"Being able to find a place of peace here where one doesn't have to constantly hide is truly a stroke of good fortune," Xingqiu continued, his tone carrying sincere emotion. "Liyue Harbor is large, but a place where one can completely relax and be oneself is rare indeed."
These words seemed to strike a chord with Lovia.
She quietly glanced up at Xingqiu. Seeing only peaceful understanding on his face, her tense nerves relaxed slightly. She hesitated for a moment and nodded again.
Xingqiu observed her reaction, knowing the timing was approaching. He chose his words carefully, his voice becoming even softer. "Actually... I recently happened upon some news that might be related to Miss Lovia's homeland."
He wanted to tell Lovia about that letter, yet he feared it might frighten her.
"Homeland?" Lovia looked up, an imperceptible trace of panic flashing in her emerald eyes, though mostly they were filled with blankness.
Xingqiu saw her antennae sensitiveley probe forward, as if catching any information related to "homeland" in the air.
His heart stirred slightly; her reaction was more complex than he had anticipated.
It wasn't pure resistance, nor was it simple longing.
"Yes, Fontaine," Xingqiu slowly uttered these two words, carefully observing her expression. "I heard..."
Before Xingqiu could finish, upon hearing the word "Fontaine," Lovia's body couldn't help but tremble.
Seeing Lovia's state, Xingqiu understood. She indeed had a reaction to "Fontaine," and in that reaction, fear seemed to outweigh familiarity. Thus, he quickly changed his tune and apologized: "Forgive me, I was being presumptuous. I didn't expect this topic to make you uncomfortable; please don't take it to heart."
Lovia shook her head gently, her antennae retracting slightly as she whispered, "It's not your fault... it's just that I..."
She hesitated, ultimately just lowering her head in silence. Xingqiu's voice was gentle and carried sincere apology, but since it concerned "Fontaine," she couldn't help but overthink.
Xingqiu took in her reaction, and the speech he had originally prepared was quietly swallowed back down. He could see that the word "Fontaine" was complicated for Lovia. If he continued to probe now, it would likely backfire and shatter the little bit of trust she had just developed toward Liyue and her friends.
He thus smoothly changed the subject, chatting in a relaxed tone about the local customs of Liyue, speaking of the bamboo forests of Qingce Village and the lotus flowers of Luhua Pool, as if that brief disturbance had never occurred.
Before long, Chongyun returned holding three cups of Iced Berry Mint Drinks, the crisp coolness instantly dispelling some of the gloom in the courtyard. Xingqiu naturally took them and handed one to Lovia.
"Give it a try. I heard this shop's flavor is quite good."
Lovia hesitated for a moment before thanking him and taking it. The cold cup wall touched her palm, bringing a sense of clarity. She took small sips, the sweet and sour refreshing taste spreading in her mouth. It was actually quite good and suited her palate, which slightly smoothed the ripples in her heart stirred by the word "Fontaine."
Xingqiu no longer mentioned any topics that might cause unease, only making small talk with Chongyun and occasionally directing the conversation toward Lovia, asking trivial questions about snack flavors and the like.
Under his guidance, the atmosphere in the courtyard gradually softened again.
Lovia listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two.
She looked at Xingqiu's profile as he talked and laughed, then at Chongyun beside him who was contentedly drinking his beverage. She couldn't help but think of the discarded draft she had written, and her tense body slowly relaxed.
Xingqiu, meanwhile, secretly pondered. It seemed the matter of Fontaine would require long-term planning and finding a more secure timing. For now, maintaining this hard-won peace was the most important thing.
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