This afternoon, the sun shone warmly in the backyard of Wanmin Restaurant. Miss Lovia was sitting on a small stool, holding a bowl of ice jelly mixed with special "crunchy mineral shards," eating with great relish.
This mineral was somewhat similar to the ice crystal Shenhe had given her before, but it wasn't as magical or as delicious-looking (?). As for that ice crystal, she had solemnly placed it on the top shelf of her bookcase to prevent herself from giving in to her cravings (strikethrough).
Her white Hooded cloak was folded on the stool beside her as usual. Her blue antennae swayed slightly as she tasted her food, and the small tail behind her wagged gently and unconsciously, looking very cozy and relaxed.
Xiangling was busy at the stove nearby, while Guoba wandered around Lovia, seemingly very interested in the shiny "stone shards" in her bowl.
"Sister Xiangling, the texture of this is amazing! It's crunchy, cool, and has a bit of a sweet aftertaste!" Lovia looked up, her emerald eyes sparkling as she gave her praise generously.
"Hehe, I knew you'd like it!" Xiangling wiped the sweat from her forehead proudly. "Next time, how about we try adding some crushed jueyun chili? Maybe it'll give a sensation of ice and fire!"
This place had clearly become Lovia's second home, so relaxing that she almost forgot she was actually socially anxious. (A social butterfly in front of acquaintances, but suffering from social phobia in front of strangers, heehee.)
In this warm and harmonious atmosphere, familiar and clear sounds of talking and laughing came from the front hall, drawing closer.
"Xiangling! Are there any new dishes today? I've brought Chongyun to try something fresh!"
The three people in the backyard (plus Guoba) all heard the commotion.
Xiangling straightened up and smiled. "It's Xingqiu and Chongyun. They're probably here to test new dishes again."
Lovia's heart skipped a beat, and the spoon in her hand almost fell into the bowl.
Xingqiu? Chongyun?
She instinctively reached out to grab the Hooded cloak beside her.
Xiangling responded happily, "Xingqiu, Chongyun! You're here!"
She then noticed Lovia's panicked movements and immediately lowered her voice to comfort her. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid! It's just Xingqiu and Chongyun, they're both very nice! Besides, hasn't Xingqiu already..."
Lovia had told Xiangling about the incident with Xingqiu before, which had made Xiangling burst into laughter.
Although Xingqiu already knew her secret and had always been friendly, Chongyun... she still remembered how he had almost pulled out a talisman the moment they met! (Not really almost.)
However, before her fingers could touch her cloak, the curtain leading between the front and back yards was lifted.
Xingqiu was the first to walk in, still looking like a refined young master with a gentle smile on his lips. Beside him, Chongyun had a look of anticipation, clearly looking forward to the delicacies of Wanmin Restaurant.
The gaze of both men fell upon the three in the backyard almost instantly.
Xiangling in her apron, the adorable Guoba, and... that petite figure sitting on the small stool, holding a small bowl, with a pair of blue antennae frozen on her head and a small tail that had instantly stopped wagging, looking as if she had been hit by a freezing spell.
Th-this is...?
He felt that his Pure Yang Constitution seemed to have a faint reaction again, but it was nowhere near as strong as the first time; it was more like a subtle feeling when facing an unknown existence.
Although he was surprised, it wasn't because of Miss Lovia's appearance, but rather that this Melusine lady would actually be in the kitchen of Wanmin Restaurant. (Chongyun assumed all Melusines looked like this and didn't think much of it.)
Did Xiangling seem very close to her?
As for Xingqiu, even though he had long known Lovia's identity, a clear flash of surprise crossed his always-smiling eyes when he saw this scene.
Like Chongyun, he hadn't expected to meet this mysterious Melusine lady again here, in the backyard of Wanmin Restaurant.
What surprised him even more was that she wasn't wearing that white Hooded cloak that she almost never took off!
She just sat there naturally, revealing her full Melusine features, appearing exceptionally relaxed in front of Xiangling and Guoba.
But based on previous circumstances, Miss Lovia was clearly unwilling to expose these traits.
Why?
Xingqiu's gaze swept very quickly from Lovia's frozen antennae to her bowl of uniquely-topped ice jelly, then to the neatly folded Hooded cloak beside her, and finally to Xiangling, who looked normal and was even smiling.
In a flash of insight, Xingqiu immediately understood many things.
Was it because she knew Miss Xiangling and they had a quite good relationship? Even to the point where she could openly show her true form in front of her?
Who would have thought that this little one already had a place in Liyue Harbor where she could feel safe enough to drop her disguise.
He looked at Lovia and, as expected, caught the complex expression on her face—a mix of panic, embarrassment, and a 'why is it you guys again' look, especially when she looked at Chongyun.
"Lovia..." Chongyun instinctively took a step forward. "H-hello?"
A gentle smile returned to Xingqiu's face, as if his earlier surprise had never existed. He first nodded to Xiangling in greeting. "Miss Xiangling, sorry for the intrusion."
Then, his gaze turned to Lovia, who was frozen in place. He spoke in a natural tone, with just the right amount of familiarity and a hint of teasing: "Miss Lovia, what a coincidence. It seems you and Miss Xiangling are old acquaintances?"
Xiangling blinked, only then realizing what was happening. She slapped her forehead and smiled to smooth things over. "Ah! I remember now, you all know each other! Let me tell you, Lovia is our specially appointed taste consultant for Wanmin Restaurant! She's amazing!"
She stepped forward and naturally patted Lovia on the shoulder, signaling her to relax, then explained to the two: "She rarely reveals herself to others, so she's a bit too nervous. She's actually very cute, just like anyone else, she just looks a bit special! Right, Lovia?"
Guoba also gave a "Rua!" as if in agreement.
Under Xiangling's comfort, Lovia regained a bit of courage. She looked up, glanced at Xingqiu who was smiling like a fox, recalled the word "cute" that Xiangling used, and forced herself to admit, "...Yes."
Looking at Xiangling's matter-of-fact attitude, then at Lovia's nervous state, and recalling her reaction at the stationery store and Xingqiu's later explanation, Chongyun's brain finally connected the dots.
He remembered that this Little Melusine was very timid, and he and Xingqiu seemed to have scared her last time... Thinking of this, Chongyun's face suddenly turned red. "Miss Lovia, I was just... just a bit surprised! I didn't expect to see you here! Don't be nervous... You, you're really cute! Especially, especially those ears!"
He pointed awkwardly at the top of his own head. "Really, very cute!"
Seeing Chongyun's honest and blunt reaction, Xingqiu couldn't help but chuckle softly, and he didn't point out the error in his words.
Xingqiu turned to Lovia, his voice gentle. "It seems Miss Lovia and Miss Xiangling are kindred spirits. To be able to find a place of peace here is truly a stroke of good fortune."
He paused and curled his lips into a smile. "Xiangling is right, it is indeed very cute."
[Update Progress: 97%]
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