As the trio approached the card shop, they could already see Shenhe sitting inside.
The woman with an icy demeanor sat quietly in the store, her gaze fixed on the entrance as if silently observing everyone who passed by. Among the Liyue locals who frequented the shop for gacha pulls, many had come to know Shenhe by now. Some greeted her as they entered.
But Shenhe's responses were always brief—sometimes just a quiet "Mm," other times a simple nod.
Though she appeared indifferent, no one took offense. Anyone familiar with the story of this "Divine Maiden" understood the reason for her aloofness. It wasn't that she was unwilling to engage—it was just her nature.
The people of Liyue respected boundaries. Most simply offered a greeting before focusing on their own affairs. Shenhe, for her part, preferred the quiet. She wasn't one for unnecessary conversation.
"This is actually quite nice," Yun Jin remarked with a smile.
Having heard Shenhe's story, she believed this was the best possible outcome. Change wouldn't happen overnight, but given time, it would come. As long as Shenhe wasn't resistant, this gradual shift was something everyone could appreciate.
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded in agreement.
Fate was a complex matter—simple in some ways, intricate in others. Even for someone like Zhongli, it required careful consideration. A single misstep could alter a person's destiny in ways that were impossible to predict.
He couldn't help but reflect. Perhaps Lu Heng's arrival in Teyvat was part of some grander "will of heaven." Like a beam of light cast upon the world, he brought both opportunity and the mending of regrets.
The Dendro Archon, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, was one clear example. Shenhe was another.
"Going to thank me again, aren't you?"
Lu Heng, noticing Zhongli's expression, patted him on the shoulder. "You old-timers overthink things too much. Half the time, you're just stressing yourselves out for no reason."
Honestly, this guy.
Zhongli could only laugh helplessly. Was he not even allowed to express gratitude now?
Lu Heng wasn't some selfless saint who shunned recognition, but hearing "thank you" over and over did get tiresome.
"Let's talk inside," Lu Heng said.
As they stepped into the shop, Yun Jin immediately greeted Shenhe. "Miss Shenhe!"
Shenhe turned her gaze toward them.
"Yun Jin?"
Before, Shenhe hadn't known Yun Jin personally. But after Cloud Retainer showed her "her own story," she had seen the opera singer's role in it.
Watching her own tale unfold, Shenhe had initially felt no particular emotions. Yet, during the final celebratory scene—amidst all the festivity—Yun Jin's added flourish had stirred something faintly wistful within her.
Reclusive adepti and lively gatherings didn't exactly go hand in hand. Though Shenhe wasn't an adeptus herself, she had spent much of her life in seclusion.
But humans were social creatures by nature. Solitude had its merits, but few could endure it indefinitely. The occasional burst of excitement had left Shenhe… intrigued.
"Miss Shenhe seems a bit more… um…"
Yun Jin hesitated, carefully weighing her words.
"It's fine."
Shenhe shook her head. "Speak your mind. I won't take offense."
Unsure, Yun Jin glanced at Lu Heng.
"Shenhe's far more resilient than people assume," Lu Heng said with a smile. "Don't worry. Didn't you have something to ask her?"
Yun Jin nodded in understanding. "Even though this is our first meeting, I feel like Miss Shenhe seems a little… softer than the version in the opera."
Shenhe considered this. "It's because of Mr. Lu's treatment."
The red ropes still adorned her body, but they no longer suppressed her emotions as severely as before. Though her tone remained cool, it wasn't as devoid of feeling as a statue's.
With a hint of curiosity, she asked, "You needed something from me?"
"Yes!"
Yun Jin then explained the matter of The Divine Damsel of Devastation, an opera based on Shenhe's story.
"Since it's inspired by your life, I wanted your permission before performing it," Yun Jin said.
"I see."
Shenhe's response was indifferent. "It doesn't bother me. Do as you wish."
After a brief exchange, Yun Jin realized that Shenhe truly didn't grasp many of society's unspoken rules.
She turned to Lu Heng for help.
Since Cloud Retainer had entrusted Shenhe to Lu Heng's care, he was, in a way, her guardian.
Negotiating with Shenhe was challenging, but with Lu Heng, it was effortless.
"You're suggesting royalties?" Lu Heng mused.
If The Divine Damsel of Devastation had been just another legend with no living counterpart, performing it would've been straightforward. But with the protagonist right here, Yun Jin—being no ruthless capitalist—felt it only fair to share the profits.
"Quite the principle you've got," Lu Heng teased. "I agree, but don't overdo it. This isn't a collaboration, strictly speaking."
"How about ten percent?" Yun Jin proposed.
"Deal," Lu Heng agreed.
Given the opera's fame, a full-house performance would earn a considerable sum. Ten percent was no small amount.
With that settled, Lu Heng grinned. "So, ready for some gacha?"
"Absolutely!"
Yun Jin had been curious about the card draws for a while but had been too busy until now.
"I brought eighty million Mora this time."
Master Fan of Heyu Tea House once said: One performance by Yun Jin at our establishment earns enough to keep the place running for months without another show!
Given Yun Jin's popularity, every performance was a lucrative affair. Even after deducting venue costs, production expenses, and wages for the crew, her personal earnings remained substantial.
That said, since taking the reins of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, Yun Jin had written many of their recent plays herself—acting as playwright, lead performer, and more. Juggling multiple roles left her little time for frequent performances.
Eighty million Mora was a reasonable sum for her.
"The elders at the troupe got me an equipment device and a phone," Yun Jin said. She'd kept up with the times—just hadn't tried gacha yet.
In this new era, phones were indispensable. Being able to learn about distant events without leaving home was something Yun Jin greatly appreciated.
"Shall we get started, then?" Lu Heng asked. "Any particular cards you're hoping for?"
At this, Yun Jin's eyes lit up.
"I'd love a card that lets me eat without gaining weight!"
As a performer, maintaining her figure was crucial.
But then again, what woman wouldn't want that?
Weight was always a sensitive topic.
"The card pool definitely has something like that. Hope you get lucky!" Lu Heng said with a smile.
The variety of card effects was vast, so targeting a specific one drastically lowered the odds.
It all came down to luck.
"Thank you!"
Yun Jin smiled.
She knew the odds well and wasn't setting her heart on it.
If she got it, great. If not, no big deal—she'd managed just fine before.
After topping up her Mora balance (her elders had transferred some extra for online spending—who carried cash these days?), Yun Jin prepared for her first draw.
Facing the gacha screen, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves.
When every pull held potential, it was hard not to fantasize.
Maybe the next one's the one?
Yun Jin wasn't that delusional, but anticipation still colored her thoughts.
She tapped the ten-pull button.
A purple glow shimmered.
"Starting strong," Lu Heng remarked.
The shop had no pity system—unless you counted the guaranteed one-star cards, many of which were near-useless. A ten-pull yielding a four-star was decent luck.
Yun Jin skimmed the purple card and the lower-tier ones.
"Quite a few useful ones here. I can give these to the elders later," she said cheerfully.
Opera performers, especially those specializing in martial roles, often carried old injuries from rigorous training.
The older generation, accustomed to hardship, often brushed off treatment, preferring to save money for the younger members.
This had always troubled Yun Jin.
Now, she could "gift" them healing cards under the guise of filial piety—something they'd find harder to refuse.
"Sounds like a good haul for you," Lu Heng said.
"It really is." Yun Jin beamed.
Since childhood, she'd been bright, eager, and devoted to her craft—qualities that endeared her to her mentors.
"Then it's a win," Lu Heng said, genuinely pleased.
Wasn't this the whole point of running the shop?
He earned Mora, and customers gained abilities or solutions to their problems.
Everyone won.
Yun Jin continued drawing.
Her luck seemed average—not every ten-pull yielded a four-star.
Soon, eight thousand pulls were done.
No five-star gold cards appeared, but Yun Jin looked satisfied.
Lu Heng checked her four-star pulls.
Two stood out.
[Wisdom Heart]
Rank: 4★ (Purple)Type: Talent CardEffect: Enhances comprehension and creativity.Description: Geniuses often see what others overlook.
This card was similar to Yaoyao's [Brilliance], boosting ordinary intelligence to prodigious levels.
"Great for your creative work, though inspiration's always fickle," Lu Heng noted.
"It's more than enough!" Yun Jin agreed.
Ideas often struck like lightning. With her existing talent, this card would help refine details and elevate performances.
The other notable card:
[Fluid Form]
Rank: 4★ (Purple)Type: Skill CardEffect: Allows the user to mimic water's flexibility.Description: Transform into a Slime? (Not recommended for beginners.)
"Now this is interesting."
Lu Heng explained, "Stage performances require flexibility, right?"
"Very much so," Yun Jin confirmed.
"This card lets you move in ways normally impossible. Imagine your body becoming as pliant as water—useful for dramatic poses, no?"
"…You're absolutely right!" Yun Jin's eyes sparkled.
Though opera didn't demand the extreme contortions of dance, this would undoubtedly expand her repertoire.
"Want me to summarize your gains?" Lu Heng offered.
Yun Jin shook her head, her smile bright. "I'm already beyond satisfied. Thank you, Mr. Lu."
"Your luck brought these rewards."
Lu Heng grinned. "With so many cards, you'll need a three-star equipment device to manage them. Since Zhongli and I are both fans, why not let us help you pick?"
"Eh?"
"Consider it a pastime," Zhongli said amiably. "As devoted fans, we'd appreciate prime seating for The Divine Damsel performance."
"Of course!" Yun Jin agreed readily.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
Glancing at the screen, she blinked in surprise. "The Tianquan?"
Ningguang's influence in Liyue's commerce was staggering. Nearly every major establishment had her backing—Liyue Pavilion, Xinyue Kiosk, Wanmin Restaurant… even the Yun-Han Opera Troupe.
To say that promising ventures in Liyue all bore Ningguang's mark wasn't an exaggeration.
It might've sounded oppressive, but without her support, places like Wanmin and Yun-Han might not have weathered their toughest times.
"You should take it. Might be urgent," Lu Heng suggested.
Nodding, Yun Jin stepped aside.
She returned moments later. "Lady Ningguang asked about The Divine Damsel. I told her we'd settled it, and she invited me to perform it at a banquet tonight."
Lu Heng's phone chimed.
A message from Ningguang: an invitation to the banquet, plus a request to bring Shenhe (whose contact info she lacked).
After all, in the original timeline, Shenhe had been instrumental in subduing Beisht. Her presence was essential.
As Lu Heng pondered, another text arrived—this time from Xiangling, canceling their dinner plans and rescheduling.
"What do you think?"
Lu Heng glanced at Zhongli.
Who would turn down free gourmet food?
Zhongli raised his phone with a chuckle. "I wouldn't miss it. As a fan, how could I skip Yun Jin's performance?"
A fine meal and top-tier entertainment, all wrapped in cultured phrasing.
Truly, the older, the wiser.
"We'll head over together later," Lu Heng said.
"Then I should prepare!" Yun Jin hurriedly texted her family.
"Plenty of time. Let's finish with your cards first."
After sorting her draws, Yun Jin dismantled unwanted cards and upgraded her equipment device to three-star before rushing off.
Alone with Shenhe, Lu Heng asked, "Do you browse the net much?"
"What's 'browsing the net'?" Shenhe asked blankly.
Lu Heng explained.
"I don't really use it," Shenhe admitted.
Truly, those who could resist the internet's lure in this era were built different.
While others couldn't eat without scrolling, Shenhe's phone was strictly for calls.
"You should try it in your free time," Lu Heng suggested.
"Okay."
Though she didn't understand why, Shenhe trusted Lu Heng implicitly.
In her eyes, Cloud Retainer was the epitome of eloquence.
If her master said to heed Lu Heng's words, then his words were truth.
No need to overthink—just act!
"By the way, there's a banquet tonight. Need to freshen up?" Lu Heng asked.
"No."
Then it hit him—Shenhe only owned one outfit.
"Maybe go clothes shopping sometime," he suggested.
"Too troublesome."
With that, Shenhe traced a talisman in the air, and her robes instantly refreshed themselves.
Lu Heng: "…"
Zhongli patted his shoulder. "A long road ahead."
"Sure is."
Lu Heng laughed wryly.
Among women, Shenhe was truly one of a kind.
Where others lamented overflowing closets with "nothing to wear," Shenhe stuck to a single set.
With adeptal magic handling laundry, why bother changing?
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T/N:
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