Faced with the two choices, Kael hesitated.
There was no need to think too hard. If he stayed, he knew exactly what would happen next. Yelan's figure, combined with how forward she was… resisting that would be a challenge for anyone.
But his identity within the life simulation was complicated. His connection with Yelan hovered somewhere between ally and rival. If something really happened between them, that relationship could shift in dangerous ways, maybe even disrupt his plans to take revenge on the Fatui.
After thinking it through, Kael decided to leave.
In this simulation, he didn't have any special feelings for Yelan.
And Hu Tao was very close to him.
Better to see how the story developed before making any irreversible choices.
"I choose option two, leave."
[Hearing Yelan's invitation, your heart stirs.]
[But for some reason, Hu Tao's voice suddenly echoes in your ears.]
["Kael, you have to wait for me to grow up!"]
[Her bright, lively red eyes flash through your mind.]
[A guilty feeling hit you out of nowhere. You quickly pushed Yelan away.]
Of course. Hu Tao's personality hit all his weak points.
The Kael inside the life simulation was still him in every meaningful way. Naturally, he would develop feelings for Hu Tao. After all, she was the first person to truly step into his heart after his parents died.
He knew it, deep down. The simulated him cared about Hu Tao.
[Yelan didn't get angry when you pushed her away. If anything, she looked even more intrigued.]
[Her gaze turned predatory.]
["Mr. Kael, do you know? The way you reacted… it only makes you more interesting."]
["It seems winning you over won't be easy."]
[Yelan gently brushed her fingers across your cheek.]
["Relax. I'll finish the mission you entrusted to me."]
[After parting ways with Yelan, you returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao was already waiting at the entrance, hands on her hips and cheeks puffed out in anger.]
["Kael! Where did you run off to this time?!"]
[The moment she spotted you, she rushed over.]
[She stopped right in front of you and sniffed around like a little puppy.]
[Her eyebrows shot up. She glared.]
["You went to see another woman, didn't you?!"]
[Her cheeks still had a hint of baby fat, making her look soft and cute. Even her fierce expression carried no real threat. Instead, she looked adorably stubborn, like a tiny, growling pup.]
[You lifted your sleeve and sniffed it yourself, but there was no scent at all.]
[Yelan worked in intelligence. She had to blend into crowds constantly, so she never used perfume. The faint fragrance on her was simply her natural scent. It was so light that it shouldn't have clung to you at all.]
[You had no idea how Hu Tao picked anything up.]
[You tapped your finger against her forehead, pushing her back slightly.]
["Enough sniffing. Are you a puppy?"]
["Hmph!" Hu Tao slapped your hand away and puffed out her cheeks. "Didn't you say you'd wait for me to grow up?"]
[Hu Tao was fifteen now. She'd gotten taller over the years, her posture and movements showing the first traces of a girl stepping into adolescence, soft and sweet in her innocence.]
[Seeing her like this stirred something inside you.]
[You had already started noticing your own feelings.]
[Looking at her now, affection welled up in your chest.]
[You rested your hand on her head and spoke softly. "Alright. I'll wait for you to grow up."]
[You didn't voice the rest.]
[If I'm still alive by then…]
[It was the first time Hu Tao had ever heard you respond clearly.]
[She froze for a heartbeat, then her face lit up with joyful disbelief. Her red eyes sparkled like gems, shimmering with excitement.]
[She grabbed your hand and bounced in place.]
["Really, really, really?! You promised me?!"]
["Yeah. I promised."]
["Then I'm already grown! Let's be together right now~~"]
[You ignored her and walked straight toward Wanmin Restaurant.]
["Don't push your luck, little Hu Tao."]
[Bubbling with energy, she hopped along behind you like an overexcited puppy.]
["I'm fifteen already. I'm not little!"]
["You said you wanted to be bigger than Miss Yelan, didn't you? You're not there yet."]
["Kaaaeel! You really do like women with that kind of figure! Don't you dare mention her again!!!"]
["Alright, alright."]
[Laughter echoed throughout Wanmin Restaurant as the two of you teased and chased each other.]
[Your plan progressed smoothly.]
[The Millelith sent by Ningguang raided Yanshang Teahouse in one sweep, capturing everyone and confiscating countless forbidden items.]
[Among them was the Sigil of Permission.]
[Yelan, keeping her word, placed the sigil in your hands.]
["Damn it! The Tianquan actually shut down Yanshang Teahouse! So many of our valuable goods were lost there!"]
[The owner of Yanshang Teahouse had been colluding with the Fatui for years, acting as their channel for selling contraband. Through that pipeline, the Fatui not only earned enormous profits, but their products also caused plenty of trouble for Liyue.]
[Now that such an important base had been destroyed…]
[Every Fatui member stationed in Liyue was terrified.]
[To commit a blunder this severe… if the Harbingers decided to hold them accountable…]
[Just thinking about the Harbingers' methods made them break out into a cold sweat.]
[At that moment, you stepped forward calmly.]
["Don't worry. I've already found a way for us to redeem our failures."]