The morning sun streamed across Qin Yu's face, while the chirping of birds and the insistent ringing of her alarm clock gradually roused her from sleep.
She slapped the Machine Companion on her bedside table, groggily sat up, rubbed her sleep-tousled hair, and mumbled, "Bathroom..." before slowly climbing out of bed.
"Good morning."
"Mmm..."
Qin Yu mumbled in response before stumbling into the bathroom.
Emerging and passing through the living room, she belatedly noticed Shenhe standing in the kitchen.
"Ah."
She suddenly remembered she didn't have work today, and it was only the second day of living with Shenhe.
Qin Yu hastily glanced down at herself: her loose pajamas were askew, revealing one shoulder, and a glimpse of distinctly blue sleep pants beneath.
Touching her disheveled hair, her expression changed.
Disheveled and looking slightly unkempt—and Shenhe had just seen her like this!
She couldn't help but clutch her head, her muddled mind suddenly jolted awake by the mortification.
Shenhe emerged from the kitchen, carrying two bowls of noodles.
"Breakfast is ready. Eat while it's hot... What's wrong?" She tilted her head slightly, puzzled by Qin Yu's head-clutching.
"N-nothing. You're up so early, ha ha," Qin Yu said awkwardly, subtly adjusting her pajamas.
"It's a habit. Morning meditation helps clear my mind. Would you like to try waking up early with me?"
"No, thank you," Qin Yu smiled. "I prefer to sleep in a little longer."
"I see."
Noticing Shenhe made no mention of her disheveled appearance, Qin Yu couldn't resist asking, "Should I, uh, go change and brush my hair before eating?"
"Why would you do that? The noodles will get soggy," Shenhe asked, puzzled.
"Well... it's just... Shenhe, you don't mind, do you? I just woke up and I'm still a bit messy," Qin Yu stammered.
Shenhe glanced at Qin Yu, her confusion deepening. What's the big deal? she wondered. But since Qin Yu had asked, she paused to consider her answer before replying:
"I don't mind. I'm used to it."
Evaluation: D
Huh?
"Used to it?! I don't remember that..." Qin Yu couldn't help but let her imagination run wild. Does Shenhe sneak in to watch me every morning when I wake up?
"When we stayed over together before, I always woke up earlier than you. That's how I got used to it," Shenhe explained calmly.
When they had shared a bed before, Shenhe would often wake up first and watch Qin Yu for a while before getting up. So Qin Yu's disheveled appearance was already familiar to her, and she naturally felt no particular reaction to it.
"...I-I guess so."
Was this a good thing? "Used to it" meant Shenhe didn't mind, but the very idea of her being "used to it" left Qin Yu with an indescribable, delicate feeling.
Never mind. Don't overthink it. As long as Shenhe accepts it, that's all that matters.
This was a kind of test, wasn't it? Success! Good. Probably.
Qin Yu still felt unsettled, but she forced herself to focus on brushing her teeth and washing her face quickly.
After sitting down beside Shenhe to finish breakfast and doing a quick touch-up of her appearance, they headed out together.
"What do you need to buy?" Shenhe asked.
"Here's the list. Since you're taking over the daily expenses, I'll teach you exactly what to buy and some money-saving tips today."
"I'll pay close attention."
Arriving at Liyue Harbor, Qin Yu immediately pulled Shenhe through the bustling marketplace.
Qin Yu had planned to visit her usual shops, introduce Shenhe, and let her enjoy the familiar discounts. To her surprise, everyone already knew Shenhe.
"Little Yu, bringing another friend shopping? Here, this is for you."
"You two are so close! Always holding hands whenever we see you."
Qin Yu's ears flushed slightly. "Thank you," she managed. "Shenhe is my... family. She'll be doing the shopping for me from time to time. Please take good care of her, everyone."
Evaluation: C
Shenhe couldn't help but glance at Qin Yu.
Just a while ago, she said we were "roommates." Now she's calling me family? Could it be that Qin Yu has already accepted me in her heart, even if her words don't match? This is a bit confusing...
But it was good this way.
"Is she a relative?"
"Long-lost sisters?"
"Married?"
Faced with the teasing from familiar faces, Qin Yu hurried to clarify, "She's... like a sworn sister! By the way, Shenhe, what do you want to buy?"
As soon as business came up, the conversation shifted.
"Come check out these newly arrived incense burners! They perfectly suit Miss Shenhe's ethereal aura!"
"This bowl is quite the masterpiece. If you weren't so beautiful, I wouldn't even sell it! I'll give you a 10% discount if you want it!"
Shenhe seemed a bit lost, her gaze drifting over the merchant's wares.
Qin Yu squeezed her hand gently and whispered, "Think carefully before buying anything you don't need, okay? Here, I'll lend you some Mora, but don't spend it all."
"I understand. Please give me this one at the lowest price."
Straight to the point, as always.
Qin Yu could only continue coaching her quietly from the side: "First ask the price, then haggle. But if it's too much trouble, you can just buy it outright, as long as you don't get ripped off."
"I'll try."
Shenhe attempted to haggle for a bit.
"Since you're Little Yu's big sister, I'll give you a 20% discount. No more than that," the shopkeeper said.
Qin Yu froze.
Ha? I'm the little sister? Where does that even come from? I'm the one who taught Shenhe everything she knows about common sense! But from an outsider's perspective... Qin Yu compared her own height and figure to Shenhe's.
Slightly shorter, and my figure definitely can't compare. Tsk.
Qin Yu secretly pouted before forcing a smile. "No, no, I'm actually Shenhe's older sister."
"Really?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
Why are you even asking?
"Of course!"
However, afterward...
"Sister Yu's older sister?"
"From now on, can Aunt Chen call you Yu'er?"
Once Qin Yu mentioned to anyone that Shenhe was family, they invariably assumed Qin Yu was Shenhe's younger sister.
Why does everyone think that?
If I didn't claim she was family, none of this would happen, Qin Yu thought. But she still believed it was best to present Shenhe as family in public, as this would ensure Shenhe received better care.
The term "sworn sisters" seemed most appropriate; otherwise, it would be difficult to explain their relationship to outsiders.
But why does everyone see me as Shenhe's younger sister? The more Qin Yu pondered this, the more irritated she became.
Even after explaining repeatedly, some people still clung to the misunderstanding. Eventually, she gave up trying to correct them.
"Come, Grandma has candy for Yu'er. There's some for your sister too," Grandma said.
"Thank you," Shenhe replied.
"Thank you..." Qin Yu said listlessly, resigned to her fate.
Whatever. Yu'er, Fishy Treasure, whatever.
Then Shenhe suddenly remarked, "'Yu'er'—that's a nice name. It suits you."
It's one thing for acquaintances to comment, but you're my roommate! What are you doing butting in like this? Qin Yu thought, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Deliberately feigning amusement, she teased, "I think 'A'He' is quite lovely too!"
Evaluation: B-
Shenhe paused for a moment, then instinctively turned her face away.
"Hmm... you can call me that if you like. I don't mind," Shenhe replied, her tone still flat, though only she could sense the renewed agitation stirring within her heart.
I don't mind, but what exactly is this feeling?
Shenhe was deeply perplexed, never having expected to experience such novel sensations while by Qin Yu's side. It was truly baffling.
Qin Yu, on the other hand, grew even more irritated.
She's accepting this too easily, just like before. It's like trying to punch cotton.
"Never mind, let's go, Shenhe. We'll keep strolling around and grab some snacks to try," Qin Yu said with a smile.
Shenhe. The name had reverted to its original form.
Shenhe's composure returned to normal as well, the earlier agitation seemingly vanished without a trace. Yet both her memory and body had already registered that fleeting sensation.
The closer they drew together, the more their body heat mingled, and the more vividly that restless feeling threatened to resurface.
What puzzled Shenhe even more was how this agitation and tranquility could coexist within her heart, as if this "agitation" was fundamentally another emotion altogether.
Is Qin Yu feeling this too? Shenhe wondered, her gaze drifting to Qin Yu's profile.
Qin Yu, munching as she walked, noticed her gaze and thought, Does Shenhe want a bite?
Didn't she finish hers already?
Oh well, I'm in a good mood. I can let her have a bite.
Qin Yu's gaze shifted from the half-eaten bun as she held it out to Shenhe. "Ah—"
Evaluation: B+
Shenhe, though puzzled by Qin Yu's sudden gesture, took a bite.
"Thank you," she said.
"Remember to tell me if you want more."
"Mm."
Qin Yu glanced at the spot where Shenhe had bitten, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. Clinging to the idea that "what I can't see won't matter," she closed her eyes and took a bite herself.
Evaluation: A
"Qin Yu, what are they doing?"
Qin Yu opened her eyes. "Huh?"
Following Shenhe's gaze, she saw a couple clinging to each other, deeply absorbed in their own world.
"You asked what they're doing? They're just chatting."
"I didn't phrase it well. I meant... why do they seem so..." Shenhe struggled to find the right words, her voice halting.
Qin Yu understood her meaning perfectly.
"The atmosphere feels different?"
"Mm," Shenhe replied.
"That's because they're lovers," Qin Yu said dismissively.
Shenhe nodded slowly, as if she understood but not entirely.
Then she asked curiously, "What are lovers?"
"Oh? Ah, it's just someone who's in a romantic relationship," Qin Yu explained.
Come to think of it, Shenhe seemed to lack common knowledge about such things.
Will Shenhe ever have a lover? After all, she isn't without emotions. Qin Yu began to daydream, a strong sense of resistance rising within her.
"What is a romantic relationship?" Shenhe asked again.
"It's a kind of love..."
"What is love?"
Ugh, what philosophical questions!
Even Qin Yu struggled to explain. "It's... um... a deeper feeling than liking someone, I guess!"
"Deeper than liking? I don't quite understand."
You're making me confused too now!
"Ah ha ha, you don't need to think so deeply about it," Qin Yu laughed.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, you'll understand it naturally someday."
Shenhe nodded slowly. "I see."
But she couldn't help but mull over Qin Yu's explanation.
"A feeling deeper than liking"—how deep could it be? How would one even feel it? Neither her Master nor the other Adepti had ever taught her such things. Shenhe would have to grasp it on her own.
After pondering for a while, she still couldn't figure it out.
"...I still don't quite understand," Shenhe murmured.
After exploring the market and strolling through Liyue Harbor, the two returned home.
Qin Yu said cheerfully, "I feel much better now! Let's go out for walks like this whenever we get the chance, okay?"
"Alright. I know many scenic spots in the mountains and wilderness where we can relax. Shall we continue tomorrow?"
"Sure!"
Though spending time with Shenhe never got boring, being cooped up indoors with nothing to do was stifling. Hiking and exploring nature seemed like a great alternative.
That's it! When we have time later, we could even go camping overnight somewhere.
Recalling their days hiking together to Mt. Aocang, Qin Yu felt a wave of nostalgia and her anticipation grew stronger with this new idea.
She had initially expected cohabitation to make her more nervous and anxious, but it turned out to be quite pleasant after all.
"I'll make lunch," Shenhe offered.
"Sounds good!"
After a moment's hesitation, Shenhe asked, "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Qin Yu instinctively replied, "Sure!"
A second passed.
"Hm?"
Wait...what?