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A bang echoed through the hallway as Eula slammed the door shut with all her strength.
The violent crash sent a burst of air rippling outward in a shockwave.
Caught completely off guard, Yanfei instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, unable to withstand the sudden blast of force.
When she reopened them, her face was filled with confusion and bafflement as she murmured to herself, "What's going on with Eula? Why did she suddenly get so angry?"
Standing to the side, Shao Yun of course knew the true reason.
But how could he possibly tell the truth—that he had killed those "deranged" relatives of Eula's?
Saying that would only make everything infinitely worse.
So, Shao Yun's eyes rolled subtly, and he quickly put on an expression of thoughtful contemplation before speaking slowly: "Hmm… well… could it be possible that this whole thing… is because of me?"
Yanfei was immediately drawn in by the explanation, her eyes sweeping over Shao Yun curiously as she questioned: "You? Why would it be because of you?"
Seeing the attention shift away from the dangerous truth, Shao Yun silently breathed a sigh of relief.
He nodded earnestly, then began elaborating on the "reasonable" excuse he had just fabricated.
"Well, think about it. For a girl, if her hair is all messy, her face is unwashed, and she hasn't even changed out of her pajamas before someone suddenly sees her… don't you think she'd feel embarrassed?"
He paused deliberately, observing Yanfei's reaction.
Seeing that she was genuinely listening and thinking it over, he continued his argument immediately.
"If the person who saw her is another girl—especially a close friend—she wouldn't mind too much. It's easy to be relaxed."
"But if she appears like that in front of a man… someone like me… I don't think I need to spell out the rest, do I?"
He gave Yanfei a meaningful smile.
Yanfei finally understood, nodding with a mixture of amusement and sympathy.
"Ohhh, so that's how it is. I get it now. If I were meeting a client in pajamas with bed hair, I might also react like Eula."
But even though she understood the logic, she still muttered to herself in puzzlement:
"Still… sleeping until noon? That doesn't sound like her at all. She's not the type to oversleep…"
Before long, the tightly shut door slowly opened again.
Eula stepped out—this time fully awake—and now dressed in her usual "Wavecrest Waltz" outfit.
Her earlier sleepy laziness had disappeared entirely, replaced by radiance and sharp clarity.
Her elegant features carried a warm, polite smile, as though the awkward scene moments ago had never happened.
She gestured invitingly and said, "Welcome, welcome. Please, come in."
Watching Eula's forced smile, Shao Yun was just about to refuse.
But Yanfei beat him to it.
"Oh, don't be so formal! Come on, Shao Yun, let's go in together."
Before he could protest, she pulled the hesitant Shao Yun into Eula's apartment.
Eula said nothing—after all, inviting only Yanfei while shutting Shao Yun out would look extremely suspicious.
…
Eula's Fontaine apartment, though small, was fully equipped—compact but complete.
One bedroom, one living area—not spacious, but more than enough for a single resident.
She led Yanfei and Shao Yun into the living room.
With warm hospitality, she invited them to sit, then brought out three teacups and a pot of freshly brewed, steaming red tea.
"Please, make yourselves at home," she said gently.
Yanfei responded just as politely:
"Thank you, thank you! Sorry to trouble you!"
The three took their seats.
More precisely—Yanfei and Eula sat very close together, almost touching, like intimate friends.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun sat alone on the opposite side, like a completely invisible person.
After some small talk, Yanfei eventually asked:
"By the way, Eula, I heard you left the Knights of Favonius. What happened?"
At that question, Eula instinctively cast a sideways glance at the silent Shao Yun.
Her expression tightened—only for a moment—before she composed herself again.
She thought for a few seconds, then began crafting her excuse.
"Oh, that… Well, I just wanted to try a new environment. You know? Like the Liyue saying: 'Traveling ten thousand miles teaches more than reading ten thousand books.'"
"So, I thought it was time for me to go out and see the world, gain some experience."
"And with my skills, I won't exactly starve anywhere…"
Yanfei understood the implication and sighed softly.
"I see. Going out while young can be good. It's just so sudden…"
Seeing Yanfei about to ask more questions, Eula felt panic rise in her chest.
If this continued, she wouldn't be able to spin a convincing story.
So, she quickly redirected the conversation.
"Ahem—let's not dwell on that! Let's talk about business instead!"
She pulled out a notice and handed it to Yanfei.
"I actually invited you here because I need your help. Here, take a look."
Yanfei skimmed the document.
Her eyes widened.
"A law examination notice from the Gardes?"
Eula nodded, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
"Yes… to become an official member of the Gardes, you have to pass many tests. Physical and combat assessments don't worry me. But the law exam… sigh… it's killing me."
She brushed her blue hair back with mild frustration.
"For studying, you need a knowledgeable, experienced teacher. But since I just got to Fontaine, I don't know any of the legal consultants here."
"So, after thinking it over… I realized I could only trouble you…"
And fearing she might impose too much, she quickly added:
"Don't worry! I'll pay you in Mora! I won't let you help for free!"
Yanfei set her teacup down and reassured her with a smile.
"Oh, don't be so formal! Of course I can help—it's only tutoring. No big deal."
"We're friends, aren't we? Talking about money would make things too distant. And I can learn more about Fontaine law too."
Hearing this, Eula's beautiful face lit up with joy.
"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you!"
"No need to thank me…" Yanfei laughed lightly.
After chatting a bit more, Eula noticed the teapot was almost empty.
She gently shook it and said:
"Hold on, I'll brew some more tea."
But Yanfei immediately put down her own cup.
"Let me help you."
Eula shook her head, smiling sweetly.
"No need to trouble you… Shao Yun, could you lend me a hand instead?"
She turned toward the nearly invisible man.
Shao Yun had been sitting silently, trying his best not to attract Eula's attention.
But suddenly being called startled him.
He pointed at himself.
"Me? Are you sure?"
Eula remained completely calm as she nodded.
"Of course. Just need a hand, that's all. Why?"
He put down his empty teacup—the tea long finished, though he never mentioned it to avoid attention.
But since Eula had asked directly, he could only steel himself and agree.
"All right… what do you need me to do?"
Eula stood, beckoning gently.
"Don't worry. Just follow me first…"
…
Shao Yun followed behind her graceful figure, wondering what exactly she wanted.
But before he could figure it out—
Eula suddenly spun around, seized his wrist—
And before he could react, she pulled him into her bedroom.
Once inside, she swiftly shut and locked the door.
Then she pushed him back against the wall, trapping him with a kabedon.
However, because of the obvious height difference, the pose didn't look intimidating at all.
Instead of threatening, it looked almost like she was leaning on him affectionately.
Moments ago, she had worn a pleasant smile—but now her expression had transformed completely.
Her smile was gone without a trace.
Her eyes widened, trembling with fear.
She lowered her voice to a shaky whisper:
"You… what are you trying to do?"
Up close, her flawless face was inches from his.
The warm breath brushing his cheek made his heartbeat spike uncontrollably.
"What? You dragged me in here, pinned me to the wall, and pressed up against me—and you're asking what I want to do?! Did living in Fontaine fry your brain?!"
Shao Yun seriously suspected Fontaine's water had problems.
Why was Eula acting crazy too?
Perhaps because his voice rose too sharply, Eula panicked.
Terrified Yanfei outside might hear something and misunderstand, she hastily pressed a slender finger against her lips.
"Shh! Not so loud—do you want Yanfei to hear us?"
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