Recalling the previous night, Shenhe couldn't help but ponder the matter again.
"Qin Yu, what's the significance of pressing lips together?"
"Cough—cough, cough!" Qin Yu choked in shock, hurriedly taking a sip of water before turning to Shenhe with wide-eyed astonishment.
"W-why are you suddenly asking that?"
Shenhe replied frankly, "I want to know."
Want to know? Is it just curiosity? But how did she even learn about kissing...? Ah, could she have accidentally seen some lovers being affectionate and become curious?
Stumbling over her words, Qin Yu stammered, "The significance of kissing is..."
"So that's what it's called: kissing."
Are we really going to have a serious discussion about this? Oh, heavens. Qin Yu's ears burned as she pressed a hand to her forehead, struggling to find the right words to explain to Shenhe.
Just then, Shenhe asked again, "How is it different from kissing on the cheek?"
"Well... how do I put this..."
Qin Yu, visibly flustered, stammered, "It's more expressive... you know, like that?"
Like that? What kind of explanation is that?!
But having to explain it like this, as if to an innocent child, was almost unbearable.
Even though her task was to teach Shenhe common sense, she still hoped Shenhe would grasp it on her own, without needing direct explanations.
Could Shenhe actually be interested in this behavior? Qin Yu desperately wanted to ask, but what if the conversation went like this:
"Shenhe, are you interested in this?"
"Yes. Since it's a way to express feelings, I want to do it with you."
What would I do if it turned out like that?!
They were going to live together for many days, maybe even years.
The best course of action was to change the subject.
Qin Yu forced a stiff smile. "Oh, right! How about we go out and have some fun later? Today's my last day off before I get busy again tomorrow. And you'll be starting your trial work with Sister Ganyu soon too..."
As expected, Shenhe's attention shifted to the new topic.
"Alright. To the city?"
"Yeah, even though we don't need to buy anything, it'll be nice to just stroll around."
Shenhe fell into deep thought.
Is kissing an expression of affection? she wondered. Then did Qin Yu mean to express her feelings for me last night? But... why didn't she go further? Shenhe caressed the water cup that matched Qin Yu's, lowering her head slightly.
Even she could sense Qin Yu's reluctance to continue the conversation.
So, despite her lingering questions, she refrained from pressing further.
Cloud Retainer had once told her, "If you wish to live together, you must learn to handle your own problems. Don't trouble Qin Yu with every little thing."
This question, Shenhe thought, I should solve it myself.
Yet she realized her understanding was still lacking.
Therefore, the most pressing need was to gather information. A place came to mind.
"I'd like to stop by the bookshop on the way," she said.
Qin Yu looked surprised. "Books?"
For work?
"Sure! We can stop by the Wanwen Bookhouse. I might find something new to read too," Qin Yu said with a smile.
Shenhe nodded slightly.
Arriving at the Wanwen Bookhouse in Liyue Harbor, Qin Yu pointed to the fiction section. "I'll look over there. Shenhe, check out the sections for whatever type you're interested in!"
"Understood."
"See you later, then. Come find me directly if you need anything!" Qin Yu glanced around; the Wanwen Bookhouse wasn't too crowded at the moment, which should prevent Shenhe from feeling uncomfortable.
But what if more people arrive later? It's best to find something quickly.
Am I being too overprotective? Qin Yu muttered, sneaking a peek at Shenhe's retreating figure. With a soft sigh, she decided to focus on picking out the books she wanted to read first.
Any spicy novels? Qin Yu grabbed a book at random.
Fingersmith? Hmm... Oh!?
Flipping through the pages, Qin Yu's eyes lit up with delighted surprise. As she caught the subtle erotic undertones woven through the text, her excitement gradually grew.
After reading for a while, Qin Yu closed the book, her cheeks flushed.
"You're the one."
She rubbed her face to calm herself down, then couldn't help but wonder what book Shenhe was currently reading.
I'll go find out.
Meanwhile, Shenhe was browsing a bestseller titled Step-by-Step Guide to Building Intimacy with Your Girlfriend!
This was the latest work by the author famous for his "99% fluff, 1% useful advice, yet somehow never starved to death" writing style.
Shenhe had initially avoided this author's books, simply because they were overwhelmingly bloated with fluff.
It was said that most readers picked up this book to see how many ways the author could pad the word count, but Shenhe wasn't one of those readers.
To pass the time, she had better options.
But the words "girlfriend" and "strengthening relationships" caught her eye.
Does "girlfriend" refer to a female friend...? Qin Yu had said that kissing was an act of expressing affection, and expressing affection would draw people closer. So perhaps this book contained explanations about kissing.
Clinging to this faint hope, Shenhe continued reading.
She skipped over passages that were clearly nonsense, focusing on searching for valuable information.
According to research by professional scholars in Sumeru, physical contact with someone you like can stimulate the release of chemicals that induce feelings of happiness, such as hugs, holding hands, and especially kissing. Therefore, one could say that lips are a window to the soul, a means of expressing love! They convey how important someone is to you, deepening and solidifying your special relationship, taking it a step further.
Conveying how important someone is to you, deepening and solidifying your special relationship, taking it a step further... As Shenhe read these words, she couldn't help but recall the feelings she had experienced the night before.
Her intuition had proven correct. This gesture carried a deeper meaning than a mere kiss on the cheek.
Just as the book had described, it created a sense of intimacy and closeness, filling her with warmth and happiness.
Shenhe finally understood the significance of this act.
It was an expression.
"An expression..." Shenhe murmured. She had always openly expressed her feelings to Qin Yu, and their relationship had blossomed into what it was today because of it.
Expression worked—this was her lived experience.
Could it deepen our connection even further? Shenhe closed her eyes, pondering quietly.
Any possibility of deepening their bond was something she couldn't ignore, even now that they were family and living together.
This pure longing drove her to relentlessly pursue an even deeper, more genuine connection.
But... did Qin Yu not feel the same? Despite knowing this act could deepen their bond, she had stopped midway, hesitating to continue.
A long-dormant flicker of unease stirred in Shenhe's chest.
Why? Does she not want to take our relationship further?
"...No, that's not right... I shouldn't think like that. Perhaps she has other concerns. Besides, we have a lifetime ahead of us. To walk with her to the end of our days—I should be content with that."
Master and the others always said that even Adepti must experience joy, sorrow, separation, and reunion—no one is spared. Precisely for that reason, we must cherish those around us and not let fleeting impulses cloud our judgment.
Shenhe felt her composure returning.
Qin Yu's reasons for stopping don't matter for now. What matters is how I choose to act. After a moment's reflection, Shenhe made her decision.
If expressing myself in this way will deepen our bond, make us more inseparable, and make each other more important, then I will do it.
Besides...
"I seem to really enjoy doing that... it feels like," Shenhe murmured, her words trailing off as she realized her own feelings. A sweet, melting sensation and warmth bloomed in her heart.
I hope Qin Yu will accept this.
Shenhe closed the book and returned it to its shelf. The books no longer held any interest for her; she only wanted to find Qin Yu.
Before she had taken more than a few steps, she ran right into Qin Yu, who was looking for her.
"Ah, Shenhe, you... didn't find the book you wanted?" Qin Yu asked, noticing Shenhe's empty hands.
"No, my purpose here is already fulfilled."
Qin Yu looked puzzled. "Shenhe, were you trying to look something up?"
"Yes, I found it."
"Oh, that's great! I've chosen my book too. Let's go pay," Qin Yu said, naturally taking Shenhe's hand and leading her toward the counter.
Evaluation: B-
Shenhe gripped Qin Yu's hand tightly, her curiosity piqued. "What book did you buy?"
"A... a novel..." Qin Yu's eyes darted nervously.
"Can I read it?"
No, no, no, no! How could I let you read this?! Some of the content is... quite inappropriate for Shenhe. Absolutely not! Qin Yu thought frantically, but replied:
"This book isn't really suitable for Shenhe to read!"
"Why not?"
Qin Yu chuckled dryly. "It's... pretty scary."
"Is that so?"
"Yes," Qin Yu said earnestly.
"But with you here, I wouldn't be afraid of anything. I think I can handle it," Shenhe insisted.
Evaluation: B+
Qin Yu brushed a stray strand of hair with her fingertip, muttering softly, "Whoa, she actually said that."
"Is that... not okay?"
"Well... I-I get it. Since you're so set on it."
There was no arguing with that.
Qin Yu sighed helplessly. After settling the bill, she and Shenhe strolled through the city for a while before returning to the house before noon. They spent a rather uneventful afternoon, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.
Tonight, they would be sharing a bed again.
But Qin Yu had a request.
"Let's go to Shenhe's room tonight?"
She wanted to see what Shenhe's room was like.
Qin Yu had only been in Shenhe's room once, right after she moved in. Back then, Shenhe hadn't brought her belongings yet, so she had no idea what it was like now.
Shenhe naturally agreed.
Entering Shenhe's room, Qin Yu surveyed the space with keen interest.
"Oh—"
So this is how it is.
"Shenhe, you could buy some decorations to make the place feel more homey," Qin Yu said with a helpless sigh.
Shenhe's room was strikingly spartan, furnished with only the bare necessities.
The only thing that brought Qin Yu any comfort was the black cat plushie placed on the bedside table.
Shenhe shook her head. "There's no need."
"But won't it feel too plain? This... is your home now. Spending a little effort on decorating would make it more comfortable, right?" Qin Yu said, her cheeks flushed as she clasped her hands behind her back.
Evaluation: A
"My home..." Shenhe murmured.
"Mm-hmm."
As long as Shenhe wanted to stay, she was welcome to live here indefinitely.
Qin Yu lifted her heels slightly, lost in casual thought, when Shenhe spoke:
"Alright, I'll decorate more in the future. I hope you can give me some suggestions then... I'm not very good at decorating."
"Mm-hmm. I'll go grab the pillow," Qin Yu said with a smile.
After fetching the pillow and book, Qin Yu lay down on the bed.
Liyue Strange Tales. Shenhe recognized the title—it was the book Qin Yu had been reading yesterday, not one she'd bought today.
"Aren't you going to read your new book?" Shenhe asked from beside her.
"L-Later," Qin Yu stammered, covering the lower half of her face with the book, her eyes flickering nervously. "It's better to finish one at a time! Ah, if you want to borrow it, you'll have to wait until I'm done. Is that okay?"
Shenhe, indifferent to the matter, simply replied, "Alright."
Qin Yu exhaled in relief.
Although letting Shenhe read the book was inevitable, she'd delay it as long as possible!
After reading for a while, drowsiness began to creep in.
It's probably time for bed, Qin Yu thought just as she sensed Shenhe's gaze.
"Shenhe? Is something wrong?" Qin Yu asked, wondering why Shenhe was staring so intently.
Shenhe hesitated for a moment, then resolved to carry out what she had decided earlier.
To make things easier, she simply sat directly on Qin Yu, took the book from her hands under Qin Yu's bewildered gaze, and set it aside.
"Shenhe?"
W-What's going on...?
Qin Yu suddenly felt nervous and uneasy.
Shenhe leaned down, grasped her hand, and silenced her words.
Evaluation: S-
The cool, fragrant softness made Qin Yu's eyes widen.
Shenhe is... with me? Why?
Qin Yu had never imagined Shenhe would do something like this. Her mind erupted into a chaotic storm of thoughts, which were then effortlessly swept away, sinking into the warm, rippling depths. In this clumsy yet pure expression, Qin Yu faintly glimpsed Shenhe's true feelings.
Pure and direct.
Qin Yu closed her eyes.
Evaluation: S+
A heavy sincerity poured forth ceaselessly. Qin Yu found herself breathless under its weight, as if the muddy negativity within her mind were being squeezed out. Yet there was no outlet for this pressure, leaving her consciousness to sink deeper and deeper into the abyss.
Evaluation: SS-
Evaluation: SS
Evaluation: SS+
Evaluation: SSS-
How long had passed? When Shenhe finally regained her senses, Qin Yu had already lost consciousness and fainted, though she was unharmed.
I couldn't control myself... It's been so long since that happened, Shenhe thought, a pang of guilt rising in her heart. Yet it was quickly overshadowed by an unprecedented warmth that flooded her entire being.
Shenhe gently stroked Qin Yu's face for a moment, then turned off the light, placed the book on the bedside table, and lay down beside her.
"Good night."
The next morning.
Qin Yu woke up in Shenhe's arms, her consciousness hazy. "Mmm... Morning already?"
"Yes. We have work today."
"Don't say such energy-draining things so early in the morning," Qin Yu grumbled, instinctively inhaling Shenhe's scent before groggily sitting up.
She yawned, her mind clearing slightly.
Qin Yu had a nagging feeling that something had happened last night.
She had no memory of falling asleep, which left her puzzled. But when she saw the book on her nightstand, the sensations and memories of the previous night flooded back.
"........This has to be a joke, right?"
I actually... with Shenhe...?
But it seemed they hadn't crossed the final line. That's great—no, wait, how is that great?! While kissing Shenhe was wonderful, she seemed to have passed out... Passed out?! Ha?
Qin Yu's mind was in complete disarray.
Shenhe asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
"Sh-Shenhe, last night you..."
"Yes, I kissed you. But you suddenly passed out. I must not have done it well enough. My apologies," Shenhe said.
Evaluation: D
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson, hot enough to bleed.
"You... I... Why...?"
Though her muttered words were fragmented and incoherent, Shenhe understood her thoughts. She had never seen Qin Yu so uncharacteristically flustered.
Does she hate me now? Shenhe fell silent, a pang tightening in her chest. After a moment, she asked softly, "Do you... hate me?"
"That's not the issue."
"You don't hate it?"
Qin Yu turned her face away. "Yes... I don't hate it, that's right."
Ah, enough already!
Throwing caution to the wind, Qin Yu abandoned all thought and shoved Shenhe down onto the bed.
"At least!"
Looking away, Qin Yu said, "Ask me what I think first... okay? Don't be so sudden."
Evaluation: C-
Ugh, so annoying. Just go away.
Hearing Qin Yu's words, Shenhe felt relieved. She had been worried she had upset Qin Yu.
She replied softly, "I understand."
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm."
"...Then that's good." Qin Yu's expression softened.
Yet Qin Yu's mind remained unsettled. She couldn't believe she had fainted last night—how embarrassing and mortifying!
Growing increasingly annoyed, she decided to "retaliate" by lightly biting Shenhe's neck.
Evaluation: C+
The two women locked eyes for a moment, then fell silent.
"Let's get up. We have work today," Qin Yu managed to say, forcing herself to speak.
"I'll make breakfast."
"Ah... um..."
Qin Yu reluctantly pulled away from Shenhe.
Last night's events seemed to have indeed changed something, blurring the lines between "friend" and "family." Just as she had said before, "what was once normal" had changed.
Whether this change would become the new "normal"... Qin Yu couldn't yet say.