Lu Lin was glad the unused hot water hadn't been poured out earlier—otherwise he would've had to boil another batch.
Keqing didn't take long. Unlike Xiangling, she hadn't gotten… quite as messy. Cleaning the necessary areas was enough.
She carried spare clothes for fieldwork, changed into a fresh pair of stockings, adjusted her outfit, and quickly returned to her usual sharp, composed appearance.
Only when facing Lu Lin again did the awkwardness return in full force.
"Keqing, let me introduce you. This is Lu Lin. He was the one who solved the monster outbreak at Guili Plains—and he's the one who rescued me from the ruins."
Xiangling enthusiastically handled the introductions, easing the tension slightly.
"So you are Mr. Lu. A pleasure."
Keqing greeted him with formal composure.
Lu Lin looked at her serious expression and couldn't help recalling how she'd looked earlier at the valley entrance—clothes slightly disordered, stockings marked. The contrast was intense.
He almost regretted not freezing time to take a commemorative photo.
What a missed opportunity.
Meanwhile, Keqing was thinking: So this is the person Xiangling spent all night with? He looks refined enough… could he really be that capable?
She immediately shut down the thought.
Keqing, what are you thinking? Have some shame!
"So, what brings Miss Keqing to Cuijue Slope?" Lu Lin casually changed the subject.
What do you think? she wanted to say. Your "activity" attracted me.
Instead she replied calmly, "I've been clearing scattered monsters from Qingce Village all the way here. Though the source was resolved, stragglers remain."
"I see. Thank you for your hard work. We're heading back to Liyue Harbor. Care to join us?"
"Yes! The Rite of Descension is tomorrow," Xiangling added. "You're going back anyway, right?"
"The cleansing is complete, so yes, I'll return. As for the Rite, Ningguang is overseeing it this year. I won't be directly involved."
"Then let's travel together!"
Xiangling was far more proactive than Lu Lin expected.
She wasn't naïve. What she'd seen at the valley entrance made things clear enough. Yet she wasn't embarrassed.
Another big-hearted girl.
Lu Lin approved wholeheartedly. Enthusiasm like this made expanding the circle much easier.
Keqing, however, hesitated.
She didn't particularly want to walk with Lu Lin.
From her perspective, any man who spent half the night like that in the wilderness was… questionable. And that same man had just witnessed her most mortifying moment.
Even though he behaved politely and carried himself like a gentleman…
Just remembering that she had unknowingly stood guard while they… and then lost composure herself…
She wanted to dig a hole and hide.
Walking all the way back to Liyue together sounded unbearable.
But Xiangling was her good friend. It was hard to refuse her sincere invitation.
"Let's go, don't overthink it!" Xiangling tugged her along.
And so, the three of them set off toward Liyue Harbor.
Opening the Right Conversation
"Miss Keqing seems to have personal thoughts about the Rite of Descension?" Lu Lin began casually.
Feelings were built through conversation.
Xiangling joining the Serenitea Pot was only a matter of time. But future residency tasks would likely follow. Keqing would be his next target.
Though given the morning's events, she probably didn't view him favorably.
Fortunately, he had an information advantage.
He knew Keqing's personality well—what topics would resonate.
Keqing initially didn't want to talk. She just wanted to return to Liyue and let time bury the embarrassment.
But this topic—
It struck directly at her convictions.
"Why do you say that?" she asked, probing.
Lu Lin smiled.
"I'm not from Liyue, but since arriving, I've observed how deeply the people revere Rex Lapis. In the streets of Liyue Harbor or the wilds of Cuijue Slope, wherever humans tread, the Geo Archon is praised. To have encountered him is a family honor spoken of for generations.
"And the Rite of Descension—an annual ceremony where the Archon grants divine guidance for Liyue's future—is clearly sacred to the people.
"But from your tone, Miss Keqing… you seem to hold reservations."
"I don't have reservations about the Rite," Keqing replied, then pivoted. "What are your thoughts on the Archon and the adepti?"
Lu Lin suppressed an internal joke and answered evenly.
"The Geo Archon is indeed Liyue's pillar—its foundation and support. But…"
"But what?" She stopped walking and turned to him.
Her doll-like face, framed by cat-ear twin tails, looked serious—yet there was a faint glimmer of anticipation.
"Liyue is ultimately a nation of humans. Binding its fate too tightly to an immortal being—whether that is good or bad—remains uncertain."
A spark lit in Keqing's eyes.
She had found a kindred spirit.
"Oh? You hold such a view?" she asked, excitement barely restrained.
Lu Lin smiled inwardly.
Find the right topic, and conversation becomes easy.
Time to give her something even more striking.
"Drop of 50 chapters incoming this weekend- Please check my patreon"
Patreon.com/Killua_001
Power stone target: 200 power stones=+2 chapters