Ganyu skipped work that afternoon.
As for the reason—there was no need to elaborate.
She didn't understand why she had felt such intense sensations, but she was certain it had something to do with Lu Lin. Under those circumstances, she absolutely did not dare return to Yuehai Pavilion.
Even though all the staff there were women, being seen in that state was still unacceptable.
So she could only wait until Lu Lin and Hu Tao were finished.
Fortunately, Hu Tao did not last as long as Ganyu had the previous day. After about an hour and a half, she had reached her limit five or six times and fell asleep from exhaustion.
On one hand, Hu Tao was human, and her endurance couldn't compare to Ganyu's half-adeptus physique. On the other hand, she was receiving the combined feedback of [Double Happiness] and [Empathic Link].
The pleasure she experienced far exceeded what Ganyu endured the day before.
Of course, today everything was "even." [Empathic Link] was fair—it treated all holders equally.
Hu Tao reached her limit multiple times, and Ganyu followed each time. Each wave was shared back and forth, prolonging and intensifying the sensation.
By the final surge, even Lu Lin reached his own critical point. The layered impact pushed Hu Tao past her threshold, and she fell into deep sleep.
Lu Lin dressed, carried Hu Tao to the clean bed, covered her carefully, and then headed to Ganyu's building.
As the Serenitea Pot's master, he could check who was inside through the system. But earlier, his attention had been entirely on Hu Tao, and he hadn't noticed Ganyu was present.
It was only when he saw Hu Tao's overwhelming reactions that he sensed something was off.
Only then did he realize Ganyu was inside—and that [Empathic Link] had activated.
By that point, there had been no stopping it.
"Lu Lin~"
Seeing him enter, Ganyu let out a soft, embarrassed sound and turned her head away shyly.
He embraced her gently. "I'm here. It's okay now."
Her clothes were soaked. Thankfully, she had many new outfits. He helped her wash up and change.
"Do you think… I'm shameless? I don't know what happened. I just suddenly… felt so much…"
Her strength had mostly returned, but her embarrassment remained.
"It's my fault," Lu Lin said softly, kissing her cheek.
He decided to explain the trait system.
Though it wasn't something easily shared, Ganyu was already at 100% affinity and directly affected by the traits. There was no need to hide it.
"So… this happened because of the trait?"
"Yes."
"You bad guy… why would you give me something like that?"
"New trait. I was curious," he lied shamelessly.
"You just wanted to cause trouble!"
Her shy complaint only made her more charming.
But she still had work to do. She was already late.
"And Hu Tao just fell asleep. It'd be best if you stayed with her."
"Alright. I'll make it up to you next time. You should go."
She fled in embarrassment.
Lu Lin returned to the Ghost House. Hu Tao was still asleep.
He slipped into bed and held her, deciding to nap.
Yuehai Pavilion
Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao stood nervously.
Ningguang's expression was cold.
"You don't know where Ganyu went?"
"I saw her enter the rest room. After lunch break, she didn't come out. When I checked, she was gone."
"Understood. Return to your work."
Ningguang stepped outside, frowning.
She had come to find Ganyu.
To understand Lu Lin.
To investigate him from another angle.
But Ganyu—who had never once skipped work—had vanished without notice.
It was completely abnormal.
Just as Ningguang turned—
She saw Ganyu approaching.
For the first time, she described Ganyu as "tender."
Her complexion was flushed and radiant, her eyes bright, with a faint lingering softness.
Anyone would feel their heart skip a beat.
Ganyu had deliberately chosen a different re-entry point from the Serenitea Pot to avoid suspicion.
Unfortunately—
She walked straight into Ningguang.
"Good afternoon, Ningguang."
"Were you attending to something urgent?"
Ningguang studied her closely.
Though inexperienced personally, she was no fool.
One look at Ganyu's flushed appearance—
And she understood.
She had clearly been meeting that man.
And judging by her expression—
Their relationship had progressed far beyond what Ningguang expected.