"Phew… That's a relief!"
Hearing Ganyu say Hu Tao was fine finally eased the tension in Lu Lin's heart. Seeing blood at the corner of Hu Tao's lips earlier had truly frightened him.
"Hu Tao is fine for now. Now tell me about you. How did you enter the domain? And where exactly is this? What just happened?"
Ganyu had regained her composure and looked at him steadily.
"I went to Yuehai Pavilion this morning to find you. They said you came to Guili Plains, so I followed. On the way I met Hu Tao and Xingqiu…" Lu Lin briefly explained everything.
"As for this place… hmm… this is basically my Serenitea Pot."
"Serenitea Pot? Designed by A-Ping? No… that's not right. I don't sense any adeptal energy here."
"This one wasn't made by Liyue's adepti," Lu Lin improvised a story and explained its basic functions.
"So at the last moment, you activated the mark and brought the three of us here?"
"Exactly."
Ganyu nodded. There were many details that didn't quite add up—like why Hu Tao was on the bed, or why she herself had appeared in his arms.
But considerate as always, she didn't press further. Everyone has secrets.
Yes. That's definitely the reason. Not because she was too embarrassed to bring up being princess-carried and having her calf pinched.
"Come upstairs. I'll show you something."
Without waiting, Lu Lin took her soft hand and led her upstairs.
She blinked.
Holding hands again?
She felt the warmth in his palm… and didn't pull away.
The Room Upstairs
The second floor was simple—just a newly bought bed with fresh bedding.
The red quilt was embroidered with a pair of rose fan-tailed pigeons.
In Fontaine, rose fan-tailed pigeons symbolize love.
Ganyu, long-lived and knowledgeable, understood the meaning immediately.
She looked at him in confusion.
There's only one bed up here… and that embroidery…
What are you planning?
"This house was just built. I haven't added furniture yet. But how's the balcony view?"
Outside stretched mountains to the west and a vast lake to the east. Lu Lin had placed the house near the water—a perfect lakeside view.
From the balcony, the scenery was breathtaking.
Ganyu loved nature.
Her eyes lit up.
"It's beautiful. I really like it!"
She opened her arms as if embracing the lake.
"If you like it… how about I give this room to you?"
She froze.
"Give it… to me?"
"My Serenitea Pot allows authorized people to freely enter and exit. You often fall asleep at noon without finding a safe place. If this room is yours, you can come here anytime you want to rest."
"You can decorate it however you like. Treat it as your second home. What do you think?"
Second home…
The word struck her deeply.
For three thousand years she had guarded Liyue, burying herself in endless work. "Home" had become distant.
But hearing him say it awakened something inside her.
She slowly sat on the bed, removed her shoes, and slipped under the quilt.
The red bedding covered her graceful form. She buried her face into it, leaving only her qilin horns visible.
The quilt smelled faintly of incense.
But the warmth she felt wasn't from the bedding.
It was the warmth from his embrace.
"Lu Lin… I really like this room. Thank you."
Her voice came muffled from beneath the quilt.
That was acceptance.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully inviting Ganyu to reside in the Serenitea Pot!]
Reward: 1,000,000 Mora, 200 points, 200 EXP, Random Host Trait: Spiritual Insight]
[Spiritual Insight]: Significantly increases the host's comprehension and learning ability.
Mission complete.
Lu Lin smiled.
He gently lifted a corner of the quilt.
"Give me your hand."
He activated the mark on his palm and held her hand.
A warm current flowed into her.
A golden teapot-shaped mark appeared briefly on her palm before fading.
Now she could freely enter and exit the Serenitea Pot.
At the same time, Lu Lin checked his status panel.
[Host: Lu Lin]
[System Level: 1 (200/1000)]
[Host Traits: Critical Moment, Spiritual Insight]
[Elemental Attribute: Cryo]
[Points: 200]
Just as expected.
By granting Ganyu residency, he inherited her elemental attribute.
He could now wield Cryo power—without a Vision.
His strength had leapt forward.
Ganyu didn't know about his change. From the moment she agreed to move in, her heart had shifted.
She wanted to hold onto this warmth.
So she extended her arms toward him, slightly coquettish.
Understanding her intent, Lu Lin leaned closer so she could wrap her arms around his neck and sit up.
He returned a gentle hug.
Then he crouched down and held her delicate feet.
"Ah—!"
She trembled lightly and let out a soft cry.