Dusk faded.
Night slowly descended like a vast curtain unfurling over Liyue.
Within the prosperous harbor, lanterns glimmered to life, casting a warm golden glow across the bustling streets.
Inside the Gu Residence, the feast had reached its end — three rounds of wine, five flavors of dishes.
Everyone was a little tipsy by now.
A faint blush tinted Raiden Makoto's gentle face. She glanced up at the darkening sky, her eyes flickering with some quiet anticipation.
"Hic~"
Paimon patted her round little belly and let out a satisfied burp.
Her mood tonight couldn't be better.
Normally, it was just her, Gu Chen, and Ying at the table — three people, simple and cozy.
Sure, she could always ask Gu Chen to make whatever she wanted,
but tonight… tonight she'd eaten so many kinds of food at once for the very first time!
When she tried to float, she realized it took effort.
So she plopped down into Ying's arms, smiling blissfully.
"I'm so full! I can't even fly anymore!"
"How can that be?"
Ying pinched her chubby cheeks teasingly. "Didn't you say you wanted to go explore the Tiger Rock tonight?"
"Eh?"
"Did I?"
Paimon scratched her head in confusion.
After thinking carefully, she realized she hadn't said anything like that today!
But when she met Ying's knowing gaze, she froze.
Wait… could this girl be hinting at something?
"Uh, come to think of it… Xiangling's candied hawthorns are really good," Paimon said tentatively.
"Exactly!" Ying nodded, smiling like a fox. Then she turned toward Yae Miko and Raiden Ei.
"Would you two like to walk around Liyue? Even though it's dark, the harbor stays lively until past midnight."
Raiden Ei blinked, puzzled. "It's already nighttime. Shouldn't we… rest?"
"You really don't understand anything, do you?"
Yae Miko smiled slyly. "I've heard that Liyue is a paradise for food lovers. Don't you want to see for yourself?"
"Eh?"
Raiden Ei thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.
"I believe it's necessary to study Liyue's food culture. It could provide useful reference for Inazuma's future reforms!"
Good grief—this prim and proper Shogun was willing to justify a late-night snack like that?
Yae Miko chuckled inwardly, then turned to Raiden Makoto with an innocent smile.
"Sister Makoto, you don't seem to be feeling too well. I'll leave you in your dear husband's care. We'll go stretch our legs and be back after midnight~"
Raiden Ei's expression shifted immediately. "Sister, are you unwell?!"
"N-No, I'm fine. Just… too full to move," Makoto murmured, her cheeks flushing scarlet.
Of course she understood perfectly well that Ying and Miko were setting the stage for her.
Among those present, only the clueless Ei — and a temporarily oblivious Paimon — failed to catch on.
"I see…" Ei nodded thoughtfully. "Then let's go for a walk. With my Brother-in-law here, I can rest easy."
"Mm." Makoto nodded.
"When do we head out? The sooner the better, right? We can stroll slowly—and who knows, we might run into some group chat friends! Maybe even Zhongli! He's got a pension now, you know—if we find him, he'll definitely treat us!" Paimon said eagerly.
She was finally getting the hang of this.
She might not have eaten pork, but she'd seen the pigs run!
Paimon wasn't a child anymore!
"Mm-hmm~ We can also go visit Sister Ganyu. Shame I didn't bring her any fresh Sea Ganoderma this time."
Yae Miko rose gracefully. "Shall we go?"
"Let's!" Raiden Ei nodded briskly.
"Then we'll leave you two to your… rest. Make sure to take good care of Sister Makoto, alright?" Ying said solemnly, holding Paimon in her arms.
She was being way too obvious.
Gu Chen could only smile helplessly. "Go have fun. If you run out of Mora, just put it on my tab."
"Got it!"
Ying winked mischievously at Raiden Makoto before heading out with Paimon, Yae Miko, and Raiden Ei.
After watching them leave, Gu Chen turned to the crimson-faced Makoto, who sat shyly beside him, head bowed low.
"They're gone," he said softly.
"Mm…"
Makoto lowered her head further, fingers tightly intertwined.
She had long anticipated this moment—but now that it had truly come, she found herself nervous beyond measure.
Just as she was trying to calm her heart, she suddenly felt herself being lifted into the air.
"Ah—!"
She let out a small gasp and buried her face into Gu Chen's chest.
"Come on," he chuckled, voice low and teasing. "Let's head inside."
The gentle God of Thunder had never denied the wishes of the one she loved.
Tonight, she would give herself to him—completely and without reservation.
And as Gu Chen finally experienced the tenderness of a truly gentle god,
he realized just how different it was from merely pretending to be one.
He couldn't help but sigh to himself—Ying still had a lot to learn.
Maybe, after getting closer to Makoto, she could pick up a few new tricks.
Meanwhile, out in the streets—
"Ahh, moving around really helps digestion," Paimon said happily, floating beside the others.
"Indeed. Proper exercise is quite beneficial," Yae Miko nodded knowingly.
Ying smiled faintly, their exchange carrying a subtle double meaning that went right over Raiden Ei's head.
She had the vague feeling these two were talking about something else entirely… but she let it go.
The food stalls were delightful, and that was all that mattered.
"Eh? Look—over there! Isn't that Wangsheng and Zhongli?" Paimon pointed excitedly.
Down the street, a calm, refined man walked beside a quiet blue-haired girl with gentle eyes and small horns—
Zhongli and Ganyu.
"Zhongli! Wangsheng!" Paimon called, waving both hands.
The two turned at her voice. Zhongli smiled faintly and nodded, while Ganyu sighed, half exasperated and half amused.
"I told you, my name is Ganyu!"
"Ganyu-sis~" Yae Miko greeted sweetly.
"Miko, long time no see. What a coincidence meeting here," Ganyu replied with a smile.
Paimon tilted her head. "But why are you two together?"
Ganyu sighed softly. "Now that Liyue is governed by humans, I… don't quite know where I fit anymore. I'm neither mortal nor adeptus.
Today, I happened to meet Mr. Zhongli, and I wanted to report my recent work to him—and ask for his guidance on what I should do next…"
Everyone immediately understood.
Ganyu was lost. In this new era of human rule, she didn't know where she belonged.
"What do you think, Zhongli?" Paimon asked.
Zhongli thought for a moment. "I will respect Ganyu's decision completely.
This child has been bound by contract for thousands of years—diligent and loyal beyond measure.
Now, she deserves a life that truly belongs to her."
Ganyu lowered her gaze, unsure of what that life even looked like.
"From what I saw in the videos, you really overwork yourself, Ganyu. Maybe take a break, huh?" Paimon said, her voice full of sympathy.
"I know…" Ganyu sighed, rubbing her temples.
"How about a short vacation? Come visit Inazuma with me!" Yae Miko suggested with a smile.
"Maybe… someday. I'm swamped with work right now…"
Zhongli shook his head slightly. "If I hadn't run into her, she'd already be back at Yuehai Pavilion.
Since Beelzebul isn't familiar with Liyue, Ganyu, why don't you act as her guide?"
"Eh?"
Ganyu blinked, then nodded obediently. "Yes, my lord."
"Then I'll take my leave. The Hall Master has been pestering me for stories from the Archon War era again." Zhongli sighed.
"Oh~ So retirement isn't as carefree as the videos made it look, huh?" Paimon teased.
Zhongli chuckled. "Not so bad. At least I have a pension now—Hu Tao doesn't have to spend more Mora on me."
And with that, he departed.
Seeing Ganyu still lost in thought, Paimon patted her shoulder gently.
"Don't overthink it! The more you think, the more you'll get tangled up!
"Hey—why not convert to Barbatos instead? Super chill, super free, you'll be happy every day!"
"Ah?! N-no, I can't!" Ganyu waved her hands frantically.
"Alright, alright, don't take her seriously. Now come on, Ganyu, show us around! You're going to waste away if you keep working like this!"
Yae Miko grabbed her arm cheerfully.
"Mm. One mustn't wrong oneself in life," Raiden Ei nodded gravely in agreement.
They wandered through the lively harbor streets until late at night.
When they finally returned to the Gu Residence, Ying yawned.
"They're probably asleep by now. I'll get you two settled first."
After arranging rooms for Yae Miko and Raiden Ei, she tiptoed toward the master bedroom like a thief.
Just as she reached the door, she sensed something behind her—
Paimon?!
The little creature's face was flushed, her starry eyes full of curiosity.
"What are you doing here?" Ying whispered.
"Just… wanted to take a peek."
"Kids shouldn't be looking at this kind of thing," Ying hissed.
"It's not like I haven't seen you and Gu Chen before—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Ying turned red and clamped a hand over her mouth.
Paimon didn't dare resist and blinked rapidly in protest.
The two crept quietly to the window, hearts pounding.
They peeked inside—
And immediately locked eyes with Gu Chen.
"...!"
Ying froze, covering her mouth tighter, dragging Paimon down with her.
"What are you two doing?" Gu Chen leaned casually on the windowsill, smirking.
"Just… checking on you." Ying's gaze darted away. Spotting Raiden Makoto asleep on the bed, she asked softly,
"So… how was it?"
"...?"
Gu Chen's mouth twitched.
Of all the questions—really?
"Well… she's very gentle. Totally different from your… performance."
"You're complaining now?" Ying pinched his waist sharply.
Gu Chen winced but kept quiet, glancing at Paimon. "And what's she doing here?"
"Learning!" Paimon said righteously.
"This is forbidden knowledge. Go to bed!"
With a flick of his hand, a gust of wind whooshed—and Paimon was blown straight back into her room.
Gu Chen turned around again, only to see Ying climbing through the window.
"What are you doing?" he asked, startled.
"Going to sleep."
"There's no way… Wait—you're serious?"
"Of course. But…" Gu Chen sighed. "Not tonight. Makoto's a bit shy. She needs time."
"So you mean I'm not shy enough?" Ying frowned.
"That's not it," Gu Chen said solemnly. "It's just that we've been together longer, so of course it's natural for us. Makoto's different—she's new. You understand, right?"
Ying thought about it—and sighed. True enough.
She and Gu Chen had been together a whole week already.
Makoto… barely half a day. It made sense.
Still, the idea of not sleeping beside him left her feeling oddly empty.
Well, so be it.
As the main wife, she had to show some grace, didn't she?
"I'll go find Paimon then."
Ying tiptoed away.
Gu Chen yawned and lay back down.
Beside him, Makoto stirred in her sleep, instinctively curling closer into his arms.
Meanwhile, in Paimon's room—
She was just about to drift off when someone slipped into her bed.
Feeling the familiar warmth, she peeked an eye open.
Ying.
"Oh, it's you," Paimon mumbled, closing her eyes again.
But why was Ying patting her back… like that?
"Ying… if you can't sleep, go chat in the group or something. You don't have to keep me up too."
"Sorry. I'm just… practicing," Ying said softly.
"Practicing what?" Paimon asked, confused.
"Well, one day, when I have a baby with Gu Chen, I'll need to learn how to lull it to sleep, right? I have to make sure I don't hit too hard!"
"…So that's why you're smacking my back?"
"I'm being gentle now, see?" Ying said with feigned innocence.
"I'm so tired…" Paimon groaned.
"Me too," Ying sighed, lying on her back to stare at the ceiling. "But I just can't sleep."
Silence fell.
Paimon stared blankly upward. Ying did the same.
After a long pause—
"Paimon, you asleep?"
"…No."
A little while later—
"Paimon, you asleep?"
Paimon's eyelids twitched.
She rolled over, dead inside, staring at Ying.
"Ah, so you're still awake! That's great—I was feeling lonely." Ying smiled and hugged her tight.
Paimon: 😵
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage