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

"Ugh..."

Waking up, Lu Li felt sore all over. He had returned to his room late last night and had fallen asleep the moment he hit the bed. It wasn't that he was weak or lacked stamina. It was because he had trained hard all day, then been eaten by Chevreuse, and then squeezed dry by Arlecchino. Naturally, he had no energy left. Speaking of which, he didn't know if Lord "Father" had some kind of magic. After being drained by her, he really felt like his whole body had been emptied...

He thought of the scene last night and covered his face in embarrassment. Then, he thought of her special treatment of him, and his feelings became complicated.

"Knock, knock."

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He got up, opened it, and was surprised to see Lyney. "What is it, Lyney? You're up early."

"Not at all, it's already ten o'clock," Lyney said with his arms crossed. "You really sleep like the dead. It's strange... even though she knew you would wake up this late, Lord 'Father' didn't have us go and get you for the assembly. You're really lucky..."

"Uh..." Lu Li could only manage an awkward smile.

"Alright, no more idle talk. After breakfast, go to Father's place immediately!"

"Again?!" Lu Li's face changed, and he swallowed nervously.

"Huh?" Lyney looked at him, then smiled. "It's just as Father said, you really did get nervous! Don't worry, she told me to remind you that she's calling you this time to test your combat skills, so just be prepared."

Lu Li understood and nodded, watching Lyney leave. He had thought Arlecchino was calling him to relieve her soreness again. So it was to test his combat skills? It seemed she had listened to what he had said yesterday.

He clenched his fists, a little excited. He had been training alone, and though he knew his strength was growing rapidly, he didn't know by how much. Now, facing a Harbinger who was far stronger than him, he could find out his true level.

He went back to his room, washed up, had a quick breakfast in the dorm kitchen, and then excitedly went to Arlecchino's office.

————

Court of Fontaine, Chioriya Boutique

Chiori looked at the mannequin dressed in the slim-fit Debt Collector uniform, imagining Lu Li's figure as she gently stroked the fabric. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips as she admired her masterpiece. The wide cuffs could conceal a spring-loaded weapon, and the hidden pockets could hold small items. It was made of a special fabric with excellent elemental conductivity.

"Mm... making this took a lot of Mora and effort. I need to think about a reasonable price..." she murmured, rubbing her chin.

"Chiori, I'm here! I have something to ask you—" a clear female voice called out as the shop door opened.

Chiori turned from her work and saw Chevreuse walk in, gesturing for her to sit down. But she noticed Chevreuse was staring at the uniform with a strange expression.

"You're here, Chevreuse. What's wrong, is there a problem with this outfit? It's the first time I've seen you stare at my work like that," she asked curiously.

"There are a lot of problems. Is this a Debt Collector's uniform? Since when did Chioriya Boutique take on this kind of business?" Chevreuse retorted.

"What's wrong with that... Chioriya Boutique doesn't pick and choose its customers. Anyone can come, as long as they follow the rules," Chiori said coolly. "No need to be so tense, right?"

"Ugh, you're right..." Chevreuse nodded and walked closer, but not too close. She observed the uniform and said, "It's very different from the ones I've seen. With your touch, both the aesthetics and practicality must have been improved?"

"Of course. The hidden pockets that don't damage the structure and the elemental conductivity took a lot of effort," Chiori said with a small smile. "But the design was actually someone else's idea. I just used it as a reference."

"In any case, it looks great. It would make a suitable gift. Chiori, are you interested in making another one? I'm willing to buy it," Chevreuse said after a moment's thought.

"Huh? Why?" Chiori asked, puzzled. "Do you want to wear it yourself?"

"No, I want to give it to Lu Li. As a gift. He's taken care of me a lot, so I decided on this method."

Though she said that, her blushing face told a different story. After last night's events and a whole night of thinking, Chevreuse felt she couldn't just let it go. In her mind, although Lu Li's identity was complicated, it wasn't impossible. And he wasn't married and didn't have a girlfriend, so why not try to advance their relationship?

That detestable fellow definitely had feelings for her; otherwise, he wouldn't have used that method. Though she had been annoyed at the time, but... she didn't dislike him. Otherwise, she could have just taken off the blindfold and arrested him for assaulting an officer. But, the result was clear. She had pretended not to know and had even served him with her mouth, swallowing everything. What was that saying? Behind every great woman is a great man. So, she decided to take the initiative and confirm their relationship. Then, when she came home, she could also...

But hearing this, Chiori's expression turned strange. And she had seen Chevreuse's blushing face. This was exactly like Lynette's situation! Chiori slowly brought a fist to her lips. She had once, by chance, managed to break through Lynette's defenses and learn of her feelings for Lu Li. She had then confronted Lu Li and, after getting a positive answer, her mood had become very complicated. She had then told Lynette everything, deciding to be a bad guy. In her mind, hiding such things was useless. She had already accepted it, but what about Lynette?

The fact was, Lynette had been shocked but, just as Chiori had thought, she hadn't decided to give up. Though she had said she needed to think, Chiori knew she would come back. Like herself, Lynette was a bit weak and humble when it came to love. But that was why they could coexist.

Now, hearing Chevreuse's thoughts and seeing the hidden meaning in her expression, Chiori had seen through it all, and her mood became incredibly complex. I said I could accept you having a harem, but I didn't expect you to be so outrageous... You won't spare a single one of my friends, will you! she thought with annoyance.

She looked at the clueless Chevreuse and, after a moment's silence, decided to be a complete villain.

"Unfortunately, Chevreuse, this outfit was commissioned by Lu Li himself. So, making another one as a gift would be redundant."

"Huh?!" Chevreuse's eyes widened. "He... is going to become a Debt Collector?"

"It seems you didn't know. Then why did you think of giving it to him as a gift?"

"Ugh, I just thought he would look handsome in it, and I didn't know what else to give a man, so..."

"So, you like Lu Li, right?" Chiori interrupted her, her words sharp and direct, looking at the stunned and flustered Chevreuse. Confirming that her best friend's feelings were just as she had thought, Chiori sighed inwardly. I... no, that damned Lu Li, is truly a sinful man...

"You don't have to say it, I can see it!"

"Ugh..."

"But before that, Chevreuse, there's something I need to tell you..."

"Huh... oh..."

Looking at her friend, who was usually so calm and brilliant but became a bit of a ditz when it came to love, Chiori's expression was incredibly strange.

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