"Haha, you must be joking, Miss Topaz. I'm merely a diviner. How could I possibly be worthy of your admiration?"
Yu Xian initially laughed it off with an air of nonchalance. But then, noticing the deepening blush on Topaz's cheeks and the unusual sparkle in her eyes, a sudden, uneasy premonition stirred within him.
Huh?
Is she… being serious?
"Mr. Yu Xian, you are far from an ordinary diviner, are you? If my memory serves, your primary identity is that of a Masked Fool, is it not? The divination comes second."
Topaz maintained her cheerful smile, leaning forward slightly with her hands clasped behind her back, her posture tilting towards him.
With this movement, the "gentle curves" accentuated by her attire seemed to press against the fabric with renewed insistence. Yu Xian…
could see the material straining across her chest, the anchoring buttons trembling almost imperceptibly. One could easily imagine the immense pressure those poor fastenings were enduring.
As for the delicate gold chain draped decoratively across—it now emitted a faint, crystalline chime, like a breeze through a wind chime, setting Yu Xian's imagination adrift…
Topaz seemed oblivious to the subtle shift in Yu Xian's demeanor. Her smile unwavering, she continued.
"I've heard fragments of your past exploits, Mr. Yu Xian. Several colleagues at the Corporation have referenced them in their reports. And didn't you yourself mention a few things during our earlier conversations—"
"Before you assumed your position at the Divination Commission and truly settled on the Luofu Xianzhou, you ventured forth to explore countless civilizations across the stars. Most of these worlds were, at the time, engulfed in conflict."
"Be it civil strife or foreign invasion… regardless, it was your timely intervention, quelling conflicts with decisive force, that ushered in fragile peace and allowed multitudes of innocent civilians to survive."
As she spoke, Topaz's gaze held a trace of genuine reverence.
"You may not be aware, Mr. Yu Xian, but those of my colleagues who survived the fires of war thanks to you—they spoke of you in near-mythical terms in their dispatches to Corporate headquarters!"
Ah, so that was it.
Hearing Topaz recount this, Yu Xian's thoughts drifted back to that chapter of his life. It was shortly after his transmigration into this universe, following his blessing by Elation and induction as a Masked Fool, and the acquisition of his simulator "golden finger."
Flush with youthful vigor and restlessness, he had been unwilling to settle into a quiet life on the Luofu, consumed instead by a Nameless-like wanderlust to explore the cosmos.
He did venture out. Along the way, he had indeed… resolved certain troublesome elements, halted dozens of conflicts, and saved civilians caught in the crossfire. In Yu Xian's view, these actions were nothing to boast of.
Ending violence with decisive action, suppressing malice with necessary force—that was all.
Naturally, when the grateful locals offered rewards after the dust settled, Yu Xian had accepted only a symbolic portion, taking little for himself. After several years of such drifting, a weariness settled in his bones. He eventually boarded a starship and returned to the Luofu, his point of origin.
With his accumulated savings—a not insignificant sum—he purchased a residence and a personal skiff. After a period of seeking stable employment, he secured his current position at the Divination Commission. Later came his meeting with Qingque, their swift romance, and the peaceful days that followed…
"I hadn't expected Miss Topaz to be so well-versed in my past."
Emerging from his reverie, Yu Xian's expression remained composed…
He merely offered a slight shrug.
Meanwhile, Topaz's demeanor had grown solemn and earnest.
"Of course, Mr. Yu Xian!"
"In my duties for the Corporation, I too have traversed many worlds, conducting business and overseeing debt recovery. I have journeyed far and witnessed much. Most individuals I encountered were driven by self-interest, willing to ignite wars for personal gain. In stark contrast, countless ordinary people languished in profound suffering…"
Topaz released a soft sigh.
"As a Corporate agent, I could not intervene to solve such deep-rooted issues. My mandate was debt collection; I could not erase people's pain," Topaz continued, her voice low. "It is precisely because of this limitation that my admiration—and yes, my envy—for someone like you, Mr. Yu Xian, runs so deep."
"Despite bearing the mantle of a Masked Fool, you have consistently walked the Path of Preservation—safeguarding the innocent and quelling conflict. Such deeds would surely earn the Amber King's own commendation…"
The Amber King… Can that colossal entity, Qlipoth, even articulate speech?
Yu Xian suppressed the quip that rose to his lips. Now was not the moment for sarcasm. Topaz's sincerity was palpable, and he had no desire to shatter the mood.
"And besides," Topaz's tone shifted, tinged with sudden shyness, "Mr. Yu Xian… is also remarkably kind…"
Her cheeks flushed a deeper hue as she spoke softly, her hand rising to lightly brush over her own head, as if retracing—and savoring—the lingering sensation of Yu Xian's touch from the previous night.
"It felt… soothing and safe…"
"Almost like… the warmth of family…"
By now, Topaz's face was fully aflame, her voice dwindling to a near-whisper.
She radiated profound embarrassment, yet displayed a stubborn determination to voice these vulnerable words.
Yu Xian observed her silently.
"So, Mr. Yu Xian," Topaz suddenly straightened, her resolve firming, "while I was indeed inebriated last night, my memories of the event, though hazy, are not absent. I truly have no wish to leverage such a… personal moment as a cold, transactional bargaining chip—especially not if it would cause you distress. The very thought is abhorrent to me, and it contradicts my personal principles entirely."
"My admiration and affection for you are genuine, Mr. Yu Xian."
"A person of your caliber—one who has saved worlds, a gentleman both principled and gentle—to see you bear even a sliver of undeserved hardship over a minor misstep is something I cannot, and will not, abide!"
Summoning her courage, Topaz reached out and took Yu Xian's hand.
Her eyes gleamed with a brilliant, crystalline light, as vivid and captivating as the topaz pendant resting upon her shoulder.
"Mr. Yu Xian!"
"I hold you in the highest esteem—I truly do—"
"Being in your presence puts me at ease. It brings me joy."
"So… so please!"
"Consider this my heartfelt hope, my sincere aspiration, Mr. Yu Xian would you be willing to embark on a lifetime of bilateral cooperation with me?"
Sunlight cascaded over the unremarkable street, bathing Topaz in its glow. The gem upon the young woman's shoulder shone with a brilliance that rivaled the clear, radiant light in her eyes.
She had spoken, extending to Yu Xian an invitation of profound sincerity.
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
Honkai Impact 3rd, I Can Transform into a Valkyrie!
patreon.com/deadlygoober