As morning sunlight streamed into the bedroom, Qin Yu awoke.
"So thirsty..." she mumbled, sitting up and grabbing the water glass from the bedside table, draining it in one gulp.
Just then, she noticed something.
"Huh?"
Where are my clothes?
Qin Yu looked around in confusion, finally spotting their scattered garments at the foot of the bed—both her own and Shenhe's.
Her expression froze as her sluggish brain finally began to catch up, jolting her memory of the previous night.
Breaths, body heat, voices, gazes... the honey-sweet sensations flooded her heart once more.
Qin Yu froze in place, her skin flushing crimson.
Did Shenhe and I... really? A dream... No way! Qin Yu knew this was no dream.
But that meant they had indeed crossed that line—and more than once.
"I actually passed out?" Qin Yu murmured in disbelief, the lingering memories leaving her utterly flustered. She buried her face in the pillow.
Still, it felt kind of good.
Wait, that's not the point! Shenhe was still insatiable back then, her desires so intense.
Was it because we undid the Red String? Did her feelings, freed from restraint, become completely uninhibited?
But that slightly bewildered yet yearning look in Shenhe's eyes... That was quite interesting...
"Yes, so interesting I even fainted," Qin Yu said with mixed feelings.
Evaluation: D
A glance.
Shenhe slowly opened her eyes and, noticing Qin Yu's gaze, turned her head slightly, offering a faint, gentle smile.
"Good morning," she murmured.
Qin Yu mumbled a response, "Morning. About last night..."
"Mm, it felt like my body and mind became one."
Evaluation: C-
Just as I thought. Qin Yu didn't know what to say.
"What should we do next? Please tell me."
Last night, Shenhe had asked her with such earnestness.
From that moment, Qin Yu realized that Shenhe had absolutely no understanding of the meaning behind their actions, or even that such a thing existed.
Her saying she wanted to "take things further" probably stemmed from a purely literal interpretation of the words.
It was only natural that she had seemed so confused and bewildered.
Qin Yu asked with concern, "Shenhe, how are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
"I'm fine. The fatigue from last night has already faded. How about you, Qin Yu? Are you alright?" Shenhe turned and asked softly.
Shenhe's concern warmed Qin Yu's heart.
"Exhausted," Qin Yu admitted candidly.
As she said this, she couldn't help but lightly punch Shenhe's shoulder.
It's all your fault.
"So you're making breakfast today," Qin Yu murmured.
Evaluation: C+
Shenhe replied softly, "Mm, I understand. And... I'm sorry."
"Hm? Why are you apologizing?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled.
Shenhe lowered her gaze. "I seem to have gone a bit overboard."
You know that yourself, huh? Qin Yu muttered inwardly, but she couldn't bear to see Shenhe looking so downcast.
"No, it's not like that. I... I actually thought it was quite nice," Qin Yu stammered, her face flushing as she took Shenhe's hand.
Evaluation: B
A warmth spread through Shenhe's chest. "Are you trying to comfort me? Thank you, but judging by the outcome, I clearly didn't do a very good job."
Qin Yu felt a pang of irritation. She had already said she thought it was quite nice—at least not unpleasant—yet Shenhe insisted on dwelling on the matter.
Without thinking, Qin Yu bit Shenhe's finger.
The sharp sting drew Shenhe's attention. "Qin Yu?"
"I said it was quite nice! These things depend on how the other person feels, right? If I thought it was fine, then it is fine," Qin Yu snapped, her voice laced with annoyance.
"Is that so?"
"Yes! Shenhe, how... how did you feel last night? You know, the feelings and stuff..." Qin Yu asked anxiously.
She was desperate to know Shenhe's thoughts about their night together.
Shenhe murmured softly, "I really enjoyed it. I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but it felt like I could sense you even more deeply. I want to keep doing this with you in the future."
Evaluation: A-
O-oh, right. There's always a second time after the first.
I feel the same way, actually. Is it because I'm getting used to it now?
But I have to control myself. I'm going to be living with Shenhe every day! Even if my body is no longer human, I can't just indulge recklessly!
"Control yourself a little," Qin Yu whispered.
"...After untying the Red String, my desire to feel your emotions became overwhelming. You're right, I need to control it. So, I think it might be best to keep wearing the Red String in the future."
Was Shenhe actually worried?
Qin Yu pursed her lips and asked, "Do you want to untie it, Shenhe?"
"I don't know. Once it's untied, I can't restrain my feelings. I made you lose consciousness... What if it happens again?" Shenhe trailed off, her voice filled with concern.
"...I don't think it's a bad thing. I said to control yourself a little, but I didn't mean you had to restrain yourself completely." Qin Yu moved closer as she spoke.
She wrapped her arms around Shenhe and continued, "When we're alone together, it's okay to untie it occasionally."
Evaluation: A+
"Really?"
Feeling Shenhe's comforting warmth, Qin Yu whispered, "I told you it's fine."
"I don't believe in any of that cursed destiny nonsense. Shenhe, you'll just make me... faint because you're inexperienced. Though I'm not exactly experienced myself, I'm sure we'll get much better once we get used to it."
Probably.
"It's the same with Shenhe untying the Red String. Once she gets used to it, it'll be much easier."
Besides, Qin Yu still wanted to see more of Shenhe's expressions.
Untie it occasionally? Shenhe pondered for a moment, then accepted. "Mm, thank you."
Qin Yu suddenly felt an itch in her heart.
"If you want to thank me, show me with actions."
"Actions?" Shenhe asked, confused.
Qin Yu, her face flushed crimson, finally blurted out, "Stroke my head... or something like that."
Evaluation: S
Shenhe reached out, gently stroking Qin Yu's hair and face. Qin Yu's wish was granted, and she closed her eyes, immersing herself in the lingering afterglow.
This is what I truly cherish—the quiet after the storm, these lingering moments.
"Shenhe..." Qin Yu pressed her face against Shenhe's, wanting her to experience this feeling too. The warmth of her lips melted Shenhe's composure, transforming it into a shimmering ripple in her eyes.
The lingering afterglow of their encounter made the sensations feel different. Shenhe found it both novel and profoundly comforting, closing her eyes to immerse herself in the moment.
Evaluation: SS-
Evaluation: SS+
Evaluation: SSS-
Afterward, Qin Yu thought for a moment and suggested they sleep in separate rooms tonight. If they remained in such a "heated state," who knew what might happen?
Shenhe agreed, thinking it was a good idea.
"I understand. Just tonight?"
Qin Yu exhaled in relief. "Yes, just tonight."
Whether she could sleep without Shenhe beside her... that was indeed a concern.
But it didn't matter.
She would definitely be able to sleep! Qin Yu was brimming with confidence.
As night fell...
".......I can't sleep."
Without the familiar scent, the familiar breathing, the familiar sounds around her, Qin Yu found herself utterly unable to drift off.
She couldn't resist burying her face in the sheets, only to belatedly remember they had been changed, leaving no trace of Shenhe's scent.
"Shenhe..." Qin Yu murmured, her voice hollow, as if her soul had been lost.
Is Shenhe asleep by now?
"...I'll just go check."
Just a quick look.
Qin Yu frantically searched for excuses in her mind, completely forgetting she possessed a powerful weapon like the Anesthetic Pistol. Once she had made up her mind, she cautiously slipped out of her room.
Before she knew it, she found herself standing before Shenhe's bedroom door.
After a moment's hesitation, Qin Yu gripped the doorknob.