Ye Xi's nose twitched as he sniffed. He was taken aback.
[This smells exactly like that 4-star item I got before!]
[Could it really be...]
He felt like he had discovered something monumental.
Meanwhile, Ganyu's heart was pounding against her ribs. She felt a wave of unprecedented shamehow could she have misunderstood Ye Xi's intentions like that?
It was so embarrassing!
But alongside the shyness, a faint sense of loss began to spread through her heart.
Why didn't he kiss me?
I was already prepared...
As Ye Xi pulled away, that sense of disappointment grew even stronger.
She couldn't understand why Ye Xi had been so decisive when kissing Xiangling, yet hesitated so much with her.
Suddenly, she felt a pair of warm hands rest upon her head. To be precise, they were on her horns. That sense of security instantly washed away her disappointment.
This was the second time her horns had been touched.
In the morning, she hadn't known it was Ye Xi, so she'd been startled. But this time, it felt wonderful. It was as if she had returned to her childhood, being touched by her master; it provided an indescribable sense of safety!
Now that it was Ye Xi, there was something else in addition to that safety. She couldn't quite put it into words, but it felt like a strange power. It made her body go limp, as if all the strength had been drained from her limbs.
She felt as if she were melting...
The small boat rocked gently, the sound of the waves on either side drifting into her ears like a lullaby. The vessel felt like a cradle, and an eternal silence enveloped the entire sea.
There was only their lone boat on the water. Even if they did something... no one would find out.
What would we do...
Ganyu's consciousness gradually began to blur.
In the Plane of Euthymia.
"It's ready!"
Xiangling plated the Stir-Fried Tomato and Eggs and set it on the dining table.
"Big Sister Ei, did you catch that?"
She looked at Raiden Ei with a more serious gaze than before. She noticed that whenever Ei turned serious, a cold, lofty aura would spread around her. It served as a reminder that the woman before her was the most revered god of Inazuma!
Serious, solemn, sublime, and sacred!
Xiangling found it hard to believe that she was currently acting as the master to this divine being.
If my own master knew the Raiden Shogun was her disciple's disciple, she would definitely be shocked, right?
Just as she was feeling a renewed sense of admiration for Ei...
"I... I still don't get it... wah..."
Ei suddenly broke down in tears. She could handle swords and spears! But cooking? She was truly clueless. It felt like a deficiency she had been born with! While others might have low levels in their cooking skills, she didn't even have the option to put points into it!
The image Xiangling had just rebuilt in her mind collapsed instantly.
She hurried to comfort her. "Don't worry, Ei! The first time isn't about mastering it; it's just about getting familiar with the process! There will be a second time, a third time! When my dad taught me this entry-level dish, it took me... a hundred tries before I succeeded! And look at me now, I'm a master chef!"
Xiangling felt a twinge of guilt, praying in her heart that this white lie wouldn't be discovered. In truth, she had learned how to make Stir-Fried Tomato and Eggs after seeing it just once. She had even made it taste good enough to move her father to tears!
Ei was deeply moved by her words. "Xiangling, you're so kind!"
"Ei... Big Sister Ei, I can't breathe!"
Watching Xiangling being hugged by Ei, Yae Miko recalled how Ei used to hug her when she was little. She hadn't expected that hundreds of years later, her position would be taken by a human.
Truly, the new replaces the old...
Speaking of which, Xiangling was quite terrifying. Not only was she trying to steal Miko's man, but she had even stolen her... best friend.
Lost in thought, her eyes drifted to the steaming plate of Stir-Fried Tomato and Eggs. The aroma filled the air, causing her delicate nose to twitch.
You're hugging my man and my best friend; it's not asking too much to eat a bit of your food, right?
So, she picked up her chopsticks and took a secret bite.
Mmm~ This... these tomatoes and eggs, how can they be this delicious!
Miko's eyes lit up, and her fox tails began to wag behind her. If she were to add some Udon to this dish, it would surely be spectacular!
Just then, Ei noticed Miko sneaking food. She frowned. "Miko, how could you sneak a bite of the demonstration dish Master made for me?!"
Miko gritted her teeth. This feeling of being treated like an outsider was so unpleasant! Had she forgotten her old love for a new one?
Xiangling smiled and said, "It's fine! We'll make more! I'll have to trouble you to finish the next batch of Stir-Fried Tomato and Eggs too!"
Miko was slightly surprised. Xiangling's personality was truly something one couldn't do anything about.
Perhaps this is what Ye Xi meant by 'the natural type counters the devious type'?
She laughed and stood up, pulling Xiangling away from Ei's embrace. "Call me Big Sister from now on. As long as you keep making delicious food for me, no one in Inazuma will dare to bully you."
"Eh! Sister Miko..."
Xiangling felt that this side was even more suffocating.
Hearing Xiangling's voice, Miko gave Ei a provocative look, her smile incredibly alluring.
"Miko, are you trying to steal Xiangling away from me?"
Ei frowned, pulling Xiangling back into a tight embrace. Miko refused to back down and moved in too. Caught in the middle, Xiangling was suffering.
"Help! I'm going to suffocate!"
She was so envious of Miko and Ei's figures! Why couldn't she grow up like them?
On the shores of Tatarasuna.
Ye Xi gently nudged Ganyu, who was sleeping soundly.
"Ganyu, we're here..."
She seemed to be in a very deep sleep. Looking at her cute sleeping face, her rosy cheeks looked as soft as a baby's. He reached out and gently pinched her cheek. It was soft and chewy, like... a gummy candy?
He really wanted to take a bite!
Seeing that pinching her face didn't work, a smirk played on Ye Xi's lips. He reached out and gently pinched her nose. Sure enough, Ganyu opened her eyes within seconds.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, her gaze still a bit unfocused. When the light finally centered on Ye Xi's face, Ganyu suddenly remembered.
I fell asleep on the boat!?
She had originally been pretending to sleep!
Why!?
She quickly realized the reason. It was because Ye Xi had been touching her horns the whole time! It felt so good that she had actually drifted off!
"Ganyu? Still not fully awake?"
Ye Xi watched her stare blankly at him, as if her soul had left her body.
[This child couldn't be sleep-dazed, right?]
Hearing Ye Xi's voice, Ganyu quickly shook her head. "I... I'm awake!"
She rubbed her cheeks. But her body felt weak and limp, as if she couldn't even stand up.
Ye Xi secured the boat on the beach to prevent the tide from washing it away. He looked back and said, "Ganyu, those shoes aren't suited for walking on the sand. You should take off your shoes and stockings."
Ganyu was wearing high heels; every step on the beach would leave a hole. It was not only easy to sprain an ankle but also easy to ruin the shoes. The Sea Ganoderma grew along the shore; wearing stockings would only get them soaked and covered in sand.
Ganyu's face flushed red at his words. She nodded instinctively and reached for her stockings...
Ye Xi witnessed this scene and felt it was quite a feast for the eyes. Especially those slender legs as they were slowly revealed...
[Inner part is hollow while the outer is straight, no creeping vines or branches. Its fragrance is pure and spreads far, standing tall and clean.]
[One can view it from afar, but not play with it disrespectfully...]
He couldn't help but think of those classic lines.
Hearing this, Ganyu's body trembled, and her face turned a deeper shade of crimson. She gently took off her shoes and quietly folded her stockings, placing them neatly on the boat.
"Let's go..." Ganyu said, her face still burning.
Leaving the small wooden boat, they stepped onto the sands of Tatarasuna. Looking ahead, they saw a patch of fresh Sea Ganoderma!
Ganyu's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Sea Ganoderma to grow right there on the shore. Her mouth began to water.
"Ganyu, come here. This Sea Ganoderma looks good."
As he spoke, Ye Xi skillfully snapped the stem, picking a large bunch. It was like a head of cabbage; after peeling off the outer layers, the edible part inside was about the size of two or three fists.
Ganyu's eyes sparkled as she took the tenderest part from Ye Xi and put it in her mouth.
"A familiar taste! So fresh!"
It had been a whole year since she had eaten such high-quality Sea Ganoderma! And even what she'd eaten before wasn't as fresh as this! This had just been picked!
Soon, Ganyu finished the Sea Ganoderma in her hand, a look of pure enjoyment on her face.
Ye Xi smiled and pointed towards another spot. "The best Sea Ganoderma grows in the shallow waters. There's even more over there. Let's go!"
Ganyu hurried to follow, her pace quickening.
"So cold..."
She felt the chill of the waves against her feet, making her shiver involuntarily. But after a moment to adapt to the temperature, she began to wade through the water.
This place was like a paradise to herso much Sea Ganoderma that she could eat to her heart's content!
After a few steps, the waves reached her calves, making her footing unstable. Perhaps she stepped on some seaweed or something else, but Ganyu suddenly lost her balance.
"Aaah!"
She was startled. Just as she was about to fall into the water, a hand caught her by the waist.
"Are you all right?"
Ye Xi helped her up and smiled. "There's quite a bit of seaweed in this area. Don't rush. Follow me."
Ganyu nodded, her face red. If it hadn't been for Ye Xi, she would have ended up soaked. Looking at the hand Ye Xi extended, she didn't hesitate to place her small hand in his.
Ye Xi led Ganyu toward the Sea Ganoderma ahead.
[Such a soft little hand.]
[Sunshine, beach, a beauty, and holding hands. This is the life!]
Hearing Ye Xi's thoughts, Ganyu looked around. The sea breeze was refreshing, and the waves crashed against the shore under the dazzling sunlight. It truly was pleasant.
In all her years as the secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, she had never been this relaxed. At this moment, she felt a profound sense of happiness.
Ye Xi peeled the Sea Ganoderma and handed it to Ganyu. Seeing her eating the white, tender plant with such gusto, he couldn't help but smile.
Just then, a majestic voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Ye Xi? Why are you here?"
Hearing the voice, he turned around. Standing on the rocks by the shore was a woman who never seemed to smile. Her brow was slightly furrowed, and her expression was cold.
"Sara? What are you doing here?"
Ye Xi had thought he could sneak through the Kujou Encampment without being noticed, but he'd still been spotted by this woman.
"Don't act so familiar; we aren't close!"
Sara had been resting in her tent. Today was her rare day off. However, she had seen a small boat approaching from her window. She hadn't expected it to be Ye Xi!
She had always considered Ye Xi an enemy! She believed that ever since Ye Xi arrived, the Raiden Shogun had changed! She couldn't imagine why the Shogun would allow an outsider like Ye Xi to enter Tenshukaku so many times. It was as if there were some kind of unclear relationship between them!
She jumped down from the rock and approached Ye Xi with an unfriendly gaze, carefully eyeing Ganyu.
Ye Xi said helplessly, "Sara, when you were asking me for photos and statues of Ei, you weren't this distant."
"I..."
Sara gritted her teeth. He had hit her where it hurt! Although she disliked Ye Xi, he was the only one who could get his hands on various personal items belonging to her beloved Raiden Shogun. Even if she hated him... the photos were innocent! The statues were innocent!!!
Thinking about those transactions made her feel like Ye Xi had her by the throat.
So, she changed the subject and pointed the spear at Ganyu. She snorted coldly and asked, "Who is she? Does she have the proper documentation? Has she been to the Outlander Affairs Agency to handle her residency procedures?"
Facing this barrage of questions, Ye Xi felt helpless. He knew Sara was a very serious person. She would insist on seeing those documents; otherwise, she wouldn't let it go!
Even though a single word from Ei would shut her up, he had finally managed to get out with Ganyu and didn't want to go back to Tenshukaku just yet. But if they didn't leave, Sara would keep nagging.
[What a troublesome woman.]
[What should I do? If we don't have the papers, this woman won't stop pestering us...]
Hearing Ye Xi's thoughts, Ganyu felt worried. After all, she really had entered the country illegally.
Sara's brow furrowed, and she let out a cold laugh. "What, no papers? You're not going to say she's your wife, are you?"
Ye Xi's mind raced. Wait! Bringing a wife to Inazuma was allowed! If Sara hadn't mentioned it, he might have forgotten.
He nodded. "That's right! Her name is Ganyu, and she's my wife!"
Ganyu: ???
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