Xingqiu's smile became more sincere as he stepped aside to clear the way to the paper counter, making a "please" gesture. "Since we are kindred spirits, why be so alarmed? The Feiyun Commerce Guild has some influence here, and the shopkeeper is an acquaintance of mine. Perhaps he can recommend some high-quality paper and pens suitable for... well, long-term writing."
"As for the knocked-over shelf, I will pay whatever compensation is due. How does that sound?"
Hearing Xingqiu's gentle words and seeing his sincere smile, Lovia's tense nerves finally relaxed significantly.
She had been too nervous just now. Thinking back, in the game, Xingqiu was actually a pretty good person.
Regardless, he wouldn't be like those Fontaine scholars who wanted to capture Melusines for research at every turn... So Lovia gave a small nod: "...Thank you."
Thinking back, during her newbie phase, she used Gaming and Xingqiu to clear the Spiral Abyss and really liked Xingqiu's character. Who would have thought that when she actually met him, her first reaction would be to run away?
It was hilarious. Was this what they called "Lord Ye's love of dragons"?
That might not be the right usage... Oh well, whatever, it gets the point across!
Xingqiu's smile deepened. He turned and whispered a few instructions to the shopkeeper behind the counter. The shopkeeper was clearly familiar with him, nodding repeatedly before immediately bringing out several types of fine-textured, obviously expensive paper and several exquisite high-grade brushes for Lovia to choose from.
Chongyun stood to the side, looking a bit awkward, seemingly wanting to do something to make up for his earlier recklessness.
Seeing Lovia cautiously stroking the paper, he suddenly remembered something. He pulled a small silk pouch from his bag and handed it over: "This is a Qingxin Talisman. Carrying it can calm the mind and spirit. Perhaps... perhaps it will be useful to you?"
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Chongyun, and this is Xingqiu."
His face turned red again, probably feeling it was a bit strange to give her the same kind of talisman he had almost used on her just moments ago.
Wait, could this be some kind of tracking or positioning talisman? Alarm bells rang in Lovia's mind. But looking into Chongyun's blue eyes, which were filled with sincere guilt, she felt she was overthinking it.
Is this the young Taoist Practitioner with the Pure Yang Constitution? He seems quite cute... Lovia looked at the talisman, which emitted a faint, cool aura. After a moment's hesitation, she took it. The talisman felt slightly cool to the touch, and it did indeed soothe her remaining tension.
"...Thank you," she whispered her thanks again.
Soon, Xingqiu had selected a sufficient amount of high-quality paper and pens for her, and even a small bottle of excellent ink.
The shopkeeper skillfully packed them up, and Xingqiu unhesitatingly pulled out a bag of Mora to pay the bill.
"Th-this won't do!" Lovia grew anxious at the sight and hurriedly held up her own small coin purse. "I have money, I'll pay for it myself!"
Xingqiu gently pushed her purse back, his smile friendly: "I startled you earlier, so consider this an apology—and an atonement for Chongyun's recklessness. If you don't accept it, I'm afraid he won't be able to sleep tonight out of guilt."
He shot a look toward Chongyun.
Chongyun immediately nodded vigorously in cooperation, his expression very serious and sincere.
Is this how a wealthy Childe acts? Lovia's heart was filled with mixed emotions. As expected, she was the only poor one!!
In that case... Seeing that she couldn't refuse, and truly liking the beautifully packaged stationery, Lovia eventually accepted it with red ears (hidden under her hood).
"...Then, thank you, big brothers."
With the items bought, Lovia just wanted to get home quickly. She picked up the bundle of stationery, thanked them once more, and prepared to leave.
However, Xingqiu and Chongyun naturally followed her.
Xingqiu asked casually, "By the way, I still don't know how to address you? Where in Liyue Harbor do you live? Carrying these items alone... is it inconvenient? If you don't mind, we can walk you part of the way."
Chongyun also nodded in agreement, clearly feeling it wasn't quite safe for a child who looked even younger than him to carry so many things alone.
Lovia's heart, which had just settled, leaped into her throat again.
Walk her home? That would be disastrous!
Wouldn't her secret little nest be exposed?
Absolutely not! Her home was still filled with manuscripts all over the floor!
If that were seen, she would definitely be invited for tea by the Millelith and then enjoy a year-long tour of Liyue Prison. Even Zhongli might come looking for trouble!
At the thought of Zhongli's golden eyes—that gaze that seemed to see through everything—she felt the tip of her tail trembling.
She was still young, her novel wasn't finished, and she hadn't earned enough Mora to eat Liyue's high-end cuisine!
"N-no need!" Lovia blurted out, her voice rising slightly. She frantically hugged the stationery bundle to her chest like a hen protecting its chicks. "I-I live very close, I can do it myself, really! Thank you very much! I... my name is Lovia, see you next time!"
Having said that, she didn't wait for them to react. She practically used her full Melusine strength (though to humans, it might still seem like a leisurely pace), and with her short legs, she scurried out of the stationery shop and quickly blended into the crowd on the street. Her agility was a world apart from her earlier clumsy fall.
Xingqiu and Chongyun stood frozen, watching the small, tightly wrapped figure disappear into the crowd at escape velocity. They couldn't help but look at each other.
Chongyun scratched the back of his head, somewhat puzzled: "She seems... still very afraid of us?"
Xingqiu gazed in the direction Lovia had disappeared, a thoughtful glint in his eyes, though it held less scrutiny and more understanding.
He fanned himself with his folding fan (which had appeared out of nowhere) and chuckled, "After such a fright just now, it's only natural to be cautious. Since she is so guarded, she must have her reasons."
He paused, his tone shifting to one of gentle reflection: "A Melusine living in seclusion in Liyue Harbor, needing a large amount of stationery and trying her best to hide her identity... perhaps she just wants to find a peaceful land to write in peace. Chongyun, since we are kindred spirits, we should respect that wish all the more."
Hearing this, Chongyun nodded in deep agreement: "You're right. Since she doesn't want to be disturbed, we shouldn't go looking for her. Besides, we already startled her earlier."
Xingqiu closed his fan and tapped it lightly against his palm, smiling, "Exactly. For those who love books, the value lies in finding a kindred spirit, but even more so in knowing when to stop. If it's truly meant to be, perhaps we'll read her inner thoughts in some future masterpiece. Wouldn't that be more wonderful than a brash intrusion?"
He was still curious about this mysterious "kindred spirit," but he had channeled that curiosity into anticipation for a potential literary work rather than an intrusion into her private life.
Of course, given Xingqiu's nature, he would likely keep a close eye on any new, uniquely styled anonymous manuscripts appearing on the market in the future.