But today... Xingqiu's gaze swept over her unobtrusively.
She still wrapped herself in that conspicuous hooded cloak, covering herself tightly—no change in her outward appearance. However, that constant sense of tension had faded significantly.
She no longer seemed so cautious, quite unlike her previous posture of only looking down and walking quickly, as if wishing she could bury herself.
This inner relaxation made her whole being seem much "lighter."
"I'm relieved to see you've recovered," Xingqiu said sincerely. "Your state that night was indeed worrying."
"Ah... I was just, just feeling a bit unwell. I'm fine now!" Lovia explained vaguely.
Xingqiu stepped aside to clear the way, about to invite Lovia in for a seat, only to hear her speak up, seemingly intending to run off.
"Anyway, thank you very much! The gift is delivered, so I... I'll be going now!"
Mission accomplished; her social anxiety began to take over. At this moment, Lovia just wanted to slip away quickly.
"Wait a moment." Xingqiu called out to her, though not because he wanted to force her to stay.
Hearing Xingqiu's words, Lovia's steps faltered, and her heart tightened: He's not going to make small talk, is he? Huh?
Instead, she saw Xingqiu take a small, exquisite brocade pouch from his sleeve and hand it to her. "It is only polite to reciprocate. This is a refreshing sachet I often use; it has an elegant scent and clears the mind. Perhaps you could use it when you are busy writing at your desk, Miss Luvia."
He clearly remembered her identity as an "author." This return gift was both thoughtful and not so expensive as to be hard to accept.
Lovia blanked for a moment, looking at the exquisite sachet embroidered with cloud patterns, not expecting a return gift. She hesitated for a moment but took it anyway, saying softly, "...Thank you. The things you gave me last time were also very good. Thank you so much."
"There is no need for thanks." Xingqiu's eyes crinkled. "I wish you a fountain of inspiration and many great works, Miss Luvia. If in the future..."
He paused, then continued naturally, "If in the future you encounter any small troubles in Liyue Harbor that require help and it's inconvenient to seek others, you can come find me."
He spoke very tactfully, neither emphasizing "I know your secret" nor being overly friendly in a way that would cause discomfort; he simply offered a kind option.
Lovia squeezed the sachet in her hand; the fabric was delicate, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance. She looked up, caught Xingqiu's eye for a split second, and then quickly looked away.
Xingqiu still wore that smile like a spring breeze, which couldn't help but inspire goodwill.
"...Mhm." Lovia responded very softly, accepting the kindness. "Then... see you again."
With that, she turned around almost robotically and quickened her pace to leave the Feiyun Commerce Guild's gate, her figure soon disappearing into the crowd on the street.
Xingqiu stood at the entrance, watching her somewhat hurried retreat, then looked down at the bag of fresh fruit in his hand and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Quite an interesting... little one," he murmured to himself, then turned and sauntered back into the guild.
Meanwhile, Lovia, having escaped the scene, didn't slow her pace until she was far away, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
She opened her palm and looked at the small brocade sachet, bringing it to her nose for a sniff; the faint herbal fragrance indeed cleared her head.
"Xingqiu... is actually a really nice person," she muttered to herself, carefully putting the sachet away.
Although the process was a bit nerve-wracking, she had finally delivered her thanks.
With a weight off her mind, Lovia felt much more relaxed as she walked briskly toward her small cottage by the sea.
As for her previous thought of finding a friend, she carefully pushed it back down into the deepest part of her heart once more.
Xingqiu's gentle smile and thoughtful manner floated through her mind.
"Perhaps they... really could be friends?" This thought still popped up uncontrollably on occasion.
But immediately after, her reason and the self-protection mechanism formed over a long time in her previous life quickly reared their heads.
"No." She shook her head to herself. "This is fine as it is. Keep a distance, owe nothing to each other; receiving a bit of kindness occasionally is already very good. I can't ask for more."
She was afraid of becoming addicted to reliance, and even more afraid that the rare kindness would spoil because she "pushed her luck."
Her experiences in her original world were like an invisible thorn, constantly reminding her of the dangers hidden in social interaction.
And so, life returned to its previous track.
However... the thorn standing in a certain someone's heart had gradually softened with her experiences and the kindness she had received in Teyvat, though she was completely unaware of it.
The sun was just right, and the sea breeze blew gently.
Lovia's illness wa
s gone, she had learned her identity, her temporary stay in Liyue was understood by her "father," and today she had even received a gift from Xingqiu.
So happy! Lovia's little antennae couldn't help but wiggle twice.
It was time to go home and continue writing her "guoba the god of cookery"!
A smile returned to her lips as she couldn't wait to get back to her small writing desk.
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