After returning from Mondstadt, Luo Qing hesitated about what to do with the Pure Ice tucked in his pocket.
Wearing it meant that every move he made, every word he spoke, would be heard by the Tsaritsa. The thought of having no privacy whatsoever was… unsettling.
But not wearing it? Who could have imagined that the lofty Tsaritsa would sulk over something as trivial as his refusal to wear her gift? Who would I even complain to about this?
Unable to decide, he opted to keep the Pure Ice for now and headed downstairs. He was planning to visit Nahida to continue discussing the fate of the Void Network when he saw Makoto lounging on the sofa. She held a piece of stationery in her hand, reading it intently.
“Oh, you’re back.”
Makoto glanced up, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “How did you sleep last night?”
“Pretty well,” Luo Qing replied casually.
“Hmph. I didn’t sleep at all,” Makoto muttered, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance as she turned back to the letter.
For the first time in her reign as the household’s de facto “queen,” she had suffered a sleepless night.
The muffled sounds from the room next door had driven her mad—turning, tossing, and hugging her legs tight against her chest in a futile attempt to ignore the heat coursing through her body.
How were those two making that much noise?
Her younger sister had claimed she’d been the same way before, but Makoto found that hard to believe.
“Here. This is for you.”
She handed the stationery to Luo Qing without looking up.
“What is this?”
Luo Qing took the letter, frowning. It wasn’t often he received handwritten correspondence.
“It’s from Ganyu,” Makoto explained. “She says the Lantern Rite Festival is coming up in Liyue. She wanted to come here to celebrate but can’t get away from her duties. So, she’s asking you to visit and spend the festival with her instead.”
“The Lantern Rite, huh…”
Luo Qing scanned the letter briefly. It was exactly as Makoto had summarized: Ganyu missed him, and with the Lantern Rite approaching, she hoped he could come to Liyue, have a reunion, and share a meal.
“What do you think?” Luo Qing asked, glancing at Makoto.
“Of course, you have to go,” Makoto replied nonchalantly. “But we’ll go together. There’s no way I’m letting you go alone.”
“…”
“What, you don’t trust me?” Luo Qing teased.
“Take a guess.”
“…”
She was starting to sound like him.
“Mondstadt’s house will be done soon,” Makoto added. “We can move in next week and head to Liyue from there. It’ll save time on the road.”
“What about Ayaka?”
Makoto’s words reminded Luo Qing of someone else.
“She hasn’t visited in a while,” Makoto said, her tone casual but pointed. “You’re her supposed lover. Don’t you think you should check on her?”
“You’re right,” Luo Qing muttered, guilt creeping in. He hadn’t seen Ayaka since that one night when they had… grown much closer.
“Something might have happened. I’ll visit her tonight.”
“Good.”
Makoto smirked knowingly but then glanced at the stairs.
“And what about Bu’er?”
Luo Qing followed her gaze, realizing that the house was unusually quiet.
“Is she still sleeping?”
“She woke up, but when she couldn’t find you, she went out to look for the Little Lord Kusanali,” Makoto replied.
She and Nahida were two people from entirely different eras—one before the Cataclysm of Khaenri’ah, the other after. They shared no common history or understanding.
“I see. I’ll head that way too.”
With that, Luo Qing left the house.
—
Liyue, Aozang Mountain
On the summit of the sacred mountain, Shenhe sat alone on a lotus pedestal within a tranquil cave.
The crimson ropes that she always wore had been completely undone. She sat cross-legged, her expression calm as she meditated.
But soon, her serene expression began to falter.
Her cheeks flushed pink, and her breaths became shallow. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she struggled to maintain her posture.
Moments later, her composure crumbled entirely.
She fidgeted, her body twisting slightly, unable to resist the sensations coursing through her. Her meditative pose gave way to a duck-like sitting position, legs folded awkwardly beneath her.
“Ah…”
Nearby, the avian form of Cloud Retainer sighed deeply.
With a wave of her wing, the crimson ropes lifted from the ground and wrapped themselves around Shenhe once more.
“I’m sorry, Master…” Shenhe murmured weakly. The ropes’ return brought her some relief, quieting the torrent of emotions within her.
“You foolish child,” Cloud Retainer said, shaking her head. “Is this what you call training?”
When Shenhe had announced her intention to descend the mountain for worldly experience, Cloud Retainer had been overjoyed.
A human like Shenhe belonged among mortals. Staying on the mountain forever wasn’t an option.
But half a year later, Shenhe had returned with a startling confession: she had fallen in love with a man.
She had even boldly admitted to wanting to consummate their relationship and sought her master’s permission.
Cloud Retainer had nearly keeled over on the spot.
The man’s name?
Luo Qing.
Hearing that, she had actually fainted, her bird head drooping in defeat.
“Shenhe, we adepti may lack experience in mortal relationships, but even we understand that such matters are of grave importance. You must think carefully,” Cloud Retainer warned. “And that man, Luo Qing… he…”
“Master, you don’t have to worry,” Shenhe said, her tone gentle but firm. “Sister and I have already reached an agreement.”
“Sister… Ganyu?!”
Cloud Retainer’s eyes narrowed.
[Frustration +10 from Cloud Retainer]
If Luo Qing had been in Liyue at that moment, she might have clawed his face off for daring to ensnare both her disciples.
My poor, foolish disciples… He touched your waists once, and you’re ready to give him everything?
Cloud Retainer sighed deeply.
“You managed two hours today,” she finally said. “It’s progress, but you still have a long way to go before you can shed the crimson ropes entirely.”
“But Master…”
Shenhe’s voice was soft, almost pleading.
“The Lantern Rite is approaching. Sister said Luo Qing will come to Liyue. If I don’t go…”
“What if you don’t?” Cloud Retainer huffed. “Does spending the Lantern Rite with your master not satisfy you?”
“That’s not what I meant, Master…” Shenhe’s tone grew weaker, her exhaustion apparent.
Since returning to the mountain, her master had forbidden her from leaving. Until she could fully control her emotions without the crimson ropes, she was grounded.
Cloud Retainer had insisted it was for Shenhe’s own good. Without restraint, the consequences of losing herself to passion could be catastrophic.
But the Lantern Rite was so close now…
She wanted to see Luo Qing.
—
This is a fan translation of 原神：这个见习执行官太屑了 by 何一乐. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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