...
Rhinedottir looked up at Lin Mo.
Her eyes were filled with confusion.
" Uh... what's wrong? "
Lin Mo asked curiously.
" Why? "
Rhinedottir asked, perplexed.
" Uh... why what? What are you referring to?
" " Why ask me to go to Liyue Harbor, and use the word 'return'?
"
Rhinedottir asked again.
" Because the Lantern Rite is in a couple of days in Liyue~"
Lin Mo said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. " You've probably been to the Lantern Rite a few times over these five hundred years.
"
" But this time is different. This time, I'm by your side.
I want to spend this warm Lantern Rite with you, a festival that symbolizes good wishes for the coming year. "
" And this year's Lantern Rite is very lively~"
" Xingqiu, and Liyue's popular idols will all come to Liyue Harbor to perform. "
" Want to spend... with me... a warm Lantern Rite symbolizing good wishes for the coming year... "
Rhinedottir's eyes trembled slightly.
She had indeed been to Liyue many times.
But...
In the over five hundred years since her birth, she had never once participated in this kind of festival.
Yes, the Lantern Rite symbolizes good wishes for the coming year.
But it depends on the situation.
A Lantern Rite spent with family and loved ones, that is truly enjoying the festival.
But if one is alone and solitary...
On such a warm, family-reunion day, one inevitably feels out of place, unable to truly step into that circle of warmth.
Good wishes for the coming year?
I'm afraid the myriad lights of countless households, the sight of families everywhere, would only make her feel even more desolate... So, whenever major festivals came around, Rhinedottir would deliberately avoid the cities hosting them.
The Lantern Rite, the Moonchase Festival, the Windblume Festival, the Ludi Harpastum, even Inazuma's festivals—Rhinedottir had never participated in any of them.
But... for five hundred years, she had fantasized countless times about walking hand-in-hand with Lin Mo, holding Durin and Albedo's hands, strolling through bustling, lively streets like an ordinary couple.
Buying festive snacks only available during celebrations.
Playing little games held only during festivals.
Or perhaps releasing Xiao Lanterns together, playing Harpastum together.
It must be said.
Lin Mo's proposal truly stirred Rhinedottir's heart.
But the thought that Liyue Harbor didn't just have Lin Mo, didn't just have the Lantern Rite...
It also had Lin Mo's close friends and confidantes.
This instantly caused a trace of resentment to flash in Rhinedottir's eyes. " I don't want to see them!
" " Uh... that shouldn't really be an issue, right?
"
Lin Mo said with a wry smile. " Don't worry, with me here, no one will hold grudges because of what happened back then.
" " Heh... what about Rosalyne?
"
Rhinedottir sneered coldly. " Back then, because of the calamity Durin unleashed, she cried herself dry of tears for you.
"
" Rosalyne, ah... "
Lin Mo smiled naturally.
" Didn't I return to her side? "
" Besides, what happened back then is in the past. "
" I also used the super heart technique you taught me to heal the trauma of her transformation into the Crimson Witch. "
" Even if she harbors some resentment, I'll find a way for you two to get along peacefully. "
Lin Mo's words.
Caused Rhinedottir to fall silent once more.
After all, for five hundred years, she had truly anticipated too many times walking hand-in-hand with Lin Mo, with their children, through festive celebrations.
Now there was only one last problem.
If she agreed to go to Liyue.
What identity should she assume by Lin Mo's side?
A close friend?
A fellow student of alchemy?
If it were either of these identities...
The more Rhinedottir thought about it, the more resentful her eyes became.
She looked up at Lin Mo and asked coldly, " How will you introduce me to everyone? "
" Huh? Just introduce you normally.
"
Lin Mo said matter-of-factly. " Who in Teyvat doesn't know the great name of Gold, Rhinedottir!
"
" I mean... my identity... and my relationship with you... "
Rhinedottir gritted her teeth in frustration.
She couldn't help but suspect in her heart that Lin Mo was deliberately playing dumb.
" Identity? As the kids' mom, of course~"
Lin Mo said without thinking. " Just introduce you like that, probably~"
" Everyone, this is Rhinedottir. You've probably all heard stories about her.
"
" She is Durin's mother, and, as is only right, my wife. "
" We haven't seen each other for five hundred years, and there were some misunderstandings back then. "
" But... now those misunderstandings are cleared up. She'll be joining us, becoming one of our group.
Everyone, please get along well with her~"
" Wife... "
After five hundred years, hearing Lin Mo finally dare to acknowledge this identity openly made Rhinedottir's heart race uncontrollably.
But...
Thinking of the abandonment back then.
Thinking of how Lin Mo left without a word, without a trace.
A surge of resentment welled up once more from the depths of Rhinedottir's heart.
Yes, she now knew that Lin Mo's departure back then was beyond his control.
But that wasn't what she resented.
What she resented was that Lin Mo had never truly seen her as his other half, merely as a reference book for learning alchemy.
Rhinedottir turned her face away and said coldly, "... If you... don't actually like me, I won't acknowledge this identity as your wife. "
" Like you! How could I not like you!
" Lin Mo immediately retorted.
" You're lying! "
Rhinedottir said bitterly. " I heard it all from Durin!
You never even realized my feelings for you! " "
I... Ah, how was I supposed to know you liked me~"
Lin Mo said with a troubled expression. " Look at you, what girl, when spending time with the man she loves, is all slovenly and unkempt?
" " Think about me back then!
"
" Hey! When was I not dressed cleanly and properly?
"
" Even if studying bio-alchemy left me in a sorry state, I'd wash myself clean every day, afraid you'd think I was dirty, that I was messy~! "
Rhinedottir looked at Lin Mo, her eyes filled with bewilderment. " Dressing neatly and cleanly can express one's feelings?
" " Uh... at least that's how I understood it.
"
Lin Mo explained with a wry smile. " After all...
I wanted to always show you my handsome, clean side. "
" Is that so... "
Rhinedottir lowered her head at this point, looking at her own grease-stained robes.
Not only were her clothes dirty.
Her hair was a mess.
Even her face was smudged with oil stains.
Only then did Rhinedottir realize.
During all those years spent with Lin Mo, she had always been like this—dirty, never once presenting a clean, tidy appearance.
" Wait for me! "
Rhinedottir immediately broke free from Lin Mo's embrace.
At the same time.
The Ruin Grader " Goliath," which had been quietly idling nearby, suddenly spewed scorching flames towards a thick patch of accumulated snow.
The snow instantly melted, billowing steam rising to form a small, artificial hot spring.
Lin Mo was taken aback for a moment.
He immediately realized something.
But before Lin Mo could react.
He already saw Rhinedottir's garments soaring high into the air.
--------
T/N:
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