After Yun Jin learned the full story behind Shenhe and met her in person, her performance of The Divine Damsel of Devastation reached new heights of brilliance. From the audience's perspective, the show was flawless.
On stage, Yun Jin poured her heart into the performance, while the crowd below gave Shenhe a feeling she had never experienced before—a lively warmth she hadn't known in years. The last time she remembered such a vibrant atmosphere was perhaps during the Lantern Rite festivals of her childhood.
But after her mother's passing, Shenhe had never again encountered such a bustling scene. Betrayed by her father, who intended to sacrifice her to a monster, and later taken under the wing of Cloud Retainer to train in seclusion, nearly two decades had passed.
Shenhe lowered her gaze, lost in thought. A glass of "wine" filled with water was gently pushed toward her.
Lu Heng's voice was soft as he asked, "Feeling something?"
"Mm." Shenhe nodded, not hiding her emotions.
"Is it a good feeling or a bad one?" he pressed.
Shenhe hesitated, her expression uncertain. After a moment of introspection, she murmured, "It feels… colorful?"
"Still not sure, huh?" Lu Heng chuckled, unsurprised.
Shenhe still wore the red ropes that bound her emotions, though their influence over her fate had been lifted. Removing them abruptly would be like untying a heavy weight from someone's body after years—disorienting, even destabilizing. They might stumble from the sudden lightness, unaccustomed to freedom. Shenhe's situation was much the same.
When Lu Heng had resolved the issue with her fate, he had weakened the red ropes' effect. Now, she could feel about a third of what a normal person might.
As he expected, Shenhe nodded slightly. "I'm not entirely sure, but… it feels good, I think?"
"It's up to you to decide," Lu Heng said gently. "Don't just go along with what others think is good."
To him, Shenhe was like a blank canvas. He wanted to hand her the brush and let her paint her own story, not let others dictate the strokes. His role was to show her the world—people, places, experiences—so she could discover what she wanted for herself.
"I understand," Shenhe said, nodding solemnly. She fell silent, savoring the moment.
Even with her usually calm and detached demeanor, Shenhe could sense faint emotions stirring within her. She lifted her glass and took a sip. The drink wasn't harsh or fiery but smooth, with a rich, mellow flavor.
Alcohol could dull the mind, slow one's thoughts. For Shenhe, who rarely drank during her secluded training in the mountains, this was a rare experience. As her mind softened, she found it easier to connect with her emotions. It was as if the world slowed down, each moment unfolding frame by frame, revealing details she might have otherwise missed.
Yun Jin, still in her stage makeup, joined them at the table after finishing her performance. The table was lively, with twelve people gathered. Lu Heng sat with Shenhe on his right and Ying on his left.
"Master Yun Jin! Let's take a photo!" Ying exclaimed, practically bouncing out of her seat to stand beside Yun Jin, her face alight with admiration.
"Sure thing!" Yun Jin, who had barely sat down, stood again with a smile.
The two turned to face the table. "Everyone, look at the camera!" Ying called out.
"Yay!" Paimon threw up a peace sign.
Click.
Ying glanced at the photo and laughed. "Forgot to turn on the filter, but it's fine—everyone here's already gorgeous!" Her voice, so quiet in the game, was surprisingly pleasant in person, catching everyone off guard.
They settled back down, eating and chatting. Though Shenhe was one of the night's main guests, the group was mindful of her situation and didn't linger on her too long, knowing it might overwhelm her. Instead, the conversation shifted to Ying and Paimon, the stars of A Crane Returns on the Wind.
"Ying, when are you heading to Inazuma?" Beidou asked, leaning forward. "I can take you anytime. Even if the Crux isn't ready, I've got plenty of other ways to get you there!"
"Traveler, Inazuma welcomes you," Yae Miko said with a playful smile.
"Really?" Ying leaned back dramatically, skeptical. "That place is actually safe to visit?"
Inazuma, with its storms and strict decrees, wasn't exactly traveler-friendly. Ying had no plans to go until things calmed down.
"I'm kind of in the middle of a thriving career here," Ying said diplomatically, choosing her words carefully. "Maybe… sometime in the future?"
Yae Miko's smile widened. "I'll be heading back to sort things out. Once the Eye Hunt and Sakoku Decrees are lifted and the Shogun's mindset shifts, Inazuma will be a much more pleasant destination. You'll be able to visit without looking over your shoulder."
"Alright, I'll keep that in mind," Ying said with a nod.
"Sounds like you're not in a rush to marry Ayaka," Lu Heng teased.
Ying gasped dramatically. "Lu Heng, don't start! I'm not into that!"
"Guess your love for Ayaka was all talk," Paimon said, smirking.
"Stop it, you two!" Ying waved her hands, flustered. "Don't try to flip on my livestream persona in front of everyone! I'm shy, okay? Don't make me laugh!"
The table erupted in laughter. Ying's lively, talkative personality in private was such a contrast to her quiet game self—it was like meeting a different person.
"Fine, I'll just stuff my face with food to shut myself up!" Paimon declared, diving into her plate.
Everyone knew Paimon's reputation: a glutton with a love for mora, not the sharpest mind, but fiercely loyal to Ying when it mattered. She didn't bother pretending otherwise, focusing only on eating gracefully.
The group continued chatting over dinner. By ten o'clock, the meal was wrapping up. No one was a heavy drinker—Beidou could hold her liquor, but with no one challenging her, she only sipped lightly. Everyone was still clear-headed.
"It's getting late," Zhongli said, glancing at the time.
Since adopting his mortal identity, Zhongli had kept a strict routine, always in bed by midnight. It was no wonder Hu Tao teased him for acting like an old man despite his youthful appearance.
"Agreed," Lu Heng said, nodding. "We've got some cleaning up to do back at the shop. You all take your time."
Shenhe had finished eating as well. She'd only sampled most dishes, sticking mainly to the vegetarian options prepared for her and Ganyu, like chilled qingxin salad—dishes that sounded bland enough to make anyone wince. Hearing Lu Heng's cue, she stood to follow him.
"I'll head out too," Ganyu said, having restrained herself from overeating.
"I'll walk you out," Ningguang offered, standing.
"No need," Lu Heng said, waving her off. "You've got guests to entertain, and we're all old friends here."
"It's just a few steps," Ningguang said with a smile. "Consider it a mid-dinner stroll to help digest."
"Fair enough," Lu Heng chuckled.
After saying goodbye to the others, Ningguang accompanied them to the elevator-like device. "This is far enough," Lu Heng said. "Dinner was great, the show was spectacular—thanks for everything."
"No need to thank me," Ningguang replied warmly. "If anything, we owe you for all you've done today. I won't bore you with gratitude, but next time you're at my shop, feel free to browse and take what you like."
"Now that's an offer I like," Lu Heng said, grinning. "It's a deal."
"Done," Ningguang said, glancing at Zhongli. "With the God of Contracts as my witness, I won't go back on my word."
"I'll hold you to it," Zhongli said with a wry smile. "We'll head back to the Funeral Parlor now. Goodnight."
"See you next time. Call if you need me," Ningguang said, waving as they left.
She returned to the main hall while Lu Heng, Shenhe, Ganyu, and Zhongli headed toward Yuehai Pavilion.
Ganyu, a bit embarrassed, said, "The banquet was a last-minute decision by Ningguang. If I'm treating you to dinner, it'll have to be another day."
"Just let me know when you're free," Lu Heng said with a smile. "I've got plenty of time."
Her words reminded him of Amber and Eula, who had promised him a meal in Mondstadt, though it had been postponed indefinitely. He'd probably have to wait until his next trip there.
"Whenever I get a free day, I'll book you," Ganyu said cheerfully.
Lu Heng turned to Zhongli. "Look at this—your team's so overworked, I bet her last vacation got canceled, didn't it?"
Zhongli's expression turned helpless. "Well, yes, it was canceled."
Ganyu's tone shifted, a mix of resignation and alertness. "But don't worry! I'll make sure to rest and take care of myself!"
Her defensive tone made Lu Heng laugh. "Just don't forget."
At Yuehai Pavilion, Ganyu turned to Shenhe. "I'll leave Shenhe in your care, Lu Heng. I'm heading to my dorm to rest so I don't have to rush over tomorrow morning."
To Shenhe, she added, "Listen to Lu Heng, okay?"
"I understand," Shenhe said, nodding earnestly.
"Don't worry, Ganyu," Lu Heng said. "Since Cloud Retainer entrusted Shenhe to me, I won't let her down. Get some rest. See you next time."
"See you!" Ganyu waved, then headed to her dorm after a quick goodbye to Zhongli.
Lu Heng smirked at Zhongli. "I bet one mora she's going back to work."
"If I message her to rest, you'd lose, wouldn't you?" Zhongli teased.
"Playing dirty, huh? Fine, you win this round." Lu Heng tossed him a mora, which Zhongli caught with a sly grin.
"This mora's worth a hundred times its value now," Zhongli said, pocketing it.
"What if I sign all my mora? Think I'd make a fortune?" Lu Heng asked.
"Clever idea, but there aren't enough fools to fall for it," Zhongli quipped.
They reached the shop. "Get some rest," Zhongli said. "I'm heading back to the Funeral Parlor. Tomorrow morning… Hu Tao might drag me to Fontaine."
"Why have employees if you don't use them?" Lu Heng said with a shrug. "See you."
Zhongli nodded and left. Lu Heng led Shenhe into the shop.
The first floor was mostly storage and utility rooms, while the second floor housed spacious living quarters, expanded with spatial technology. Each room was at least a hundred square meters.
"I usually sleep in my pocket dimension," Lu Heng said. "There are plenty of rooms on the second floor. Pick one you like."
"Can I stay on the first floor?" Shenhe asked.
"Why the first floor?" Lu Heng raised an eyebrow.
Shenhe's expression was serious. "I'm a light sleeper. On the first floor, I can hear even the slightest noise, so if anything happens at night, I'll notice right away."
Lu Heng stifled a laugh. "You're not my security guard. I just need you to keep an eye on things casually. No one can steal from the shop—everything's enchanted to prevent that."
"Oh," Shenhe said, blinking in confusion. "Then… I don't have anything to do?"
"No rush," Lu Heng said, shaking his head. "We'll find something that suits you. For now, pick a room."
Shenhe glanced around and pointed to one at random.
"Bedding, toiletries—everything's new," Lu Heng said. "If you need help, just ask the shop's robots. They'll guide you."
"Got it," Shenhe said, committing his words to memory.
"Have a good night," Lu Heng said, turning to leave.
"Wait," Shenhe called out.
He turned back. "What's up?"
Her voice was solemn. "Please don't hold back. If there's anything you need, command me freely."
Shenhe didn't fully grasp social nuances or common knowledge, but one thing was clear to her: Cloud Retainer was her savior and mentor, and she obeyed her. Lu Heng was her savior and the guardian entrusted by her mentor, so she obeyed him too.
He'd been helping her endlessly, yet she felt she had little to offer in return. Even the tasks he gave her were simple. She wanted him to rely on her more, to give her something meaningful to do. She wasn't a child—she could handle responsibility.
"Alright," Lu Heng said with a warm smile. "If I need you, I'll let you know."
"Good," Shenhe said, satisfied.
She resolved to rest well, to stay ready in case Lu Heng needed her for something urgent. She had to be prepared to help at a moment's notice.
Lu Heng returned to his pocket dimension, where four others were lounging on a sofa, engrossed in a TV show.
He cleared his throat. "Guess what I brought you all?"
Furina, who hadn't even noticed him enter, leapt up and flung herself onto his back, clinging to him. "Don't tease us, darling! Tell us already!"
Lu Heng snorted. "If I hadn't mentioned a gift, would you even have noticed I was back?"
"Oh, come on, darling," Furina said, pouting playfully.
Her charm was too much, and Lu Heng caved in seconds. "Fine, fine. Feast your eyes on this!"
He raised his hand, and four golden fifth-tier cards appeared.
Furina blinked. "Those are the gifts?"
"Yup," Lu Heng said, nodding.
"They're so… valuable," Furina said, stunned.
"Now, hold on," Lu Heng said, tapping her forehead lightly. "You're measuring my feelings for you all in mora? How shallow!"
"I meant the sentiment behind them!" Furina said quickly, her eyes sparkling with mock sincerity. "I'm just so touched!"
"Yeah, right," Lu Heng said, rolling his eyes but smiling. He handed out the cards. "I picked these out carefully. I think they suit you all, but let me know what you think."
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T/N:
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