Ever since realizing she was in love, Qin Yu's mindset had undergone a subtle shift.
However, this realization also brought her some worries.
While she had fulfilled Ningguang and Keqing's wishes—they had longed for a romantic relationship—Qin Yu still yearned for a bond of unshakeable strength.
Of course, as she had told Keqing before, a romantic relationship didn't necessarily have to be fragile.
It all depended on the individuals involved.
And one day, a romantic relationship could evolve into the resilient connection she craved.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was contradicting herself... Qin Yu's mood was complex, which was the main reason she had been dwelling on this so much lately.
Forget it, no use dwelling on it.
Compared to that, she was far more concerned about another matter.
By now, she had accumulated ninety million Points, putting her within reach of exchanging for a bottle of "Penglai Wine."
Once she obtained it, she could become a long-lived being, living alongside Ganyu and Yanfei—both half-adepti—for eternity.
And after some time, she could grant Shenhe and the others exceptionally long lifespans as well.
Qin Yu looked forward to this prospect with great anticipation.
But then a question suddenly struck her: would Shenhe and the others even want such extraordinary longevity?
So she asked Shenhe.
"Um, Shenhe, if there was a way for us to live much longer, and I wanted to live longer, would you choose the same as me?" Qin Yu asked.
Without hesitation, Shenhe replied, "Yes."
"Even if it meant living for hundreds or thousands of years?"
"Like how Master and the others do? If it's with you, then I would gladly accept," Shenhe answered gently.
Evaluation: D
Relieved, Qin Yu smiled. "Really? You can't take it back later."
"Mm, really. But if it were just me alone, I wouldn't accept such an extended lifespan. I've already told you before—if you were to die, I wouldn't remain in this world either."
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu's cheeks flushed. "I remember, you don't need to say it again."
It was good that Shenhe agreed.
As for Keqing and Ningguang, Qin Yu hadn't asked them yet, but she felt confident they would accept.
Keqing wanted to witness Liyue's future, while Ningguang aimed to fulfill her ambitions. Considering their close relationship with her, Qin Yu was certain they would agree.
But there was one person she wasn't sure about.
It was Hu Tao.
Hu Tao appeared indifferent to matters of life and death, but in truth, she held them in profound regard. Her laid-back demeanor masked a deep seriousness.
In her view, everyone eventually meets their end. Only by confronting death directly can one truly grasp the meaning of life. Thus, she never shied away from the subject, even indulging in "excessive" jokes about it.
How would Hu Tao, with her unique perspective on life and death, react to such a situation?
Well, we're all gonna die sooner or later, so what's the big deal?
Would she say this casually while accepting the reality?
Qin Yu thought that if it were Hu Tao, such a response wouldn't be surprising.
But she couldn't be certain.
She needed Hu Tao's explicit affirmation to truly put her mind at ease.
So one day, she invited Hu Tao to meet her outside the city.
"Aiya, I didn't expect Fishy Treasure to be so proactive lately! This Director is absolutely thrilled!" Hu Tao said with a beaming smile, looking genuinely delighted.
Qin Yu bristled slightly. "You make it sound like I've never taken the initiative before."
"I didn't say that. It's just that you tend to be a bit more passive, Fishy Treasure. That impression is hard to shake. But hey, if you start taking the lead more often, who knows? Maybe that impression will change?"
Hu Tao licked her lips, a flicker of excitement lighting her eyes.
Qin Yu's ears warmed slightly as she turned her face away, saying, "Stop thinking about such things."
"But it's because I like you, Fishy Treasure."
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu, twirling a strand of hair, mumbled, "I... I do too..."
Hu Tao was taken aback. Though she couldn't quite put her finger on it, she sensed a subtle shift in Qin Yu's attitude compared to before—barely perceptible, yet unmistakable.
Could it be...? Hu Tao had a sudden realization.
After a moment's contemplation, she became convinced this was indeed the case.
The more she thought about it, the hotter her face and chest grew. She bashfully averted her gaze.
Noticing this, Qin Yu couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Why are you making that face?"
"Hehehehe."
"What's so funny?" Qin Yu poked Hu Tao's cheek in annoyance.
Hu Tao's cheeks remained flushed as she giggled. "Of course I'm happy! Fishy Treasure likes me so much, it feels like today suddenly turned into a sweltering summer day."
Evaluation: C+
Qin Yu pursed her lips, unable to refute the truth.
But while she couldn't argue with the facts, pinching Hu Tao's cheek was another matter entirely—and the two weren't mutually exclusive.
"Ouch, ouch! Stop pulling! If you pull any harder, I'll bite you!"
Qin Yu scoffed. When it came to biting, she was the expert.
Though it wasn't exactly something to boast about.
Are you thinking, "When it comes to biting, I'm the expert"?
"I wasn't thinking that," Qin Yu murmured, her voice barely audible. Just because I was thinking it doesn't mean I'll admit it.
Hu Tao mimicked a zombie, clawing at the air. "Sure, you're like a cat—your biting skills are impressive—but I'm no pushover either. Wanna have a little competition?"
I'm not a cat, Qin Yu grumbled inwardly.
This challenge Hu Tao proposed definitely has ulterior motives, Qin Yu thought. She could roughly guess Hu Tao's intentions, and naturally, she... well, accepting this once wouldn't be so bad.
"How do we compete?"
"The goal is to bite the other until they can't take it anymore. As for where we bite..."
Hu Tao leaned closer, her face inches from Qin Yu's.
"You know what I mean."
Just as I suspected, Qin Yu thought, closing her eyes.
Evaluation: B
Evaluation: A-
After their playful "biting" match, Qin Yu and Hu Tao settled down in the shade of a tree.
Though they were ostensibly "sitting," Hu Tao was practically draped across Qin Yu's back, her arms wrapped around her neck and her chin resting on Qin Yu's head. Qin Yu could faintly feel Hu Tao's breath.
Evaluation: A+
"Why aren't you using the shampoo I gave you?"
"I don't stick to one brand forever. I switch things up sometimes. And stop sniffing me," Qin Yu said, though she made no effort to actually stop Hu Tao.
"Here, smell mine too," Hu Tao offered, bringing her own ponytail to Qin Yu's face.
"No way!" Qin Yu retorted, playing with Hu Tao's ponytail as she spoke.
Hu Tao buried her face in the crook of Qin Yu's neck and hair again.
Evaluation: S
"That tickles! Stop it!" Qin Yu said, her cheeks flushed, and pinched Hu Tao's leg hard.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I get it!"
Hu Tao rubbed the spot where Qin Yu had pinched her. "It wasn't even that bad. Fine, your turn to smell me now?"
Before Qin Yu could reply, Hu Tao had already squeezed into her arms, sat down, and leaned back, completely relaxed.
"...Fishy Treasure, have you gotten a little bigger?" Hu Tao murmured, feeling the softness behind her with growing curiosity.
"No."
Qin Yu relaxed at Hu Tao's familiar scent. She wrapped her arms around Hu Tao's stomach, pondering how to broach the subject and confide her worries.
"Hu Tao, there's something I want to ask you."
In the end, she decided to just come out and ask directly.
Hu Tao nodded. "Mm-hmm, ask away. If this Director knows the answer, I'll tell you everything."
"It's not exactly a question..."
After explaining her earlier thoughts to Hu Tao, Qin Yu was mildly surprised by her reaction.
"So, you're saying you're going to become an Adeptus?"
"No, just that I'll gain a much longer lifespan. I was wondering if you'd want to come with me," Qin Yu said, her voice tinged with nervousness.
Hu Tao turned around, her expression suddenly serious.
"Do you really think I'd agree?"
Does she mean she's rejecting me? Qin Yu's heart sank, unsure how to respond.
"Of course I'd agree!"
"Huh?"
Hu Tao grinned mischievously. "What? Did you think I wouldn't?"
Realizing she'd been teased, Qin Yu wasn't angry. Her joy far outweighed any annoyance, but lingering doubts compelled her to nod.
"After all, you take life and death very seriously," Qin Yu said.
"As expected of Fishy Treasure—you really get me. But you're wrong about one thing: while I take life and death seriously, that doesn't mean I'll stubbornly cling to some rigid view. Besides, I never planned on dying as a 'normal' person anyway."
Qin Yu sighed in relief. "I see."
"Exactly! And you're just talking about longevity, not immortality, right?"
"Ah, yes..."
Penglai Wine could significantly extend lifespan, but it didn't grant true immortality.
However, Qin Yu wasn't seeking immortality; she simply wanted a lifespan equal to or similar to Ganyu and Yanfei's.
Hu Tao wrapped her arms around Qin Yu's neck, laughing. "Then it's fine! If it were immortality, I'd never agree."
"Life and death are intertwined. Knowing death awaits makes us strive for meaning in life; knowing our plants and animals will wither and fade makes us cherish them more."
"The concept of 'death' is essential to us—it's not something to be taken lightly or defied."
"I don't know what method you plan to use to prolong your life, but prolonging is just that—prolonging. In the end, we all return to the earth."
Qin Yu felt completely relieved, realizing Hu Tao was still her old self.
As long as she agrees, that's all that matters.
"Speaking of which, yin and yang have their order, and fate is fickle. I never imagined I, the Director, would encounter such a thing! Aiya, what should I do after living for a thousand years?" Hu Tao asked with a smile.
"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"
"Since you're making me live so long, you'd better take responsibility! Think about it—if I live that long and every day is the same, I'd die of boredom. Maybe after I choose my successor, we could travel the continent together?"
"Just the two of us?"
"Aiya, I knew you'd ask that. Fine, we'll bring the whole family. I don't mind," Hu Tao said, nuzzling Qin Yu's cheek.
Qin Yu murmured softly, "Mm."
"But let's talk about the future later—no rush. More importantly, Fishy Treasure, did you drag me out here just to ask that? I'll be quite upset if that's all."
"It's not..."
"Really? Then what is it?" Hu Tao asked with a devilish smile, her face pressed so close that Qin Yu could easily feel her breath.
Qin Yu didn't want to answer. It was obvious Hu Tao was asking a question she already knew the answer to.
The next moment, a fleeting touch brushed her lips, startling her.
Evaluation: SS-
Hu Tao said wistfully, "Fish on the tip of my tongue..."
Qin Yu wanted to glare at her, but the stirrings in her heart made it impossible. When Hu Tao leaned closer again, she didn't close her eyes, wanting to watch Hu Tao's face up close. Hu Tao's eyelashes brushed against her cheek, creating a faint tickle as Hu Tao continued to apply her own watery hues, gradually erasing all other colors from Qin Yu's mind, leaving only white.
Evaluation: SS
Evaluation: SS+
Evaluation: SSS-
"Whoa!?"
Hu Tao's sudden exclamation startled Qin Yu back to reality.
"Fishy Treasure, you even bite that? You scared me half to death!" Hu Tao exclaimed, covering her mouth.
Could it be that I...? Qin Yu's face flushed crimson.
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
"Not good enough. Unless you make it up to me, I won't forgive you," Hu Tao said, sounding genuinely upset, which showed how frightened she truly was.
"Make it up to you?"
"Exactly."
If Hu Tao wants compensation, this is probably it, Qin Yu thought, and without hesitation, she pressed her lips to Hu Tao's. The pent-up heat in her heart surged forth, consuming even the time Hu Tao needed to catch her breath.
Hu Tao's face flushed crimson. "Fishy Treasure, you're so passionate," she whispered shyly.
"There's nothing wrong with that, is there?" Qin Yu murmured.
"You're right."
Hu Tao stole a few glances at Qin Yu before taking her hand.
"Want to come back to my place? I didn't paint my nails today."
"Ah-hmm..."
Qin Yu naturally understood Hu Tao's unspoken meaning. After agreeing, they held hands and walked back toward Liyue Harbor.
"Fishy Treasure."
"Hm?" Qin Yu's mental reverie was interrupted by Hu Tao's voice.
Hu Tao grinned. "I suddenly realized the most important thing for us long-lived immortals."
"What's that?"
"We can be shameless forever!"
Joy surged through Qin Yu, but she refused to continue the topic or give a direct response, instead gently kicking Hu Tao's foot.
Upon reaching Hu Tao's room, Qin Yu locked the door and immediately grabbed Hu Tao by the shoulders.
"Eh?"
Normally, I'm the one who initiates things. Hu Tao froze, momentarily stunned by Qin Yu's sudden initiative, before her top was already unbuttoned.
Evaluation: SSS
Evaluation: SSS+
Hu Tao covered her face, collapsing wearily onto the bed, thinking, This isn't how I imagined it at all!