Yuehai Pavilion
Junze didn't stay in the room for long before coming out.
He had only lightly teased his master.
And, of course, added a bit of "trouble" to the process of Ganyu releasing her qilin essence.
"Hehe."
Junze strolled out with a grin.
He happily jinxed himself,
"I really hope my future pulls are all coconut milk four-stars."
If that actually happened, he would be happy.
But Ganyu might suffer a little.
Right now, she already felt like she was about to break.
If a few more cards came…
Well…
Junze walked into the small garden.
He directly used one three-star [Golden Fertilizer] card.
In the next moment, a burlap sack appeared in his hands, filled with mysterious fertilizer.
"Since Master is working so hard to produce coconut milk for me, I can't slack off either!"
With great enthusiasm, Junze spread the fertilizer into the garden.
Instantly, the once-wilted garden, drained by the "Delicious Qingxin," began to regain vitality.
The drooping plants lifted their heads again, regaining color.
"Wow… this is seriously impressive."
Junze marveled at the change.
"The name might be a joke, but the effect is very real."
With his nearly maxed-out [Basic Planting] knowledge, Junze could tell this fertilizer was basically broken.
The moment it was applied, it transformed directly into nutrients.
System-made products truly were top-tier.
"At this rate, the Qingxin flowers should bloom very soon."
"Little guys, grow up quickly so Master can eat you."
Junze coaxed them gently.
"What are you scattering?"
A voice sounded behind him.
"Whoa!"
Startled, Junze almost stepped on his flowers.
He turned around helplessly and said to Shenhe,
"Shenhe, can you not suddenly appear like that?"
Shenhe nodded.
"Sorry. I understand."
"Hmm…"
Looking at her calm, emotionless expression, Junze shook his head.
If she apologized like this to others, they might even think she was provoking them.
There wasn't a hint of apology in her tone.
"I'm preparing a gift for Master."
"A… gift?"
Shenhe was slightly taken aback, looking at him in confusion.
While continuing to fertilize, Junze said cheerfully,
"She's always taken care of me, so I want to give her something she likes."
Of course, the part where he enjoyed teasing Ganyu didn't decrease at all.
But teasing her was also a form of affection, right?
"I see."
Shenhe nodded and quietly stood beside him.
Junze glanced at her curiously.
He couldn't quite figure out what she was thinking.
"Shenhe, why are you just standing here?"
After a moment of thought, Shenhe replied,
"I was wondering if you might need my help."
"Hm?"
"If it's like yesterday, I think I could help."
"Uh… I probably don't need that."
Junze broke into a cold sweat.
That "Divine Maiden Splitting Mountains" technique?
No thanks.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be Ganyu crying over flowers later.
It would be him crying over the entire garden.
"I see."
Shenhe nodded and simply stayed there, watching.
So the two of them remained in the garden.
The child fertilizing.
Shenhe observing.
If Yanfei saw this, she might consider filing a complaint.
After a while, Junze spoke again,
"Shenhe, do you know what kind of flower this is?"
"It looks like Qingxin, but not quite."
"Hehe, this is my unique 'Delicious Qingxin.' No one else has it."
Shenhe nodded, not really understanding.
"I see."
"When I grow a lot of them in the future, you can try some too. It shouldn't be bitter."
"Thank you."
"Shenhe, do you have any flowers you like? I can grow some for you too."
"I don't know. I don't have much feeling toward flowers."
Having cultivated in the mountains for years, flowers were nothing more than food or medicinal materials in Shenhe's eyes. There was nothing to like about them.
"I see… that's a bit of a pity."
"Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? Shenhe didn't do anything wrong."
"Oh, I understand."
The two of them, one big and one small, continued chatting like this.
Just like back under the dragon-quelling tree.
Why did Junze keep talking?
He didn't like seeing this Shenhe standing there all alone. It felt too pitiful.
Even if the conversation was plain and somewhat dull, it made her seem a little less distant, less lonely.
As long as she didn't dislike it or reject it, he would keep talking.
And why did Shenhe choose to stand beside Junze?
She didn't really know either.
After Ganyu left, she had simply walked over naturally.
Maybe staying here made it easier to keep an eye on him and complete the task entrusted by Cloud Retainer.
That was the most reasonable explanation she could come up with.
"By the way, Shenhe, do you want to try the food I make?"
As they chatted, Junze suddenly remembered the skill card he had just obtained.
He strongly suspected the system gave cards based on his real situation.
Shenhe looked at him curiously.
"You… can cook?"
He was indeed impressive, but cooking was another matter.
Junze grinned.
"I'm just about to learn. Shenhe, would you be willing to be my first taster?"
"My first?"
Shenhe paused, thinking, just about to answer,
"Ah!"
A scream suddenly rang out from outside Yuehai Pavilion.
Panic and crashing sounds followed.
At the same time, the sky filled with strange, malevolent entities.
Or rather… remnants of a god.
"Ahhhhh—!"
A phantom-like creature, resembling a seelie but filled with malice, rushed into the pavilion.
The moment it saw Junze and Shenhe, its expression turned excited as it charged forward.
It wanted to slaughter them.
To feast.
The resentment radiating from it caused the flowers in the garden to wither.
That instantly angered Junze.
Something he had been carefully tending… and this thing dared to ruin it?
Junze's eyes turned sharp.
Cold energy gathered in his hand.
"You dare come into my place and cause trouble? Who gave you the guts?"
He raised his right hand, wrapped in freezing power, like a blade.
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