The news that both the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the Little Lucky Grass King were coming spread through the Humayun household like wildfire.
The family's business wasn't small, but at this moment, the entire house was in an uproar. Everyone was frantically polishing walls that were already spotless, wiping down furniture, making everything gleam.
Dina Zedey and Dehya stood at the doorway, waiting nervously.
Sazaman Humayun had rushed back in a hurry, face flushed with excitement.
His position in Sumeru was already respectable, yet when he heard that the Greater Lord herself was coming, his heart pounded so hard he could hear it in his ears.
The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata… coming to his home! To see his daughter Dina Zedey!
As people in Liyue would say, his ancestors' graves weren't just smoking with luck—they'd burst into flames.
Exaggeration aside, that was truly how it felt.
Sazaman had always been a devoted follower of the Greater Lord. Because of his daughter's illness, he also carried deep reverence for the Little Grass King.
And now, both goddesses were coming together.
"Master! Miss! They're here, they're almost here!"
A servant ran up from the street, beaming with excitement.
"Quick, quick!"
Sazaman clutched at his sleeves in panic, turning to those beside him.
"Does my outfit look all right? Nothing out of place?"
"Perfect, Master! Very dignified!" The butler assured him, then looked to Dina Zedey and nodded rapidly. "The young lady is perfect as well!"
Dehya, who normally had nerves of steel, felt the atmosphere gnaw at her composure. She muttered, "Seriously… now I'm nervous too."
Half a minute later, figures appeared at the bend in the road.
"They're here!" Sazaman whispered hoarsely.
He and Dehya quickly helped the still frail Dina Zedey forward.
Soon, the two groups met.
"Your health doesn't look too great," Nahida said gently, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled. "No need to rush out here. You should take better care of yourself."
"I… I… I—"
This was Dina Zedey's first time meeting the very goddess she had worshipped all her life. She was so overcome with excitement her words tumbled out in fragments.
Her father was no better, hands trembling, mind blank, completely lost on how to act.
"Please forgive them," Dehya quickly stepped in, forcing herself to speak despite her awkwardness. "Lord Humayun and Lady Dina Zedey are simply overwhelmed with joy. I hope you'll understand."
The Greater Lord nodded with a kind smile. "Of course. I don't blame you. As Nahida said, Dina Zedey, your health comes first."
"I—I understand, Lord Rukkhadevata! And you too, Little Grass King! Please don't worry!"
Dina Zedey looked as though she were swearing a solemn oath. "I will rest well! I won't let you worry again!"
"Relax, Dina Zedey. Aren't we friends?" Nahida stretched out her small hand.
For a moment, she realized she was echoing what the Greater Lord had once said to her: Relax. And now she was passing those words down. Like a pyramid, layer by layer.
"Ah—!"
Dina Zedey's pale face flushed bright red. As soon as she clasped Nahida's tiny hand, she nearly fainted from joy.
I touched the hand of the Little Grass King! So small, so soft, so warm!
"Hey—!!!"
Paimon's eyes widened. "Dina Zedey, calm down! You look like you're about to pass out!" She quickly supported the girl, worried she might collapse on the spot.
"I won't! I won't faint!" Dina Zedey shook her head furiously.
No way. I can't faint now!
If I do, I'll worry her. And worse, I'll miss even a second of being by her side. My body, hold on!
"Such devotion," Luheng chuckled.
"She dreamed of the Little Grass King as a child…" Sazaman finally regained his composure enough to explain. He bowed deeply. "Lord Rukkhadevata, Lady Nahida, Mr. Lu… thank you for coming. Please, let's go inside."
"Yes, yes," Dina Zedey echoed quickly.
The group entered the Humayun residence.
"I never imagined my home would welcome three great figures at once," Sazaman said in awe. Nahida's presence was already beyond belief—but the Greater Lord herself, and Lu as well? It was more than fortune, it was a miracle.
People across Teyvat spoke of Lu with reverence. To the people of Fontaine, he was "the great and generous Mr. Lu." Though not a god, he possessed power more immense than any god, and he shared that power freely, almost like charity, giving mortals the chance to rewrite their own fates.
No matter how many grand words were used, they always felt insufficient.
So for Sazaman, to have Lu step into his home was a lifetime's pride.
"Mr. Lu, please take the seat of honor," he urged respectfully.
"I'm only a guest. Why take the main seat?" Lu smiled and sat casually to the side. "Don't be nervous. We came mainly to visit Miss Dina Zedey."
"I'm honored beyond words," Sazaman said, deeply moved.
His daughter had suffered from the deadly Withering Disease since birth. The family had exhausted every method, all in vain. They had nearly resigned themselves to losing her… until suddenly, she began to recover.
Doctors said she would heal slowly but surely.
And then came the chaos of the Akademiya's "God Creation" scheme. Only after waking from that ordeal had Dina Zedey returned weaker than before.
"Her life has been nothing but hardship," Sazaman whispered, voice trembling as his eyes reddened. "I've always been afraid for her…"
"She'll get better," the Greater Lord reassured softly.
"Yes." He nodded hard, then bent deeply. "It was Nahida who gave my daughter the courage to live, and you, Mr. Lu, together with the Greater Lord, who gave her the chance to survive. For this, our family will offer everything in gratitude."
"You're exaggerating," Lu waved it off.
"There's no need," the Greater Lord smiled. "The Withering was not a natural illness. Eradicating it is the duty of the god who protects Sumeru. Your family's happiness is all the thanks I could want."
"…We will be happy," Sazaman promised, bowing deeply.
Meanwhile, Nahida turned back to Dina Zedey.
"Let me heal you," she offered gently.
Dina Zedey shook her head at once. "Please, no. Your power should help those in greater need. My body will recover, the doctors said so. I can endure."
She wasn't one to beg selfishly. Despite her suffering, she had always cherished every moment of life, never despairing, always treasuring even her fragile time.
She had even planned to sneak out to the next Sabzeruz Festival, her one rebellious act. But fate had turned unexpectedly, granting her more time.
Now she cherished it all the more.
Though healing her would be easy for Nahida, Dina Zedey felt that gift should go to those truly desperate, those without her strength of heart.
"You've already lost twenty years to this illness. Wouldn't it be better to have your health back sooner?" Nahida tilted her head thoughtfully.
"It's fine." Dina Zedey smiled. "This too is a part of life's journey."
"You're so optimistic," Paimon said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Even Lumine had to admit, Dina Zedey's outlook was admirable. Sometimes hardship gave people a kind of strength no blessing could replace.
"Then don't push yourself. Avoid strenuous activity," Lumine said with a smile.
"I'll keep an eye on her," Dehya added firmly.
"I'm not that reckless!" Dina Zedey protested.
Her only reckless dream was sneaking off to see the festival.
The evening passed with warmth and laughter. The Humayun family hosted a grand dinner, and by the time the guests departed, it was already past eight.
The streets of Sumeru were dotted with lights—still sparser than in Liyue Harbor or Fontaine, but lively in their own way.
The Greater Lord walked arm in arm with Lu at the front, while Lumine, Paimon, and Nahida followed behind, chatting.
Lumine looked at the two figures ahead, her eyes flickering with a hint of longing.
Even the streamer envies the Greater Lord now.
Exactly. If only that were me holding Mr. Lu's arm.
Lumine, now's your chance! The Greater Lord's on the right, so take the left! Perfect balance—one on each side!
Yes! Go on, we're all cheering for you!
Lumine's lips twitched. Tempting as it was, she shook her head.
Viewers are giving you the strategy, hyping you up, but you're really going to chicken out now?
Coward.
Can't be helped. She's hopeless. Even spoon-fed advice goes to waste.
I bet she won't do it. Place your bets, everyone.
Lumine's eyes blazed as she muttered into her mic, just out of earshot of the others. "Shut up, all of you. Like you'd actually dare if it were you standing here?!"
Honestly? I wouldn't.
Lumine, stop being so modest. What you should do is charge forward, leap into a spin, land in front of him with a rose in your mouth, kneel dramatically, flutter your eyelashes and whisper: 'Lu darling, shall we?'
"Bro, what?!" Lumine nearly shouted. "You're even more absurd than me!"
Diagnosis: innate lunatic.
Correction: infected by the streamer, symptoms worsening, incurable.
Better call Baizhu for your brain.
Lumine snorted. "That's it, I'm ending stream!"
She cut the connection before anyone could stop her.
When she turned, Paimon was hovering there with a sly grin.
"What are you looking at?" Lumine snapped. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Paimon shook her head innocently.
"Tch." Lumine smirked.
But inside, she was already plotting. Paimon really needed a lesson or two.
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T/N:
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