"Right, the first prize Elemental Eye isn't much use to me. Could you trouble yourself to exchange it for a trip to Inazuma for me and Lumine?"
Hearing Ying's words, Kazuha couldn't help but ask,
"Do you really have to go there? Why?"
Ying blinked her eyes and said earnestly,
"Because I need to help Lumine find her brother."
"Brother... I see..."
Kazuha was slightly stunned, and it seemed like some past memories resurfaced. He quietly closed his mouth.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. We're heading to Inazuma in a few days anyway. By the way, Ying, since you're participating, could you possibly ask your sister to join as well?" Beidou asked with some anticipation.
"Hmm... I'll ask her when I get back... When does the competition start, anyway?"
"Deal!"
Beidou happily hugged Ying.
"The competition officially starts at eight in the morning three days from now. I look forward to your and your sister's performance then!"
After the two agreed on a time, Ying returned to Liyue Harbor with Yun Jin.
Seeing that it was getting late, Yun Jin happily thanked Ying,
"Thank you so much for today. I haven't had this much fun in a long time (^_^)"
Hearing Yun Jin's words, Ying asked with some confusion,
"Uh, we didn't really do much, did we? We just went to the mall and bought a few things. We spent most of our time traveling."
Yun Jin shook her head.
"It's not the traveling that made me happy, but having a friend by my side with whom I can connect. Ying, we've only known each other for less than a day, which might not seem like much, but based on our interactions today, I think we'll become good friends in the future."
"Yes, definitely (^_^)"
After bidding farewell to Yun Jin, Ying immediately ran into the nearest restaurant to buy dinner for Lumine and Paimon.
"Heh heh~ Now Lumine has no reason to bully me~"
"Oh, wait, she never seemed to need a reason when she bullied me..."
Cough cough cough!
Ying quickly forced herself to stop thinking about what just happened. It would be bad if her thoughts somehow became reality.
Back in the Serenitea Pot...
Ying ran into the house, skillfully took off her shoes and put them in the shoe cabinet, then trotted to the living room and placed the food from her spatial inventory on the dining table.
"Lumine! Paimon! Come out for dinner~"
.........
"Huh? Where is everyone?"
"Behind you (^_^)"
Just as Ying was about to run inside to check, a voice from behind her caught her attention.
Lumine hummed and walked in front of Ying, sitting down. Meanwhile, a tired Paimon was dragged by Paimon into the bathroom. As they passed Ying, Paimon didn't forget to say,
"Host... remember to leave some for me..."
Paimon: "And me too!"
Seeing that Paimon had already entered the bathroom, Ying curiously asked Lumine,
"What's wrong with Paimon?"
"She's tired from fighting monsters. I took them out to do some quests today to let Paimon practice and improve her combat skills."
As she spoke, Lumine opened the delicious food Ying bought, picked up a pan-fried dumpling, and put it in her mouth, savoring it with delight.
Ying, on the other hand, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, with her current sword skills, she probably couldn't even defeat a Millelith soldier at the same level."
Lumine ate a few more dumplings. When she was almost full, she began to ask,
"Ying, shouldn't you tell me what you did with that girl today? While I agreed to let you go out, it doesn't mean you can do whatever you want with her (^_^)"
*Yes, only I can do whatever I want with you~*
"No, no, we just walked around the mall and bought a few clothes."
"Oh, right, Lumine, I have something to tell you."
Ying quickly explained and then told Lumine about her conversation with Beidou earlier...
Participate in the competition... After listening to Ying's description, Lumine asked with some confusion,
"If I recall correctly, haven't you already opened the teleportation gate to Inazuma? Can't we just teleport there directly?"
"Actually, that's what I originally thought. But it's good to have more connections, right? Making more friends can never hurt, don't you think~"
"Oh? I didn't expect you to think about these things, Ying."
Lumine affectionately rubbed Ying's head.
"Uh... do you think I'm that slow in your eyes..."
"Hahaha~ Just kidding. I'm happy that you can make more friends. Ah~ Of course, as long as they don't steal you away."
Hearing Lumine emphasize the word "steal," Ying quickly shook her head vigorously.
"Never. Even if you gave me a hundred dares, I wouldn't change my mind."
"Hee hee~ That's my obedient little Yingying~"
Lumine nodded in satisfaction, pulled her sensible little Yingying close, and gave her a kiss.
Although Ying's face turned red, she didn't resist. This was hardly considered bullying. Moreover, the nickname was the real reason for her blushing, more so than the kiss.
"Um... can you change your address... This nickname makes me feel like a little pampered wife..."
Lumine looked at Ying with a mischievous smile, couldn't resist kissing her a few more times, and then said,
"Aren't you?"
Emm...
Ying wanted to say something more, but her lips were sealed by Lumine for a minute.
When they broke apart, Lumine said with a pretend fierce look,
"Go to sleep quickly, or I'll become a disloyal bad woman."
Emmmmm...
"I'm sleeping now!!"
Ying quickly closed her eyes and snuggled further into Lumine's embrace.
"Hee hee, that's more like it~"
Lumine nodded, embraced her little pampered wife, and fell asleep, allowing Ying to have a peaceful night's sleep.
The next day, Ying slept until she woke up naturally. She groggily opened her eyes and found that Lumine had already woken up and was staring intently at her from beside her...