At this moment, Heyu Tea House.
Yun Jin sat by the window. The twilight outside was deepening, and the setting sun spilled onto the sea surface, dyeing the waters of Liyue Harbor a vibrant orange-red.
"Phew, it's Stir-Fried Shrimp for dinner again tonight. When can I switch to something else... I really want to eat Dry Pot Cured Meat... Boiled Black-Back Perch would be fine too..."
Yun Jin sighed softly, feeling a bit melancholic.
She withdrew her gaze from the window and looked at the paper and pen placed on the table.
On the spread-out paper, the handwriting was graceful; it was the opera she had been writing these past few days.
However, she had encountered a slight bottleneck. She had been stuck for a full afternoon, and it seemed she wouldn't have any clues even if she came back to write after eating.
"Never mind, let's not write for now. I'll read a book for a while; maybe I'll get some inspiration."
Yun Jin shook her head and cast her gaze toward the book set aside.
It was precisely Sword and Fairy, given to her by Hu Tao.
She had not yet met that Miss Fang Qiu, but according to Hu Tao, that young lady looked extremely lovely, enough to make even a girl's heart flutter upon seeing her.
She wondered what progress Miss Fang Qiu's book had made.
What differences this book had compared to previous ones.
"Phew."
She gently exhaled a breath and opened Sword and Fairy.
After reading for a moment, Yun Jin couldn't help but gently curl her lips into a smile.
"Indeed, the progress is rapid. Although the writing style differs from other books, it is more accessible and easy to understand, yet without losing its charm. No wonder it could explode in popularity; Miss Fang Qiu can be considered to have finally made it. Furthermore, the naming is quite thoughtful; both the male and female protagonists use the names of herbs. Jing Tian, Xuejian... I remember both of these herbs seem to have heat-clearing and detoxifying effects."
Yun Jin muttered to herself as she continued reading.
Just as Yun Jin was becoming engrossed in reading, a sea breeze brushed past outside the window, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker and dance.
"The weather is getting a bit cold. I have a performance in a few days, so I can't catch a chill."
Yun Jin frowned slightly, stood up to close the window, then walked to the wardrobe. She hugged a blanket, sat back down at the desk, and continued reading.
In front of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Not bad, truly not bad."
By the light of the lanterns in front of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao held Sword and Fairy and read it with relish. She sat on the stone railing, her two legs swinging ceaselessly in the air. From time to time, the corners of her mouth would curve up slightly, forming a smile as she offered critical commentary.
Meanwhile, the small cart in front of her had long been emptied and stood lonely to the side.
Just as she was reading with fascination, a tall and upright figure walked out from within Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
It was precisely Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, you finished reading?"
Hu Tao hopped down from the stone railing, waved her hand, and asked.
"Mhm, finished."
Zhongli nodded.
"How was the feeling?"
Hu Tao asked with a grin.
"Even if it is just the opening first volume, it can be called a top-tier work. It is only a pity that the story is not finished; ultimately, it lacks a certain sense of completeness."
Zhongli shook his head and said, "Personally speaking, I am still relatively looking forward to the subsequent developments."
"Top-tier work... sounds like a pretty good evaluation. However, not being able to read it all at once indeed makes it lack a bit of feeling."
Hu Tao sighed slightly.
After speaking, she smiled again and said, "By the way, where are you going, Mr. Zhongli?"
"Going out for a walk."
Zhongli said.
"Then you get busy, I'll continue reading."
Hu Tao waved her hand with a smile and spoke.
"Mhm."
Zhongli responded, then lifted his foot and walked toward Feiyun Slope.
After Zhongli left, Hu Tao held the book and began reading again.
A gust of wind blew over, and Hu Tao's brown hair drifted with the wind.
Hu Tao gently tucked the hair that had been messed up by the wind, casting her gaze in the direction of Fang Qiu's home.
"It seems a bit cold today. I wonder what Fang Qiu is doing? Is she wearing enough clothes? Is she writing a book or sleeping? If she's sleeping, is the quilt covered properly?"
Hu Tao murmured.
She had originally wanted to invite Fang Qiu to go buy books together today, but after thinking about it carefully, she decided against it.
Last time she went to find Fang Qiu to go drink fruit juice at that Mondstadt shop, the moment the door opened, she saw Fang Qiu looking exhausted. Although her clothes were still relatively tidy, her hair was a bit messy; clearly, she had been woken up by her while sleeping.
Originally, she had planned to drop the plan, but Fang Qiu still spent time accompanying her out.
During the process, when she held Fang Qiu's hand, she discovered that there was already a mark left by a quill pen on Fang Qiu's middle fingertip.
She said she had to rush to write out the sequel. Even Zhongli just said that not being able to read it in one go would reduce a lot of the pleasure.
She estimated Fang Qiu had also taken this into consideration.
Although the hardworking Fang Qiu was very cool, she still didn't wish for Fang Qiu to push herself so hard.
"Clearly her health isn't good, yet she still risks her life like that..."
Hu Tao pouted and sighed.
She really wanted to go over with some food to visit Fang Qiu, but she was also afraid of disturbing her.
...
The wind blew through the gaps in the window and into the room.
"Mmm..."
In the dim room, a lazy hum emanated from the quilt that was wrapped up like a glutinous rice ball.
"What time is it?"
A dazed and confused voice rang out, but no one answered in the empty room.
Fang Qiu rubbed her eyes with one hand, rose from the quilt, sat on the bed, and looked around blankly.
Her undergarments, messed up from sleep, hung loosely. One side hung on her shoulder, while the other had slid down to her slender, fair arm. If not for those towering snowy peaks blocking the way, this undergarment would likely have already slipped halfway off.
Her slender waist and flat abdomen were completely revealed at a glance.
Large patches of fair skin were exposed to the air.
She slumped on the bed. The curve below her waist was blocked by the sheets, while a pair of snow-white, slender legs were partially revealed and partially hidden under the cover of the quilt, faintly showing tender skin that was white with a hint of pink.
"So cold."
After sitting for a while, Fang Qiu's body trembled slightly, and she hurriedly pulled up the quilt to wrap around her body.
Feeling the residual warmth of the quilt covering her, Fang Qiu's furrowed brows finally relaxed slightly.
After cuddling with the quilt for a while, Fang Qiu finally recovered completely, her confused crimson eyes gradually becoming clear.
She stood up to arrange her attire, pulling the strap that had slid to her arm back onto her shoulder, then sliding her hand to the left side of her lower abdomen to pull the underpants that had slid to her thighs back up to her waist.
Fang Qiu sighed faintly.
These undergarments were truly too inconvenient; every time she slept, she would make a mess of them.
She heard that Mondstadt seemed to have opened a clothing store in Liyue recently.
She would go take a look next time.
If they sold pajamas, she would buy a nice set. Next time she slept, she wouldn't be afraid of messing up her clothes.
"Mmm..."
After lighting the candle, Fang Qiu put on her outer coat and stretched her waist. As her body extended, a comfortable sound emitted from her nose.
After finishing washing up, Fang Qiu pushed open the window to exchange the air for fresh air.
Immediately, she carried a plate of snacks, sat on the Jumpy Dumpty, looked at the manuscript illuminated by the candlelight, then looked at the sea outside the window, and gently exhaled a breath.
The time for battle had arrived again.
________________________________________
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