Changle. Their milk tea is in no way inferior to the Xianren Happy Tea!"
"Really?! Where, where!"
Watching the two of them acting so intimately, Wende shot a sideways glance at Welt.
Welt simply stared at Tingyun and March walking ahead and silently followed.