Beware of Liyue Women (Genshin Impact)

Although Shenhe's unexpected kiss on her cheek the previous day had left Qin Yu flustered, she was determined to follow through with their plans to meet today.

Before Qin Yu could even leave the city, she encountered Shenhe at the city gates.

"Shenhe? I was just about to look for you! You're here already. Good morning~" Qin Yu greeted her, forcing herself to remain calm and smile.

"Good morning. I wanted to see you, so I came."

Shenhe's words shattered Qin Yu's carefully maintained composure in an instant.

Evaluation: D

Don't say things like that in public, especially so early in the morning!

Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it makes me uncomfortable... No, wait, now it sounds like I'm reading too much into it. I don't care, but please just stop.

"Ahaha... Th-that's perfect! Want to hang out?" Qin Yu hastily changed the subject.

Shenhe nodded slightly. "Okay."

This woman is completely oblivious to what she just said. Well, getting upset won't accomplish anything. Whew... calm down. Qin Yu took a deep breath.

"Should we stay in the city or go outside?"

"Whatever you prefer."

Why does it have to be me? This is so annoying. But going outside sounds tiring, and I'm not in the mood for that today... An idea struck Qin Yu.

"Then let's stay in the city!"

"I have no objections."

Even if I did, you wouldn't listen anyway.

The morning crowd was thick. Qin Yu suddenly remembered Shenhe's aversion to crowded places, and how her presence helped her feel calm, counteracting the stress of being surrounded by people.

Hesitating for a moment, Qin Yu quietly took Shenhe's hand.

Shenhe seemed slightly surprised, her gaze fixed intently on Qin Yu.

Knowing Qin Yu meant well, Shenhe murmured softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Qin Yu replied with a smile, averting her gaze. "After all, we're good friends."

And maybe I still feel a little guilty about Shenhe, Qin Yu thought. Of course, there was no need to voice it. If Shenhe knew, she would surely dismiss it as trivial. That would only make Qin Yu feel worse, so she kept it to herself.

Evaluation: C-

"Friends..." Shenhe suddenly brought up the topic. "Until now, I hadn't fully understood the meaning of 'good friends.' But now, I think I'm beginning to grasp a little of it."

This piqued Qin Yu's interest.

"Oh? You have thoughts on this?" Qin Yu couldn't help but ask. "Really? That's wonderful! Would you mind sharing them with me? I'm genuinely curious to hear your perspective."

Shenhe naturally agreed, nodding.

"Someone you can walk through the world hand in hand with, someone who cares for you, someone you long to see... These were concepts I could never have comprehended before. It's all thanks to you that I've come to understand them."

"Even though I have less and less time for cultivation, my strength hasn't diminished; in fact, it's grown stronger. I think that's thanks to you. Thank you." Shenhe's gaze was softer than Qin Yu had ever seen, and she was certain it wasn't her imagination.

Evaluation: C+

Yet this warmth only pricked Qin Yu's heart, a mix of joy and guilt churning within her.

Don't thank me... isn't this how it should be? Why thank a woman like me...? Qin Yu took a deep breath, banishing the negative thoughts that threatened to surface.

Forcing a smile, she replied, "I've gained precious memories with you too, Shenhe. There's no need for thanks."

"Is that so."

At that moment, a mother and daughter passed by. Shenhe glanced at them and suddenly remembered something she still needed to do.

Yesterday, Qin Yu had mentioned taking a vacation this month. While she couldn't always be by Shenhe's side, Shenhe believed it would be possible to introduce Qin Yu to her Master.

"Qin Yu," she asked, "do you have any free time two days from now?"

Why is she asking that? Qin Yu wondered.

But it wasn't something she needed to hide. Two days from now... hmm, she had no plans.

Truth be told, Qin Yu had no particular plans for the next few days.

Tomorrow, she intended to visit Yanfei to fulfill the promise she'd made the previous day.

It would be her first time touching the horn of a half-adeptus! Qin Yu was eagerly anticipating the experience, wondering what Yanfei's horn would feel like... No, stop daydreaming, she scolded herself.

"No, I don't. Why do you ask?" Qin Yu replied with a faint smile.

"I'd like to take you to meet my Master."

Qin Yu's smile froze.

Huh?!

Shenhe's Master was none other than the legendary Adeptus, who, according to Shenhe, also acted as her guardian.

In other words, Shenhe was inviting her to meet her parent.

If it was an Adeptus, they might see through her act. What if Shenhe's Master ended up disliking her?

While Qin Yu was genuinely curious about what an Adeptus was like—this was a rare opportunity—the prospect of meeting Shenhe's guardian made her hesitant.

Hesitantly, Qin Yu asked, "Do I have to go?"

"Not necessarily," Shenhe replied. "I just want to. But... if you'd rather not, I won't force you."

Why was Shenhe throwing the decision back to her?

Qin Yu didn't want to go.

But if Shenhe asked her to go, she would agree. Yesterday, she had resolved to obey Shenhe's every word for the entire day, and this counted as part of that promise.

If you want me to go, just ask me.

"Then, Shenhe, why don't you just ask me to come with you?"

"I don't want to force you."

Then I won't go.

But wouldn't Shenhe be at least a little disappointed? To maintain their "good friends" facade, it might be better to go... yet Qin Yu couldn't bring herself to say, "I want to go."

She would only go if Shenhe explicitly asked her to.

So just ask me.

Qin Yu smiled faintly. "If Shenhe wants me to come with you, I'll agree. But if you don't ask, who knows what I'll do? Or were you just saying that casually?"

"That's not it... Asking..."

Shenhe didn't want to pressure Qin Yu into doing anything, but Qin Yu didn't seem particularly opposed to the idea.

She simply had an incomprehensible stubbornness about whether Shenhe asked her or not.

Shenhe still didn't fully grasp the meaning behind Qin Yu's words, but after a brief hesitation, she nodded.

"Come back with me," she said. Her master was an integral part of her life, and Shenhe wanted Qin Yu to meet her.

"Okay, I understand," Qin Yu replied with a relieved smile.

Well, if she's insisting, there's no way I can refuse.

But since Shenhe's master was an Adeptus, her residence would likely be quite remote. Where exactly is it? Depending on the location, we might even have to spend the night outdoors.

Qin Yu felt a twinge of unease. "By the way, Shenhe, where does your master live now?"

"On Mt. Aocang, above Jueyun Karst."

That's so far! Although there was a main road leading to Jueyun Karst, being on the mountain meant they'd have to hike. It would definitely take a lot of time and effort.

This is going to be exhausting, Qin Yu thought. And I'll be alone with Shenhe in the wilderness for so long. What if we have to camp overnight?

The more she thought about it, the more troublesome it seemed.

Still, she had already agreed. Now, all she could do was prepare herself.