"The Travels of Shi Po Chen · Part Two," with its unique charm, once again swept through the entire Liyue Harbor.
And the true identity of the mysterious author, Mr. "Lovia," once again became the hot topic of discussion among the people of Liyue.
People's speculations grew increasingly outlandish, ranging from a reclusive adeptus to a deity amusing himself in the mortal world. Some even guessed it was a pen name used by the WangSheng Funeral Parlor's well-informed and erudite consultant in his spare time.
Lovia hid in her shack, her ears pricked up to catch all the ridiculous rumors circulating in the streets, while she "crunch-crunched" on a newly acquired Liyue specialty, Zhongli.
It had a clean, crisp flavor with a slight, sweet aftertaste of Geo energy—her latest favorite snack.
"Hmm, a reclusive adeptus? A deity? The WangSheng Funeral Parlor's consultant?" she mumbled through a mouthful of Zhongli, her tail wagging slightly with smug satisfaction under her cloak. "Human imagination still isn't rich enough."
This feeling of hiding behind the scenes, watching the world laugh or ponder over the stories she wove, was truly addictive.
And the security brought by her royalties allowed her to more calmly plan her next move.
"What should I write next?" She licked the crumbs from her fingertips, her gem-blue eyes particularly bright in the dim shack. "Writing about Lord Rex Lapis all the time, while popular, might make this Melusine seem like a one-trick pony."
She needed a bit of new inspiration to weave... ahem, to research and compile an even more exciting story.
Thus, on a sunny afternoon, Lovia once again bundled herself up tightly in a large hooded cloak, ensuring her inhuman antennae and tail were completely hidden, and then strolled down to the Liyue docks.
She habitually found a secluded spot where she could both sunbathe and observe the passersby.
Not knowing what to do and feeling a bit bored, Lovia simply took the rock from her pocket.
She focused on studying the strangely lustrous stone, considering its potential as a "snack."
The large hood and cloak concealed her completely, revealing only a pair of vigilant yet curious blue eyes.
"Crunch." She experimentally tapped the edge of the stone with her teeth and nodded in satisfaction. "Hmm, just the right level of crispness."
Just then, a clear, slightly concerned voice sounded behind her: "Um, friend with the hood, are you alright? That... rock isn't edible, you know!"
Lovia was startled, nearly dropping the stone in her hand.
Darn it, she was so careless! She hadn't even noticed someone approaching!
She whirled around to see a little girl with twin buns standing not far away, her large, round eyes filled with concern.
The little girl wore green clothes, carried a huge basket on her back, and was about the same height as her. Beside her crouched a long-eared rabbit, also looking at her with worried eyes.
It was Yaoyao! And Yuegui!
Lovia's heart pounded wildly, half from the sudden interaction, half from the excitement of "seeing a game character in real life."
The living Yaoyao and Yuegui!!
She quickly hid the stone inside her cloak, cleared her throat, and tried to make her voice sound normal: "Uh, thank you for your concern! I-I wasn't eating it! I was just... studying it! Yes, geological research!"
Yaoyao tilted her head, clearly not entirely convinced by this explanation, but being kind-hearted, she didn't press further. Instead, she offered a sweet smile: "Oh, I see! You're so diligent! I'm Yaoyao, and this is my partner, Yuegui. Are you here alone doing research? Do you need any help?"
Yuegui let out a timely "coo" as a greeting.
"I-I'm Lovia," Lovia replied nervously, tugging at her hood to ensure her sensitive antennae were fully covered. "I'm just looking around casually, no need to trouble yourself, thank you!"
She certainly didn't want this warm-hearted little girl's help to end up exposing her.
Immediately, Lovia's gaze was involuntarily drawn to that fluffy, exceptionally soft-looking creature.
The tip of her tail, hidden under her cloak, twitched uncontrollably—an instinctive reaction she couldn't suppress when intrigued.
She really wanted to pet it... just once... The thought popped up abruptly, so strong it made her fingertips itch.
She'd heard that adeptus creations felt amazing to the touch—wondered if it was true... Shocked by her own bold fantasy, she pinched her palm hard.
Wake up, Lovia! Right now, you're a suspicious, hooded geological researcher hiding at the docks chewing on rocks, not a Melusine who can extend her 'claws' towards a casually met adeptus companion!
"Sister Lovia?" Yaoyao repeated the name, finding it a bit unfamiliar, but with people constantly coming and going in Liyue Harbor, it was normal to meet someone she didn't know.
Noticing Lovia's somewhat peculiar attire—bundled up tightly even on a sunny day—Yaoyao pulled a dewy lotus seedpod from her basket.
"Sister, it's a bit hot. Would you like to try this? It's refreshing, sweet, and quenches thirst—much tastier than rocks!"
Looking at the offered lotus seedpod and then at Yaoyao's adorable smile, Lovia's defenses softened.
Lovia cautiously reached out and accepted the lotus seedpod. "Thank you."
"You're welcome!" Yaoyao smiled even more brightly. "Sister Lovia, do you live in Liyue Harbor? I don't think I've seen you before."
"Um... sort of. I just arrived not long ago," Lovia answered vaguely, peeling a lotus seed and popping it into her mouth. The faint, sweet taste was indeed nice.
"That's great! Liyue Harbor is so lively!" Yaoyao, being naturally sociable, quickly launched into conversation. "Did you know? Everyone in the harbor is talking about this super amazing writer lately!"
Lovia's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Oh? R-Really? What do they write about?"
"They write stories about the Lord of Geo! Mr. Li Xin!" Yaoyao's eyes sparkled, clearly a fan herself. "His 'Record of Shi Po's Wanderings' is so funny! He portrays Lord Rex Lapis as a young master who goes out without Mora and tells shopkeepers to go get reimbursed by Sister Ningguang! Even though Sister Ganyu says it's definitely made up, it's really hilarious!"
Lovia: "..."
Senior Ganyu, I'm sorry!
"And there's more!" Yaoyao, not noticing Lovia's stiff posture, continued excitedly. "His later writing is even more incredible! He says Lord Rex Lapis was originally two deities, called Mora and Kex. Later, Mora sacrificed himself and became the present Lord Rex Lapis! That's why the Lord can't create real Mora and never carries money when he goes out! Even though it sounds unbelievable, he writes it as if it were true! Even my master said the author's imagination is truly, truly 'out of this world'!"
Lovia felt her tail threatening to twist itself into a knot under her cloak from sheer tension.
Master...?
Granny Ping?!
You've read it too?!
That's a... rather tactful evaluation!
"I-Is that so? Sounds... interesting," Lovia replied stiffly.
"Yes, yes!" Yaoyao nodded vigorously. "Everyone guesses Mr. Li Xin must be a very knowledgeable, well-traveled old scholar, maybe even an adeptus! Otherwise, how could he know so many secrets?"
Lovia, the so-called 'knowledgeable, well-traveled old scholar': "..."
No, everyone is really overpraising me. I just have a big imagination and am a bit short on Mora.
"Sister Lovia, have you read these books?" Yaoyao asked curiously.
"I've... heard a little about them..." Lovia's gaze drifted away.
"Do you like them? Do you think Lord Rex Lapis could really be like that?" Yaoyao pressed, seemingly eager to share her thoughts with her new friend.
Faced with Yaoyao's innocent, inquisitive gaze, Lovia felt a slight pang of conscience.
How should she answer?
Say, "Yes, I don't think it's made up. I think Lord Rex Lapis might, perhaps, probably, maybe be exactly like that"?
As Lovia hemmed and hawed, unsure how to respond, Yaoyao suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear!"
"I almost forgot! I still need to deliver the freshly picked herbs to Mr. Baizhu!" The little girl patted her head. Yuegui also hopped anxiously a couple of times. "Sister Lovia, I have to go now! It was really nice meeting you! You can have the rest of this lotus seedpod!"
"I'll come find you to play next time!"
With that, she stuffed the remaining lotus seedpod into Lovia's hands, waved goodbye, and ran off, skipping away with Yuegui.
"Goodbye, Yaoyao..." Lovia cradled the armful of lotus seedpods, watching the little girl's retreating figure, and let out a long sigh of relief.
Good, no slip-ups.
However, her chat with Yaoyao reaffirmed that her books were indeed a hit; even an adeptus disciple knew about them.
"Including the adepti... 'knowledgeable old scholar... adeptus'..." Lovia chewed on these words, her gem-blue eyes gradually lighting up as a new story inspiration began to sprout wildly in her mind.
"For the next book... maybe I could write some 'unofficial history' about the adepti?"
The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and she couldn't help but let a smile curl her lips.
"It's decided, then!"
Lovia gathered up the lotus seedpods and turned to leave, her mood cheerful as she prepared to return to her "great creative undertaking."
The hem of her large cloak lifted slightly with her movement, briefly revealing a glimpse of a small, swiftly wagging blue tail.
Of course, all of this went unseen by Yaoyao, who had hurried away.