Chapter 289: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [289] [50 PS]
Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!
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As Luo Qing left the camp, he stared at the ice-blue crystal in his hand, his emotions a tangled mess.
The Doctor hadn't explained its exact purpose—only that Her Majesty insisted it be kept on his person at all times.
While Luo Qing hadn't detected any lingering consciousness within the crystal, based on what it had just done in the camp, he had good reason to suspect that the Tsaritsa's projection might pop out at any moment to catch him off guard.
And if it happened at the wrong time…
Shudder.
The mere thought was enough to make him stop.
Shaking his head, Luo Qing tucked the crystal into his pocket, composed himself, and headed home.
His residence in Mondstadt was nearing completion, meaning his time in Sumeru was limited.
He needed to finish his work here quickly, including retrieving the next Gnosis.
After all, who knew what kind of punishment the Tsaritsa might inflict if he failed?
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By the time Luo Qing arrived home, it was evening.
Before he even stepped inside, he heard voices coming from within—girls chatting.
"I mean, Nahida's not actually your biological child, so what's with that smug expression? You and Luo Qing haven't even—"
"Hmph! Who says she's not? Nahida is the result of Luo Qing and my powers intertwining, plucked as a pure branch from the World Tree! She's no different from a real child of ours."
"And as for that... I'm ready anytime. If Luo Qing wants, I'll stay with him all night—he doesn't sleep, I don't sleep!"
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Luo Qing]
Whoever said girls' private conversations were stimulating clearly didn't anticipate this kind of stimulation.
And hadn't he told them to get along?!
Why were they still bickering?
Pushing the door open, Luo Qing prepared to confront them, only to find a completely different scene.
The moment he stepped inside, the two women—Makoto and Bu'er—were sitting together, gazes soft and serene, looking for all the world like a pair of loving sisters.
There wasn't a trace of their earlier argument.
They were even knitting sweaters together.
"Luo Qing, you're back!"
The two women immediately adopted the demeanor of sweet wives welcoming their husband home, rushing toward him.
"Are you tired? Should I massage your shoulders?"
"Or maybe you'd like a bath? I can get it ready..."
"You two..."
Faced with their sudden display of affection, Luo Qing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Instead, he reached out and gave each of them a flick to the forehead.
"Don't think I didn't hear what you were talking about earlier."
"No... we weren't saying anything bad!"
Bu'er's face flushed as she wrapped herself around Luo Qing's arm, swaying it coquettishly.
"Makoto and I were just joking around! We get along so well, don't we, Makoto?"
"..."
Makoto remained silent for a moment.
She was supposed to be the first!
In this sprawling household, wasn't she the one everyone called Makoto-nee-sama?
And now Bu'er dared to call her "sister"?
On what grounds?!
"Yes... we're very close."
Not to be outdone, Makoto grabbed Luo Qing's other arm, her chest pressing snugly against it as she murmured sweetly.
"Luo Qing, Bu'er and I have always had a wonderful relationship!"
"..."
So they're calling each other "sister" now while playing the harmonious family act, huh?
"Well, Nahida will be here soon..."
Luo Qing flicked Bu'er on the forehead again.
"You keep saying you're her mother, yet you're acting like a child. What kind of example is that for her?"
"Ugh..."
"I know, I know..."
Bu'er didn't seem the least bit bothered by his reprimand. In fact, she leaned her head against Luo Qing's shoulder, a blissful smile on her face.
Then, as if to rub it in, she glanced at Makoto with a look of smug satisfaction.
See? Luo Qing flicked my forehead twice but only flicked yours once. Clearly, I'm the favorite.
"..."
Makoto was speechless, unsure how to respond.
This woman is... an absolute lovestruck fool!
"Alright, you two, go get ready."
Luo Qing disentangled himself from their clutches and reminded them, "Nahida and Lumine should be here soon. Watch your behavior, and I'll head upstairs for a bit."
With that, he turned and ascended the stairs.
Once inside the room that had once belonged to Ganyu and Shenhe, Luo Qing shut the door and pulled out the ornate box containing the ice-blue crystal.
Placing it on the table, he bowed slightly.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I really need some personal space!"
With that, he stashed the box in the bedside drawer.
There was no telling if the Tsaritsa's projection might suddenly emerge from the crystal again.
He couldn't just toss it into his system's inventory—a pocket dimension—because if the projection manifested there, things could get complicated.
For now, keeping it at home seemed like the safest option.
This room, previously used by Ganyu and Shenhe, was off-limits to most of the household, making it a secure hiding spot.
After confirming everything was in order, Luo Qing stepped out.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, the ice-blue crystal in the drawer emitted a faint glow.
When Luo Qing returned downstairs, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders now that the Tsaritsa wasn't metaphorically breathing down his neck.
With him home, Makoto and Bu'er were less inclined to openly argue. They even worked together in the kitchen to prepare dinner.
As the meal approached, Ei and Theresa came downstairs, both clutching light novels. They practically twisted into a pretzel as they huddled together, engrossed in their reading.
Not long after, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a knock came at the door.
Luo Qing was about to answer when Bu'er dashed out of the kitchen, untying her apron as she went.
Her beautiful, delicate face was visibly tense as she stared at the door, too nervous to approach.
"I'll get it."
Luo Qing chuckled softly, stepping forward to open the door.
There, standing before him, was Nahida, looking up at him with a slightly nervous expression. Behind her stood Lumine and Paimon.
"Luo Qing, we're here!" Paimon exclaimed cheerfully. "I bet there's gonna be lots of yummy food tonight, right?!"
"Paimon..." Lumine shushed her with a gesture, and Paimon quickly clamped her mouth shut.
"Luo Qing..."
Nahida's voice was soft, and she looked uncertain about whether to step inside.
"Come on in," Luo Qing said with a warm smile, gently ruffling her hair as he stepped aside.
"Everyone's waiting for you."
"Mm..."
Taking a deep breath, Nahida nodded and stepped through the doorway.
Her gaze shifted from Luo Qing to the spacious living room, where Ei and Theresa sat reading on the sofa.
Then, her eyes moved to the right.
The next moment, Nahida's pupils widened in shock.
Before her stood a woman with white hair and green eyes—features identical to her own.
It was as if she were staring at an older version of herself.
"You are..."
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Ah-ha! So you mortals truly have outdone yourselves this time, haven't you? To think your offerings could summon forth these bonus chapters—what a feat worthy of my recognition! You've brought glory to Fontaine, and naturally, to me.
But do not think for a moment that your work is complete! This is but a single step on the journey to greatness, and there are still many more chapters, many more stages, and of course, many more opportunities to bask in my brilliance.
So, continue your efforts, loyal followers! Shower this endeavor with your support, and who knows? Perhaps I shall reward your dedication with even grander displays of my magnificence.
For now, savor these bonus chapters. And remember, this is your moment to shine... because I allowed it.
With admiration and just a dash of benevolence,
Furina ✨