In that instant, she realized clearly—she was actually feeling distressed for her.
[Chapter 6: Red Strings Tie Mortal Fates]
The subsequent operation went exceptionally smoothly. The two joined forces to subdue the Treasure Hoarders and found the stolen cultural relics. By the time they handed the criminals over to the arriving Millelith, the night was already deep.
On the way back to Liyue Harbor, Nickname remained silent. It wasn't until they reached the city gates that she spoke: "Come to my place."
Alan raised an eyebrow, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes. "Hmm?"
"Your injury needs to be treated." Nickname's tone was calm, but the tips of her ears turned slightly red under Alan's gaze.
Alan chuckled, her voice particularly alluring in the night. "Then I shall trouble you."
Nickname's residence in Liyue Harbor was simple to the point of being sparse, identical to her dwelling on Mt. Aocang. She had Alan sit on a chair and carefully helped her remove her outer garment, revealing the large bruise on her shoulder and back.
Looking at the injury, a strange pang of pain rose in Nickname's heart. She took out some medicinal oil, poured it into her palm to warm it up, and then gently applied it to the wound.
"Hiss—" Alan took a soft breath.
"Endure it for a bit." Nickname softened her movements, her palm slowly circling over the bruise. "Why did you block that for me?"
Alan turned her head to look at her from over her shoulder, her eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the candlelight. "Just a subconscious reaction. Why, are you unhappy?"
Nickname was silent for a moment, her fingertips unconsciously increasing the pressure. "I am not used to being protected."
"Habits can be changed," Alan said meaningfully, letting out a soft gasp due to Nickname's increased pressure. "Just as you were used to being alone, yet now you allow me to step into your territory?"
Nickname's hand paused.
Indeed, she never invited others to her residence; Alan was the first.
"Then... are we considered friends?" Nickname asked suddenly, the movements of her hands unconsciously slowing down.
Alan turned around to face her, her collar slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbones. An elusive light flickered in her eyes. "Do you wish for us to be friends?"
Nickname met her gaze, momentarily at a loss for words.
She wasn't sure what she wished for; she only knew that when she was with Alan, there was a strange palpitation in her heart, like a stone being thrown into a frozen lake, sending ripples out in layers.
It was a very strange feeling.
"I don't know," Nickname said honestly, her gaze unconsciously falling on Alan's slightly open collar. "I don't quite understand these things."
Alan's smile softened a little. She reached out and gently took Nickname's wrist, her fingertips lightly rubbing against the other's Red Rope. "It's alright, we can take it slow."
She naturally understood the meaning of this Red Rope. Nickname's background and fate were unique, so the Adepti had given her the Red Rope to lock her soul and bind her emotions and murderous intent.
After the medicine was applied, Alan dressed and walked to the window to gaze at the moonlight outside. The moonlight spilled over her, outlining her graceful silhouette.
"The Lantern Rite Festival is in a few days."
"Yes, what about it?" Nickname stood beside her, their sleeves lightly brushing against each other in the night breeze.
"I heard there will be special sky lanterns released this year. Shall we watch them together?" Alan asked. Her tone was casual, yet her eyes carried a hint of seriousness.
Nickname looked at Alan's profile, outlined by the moonlight, and that strange palpitation surfaced in her heart once more.
A simple "Okay" escaped her lips naturally.
The moment the words left her mouth, Nickname herself was stunned.
She... had agreed just like that?
Agreed to go with another person, at a specific time, to do something purely for the sake of "watching" rather than out of "necessity"?
This was completely inconsistent with her principles. She was used to solitude, used to ascetic cultivation, and used to pouring her energy into her training and duties. To her, the Lantern Rite Festival was merely Liyue Harbor's annual boisterous celebration; she might catch a distant glimpse of the sky full of lanterns, but she had never thought about "specifically" watching them "together" with someone.
She subconsciously lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the bright Red Rope around her wrist.
Her master had given her this item to lock away the calamity in her fate, and also to bind her emotions and nature. It was wrapped quietly around her wrist with no sign of loosening, yet she felt that something deep within her, something tightly bound, had experienced a microscopic loosening because of this sudden promise.
This feeling... what was it?
Why did she agree so easily?
Alan took in her silence and that moment of daze, a knowing smile flickering in her eyes, yet she considerately did not point it out. She merely rested her hand lightly on the window, her voice turning even softer: "Then it's a promise. On the night of the Lantern Rite Festival, I'll wait for you near Feiyun Slope."
"...Mm."
Then, she watched as Alan turned to leave, her figure merging into the night outside the door. She didn't slowly withdraw her gaze until that figure had completely disappeared.
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