The sea of clouds was quiet, almost like a slumbering behemoth. A gentle sea breeze, like the hand of a loving mother, softly caressed the tall, straight coconut trees lining the shore, each movement filled with tender affection.
The rustling of the leaves seemed to murmur secrets of an impending reunion, like nature playing a mysterious yet beautiful symphony that lingered in the air.
"…Is Shajin really coming back?"
Ganyu stood gracefully atop the intricately carved pavilion. Her long, silky hair shimmered like the finest black satin, swaying lightly with the breeze.
Her gentle voice, soft as a spring breeze with a hint of chill, carried an almost imperceptible tremor—like ripples quietly disturbing the surface of a still lake.
Her flawless, porcelain-like skin flushed with a rosy hue, like clouds dyed crimson by the setting sun, or like a dew-kissed morning rose—vivid, delicate, and heart-stirring.
She lightly patted her peach-petal cheeks with slender, jade-like fingers, trying to cool the warmth that had surged up with her excitement—like a flustered girl trying to calm her racing heart.
Then suddenly, as if struck by a bolt of lightning, a thought flashed through her mind.
She jerked her head up, her eyes—bright as stars in the night sky—locking onto the figure of Cloud Retainer beside her. Urgency and hope filled her voice as she blurted out:
"Ah! Right—Master, quick! Do I have dark circles under my eyes?!"
As she spoke, she unconsciously leaned forward, eyes wide with worry.
Cloud Retainer looked at Ganyu, a faint twitch tugging at the corner of her mouth. She couldn't help but feel both helpless and amused at this overly anxious display.
Still, as a master, she maintained her composure and examined Ganyu's face carefully.
Her skin was smooth and luminous, like perfectly polished white jade, glowing softly in the sunlight. There was not even the faintest trace of dark circles. Cloud Retainer nodded slightly and replied in a calm voice:
"None."
Upon hearing this, the boulder lodged in Ganyu's throat finally dropped. She let out a deep breath and patted her chest as if dispersing all the pent-up tension. A relieved smile spread across her face.
"That's good to hear."
At that moment, Shenhe, who had been quietly observing from the side, tilted her head in curiosity like a snow-white kitten. Her hair, pure as fresh snow, slipped across her face, veiling her ice-sculpted features.
She reached out with her slender, fair fingers and poked Cloud Retainer on the back. Her eyes, filled with childlike innocence and wonder, blinked as she asked:
"Master, what about me? Do I have dark circles too?"
Cloud Retainer's head throbbed at the sudden question, like a swarm of bees buzzing around her ears.
She groaned inwardly—When did these two girls become so concerned with appearances?
Ever since they met that blond brat, they've been acting completely out of character!
What's so great about that yellow-haired rascal anyway? How did he manage to completely turn my two well-raised disciples upside down?
Despite her grumbling, Cloud Retainer forced herself to keep calm and turned to examine Shenhe's face.
Shenhe's features, always as cold and distant as the moon atop a snowy peak, now held a rare flicker of anticipation—like a lone flame flickering across a frozen tundra.
Cloud Retainer took a careful look, then shook her head.
"No dark circles."
Shenhe's lips curled ever so slightly into a near-imperceptible smile—like the first ray of sunlight breaking through thawing snow. Fleeting, yet deeply warming.
As the three of them continued to chat, a voice drifted in from the distance—a voice so familiar that it immediately made Cloud Retainer's head ache.
"Yo! Shenhe, Ganyu, Cloud Retainer—long time no see! Great, you're all here. Saves me the trouble of tracking you down one by one~"
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. And there he was—Shajin, the "thorn in Cloud Retainer's side."
That trademark golden hair of his shimmered under the sun, like a blazing flame burning with dazzling brilliance.
He wore a simple, clean outfit that fluttered lightly with his every step, radiating a youthful, vibrant energy.
The moment Cloud Retainer laid eyes on him, her temper flared like dry wood meeting open flame. She turned sharply, eyes boring into the young man with such intensity it was a wonder they didn't combust on the spot.
Hmph! That brat! Who knows what kind of sweet-talking or underhanded tricks he used to steal away the two disciples I painstakingly raised!
I swear, I won't let this slide today! He's going to answer for this!
And yet, Shajin remained blissfully oblivious to the murderous aura directed his way. He scratched his head with a sheepish grin, muttering to himself:
"That's weird… I didn't do anything wrong lately, did I? Why does Cloud Retainer look like she wants to kill me?"
...
Cloud Retainer glared at him and asked in a frosty tone, each word squeezed through clenched teeth:
"What are you doing here?"
Shajin casually pointed up at the magnificent floating palace of the Jade Chamber.
"Isn't it the Moonchase Festival? I came to invite you all to join me there for a meal. Festivals are more fun with a crowd~"
Cloud Retainer adjusted her glasses, her eyes gleaming with suspicion behind the lenses.
"A meal?"
Ganyu gracefully stepped forward and gently smoothed out the wrinkles on Shajin's shirt.
"But I thought it was supposed to be a welcome banquet for the Hydro and Dendro Archons? Wouldn't it be… a little inappropriate if we just showed up?"
Shajin waved a hand dismissively.
"They're visiting Liyue as friends, not as gods. No need to worry about status or formality."
Since he'd put it that way, the others had no real reason to refuse.
Cloud Retainer nodded.
"Very well. We'll come shortly."
"But before that, Shajin—"
Before she could finish, Shajin gave a carefree "Let's talk later~" and disappeared in a flash of golden light.
Cloud Retainer's temples bulged with visible veins, like little snakes writhing in fury. She clenched her fists and bellowed:
"That brat!!!"
_
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