Fang Qiu had intended to walk back alone; after all, she had more or less recovered from her fever.
However, the moment they bade farewell to Qiqi, Bai Qing immediately took hold of her arm to support her.
It wasn't as if she could say anything in protest.
She certainly couldn't just push Bai Qing away, could she?
That would be far too hurtful.
Supported by Bai Qing, Fang Qiu walked all the way out of Bubu Pharmacy.
Bai Qing insisted on walking her home.
By the time they stepped out of Bubu Pharmacy, the sky outside was already painted with the colors of dusk.
Bai Qing supported Fang Qiu as they strolled through the streets of Liyue.
The sea breeze, carrying a slight chill, blew gently against them. Bai Qing subconsciously pulled Fang Qiu closer to her side, guarding against any chance of the wind aggravating her condition.
Fang Qiu felt a bit resigned but could only pretend not to mind as she tucked a strand of hair, messed up by the wind, behind her ear.
The streets of Liyue Harbor remained bustling.
The sounds of hawkers shouting their wares and children playing were ceaseless.
A cute little girl wearing a grass-green vest and a whitish-green outfit, carrying a basket on her back, skipped past them. Her brownish-yellow hair was tied into a bow shape, adorned with two large bells that jingled as she walked.
Her attire was absolutely adorable.
It caused Fang Qiu to involuntarily take a second look.
Fang Qiu withdrew her gaze with a faint smile and continued forward. Just as they were passing a snack shop, a burst of shouting caught her attention.
"Come one, come all! Take a look! New goods imported from Mondstadt! If you miss this batch, you'll just have to wait for the next one!"
Hearing this pitch, Fang Qiu couldn't help but freeze.
This shopkeeper was a marketing genius.
Usually, people would say, "If you miss this village, you won't find this shop again," emphasizing the scarcity of their goods.
But this shopkeeper was different—straight up saying if you missed this batch, you'd have to wait for the next one.
Bluntly telling you: I have more coming.
However, precisely because of the shopkeeper's eccentric sales pitch, Fang Qiu subconsciously glanced at the shop a few times.
And then, she spotted something crucial.
"Sister Bai, wait a moment."
Fang Qiu gently tugged on Bai Qing's sleeve.
"What is it?"
Bai Qing asked, puzzled.
"I want to take a look around that shop,"
Fang Qiu said.
"Hmm?"
Bai Qing raised an eyebrow and followed Fang Qiu's gaze. The place Fang Qiu was referring to was indeed the Mondstadt shop with the bizarre sales pitch.
"Let's go, then."
Bai Qing nodded and supported Fang Qiu as they walked up to the storefront.
"Shopkeeper, what is this?"
Fang Qiu pointed to several feathers arranged on the table and asked.
"Eh? This young lady has a keen eye! These are our specialty Mondstadt quill pens, extremely convenient for writing."
The shopkeeper picked up a quill pen and handed it to Fang Qiu, explaining, "The usage isn't much different from Liyue's brush pens. You dip it in ink, and then you can write on paper. It can greatly increase writing speed."
"That sounds... actually quite good."
Fang Qiu nodded thoughtfully.
"Fang Qiu, do you want to buy one?"
Bai Qing asked.
"Mn. When I'm rushing to meet deadlines, I can write faster with this kind of pen. That way, I won't have to be in such a hurry."
Fang Qiu nodded and said, "Boss, how much Mora for one?"
"Fifty."
The boss stated a fixed price.
And so, after Fang Qiu's bargaining, she spent fifty Mora to purchase one pen plus two bottles of ink.
Carrying the quill pen and ink, Fang Qiu and Bai Qing made their way back to her home.
However, as they stood before the door, Fang Qiu patted her clothes pockets and then fell into silence.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Fang Qiu stiffen in place, Bai Qing asked in confusion.
"I... I forgot to bring my keys when I left..."
Fang Qiu was silent for a moment, a look of embarrassment surfacing on her pretty face.
Her head had been spinning this morning; she had just closed the door and left without realizing the keys weren't on her person.
"Ask the landlord for one; they should have a spare,"
Bai Qing suggested.
"Mn."
Fang Qiu nodded.
Consequently, they knocked on the landlord's door together.
However, after knocking for a long time with no response, the neighbor finally told them that the landlord's family had returned to their hometown in Qingce Village a few days ago and probably wouldn't be back until tomorrow.
Just as Fang Qiu was contemplating whether to stay the night at Hu Tao and Xiangling's place, or to look on the streets for a locksmith, Bai Qing spoke up and asked if Fang Qiu wanted to stay at her place for the night.
"It just so happens you haven't fully recovered yet. I wouldn't feel at ease leaving you alone at home. If you come to my place, I can take care of you,"
Bai Qing said.
Fang Qiu hesitated for a moment, then agreed.
After all, her fever hadn't completely broken, and it wouldn't be good to worry Xiangling and Hu Tao.
Besides, Hu Tao's home was very cold.
If she stayed there for a night while running a fever, she might end up bedridden again the next day.
As for the lock-picking issue...
Leaving aside whether she could find a locksmith, unlocking the door cost money.
A whole one or two hundred Mora.
Therefore, going to Bai Qing's home was indeed the optimal choice.
Furthermore, she could mooch a meal.
Bai Qing's home wasn't far from where Fang Qiu lived; it was also a rented apartment.
It was rented near the Liyue Publishing House.
Bai Qing's room was extremely clean and tidy, with a faint, refreshing fragrance permeating the air.
It was different from Hu Tao's room; Hu Tao's room contained almost nothing but books.
While Bai Qing's room also had a large number of books and a desk, it was much more feminine.
The bedding was a pale peach color, and placed upon the bed was a one-meter-tall plush toy. It looked soft and fluffy—a brown bear that didn't appear to be manufactured in Liyue.
The moment Fang Qiu entered the room, she was drawn to that brown bear plush toy.
What a novel experience; to actually see a plush toy in Liyue.
"What is it? Do you like it very much?"
Seeing Fang Qiu staring at it, Bai Qing couldn't help but ask.
"Ahem, no, it's just very novel."
Fang Qiu shook her head.
"It's very comfortable to hold while sleeping. Here, give it a try."
After placing the items she was carrying on the table, Bai Qing couldn't help but stuff the plush toy into Fang Qiu's arms.
Fang Qiu subconsciously accepted the plush toy.
It felt very soft.
It was indeed as Bai Qing had said: holding it felt comfortable and warm. There was also a faint fragrance.
It seemed to be the scent from Bai Qing's body.
It smelled very nice.
"Well? Comfortable, isn't it?"
Bai Qing said with a light chuckle.
"Mn."
Fang Qiu's cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded gently. She had intended to put the plush toy down, but with Bai Qing looking at her with such a smile, she felt too embarrassed to put it down immediately, so she could only continue holding the brown bear plush toy.
"It's about time to make dinner. You sit for a while, I'll go cook. There are books over there; feel free to take a look at whatever you like."
Bai Qing gave a shallow smile and spoke.
"Mn."
Fang Qiu nodded. Seeing Bai Qing enter the kitchen, Fang Qiu gently placed the brown bear plush toy back onto the bed.
She sat down at the desk. Right in the center of the desk lay a book.
Title: A Legend of Sword.
Author: Zhenyu.
________________________________________
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