" Ah... L-Lin Mo.
"
Kamisato Ayato was the first to show a shy expression.
For her.
Asking a foreign friend to customize a Lin Mo lacquer doll right in front of him was simply too embarrassing!
But Ayaka wasn't the only one too embarrassed to turn her head because of Lin Mo's arrival.
The girls gathered around Ganyu all instinctively turned away, pretending to look at the streets of Liyue Harbor as if nothing was happening.
" Oh? So you've returned as well...
" Zhongli spoke first.
But his gaze wasn't on Lin Mo—it was on the figure beside him, Heuliuya.
It was then that everyone realized Lin Mo hadn't returned alone. With him were Heuliuya, Yae Miko, Alice, Eula, Hina, and Paimon.
Compared to when Lin Mo had left, the group had actually grown by three.
Most importantly, there was an old acquaintance of the Liyue adepti—Heuliuya.
" Everyone, long time no see. "
Heuliuya smiled and nodded in turn at the adepti, Guizhong, and Zhongli.
Judging by the polite but distant attitude between the Liyue crowd and Heuliuya, it was clear they weren't exactly close.
After all, back in the day, Heuliuya had little to no connection with the Liyue gods.
If their relationship had been good, her territory wouldn't have been repeatedly occupied by other gods.
If not for her people often bringing cheap salt to sell at Guili Assembly, most people probably wouldn't even remember this god.
Though they were old acquaintances.
For Heuliuya, only Lin Mo represented Liyue's friendship.
At that moment, after briefly greeting the Liyue adepti, she quietly stepped back to Lin Mo's side.
Her gentle, devoted demeanor.
Made it instantly clear to everyone that there was an ambiguous relationship between the two.
" Could it be... "
Keqing's expression darkened.
She hadn't expected that even a legendary god like Heuliuya had become one of Lin Mo's close companions.
Seeing Heuliuya's soft, obedient manner, as if she would do anything Lin Mo asked, jealousy welled up inside her.
And it was that jealous gaze.
That made her realize—Lin Mo wasn't just accompanied by Heuliuya!
When Keqing saw Alice's stunning face and her distinctly elven pointed ears, she couldn't help but pause: " The elf race!? Could you be Klee's mother...
Alice? "
" Lady Keqing, hello there~" Alice said with a sweet smile.
" Huh? You... know me?
" Keqing asked, puzzled.
" Of course. "
Alice smiled lightly: " Your diligent and dedicated work ethic has long spread to Mondstadt, you know? "
Hearing this, Keqing's cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness.
Put nicely, it was a positive attitude toward work.
But put less kindly, it meant she not only worked overtime herself but also often invited her colleagues from the General Affairs Department to join her when deadlines loomed.
" Hmph~"
At that moment, Rhinedottir let out a cold snort.
She seemed displeased that Alice had so quickly gotten along with everyone.
After all, compared to Alice, it made her seem unfriendly.
Just then, Ningguang stepped forward with a smile and asked Rhinedottir, " Lin Mo, who is this beautiful lady by your side? "
" Oh~ her~"
Lin Mo smiled and put his arm around Rhinedottir's shoulder, introducing her to everyone: " You've probably all heard of her. She was the driving force behind the Khaenri'ah civilization, the representative of Khaenri'ah's wisdom—the 'Gold,' Rhinedottir.
"
" Rhinedottir! "
Even the usually composed Ningguang couldn't hide the shock in her eyes.
And it wasn't just Ningguang.
Everyone present instinctively showed a complex mix of caution and surprise.
After all, Rhinedottir's name had echoed across the world five hundred years ago.
Especially when Saiguu and Chiyo heard that name, a complicated look flashed in their eyes.
Because the disaster back then—the invasion of powerful ruin creatures into Inazuma—had led to one of them dying and the other losing her sanity for five hundred years.
And just then.
Rhinedottir happened to notice the wariness in their eyes and returned their gaze with a cold, unyielding stare.
This tense, confrontational atmosphere gave Lin Mo a headache.
He quickly stepped between them, explaining with a wry smile: " Look, about what happened back then... even though Rhinedottir provided the technical support, she didn't start the war. "
" Everyone, do me a favor. "
" Since we can all gather peacefully now, why not let the past fade away like smoke? "
As Lin Mo spoke.
His gaze swept toward Saiguu and the others, then back to Rhinedottir, and he smiled: " Let's start today and make peace, alright? "
Saiguu and Chiyo exchanged a glance.
They didn't say much, just nodded quietly.
But Rhinedottir turned her face away, saying coldly:
" I don't need friends or companions. "
" The only reason I came to Liyue Harbor is to spend the Lantern Rite with you and our children. "
" I only want you. As for the rest, there's no need to make peace.
"
This blunt, unyielding statement.
Made everyone frown inwardly.
And left Lin Mo feeling a bit awkward in the moment.
After all, Rhinedottir had always been eccentric like this. If she were easy to get along with, she wouldn't have gone five hundred years without a single friend...
Fortunately, Ningguang stepped forward with a smile to ease the tension.
" Your children? "
Ningguang said, her gaze shifting to the delicate figure hiding behind Lin Mo: " Is this young fox-eared girl your daughter? "
It was then that everyone noticed Hina standing behind Lin Mo.
Her cheeks slightly flushed, as if she wasn't quite used to such a setting.
And just at that moment.
Arataki Itto was helping Granny Oni slowly step off the passenger ship, arriving at the dock.
He happened to catch the scene everyone was discussing.
Instinctively, he looked toward the figure behind Lin Mo.
That one glance.
Made Arataki Itto's carefully hidden personality in front of Granny Oni instantly burst out.
" Ah! It's Miss Hina herself!!!
"
--------
T/N:
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