After some time had passed, Shenhe arrived at the Jade Chamber.
She planned to visit Liyue Port every day for the next few days to assist Qin Yu.
Although there was currently nothing she needed help with, Shenhe's unwavering support put Qin Yu at ease.
Of course, she wouldn't voice this feeling, even if doing so would earn her an Evaluation.
"Welcome, Miss Shenhe. Your timing is perfect," Ningguang said with a gentle smile.
"Perfect timing?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
"I wanted to take you somewhere," Ningguang replied.
Where?
Qin Yu felt a sudden wave of anxiety. "Excuse me, can I come too?!" she blurted out.
"Naturally. I was planning to bring you along anyway."
Phew... That's a relief. Qin Yu finally relaxed.
Why was I so flustered? What a needless overreaction. Qin Yu couldn't help but find her earlier panic strange. Fortunately, Ningguang and Shenhe seemed to have missed her unusual behavior.
Phew, that's a relief.
Ningguang teased, "So, don't get jealous again."
Evaluation: D (Ningguang)
A blush crept across Qin Yu's cheeks. "That's not it!" she protested. "I just get bored doing nothing alone here."
Who's envious?! Don't think I won't add a whole bottle of vinegar to your dinner tonight!
(Spy- In Chinese, jealousy is often described as "eating vinegar" (吃醋 / chī cù). It's a common idiom that means feeling jealous, especially in a romantic sense, as if one's heart has turned sour, like vinegar.)
Intent on teasing Qin Yu further, Ningguang continued, "Ah, I see. Not envy, but fear of being alone? Don't worry, I won't let you feel lonely."
Huh?
That's even less likely!
Evaluation: C- (Ningguang)
Why is her evaluation going up?!
Meanwhile, Shenhe focused on a particular word. "Jealousy? Vinegar? I don't understand what that means."
Shenhe wasn't yet very familiar with such colloquialisms. Qin Yu imagined she probably wouldn't use terms like "envious" when speaking with Cloud Retainer.
Qin Yu didn't really want to answer the question, but noticing Shenhe's unwavering gaze and Ningguang's amusement, she reluctantly explained, "Getting envious... it's basically just... envy."
"Envy?"
"Hmm, for example—and I'm just giving an example, okay?—if Shenhe were to walk too closely with someone else, my heart would..."
"Would?"
Even after I've explained it this clearly, you still don't get it? Are you deliberately teasing me? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly.
Ah, well, there's no help for it now!
With a "might as well go all in" attitude, Qin Yu continued, "It would just feel... uncomfortable. Like a sour, stinging feeling. Vinegar is sour, right? So you could say I'd be jealous."
After saying that, Qin Yu quickly added, "Of course, this is just an example! If Shenhe finds new friends, I'll definitely be happy for you."
Shenhe pondered Qin Yu's explanation. Sourness... I felt that earlier, when Lady Ningguang was teasing Qin Yu.
And before that, she had experienced that feeling a few times before.
So that heavy, stifling feeling... that's what "jealousy" is.
Then, am I jealous of Qin Yu being close to others? Is that wrong? After all, Qin Yu is friendly to everyone, so it's natural for her to have good relationships. That's perfectly normal.
Moreover, jealousy easily breeds obsession, which can lead to madness. That's not good.
"Shenhe?"
Qin Yu called out, noticing Shenhe's sudden silence.
Shenhe snapped out of her reverie. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to be honest. "I understand."
It would be strange if she didn't.
"I've been jealous a few times," Shenhe confessed, choosing to confront and express her feelings directly to avoid letting lingering thoughts fester in her heart.
Eh?
Evaluation: D+ (Shenhe)
Not only Qin Yu was stunned, but Ningguang was also secretly shocked. She never imagined that Shenhe, who always appeared so composed and radiated an otherworldly serenity, could harbor such emotions.
And the object of this jealousy could only be one person—and should only be one person.
Ningguang glanced sidelong at Qin Yu, an inexplicable surge of irritation bubbling up within her, refusing to dissipate. If only she and Qin Yu were alone, she might have been able to shake off this unpleasant feeling.
But there was a third person present.
She shook her head slightly, deciding to temporarily interrupt the conversation.
"Ahem, we've strayed a bit. Let's get back to the main topic, shall we?"
What was the main topic again?
Qin Yu was so overwhelmed by the shock that she had completely forgotten the original conversation.
Shenhe gets jealous too? Is it because I'm so... adaptable?
But this is necessary to earn Points. Even Shenhe can't protect me forever, right? I have to do this.
Still, it makes me a little happy. Just a little.
Evaluation: C (Shenhe)
I said just a little!
After venting her scattered thoughts aloud, Shenhe's composure returned to its usual state.
"Alright."
Ha?! How can you stay so calm, while I'm completely disoriented by your sudden and absurd words?
Tch, what an unreasonable woman.
Qin Yu muttered inwardly while nodding outwardly.
"Then let's go. We're heading to the Golden House," Ningguang said with a gentle smile.
The Golden House. The place where Mora, the currency used throughout Teyvat, is produced.
Located in a remote area and heavily guarded by layers of Millelith soldiers, unauthorized entry was virtually impossible.
As Qin Yu stepped into the Golden House, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Wow, it's all money!
A "sea" of Mora stretched in every direction. The sheer quantity was overwhelming; just a glance filled her mind with the glint of gold. The impact was staggering.
Having never had reason to visit before, this was Qin Yu's first time in the Golden House, and she couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.
But that excitement vanished the moment she saw the Exuvia at the far end of the chamber.
"That's Rex Lapis'..."
Ningguang sighed softly. "Yes, that is the Exuvia—the mortal shell of the Geo Archon, our Rex Lapis, leader of the Adepti."
The Exuvia rested serenely at the end of the Golden House, its eyes tightly closed and its form perfectly intact. To an untrained eye, it might appear merely to be in a deep slumber.
The renewed awareness of Rex Lapis' passing brought a pang of sorrow.
"I have a premonition," Ningguang continued, "that the Adepti will arrive in Liyue Port today. When they do, the Qixing must personally greet them, leaving us no time to attend to other matters. The Fatui will undoubtedly seize this opportunity to infiltrate the Golden House."
Ningguang turned to Shenhe.
"But this is also an opportunity to capture them all at once. Miss Shenhe, I would like to ask you, as a descendant of the Adepti, to join us in confronting the enemy."
Shenhe possessed formidable strength and mastery of Adeptus arts, making her a true trump card in combat. Qin Yu had faith in her abilities but couldn't help but worry about her safety.
What if the Fatui forces aren't ordinary troops, but Harbingers themselves?
"Lady Ningguang, if the enemy is a Harbinger..."
"I understand your concern, and I believe there's a ninety percent chance he'll be the one to come. What I need is time—time to persuade the Adepti."
Ningguang spoke earnestly. "Even a few minutes will do. Once the Adepti realize someone is scheming against the Geo Archon's Exuvia, they'll unleash their Adeptus Power. Not even Childe can withstand the combined might of the Adepti."
Qin Yu understood: Ningguang wanted Shenhe to stall Childe, buying them time.
Then, they would use the Adepti's power to defeat the Harbinger.
This was the classic "borrowing a blade to kill" strategy.
"Though the Adepti will inevitably question us, it's far better than letting the Fatui run rampant. Shenhe, are you willing to accept this?" Ningguang asked.
Shenhe replied softly, "Yes, I accept."
As expected, Shenhe agreed to Ningguang's request.
Shenhe would engage in combat with the Fatui Harbinger.
Childe held the lowest rank among the Fatui Harbingers, but this didn't diminish his power. On the contrary, he was renowned for his extensive combat experience and mastery of various martial arts.
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.
I... I'm back. Qin Yu's mind flashed with the image of Shenhe returning battered and bruised, triggering an instinctive resistance.
She didn't want Shenhe to get hurt.
Even if Shenhe were to suffer a fatal wound... No! Qin Yu couldn't bear the possibility, not even if it was just a one-percent chance. She refused to accept it.
Steeling her resolve, Qin Yu approached Ningguang and said with utmost sincerity, "Lady Ningguang, please allow me to join this battle."
"Why?" Ningguang asked calmly.
Because I want to protect Shenhe—Qin Yu nearly blurted out the words, but Ningguang's questioning gaze made her swallow them back.
Ningguang had a strict side.
That wasn't the kind of answer she wanted.
Had Qin Yu spoken those words, Ningguang would have appreciated her loyalty to her friend but would never have approved. This part was the most crucial stage, allowing no room for sentimentality.
Qin Yu replied with composure, "Because I can buy us more time."
The answer wasn't about what I want.
It was about what I can offer.
Ningguang smiled approvingly.
"Very well, I accept. But don't push yourselves too hard. That goes for both of you, you and Miss Shenhe. Your lives are paramount. If you encounter danger, withdraw immediately." Ningguang's voice was gentle as she spoke.
Ningguang also had a gentle side.
Qin Yu smiled. "Understood, Lady Ningguang. Please don't push yourself too hard either!"
Evaluation: C+ (Ningguang)
Just as the trio were temporarily returning to the entrance, Qin Yu suddenly noticed several streaks of light flash across the sky.
Could those be Adepti?
Ningguang said, "It seems the Adepti have arrived, just as I predicted. Qin Yu, Miss Shenhe, please hold the Golden House and buy us time."
Qin Yu felt a surge of nervousness, but she still replied, "Understood."
"Understood."
Ningguang then headed back to Liyue Port.
There's a ninety percent chance I'll have to face a Fatui Harbinger directly... Ugh, just thinking about it makes me anxious. But my desire to protect Shenhe outweighs that.
Shenhe whispered, "Qin Yu, I will protect you. There's no need to worry."
Wait, don't say something like that right now!
Evaluation: B-
Who's happy?! This System is getting more deaf, blind, and delusional every day... Qin Yu thought, twirling a strand of her hair.
She exhaled, suppressing her anxiety.
"Thank you! But I want to fight alongside Shenhe, not be the one being protected. So, it would have been better if she had said something like 'I believe in you'," Qin Yu said.
Ha, protect me? Though Shenhe never lied, that didn't mean Qin Yu would believe her.
Believing her would be a mistake.
I don't want to rely on anyone else to survive... because if we ever part ways, the part of me that depends on others might die of loneliness.
I can bear the loss of my Teacher, but that doesn't mean I can endure more.
So stop saying things like "I'll protect you."
I won't listen.
Shenhe understood Qin Yu's meaning. She didn't want to be treated as someone needing protection; she wanted a relationship of equals, fighting side by side. Yet understanding her desire couldn't silence the voice in Shenhe's own heart.
"I understand."
Good, understanding is enough, Qin Yu thought, satisfied.
"I believe in you, but I still want to protect you. These aren't mutually exclusive."
Evaluation: B+
Ha? What's that supposed to mean? Nonsense. Stop saying such weird things! Just because you think you're special doesn't mean you can say whatever comes to mind! Qin Yu's heart raced, her face flushing crimson.
No, I have to teach Shenhe a lesson!
Otherwise, she'll keep pushing her luck.
Steeling her resolve, Qin Yu mustered every ounce of her courage, ready to deliver the carefully rehearsed words she had prepared.
But the moment her eyes met Shenhe's, Qin Yu's gaze quickly and unnaturally darted away.
Her courage dwindled to barely a tenth of its former strength.
"Ah-uhm..."
In the end, she could only mumble a vague, somewhat pathetic response.
Evaluation: A
Annoying. Eyesore. Get out of my sight.
Back in the Golden House, Qin Yu began preparing.
She checked her magazine supply and assessed her physical condition. Feeling fully energized, she spent Points to purchase several more magazines, meticulously loading them with bullets.
Shenhe sat nearby, her eyes closed in meditation.
"Um, Shenhe..."
Seizing the moment, Qin Yu asked, "You said you were jealous. Of whom? And why?"
"I... sometimes when I see you getting along so well with others, a heavy feeling wells up in my chest. It's only today that I understand—that's jealousy."
"O-oh, I see."
So it was because of her diplomatic nature.
A flicker of happiness... No, this wasn't the time for that. Shenhe experiencing such emotions meant she deeply, deeply, deeply valued their relationship.
So deeply, in fact, that it had become a burden.
Qin Yu didn't think there was anything wrong with Shenhe; the problem lay with herself.
So far, Qin Yu and Hu Tao had been getting along fairly well. Hu Tao didn't seem to dislike her, which made Qin Yu wonder if Shenhe would react similarly if she confessed her feelings.
But that remained just a fantasy.
"Qin Yu, why are you smiling?" Shenhe asked.
"Eh? Am I?" Qin Yu touched her face.
Shenhe nodded.
Ugh, this feels a bit creepy, Qin Yu thought awkwardly.
"By the way," Shenhe continued, "do you think it's wrong for me to be jealous like that?"
"Not at all! It's a perfectly normal feeling, something everyone experiences. Besides, Shenhe, you're jealous because you cherish our relationship so deeply, right? Then I can accept it."
Shenhe replied reassuringly, "Mm, I really like you."
Evaluation: S-
She... likes me?! Qin Yu's mind suddenly went blank.
Just then, the sound of fighting erupted from outside the Golden House.
Qin Yu snapped back to reality, realizing the enemy was close. She stood up, loaded a magazine into her Combat Pistol, and assumed a serious expression.
Shenhe wordlessly gripped her spear.
"Shenhe."
"Understood. I'll provide cover."
Qin Yu activated her "Optical Camouflage" Skill, her figure dissolving into a transparent outline as she concealed herself within the Mora, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The four Satellite Components were also hidden within this golden sea.
The next moment, the doors of the Golden House swung open.