At dawn, as the morning light crept in, Lu Lin woke up inside the tent.
In his arms, Xiangling was curled into a small ball, her sleeping face utterly adorable.
Although they had truly embraced the "sky as blanket, earth as bed" thrill during the night, after everything settled down, they had returned to the tent to rest.
In truth, they hadn't slept long.
From around 8 PM until past 1 AM, they had indulged fully. Only when Xiangling could no longer endure did Lu Lin carry her back into the tent.
Ordinarily, someone newly experiencing intimacy shouldn't have been able to last that long, especially with pain and bleeding involved.
But things were different now.
Lu Lin's [Mending Hands] trait greatly enhanced his vitality. Minor injuries—like the time Ningguang bit his tongue, or Xiangling's bleeding—could be healed quickly by channeling life energy.
Not only that, he could now precisely control life energy: heal with it, or withdraw it if needed.
So even with intense passion, there was no worry about unexpected consequences. He was still young and not ready to be a father.
Last night, Xiangling had been thoroughly exhausted and eventually drifted off in his arms.
"Mm~ Good morning, Lu Lin ge!"
She blinked sleepily, propped herself up, and kissed him lightly.
"It's still early. Sleep a bit more. I'll heat some water."
He gently pinched her cheek.
"Mm~ okay!"
Morning Camp Routine
Lu Lin stepped outside, reignited the fire, fetched water, and boiled it.
They could have returned to the Serenitea Pot to use the bath there.
But camping was about the process. Doing everything inside the teapot felt like cheating the experience.
So he only used it as storage.
When the water was ready, he filled a large tub and adjusted it to a comfortable temperature. He even erected ice walls as screens for privacy.
"Time for a wash!"
He carried Xiangling out, and they bathed together.
Despite the intimate setting, this time he behaved properly. Daylight in the wilderness wasn't the moment for excess.
Breakfast was simple rations. The Pyro nectar was strictly avoided—no need to start another fire first thing in the morning.
After packing up, they prepared to return to Liyue Harbor.
Tomorrow was the Rite of Descension—something Lu Lin was very much looking forward to.
Someone at the Valley Entrance
Suddenly, Xiangling tugged his sleeve.
"Lu Lin ge… is there someone over there?"
He focused.
A glimpse of purple fabric.
They hurried over.
About two hundred meters from their campsite, they found—
A purple-haired girl leaning against a rock, fast asleep.
Ordinarily that wouldn't be shocking.
But her collar was loose, skirt slightly disheveled, one hand still hidden beneath the folds of fabric.
There were faint dried marks visible on her black stockings.
And most importantly—
They recognized her immediately.
Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing — Keqing.
She was breathing steadily. Not injured. Just asleep.
Lu Lin quickly pieced things together.
Most likely, Xiangling's… vocal enthusiasm from last night had drawn her here.
Xiangling's voice was indeed remarkably bright and expressive—especially under the influence of the nectar, which had lowered inhibitions.
The valley's echo would have carried everything clearly.
Perhaps Keqing had arrived, realized what was happening, been too embarrassed to interrupt, but unwilling to leave her friend unattended.
So she stayed.
And listening… well…
She had probably become flustered herself.
Combined with exhaustion from days of monster-clearing, she must have eventually succumbed to sleep.
Lu Lin almost admired her dedication.
Keqing Wakes Up
Just as the two stood there unsure what to do—
Keqing stirred.
"Mm… huh? Eh?! Xiangling?!"
She jolted upright, saw the two figures before her, and froze in horror.
"Turn around! Don't look!"
True to her status as a Qixing, she reacted instantly, hurriedly adjusting her clothes.
Her composure was completely shattered.
How had she fallen asleep?!
And now they'd seen everything!
Meanwhile, Xiangling, though still piecing together what happened, understood enough.
"There's still some warm water at our camp… would you like to wash up?"
Keqing, cheeks burning red beneath her twin cat-ear buns, avoided eye contact and nodded rapidly.
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