"Don't rush. Let me collect a little interest first."
With the energetic girl throwing herself into his arms, Lu Lin naturally accepted, wrapping an arm around her slender waist and lowering his head to kiss her.
Compared to Ganyu, Hu Tao was far more proactive when it came to kissing. She liked taking the initiative—liked challenging the "big boss" first.
Ever since meeting Ganyu in the secret realm, she hadn't had a chance to be close with Lu Lin again. She had long been holding back.
This time, she was especially bold.
Lu Lin's wandering hands slipped inside her clothes, moving upward until they met slight resistance.
A minor obstacle would not stop him.
He maneuvered past it.
Reaching the summit.
"Lu Lin~"
Caught off guard, Hu Tao let out a soft cry, twisting in his arms. The faint plum-blossom fragrance around her seemed to deepen and bloom.
Their battle of lips lasted a long time. Hu Tao launched several counterattacks, but Lu Lin dissolved them smoothly.
In the end, she was the first to falter, breaking away to gasp for breath.
The kiss had been so intense neither had paused for air.
Meanwhile, clothes were scattered across the bed—her hat, coat, inner garments.
As Hu Tao leaned against him, eyes hazy, Lu Lin whispered softly about the Serenitea Pot residency function.
"Director Hu Tao… would you like to reside here permanently?"
"Mmm~"
Her voice was lazy and sweet.
With her confirmation, the system completed her residency.
He granted her the access mark—and also assigned [Empathic Link].
Her panel appeared:
[Resident Member: Hu Tao]
[Age: 18]
[Greatness Rank: A]
[Element: Pyro]
[Exclusive Weapon: Staff of Homa]
[Traits: Empathic Link]
[Affinity Progress: 90%]
After settling her residency, Lu Lin lowered his gaze.
Hu Tao lay in his arms, skin pale and smooth, flushed lightly pink.
She still wore her shorts and white stockings embroidered with plum blossoms.
Her shoes had long since slipped off.
He kissed her again and murmured:
"I showed you the house… shouldn't you let me see the floor plan too?"
"Huh? What floor plan? You're not suggesting we go back to Wangsheng like this—"
"Not Wangsheng."
His meaning became clear through action.
Even clever Hu Tao realized that in this area, she was slightly outmatched.
Soon, exploration proved satisfying.
Hu Tao lay on the bed, breath uneven.
"Lu Lin~!"
The fragrance in the air deepened.
…
Meanwhile — Yuehai Pavilion
No matter how busy she was, Ganyu always maintained her noon nap.
After lunch, she entered the Serenitea Pot to rest in her room.
The bed was neatly arranged.
She smiled softly, recalling his words:
"You won't have to worry about finding a safe place to nap anymore."
She lay down, breathing in the warmth.
She drifted into sleep.
It was a sweet sleep.
Then—
She began dreaming.
Lu Lin beside her. His touch. Familiar waves rising and falling.
Wait.
This didn't feel like a dream.
Ganyu stirred.
The sensation was unmistakable.
It was exactly like yesterday—wave after wave, pushing her beyond her limits.
Why?
Her cheeks flushed.
Her legs shifted involuntarily.
She did not know—
It was the effect of [Empathic Link].
[Empathic Link]: When one holder experiences intense emotional fluctuations, other holders within range feel it as well.
Lu Lin had assigned it to both Hu Tao and Ganyu.
Now that both were inside the Serenitea Pot, the link activated.
Hu Tao's overwhelming emotions were transmitted directly to Ganyu.
And Ganyu also had [Double Happiness].
The sensation was amplified—
Then fed back through [Empathic Link].
Though Lu Lin exerted effort only once—
The effects stacked and multiplied.
The trait synergy was astonishing.
"Lu Lin~!"
Ganyu couldn't help but whisper his name, overwhelmed by the cascading sensation.