Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino

"Knock, knock..."

"Come in," a calm female voice said from inside the room.

Hearing the familiar voice, Lu Li opened the door and entered. The first thing he saw was the elegant, silver-haired beauty standing by the window with her back to him, her hand holding a wine glass. She turned as he entered.

He bowed respectfully and approached the desk. "Lord 'Father,' you've returned... are there any important matters you need to attend to?"

"Mm, I just got back today and heard about your work over the past few days," she said, sitting down and gesturing for him to do the same. "Well done. It seems your connections have been quite useful. I underestimated you."

"It was only because everyone was kind-hearted and had a common goal that this was possible. However, we didn't gain much benefit from it. It was my poor management."

"It doesn't matter," she said coolly. "As long as the two people at the top know. They have incurred this debt, and they will repay it when the time comes."

Lu Li paused, then realized she was talking about Furina and Neuvillette... He thought for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, Lord 'Father,' because the Hôtel Bouffes d'été contributed greatly this time, on one chance occasion, Lady Furina granted me an audience and promised to grant one of my wishes to repay this favor..."

"Oh? Is that so?" Arlecchino raised an eyebrow. "So, she can grant any wish?"

"It's probably not that exaggerated. After all, she is a deity. She should still have some principles and bottom lines," Lu Li said quickly, sensing her thoughts.

"Of course. But you should be able to do some basic investigation, right? I never thought that among the children of the House of the Hearth, there would be someone who could get so close to her, and it would be you..." she said, coming over to him and cupping his cheek. "This is very good news."

Feeling the coldness of her fingertips, Lu Li pursed his lips and nodded. "Mm... do you want me to try to gain her trust?"

"Yes. And secondly, investigate," she said, leaning in and whispering in his ear, "where the Hydro Gnosis is."

His ear tickled, but he didn't dare move. It had been a while since she had left for Snezhnaya. Being this close to her again, the familiar tremor ran through him. Faced with her request, he couldn't refuse. The Fatui's main goal was to collect the seven Gnoses. He didn't know what they were for, but as a member, he couldn't disobey.

"I understand. I will find a way. But, to obtain the Gnosis by theft... Lord 'Father,' is that really possible..."

"The Gnosis is an important bargaining chip. It naturally cannot be obtained by force," she said coolly. "I just want to clarify two things. First, where is the Gnosis? And second, why does this Furina, in my opinion, not have any of the power or aura of a god?"

"I understand. I will investigate thoroughly!" Lu Li said solemnly, his heart pounding. In truth, he already knew the answers to both questions. But he couldn't tell her now. If he did, a certain deity's five-hundred-year-long plan would be for naught, and Fontaine would inevitably meet its prophesied end. So, he would keep it a secret.

Seeing his sincere acceptance, Arlecchino's beautiful eyes stared at him. She then gently pinched his chin, forcing him to look up. "Speaking of which, we haven't seen each other for about a week. Without your service, I've had some trouble sleeping."

"You've done beautifully this time. You haven't failed my trust or disappointed my expectations. In fact, in you, I've seen another possibility," she said softly. "I am very pleased, Lu Li. And as you know, rewards and punishments are my principle. You deserve a reward. Tell me, what do you want?"

Looking up at her face, Lu Li was silent for a moment, then asked, "Can it be anything?"

"Mm, anything." A small smile played on her lips.

His eyes lit up. "Then, Lord 'Father,' can you teach me a new technique for controlling Pyro? I feel like my strength has hit a bottleneck..."

She was silent for a moment. "It hasn't been long since you mastered your own power and obtained the Delusion. You shouldn't be so eager to break through. You should be consolidating your foundation."

She felt a strange emotion. She had thought he would ask for her... reward, and she could then relieve the frustration and loneliness from her trip. But instead, he asked about getting stronger... It wasn't that she didn't understand, but because her expectation was not met, she was disappointed. Just a little. But she wouldn't allow this frustration to affect her. In that case, the instigator should be punished.

Lu Li, having been rejected, was confused. But the next moment, seeing the coldness in her eyes, he knew he had said the wrong thing. Huh? Why is wanting to improve not allowed?!

He was about to make his escape, but Arlecchino wouldn't let him. She pressed her hand on his shoulder, her immense power pinning him in place. "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I haven't even finished talking."

"Uh, I was just... going to get you a cup of coffee... you've had a long journey..."

"Oh? You want me to drink coffee at night? You don't want me to rest?"

Lu Li was at a loss. But... every time I see you, it's at night, and you're either drinking wine or coffee. I've almost never seen you rest at night...

He shook his head in fear, but then saw her sit down next to him. "Speaking of which, my trip to Snezhnaya and back was very long. My feet are a bit sore. Just like before, Lu Li, help me relieve it."

"...Yes..."

Knowing he couldn't escape, he sighed inwardly and knelt on the floor. He looked at the suit trousers and the exquisite, terrifying red high heels, his expression tense. Walking in heels that sharp must be torture. Of course, her feet are sore...

He carefully removed her foot from the sharp, exquisite high heel. He had expected a strong odor, but there was none. Thank goodness...

He had to admit, because of his strange golden finger, he had gradually become less picky about girls' feet. But if they smelled bad, he would still be repulsed. Fortunately, Arlecchino's didn't.

But just as he was about to start massaging one foot, the other one unceremoniously stepped on his face, making him freeze.

"Mmph, Lady Arlecchino..."

"Very good, Lu Li," she said, a small smile on her lips as she pried open his defenses and blocked his only means of speaking. "Just like before, understand?"

He could only silently suck and sweep while gently massaging the jade lotus in his hand. The two strange sensations simultaneously transmitted to her, and Arlecchino's frustration gradually faded. She wasn't one to indulge in pleasure, but dealing with those politicians and merchants who were always trying to devour the House of the Hearth was endlessly frustrating. At times like this, having someone who could help her release her pent-up frustration, someone whose closeness she didn't dislike, was rare.

(Well done, Lu Li...) she thought, finally unable to resist closing her eyes and breathing deeply.

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