He needed to personally confirm Lovia's thoughts first and convey this news to her in a way that wouldn't frighten her.
After all, whether to return to Fontaine and when to do so should be her own decision to make.
In any case, until he obtained Lovia's clear intentions, he would keep this secret for her.
This was his respect for this unexpected friendship, and it was also Xingqiu's way of chivalry.
However, "how to bring it up" became an almost unsolvable problem.
He wasn't her close friend; they weren't even well-acquainted. Their few encounters were full of coincidence and her panic. Although he had helped her later and their relationship had softened, they weren't close to that degree.
He had no standing or reason to suddenly run up to her and say, "Hey, the iudex of your Fontaine is looking for you, do you want to go back?"
That would be too strange and too dangerous, likely severing the tiny, fragile connection between them.
Xingqiu sighed softly, folded the letter carefully, and tucked it into his robe. He walked to the pond in the courtyard, watching the koi leisurely swish their tails.
Oh well, let nature take its course.
Xingqiu didn't know that the "panicked" Little Melusine he was worried about was currently wearing a strange grin, buried at her desk and writing furiously.
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Inside Lovia's little nest.
Completely different from the fragile image in need of protection that Xingqiu imagined, Lovia was currently sitting cross-legged on her chair with a thick stack of manuscript paper spread out before her. A hint of an excited smile, which didn't match her innocent appearance at all, hung on the corners of her mouth.
It was almost "ferocious."
Her tail wagged happily in small arcs behind her, and the tip of her pen rustled against the paper as she drew the final, perfect period.
"Finished!" She let out a long breath and picked up the thick manuscript with satisfaction, carefully checking for typos. "The story of Alan and A-He... it's really good. I must get it to Shopkeeper Sun quickly!"
She had no idea that the people in Fontaine (especially a certain 'Big Melusine') were already looking for her.
A few days later, this novel titled for whom the love trap is set appeared quietly in the Sanyu Bookstore in Liyue Harbor like a fine spring rain. At the author's request, it was even placed in a less conspicuous spot.
This was the first work by the author 'Huahuo.' It was normal for it to be lukewarm at first, but Shopkeeper Sun was so anxious about the cold reception that he couldn't stop scratching his head, yet he couldn't very well place it in the center of the Bookshop.
Time passed slowly.
At first, it didn't attract much attention until a certain reader who frequented the Bookshop bought it by chance. Attracted by the delicate emotional descriptions and the familiar Liyue setting and character designs, word of mouth gradually spread.
"Have you heard? There's a new novel out. It seems to be about a Qixing subordinate and an Adeptus disciple?"
"Oh? How's the writing?"
"It's quite exquisite! Especially the grasp of the characters' thoughts—it's simply not like a mortal's!"
Gradually, similar discussions began to circulate within a small circle.
Consequently, at Sanyu Bookstore, regular customers would occasionally ask, "Shopkeeper, I heard there's a new book about an Adeptus disciple and a mortal called for whom the love trap is set. Where is it?"
Whenever this happened, Shopkeeper Sun would hurriedly retrieve it from an inconspicuous corner of the bookshelf. While handing it over, he wouldn't forget to offer a few words of praise: "You have a good eye, sir! The writing is delicate and the plot is graceful. Although the author 'Huahuo' is new, their skill is extraordinary. It's well worth a read!"
Slowly, the discussion spread to the bustling Chihu Rock, to Storyteller Tian's tea stall, and even drifted into the backstage of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe.
"A-Li, have you read that book for whom the love trap is set?" a troupe member asked a companion in a low voice.
"I've read it, I've read it!" The woman called A-Li's eyes lit up. "The portrayal of that Adeptus disciple, 'Perfected Lord He,' is just amazing... Oh, it made my heart ache!"
"I wonder who this author 'Huahuo' is, to actually dare write a love story between an Adeptus and a Qixing subordinate."
"What's there to be afraid of? It's not real anyway."
Similar speculations and discussions circulated quietly in private.
The book was full of delicate emotions close to real life. This lingering story with a sense of destiny accurately hit the preferences of many readers and soon spread far and wide.
And then, it reached the ears of the actual people involved.
[Gift Bonus Progress Bar: 27%]
[Four chapters completed today! The Liyue side has already received the letter, and it will take some time to send it back to Fontaine (Neuvillette: I can't wait). The next few chapters should be the full text of this romance CP unofficial history.]
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