Ganyu's cheeks flushed faintly as she spoke in a soft, embarrassed voice.
"Grand Sage… I really didn't mean for things to turn out like this. But just as you said, we can't let the act slip. We've already gone this far—backing out halfway would only make things suspicious."
After all, Idris was currently acting as her boyfriend.
To make the act convincing, she had no choice but to bring him into her room.
It was a little ambiguous—but there truly hadn't been another option.
Her voice carried a hint of apology. She knew this might put Idris in an awkward position, yet she emphasized that everything was done purely to convince her master, so she could finally avoid being pestered about this topic in the future.
Idris, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed.
He smiled faintly, signaling that it really didn't matter to him.
Seeing this, Ganyu felt a little more at ease, deeply grateful for his understanding and cooperation. Idris only added that as long as he could obtain the Guizhong Ballista blueprints, nothing else was a problem.
Ganyu immediately assured him that the blueprints would not be an issue.
She would do everything she could.
She also added that tomorrow, she would try to escort him down the mountain as early as possible—so he wouldn't be discovered lingering here for too long.
There was genuine apology in her voice. She didn't want Idris to remain stuck in an uncomfortable situation because of her.
Idris waved it off, saying it wasn't a big deal.
Soon after, he mentioned that if there was nothing urgent left to handle, he planned to rest. His tone carried a hint of fatigue—clearly, keeping up this "boyfriend" role wasn't effortless.
However, Ganyu hurriedly explained that in order to properly fool her master, Idris would need to stay in the same room tonight.
She hoped he could understand and cooperate, so the act wouldn't fall apart.
There was a trace of pleading in her voice.
Idris fell silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing through his eyes.
Then he gave a small nod.
"I understand."
Ganyu felt both grateful—and inexplicably nervous.
She trusted Idris. She believed the Grand Sage would respect boundaries.
"Thank you, Idris," she said softly.
"I'll make sure everything stays under control. I won't let you feel uncomfortable."
Night deepened.
Only a dim lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm yet subtly ambiguous glow.
Ganyu sat on the edge of the bed, fingers unconsciously rubbing the blanket, visibly uneasy. Idris sat on a chair nearby, calm as ever, though fatigue lingered in his eyes.
She stole a glance at him.
Seeing no sign of displeasure, she finally relaxed a little.
"…Grand Sage," she said hesitantly,
"Why don't you sit on the bed instead?"
Idris smiled and gently shook his head.
"I'm fine here. You really trust me that much?"
His voice was low and warm.
Ganyu suddenly felt she might have judged him unfairly.
Though Idris's reputation wasn't entirely spotless, after her master's hints and today's interactions, she realized he was far more considerate than she'd imagined.
And genuinely trustworthy.
Then—
a dangerous thought surfaced.
She stood up and looked at him again.
"Grand Sage, you're a guest. I already troubled you enough today. How could I let you sit on a chair all night? Please—rest on the bed."
Idris opened his eyes, met her sincere gaze, and stood up.
"…Alright."
He sat down on the edge of the bed.
Their distance was barely a foot.
Ganyu's heartbeat instantly sped up. She tried hard to suppress her nerves, turning slightly away, fingers twisting the bedsheet's edge—trembling ever so slightly.
Idris noticed.
He chuckled softly, breaking the tension.
"Don't worry. I'll keep my distance."
Hearing this, Ganyu looked up—and the impulse in her heart only grew stronger.
She knew this wasn't proper.
But another voice inside urged her forward.
Opportunities like this didn't come twice.
Her master had even explicitly told her to hurry things along.
After everything that happened today, she had already fully accepted Idris.
A Grand Sage this capable, this intelligent—
where would she ever find another?
Taking a deep breath, she gathered all her courage.
Slowly, she reached out… and gently placed her hand on the back of his.
Idris didn't react outwardly.
He simply—and calmly—pulled his hand back.
This absolutely wouldn't do.
They barely had any emotional foundation, and more importantly—
he still needed Cloud Retainer's Guizhong Ballista.
If he messed things up now, it would all be wasted.
Ganyu froze.
She hadn't expected rejection.
She had already gone this far—this was the first time in her life she had主动 shown affection to a man.
And yet…
He refused her.
Didn't even look at her.
Was this really something a man should do?
Idris, of course, had no idea what storm was raging in her heart.
Real or fake—nothing could stop him from advancing technology and conquering this world.
Women, after all, only slowed the speed of drawing one's blade.
Ganyu felt a wave of grievance surge up.
She was a girl.
She had already taken the initiative.
Did that mean she really wasn't good enough?
Memories of years spent alone flooded her mind.
Doubt followed.
Was there something wrong with me?
Her master's earlier words echoed painfully.
At last, tears welled in her eyes.
She stared at her toes, feeling more and more wronged by the second.
Idris immediately noticed.
"…Don't overthink it," he said gently.
"We've known each other for too little time. You don't truly understand me yet."
"Leave it to time. If you still feel this way later, then we'll talk again. Alright?"
"…Really?"
Ganyu looked up.
Human hearts were strange things.
The harder something was to obtain, the more one desired it.
And once obtained, it often felt… ordinary.
Rain tapped softly outside, as if murmuring unspoken reluctance.
Ganyu pressed her lips together, her emotions gradually settling.
Idris let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Heroes really do fall to beauty…
Good thing I'm not a hero.
He crossed his legs and began cultivating, saying nothing more.
Seeing this, Ganyu's sorrow instantly turned into amusement. She let out a soft laugh—and followed suit, sitting cross-legged on the bed to cultivate beside him.
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