“What… what are you doing all of a sudden?!”
Keqing turned her face away awkwardly, her expression slightly flustered.
But her body, as if betraying her, accepted it honestly.
Her big, fluttering eyes sparkled, revealing a trace of joy she couldn’t hide.
Seeing the obvious happiness on her face, Ren smiled gently.
“Do you not like it?”
“It’s just barely acceptable, that’s all,” Keqing huffed, her tsundere nature kicking in.
Still, she couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Ren, her cheeks slightly red.
The sensation of his fingertips brushing across her palm earlier lingered—it tickled.
And this warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart…
It’s just an ordinary seashell, and yet she couldn’t stop herself from feeling happy.
If this goes on… she’d lose control of herself.
“Ren.”
Keqing bit her lip gently and whispered his name.
“What is it?” Ren asked, still smiling.
“How long do you plan to keep holding my hand…?”
Keqing mustered her courage and puffed out her cheeks as she confronted him.
“Ah, sorry. I forgot.”
Ren blinked, his apology looking sincere.
And yet, he made no move to let go of her hand.
Keqing silently tried to free herself but failed.
“?”
“?”
Their gazes met, and the unspoken tension in the air was unmistakable.
“Of course, the longer, the better.”
Ren suddenly glanced down at her small hand and spoke, his tone serious.
“L-longer?”
Keqing couldn’t help but turn her blushing face away, mumbling softly.
She understood what he meant all too well.
“Of course, that long.”
Ren gave her small hand a gentle squeeze.
“Are you talking about working overtime together?”
Keqing shot him a glare but couldn’t stop the faint smile tugging at her lips.
“That…” Ren chuckled helplessly, feeling a bit defeated.
He was just building the mood, and here she was bringing up overtime.
Classic Keqing, he thought with a wry smile.
Resigned, Ren pointed toward the Seelie floating nearby.
“Let’s go treasure hunting together.”
“Fine,” Keqing replied with a huff, not turning him down.
And so, the two of them followed the Seelie down the beach, searching for treasure.
By the way, Ren still hadn’t let go of her hand, holding it tightly as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Keqing pouted as she trailed behind him, remaining silent.
Splash—
The waves rolled in, bringing a refreshing coolness to the air.
She lifted her gaze, her eyes settling on Ren’s back.
“Where’s the treasure, I wonder.”
For the first time, she found herself wishing this path could stretch on forever.
No matter how much time it would take, it would be worth it.
“Somewhere nearby, maybe. Who knows,” Ren replied, glancing back at Keqing and giving her hand another playful squeeze.
The feeling was nice.
“You don’t seem to care much about the treasure,” Keqing muttered, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction.
If even the treasure didn’t matter to him, then what did?
“Treasure?” Ren murmured thoughtfully.
He raised their clasped hands slightly, giving hers yet another gentle squeeze.
The real treasure, he thought, was already his to keep.
“!”
Under the moonlight, Keqing’s cheeks turned even redder.
“Ren…”
“Hmm?”
“Forget about the treasure for now.”
Keqing suddenly stopped walking and looked toward the horizon.
There, a faint light was beginning to emerge.
“Stay with me and watch the sunrise, will you?”
Keqing stepped closer to him, her voice soft.
Ren blinked and smiled. “Of course.”
“Mm.”
—
On a large rock by the shore, the two of them sat side by side.
The sea breeze swept through their hair, and the sunlight bathed them in warmth.
Everything felt so serene and beautiful.
“Ren, the work is finally done,” Keqing murmured, swinging her legs lightly.
“Yeah, it’s done,” Ren replied.
“…You’re heading back to Inazuma soon, aren’t you?”
Keqing tilted her head to look at Ren, her hand unconsciously tightening its grip on his.
Bathed in the morning light, his side profile appeared especially handsome.
She wondered how many girls in Inazuma would fall for him…
But at least for now, it was just the two of them here.
“Yeah, I’m heading back.”
Ren smiled faintly, his expression tinged with thoughtfulness.
Keqing didn’t say anything more.
“How about you come to Inazuma with me for a couple of days?”
Ren had been mulling it over for a while and finally decided to ask.
He didn’t care about Liyue’s Yuheng Star right now—all he knew was that the girl beside him was his adorable Keqing.
And he wanted to take her back with him.
“You don’t have any ulterior motives, do you?”
Keqing brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, her tone suspicious.
“None at all,” Ren replied sincerely.
“Be honest.”
“…Alright, maybe just a little,” he admitted, surrendering with a sheepish grin.
Keqing sighed, but before she could respond, she suddenly shifted the topic.
“Our boat is here.”
“Huh?”
Ren turned his head, puzzled.
“Keqing, I don’t see—”
Before he could finish, warmth enveloped half his body.
Ren instinctively tried to turn his head.
“Don’t look,” Keqing’s trembling voice stopped him.
The next moment, something soft and slightly damp pressed against his cheek.
“Chu.”
Keqing had just boldly planted a kiss on his face, though it was more like a nibble.
The sound rang out loudly, as if she were trying to make a point.
Ren blinked, stunned, before bursting into laughter.
The way she did it—so fierce yet so endearing—was utterly adorable.
“What are you laughing at?”
Under the sunlight, Keqing’s face was beet red, but she didn’t back down.
Having already confessed her feelings, she wasn’t going to hide anymore.
There was no way she’d lose to that doll-like girl!
“I’m laughing because the Millelith saw you,” Ren teased with a mischievous smile.
“W-what?!”
Keqing spun around frantically, searching for the Millelith.
Who gave them permission to work overtime?!
But to her surprise…
“There’s no Millelith anywhere,” she muttered, turning back to glare at Ren.
“Ren! You tricked me—”
Before she could finish, her view was suddenly blocked by his approaching figure.
Keqing seemed to realize what was about to happen, and her mind went blank.
She let him lift her chin gently, and then…
Mmm.
This time, it was Ren who kissed her, firmly and unapologetically.
He pulled her into his arms, inhaling her soft, floral scent.
“Come back to Inazuma with me for a couple of days.”
“But…”
“No buts.”
Keqing buried her face in his chest, giving him a light punch.
How could someone be so unreasonable with an invitation?
“Well, since you’re so insistent…”
“F-fine.”
Her muffled voice sounded from his embrace as she hugged him tightly.
The two of them basked in the morning sunlight, their hearts warm and full.
Their elongated shadows quietly intertwined on the ground.
—
This is a fan translation of 原神：人在提瓦特，贴贴就能变强 by 萌红叶. 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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