Back at Yujing Terrace
Having returned, Bonanus let out a deep breath. Damn, that was way too tense. Who knows how nervous I was talking to Rex Lapis just now?
But judging by his attitude, it seemed he was on her side. That was perfect—Rex Lapis's strength was undeniable.
With him backing her, many things would be much easier to handle. Morax always handled things reliably; under normal circumstances, nothing would go wrong.
Shaking her still-tense little head, Bonanus put back on her gentle smile, rubbed her slightly trembling hands, and dashed straight into her new residence.
Upon entering, she saw Yanfei intently reading a thick book, carefully absorbing every word.
The book contained legal knowledge—specifically, the current laws and regulations of Liyue Harbor.
Yanfei had already shed her usual work attire. Now she wore thin pajamas, her hat removed, her hair casually draped over her shoulders. She looked even more adorable.
Her thin pajamas revealed her figure—normally not obvious, but in sleepwear, Yanfei was quite well-endowed.
At least much more than Director Hu Tao.
Hearing the door open, Yanfei closed her book and smiled at Bonanus.
"Welcome back, Sister Bonanus." Yanfei's eyes crinkled as she greeted her. It was late—time to rest.
"I'm back." Bonanus sat beside Yanfei with a mischievous grin, her restless hand gently tousling Yanfei's hair.
"Granny Ping has already retired. She mentioned you went out to handle some personal matters. Worried you might not find your room, I waited here."
Yanfei didn't mind Bonanus's touch. Quite the opposite—she rather liked it. Unfortunately, it was late, and rest was necessary.
Mortals needed adequate rest, and so did adepti. They weren't made of iron—they too grew weary. They weren't omnipotent.
"Little Yanfei, would you sleep with me? Lately, I keep recalling scenes from the Archon War. I'm still a little scared." Bonanus put on a pitiful expression.
To anyone watching, she looked like an innocent little girl traumatized by something terrifying.
Yanfei paused briefly at this request, then quickly recovered. After only a moment's hesitation, she agreed.
"Alright. I'd be happy to."
Sister Bonanus not only experienced the Archon War but also the defense against the Khaenri'ah monster invasion. A gentle sister like her going through all that—it's unimaginable.
With this thought, Yanfei hugged Bonanus sympathetically. Born in peacetime, she couldn't fully grasp what these seniors had endured, but she knew it must have been painful.
Compared to Bonanus, she was merely a junior. Though this gesture might be somewhat forward, she believed it was the best way to comfort someone.
A silent embrace often worked better than words.
Bonanus, now embraced, let her body tremble slightly at first, then hugged back. The two women held each other close.
As she hugged, Bonanus smirked where Yanfei couldn't see. One thought dominated her mind: "Operation successful!"
Poor Yanfei had unwittingly been outmaneuvered by this cunning older woman.
A few minutes later
The embrace finally ended after several minutes. Yanfei carried a unique fragrance that Bonanus absolutely loved.
But Bonanus wouldn't force anything. As a senior, she should set a good example for her junior. Besides, in Bonanus's mind, Yanfei belonged to Director Hu Tao anyway.
"Sister Bonanus, I prepared pajamas for you too. But... your hands..."
Yanfei looked helplessly at Bonanus's large claws. Worried her words might sound hurtful, she quickly explained before Bonanus could respond.
"I don't mind your hands at all. It's just that with such large hands, the pajamas probably won't fit. Can you change them back to ordinary human hands?"
Yanfei loved reading. Besides legal texts, she enjoyed other books too—including some about Yakshas.
Legend had it that one of the five great guardian Yakshas, the Hydro Yaksha, had a secret technique sealed within her. What that technique was, no one knew. They only knew that because of it, the Hydro Yaksha's hands had become sharp, massive claws.
No one knew if this was true, but that's what the books said. Though the real person sat before her, Yanfei didn't pry—everyone deserved their privacy.
At this question, Bonanus could only laugh awkwardly. She was just as helpless about these hands. In her previous life, information about Bonanus had been scarce—no definitive answers.
When she'd seen images of Bonanus before, she'd assumed the hands were some kind of sleeve-weapon that could be removed at will. Only through firsthand experience did she discover they couldn't come off at all!
Simply put, they seemed fused to her arms. Forcibly removing them would cost at least skin, at most flesh.
Definitely not something she wanted to experience.
"I can use illusions to cover them, but that's not a long-term solution." Bonanus smiled sheepishly. Honestly, she had no idea how to handle these hands herself.
Inconvenient for holding chopsticks, inconvenient for getting tailored clothes made, and now inconvenient for wearing pajamas. Troublesome all around.
Aside from being useful in combat, these hands were doing well just to avoid causing accidental trouble in daily life.
"This is problematic..." Yanfei rubbed her clever little head. She couldn't very well have Bonanus wear only pajama bottoms.
That would be far too awkward.
She had a few bellybands, but they were all previously used. She'd feel embarrassed offering her worn clothes to someone else. Truly puzzling!
Seeing this, Bonanus shook her head helplessly. She didn't stand on such ceremony. Options were either sleeping in her clothes or sleeping completely nude.
Bonanus strongly recommended sleeping nude. Come on—no girl or boy could resist sleeping naked! It was so comfortable!
Though it felt wonderful, she was a guest in someone else's home, and she planned to cuddle tonight. Better to maintain some modesty.
With this thought, Bonanus lightly patted her chest, showing an expression that said "no worries," and declared loudly.
"Don't worry! This outfit is light and breathable. Sleeping in it won't be a problem."
Yanfei raised an eyebrow slightly. Well, nothing else to do about it.
"Then it's time for us to rest." Yanfei reminded.
With that, Yanfei led Bonanus to her room. Yanfei's boudoir had a very girlish feel—pink yet simple.
"If we're sleeping together, let me prepare another set of blankets!" Yanfei said, hands on her hips, her expression already somewhat sleepy.
But before she finished speaking, before she could react, she found herself wrapped in a pair of large hands and tilted sideways onto the bed.
Yanfei was still dazed. What just happened? Her mind spun with questions: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
After a moment, she realized Bonanus had "forcibly embraced" her, and she couldn't break free! Her face pressed against Bonanus's chest—the sensation was suffocating!
"Mmph mmph! Mmph!" ("Help! Help!")