In the serene courtyard, green leaves hid orioles and vermilion curtains barred swallows.
On the large screen in the bright, spacious living room, the most popular Zumba was playing.
What left Ken a bit speechless was that Zhongli was trying to persuade Azhdaha to dance along with him.
It was hard to imagine that old man Morax had actually grown so enamored with Zumba dancing that he was even looking to develop a dance partner.
But judging from the freshly humanized Azhdaha's expression, he was clearly very unwilling.
Well… fair enough.
For the dignified Azhdaha, wriggling his hips here was indeed improper.
"Mr. Ken…"
Seeing Ken come over, Azhdaha looked as if he'd seen a savior and hurried to stand behind him.
The once awe-inspiring Dragon King, as formidable as a mountain, was now mortified.
He hadn't expected that after thousands of years apart, Morax's hobbies had become so peculiar. Keeping caged birds and admiring thrushes was still tasteful, but to be interested even in such a strange dance—and to drag him into it—was too much.
The Dragon King truly could not.
"He even did funeral parlor rock; learning this kind of dance is perfectly normal."
Ken wasn't surprised.
Though Zhongli had a steady temperament, he was actually very accepting of everything. Otherwise, he wouldn't have invited Xinyan to be the resident singer at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The oldest living god possessed a heart and tastes that embraced all new things.
Azhdaha, however, had just arrived on Blue Star. Even in human form, he wasn't fully adapted to life here yet.
Zumba… not really his thing.
"What brings you here?"
Zhongli paused his complex, graceful steps and looked at Ken.
"Wanted to touch base about tomorrow's livestream event." Ken lightly shook his folding fan and sat on the sofa. "You keep dancing—no rush."
Zhongli didn't stand on ceremony and finished the piece at an unhurried pace.
After he was done, Zhongli brewed a pot of tea for Ken—immortal-grade leaves from Teyvat, incomparable to ordinary tea.
As the water bubbled, Zhongli lifted his gaze slightly. "What did you think of the Zumba I just did?"
"Not bad." Ken eyed him, suspicious. "You're not planning anything, are you?"
Pouring the jade-green tea, Zhongli smiled. "I was just thinking—when Barbatos appeared on stream, his songs won over countless viewers. When my banner drops, I'd like to perform this dance on the livestream."
Ken stared, a bit blindsided.
If Venti had said that, he wouldn't have batted an eye.
But coming from Zhongli, it was surprising.
In the fan-works frenzy of his past life, only Venti never broke character.
Ken knew Zhongli was culturally open-minded, but being open-minded and dancing a Zumba routine on stream were two different things.
The former takes a broad heart; the latter, a thick skin.
Zhongli raised a brow. "Don't be surprised. Since I've decided to live on Blue Star, I should go with the local trends. Besides, I think Zumba is quite good—beneficial for us older folk's physical and mental health."
"That works." Ken had wanted Zhongli to make an appearance, but he hadn't been ruthless enough to plan this.
Now that Zhongli offered, he wouldn't refuse.
Let the faithful of the Geo Archon see what retirement looks like—might be fun.
They briefly discussed the program flow.
Only Azhdaha stood by, doubting life.
Once, the God of War shone and saved the masses—who'd have thought retirement would look like this?
Should've left him to rot at Nantianmen… Azhdaha memed silently.
…
Time slipped by.
While Ken and Zhongli discussed the preview event, the fighting in Liyue neared its end.
Before Osial's immense might, Beisht's power seemed feeble.
With Ningguang fully prepared, Beisht finally dissolved into the sea beneath Guyun Stone Forest, perishing in the same waters as the Osial it once followed, returning to nothingness.
With that, Liyue's greatest current crisis was resolved.
During the battle with Beisht, the Northland Bank took heavy damage in the war of public opinion—especially after junior staff came forward confirming that money was indeed going missing daily—prompting crowds to gather and demand their Mora back.
They watched it rise, watched it feast guests, watched it fall.
Thus, the once-glorious Northland Bank collapsed entirely in Liyue hearts with Beisht's demise.
And the newly founded Liyue Bank sprang up amid the chaos, lively and thriving, taking its place.
"Today's battle was beautifully fought."
Ningguang hovered above the Jade Chamber, gazing at the luxurious Liyue Bank, her words layered with meaning.
Both the Beisht affair and the Northland Bank matter were solved overnight.
Still, she knew full well:
For Liyue Bank to stand firm, branches in other nations needed to open quickly. The road ahead was long; today was merely a perfect start.
"I should be off."
Beidou stood at her side, looking toward the vast fleet at sea. Her crew had fought to their hearts' content today; she too felt unprecedentedly refreshed.
"Hm? Did I not pay you enough to linger a while?" Ningguang glanced at Beidou, smiling.
She'd been too busy lately—even lacked time for a small gathering with Beidou.
A pity.
Beidou curled her lip. "You paid plenty—but that's for hiring us as armed force. That's separate from our sea trade. I need to be responsible for my crew."
"Sounds like you're confident in this cargo." Ningguang sighed with a smile.
Beidou didn't deny it.
"Mr. Ken's goods are truly special in Teyvat—especially for a locked-down Inazuma. Might be a place that really needs them for emergency war prep."
Honestly, if Ken hadn't hired her fleet, Beidou would've headed to Inazuma long ago.
Her intel said Inazuma was in chaos.
Rumor had it a resistance force was forming.
She wasn't interested in war—but wars meant huge profits. She figured she should get involved.
After all—
Portable, storable food in wartime drastically cuts manpower and resources.
Not making that money would be a waste.
"Then I won't stop you. When you return to Liyue, I'll invite you for a drink."
Ningguang turned to her with a hint of regret.
Beidou didn't get sentimental. She laughed heartily.
"What's this? Tianquan's wedding feast?"
Ningguang paused.
"Hahaha…"
Beidou patted her shoulder, roaring. "I've heard about you and Ken. It's rare to see you fancy a man—really rare. Seize it."
Ningguang chuckled; her white hair fluttered in the night.
"I'll do my best to let you drink that wedding wine."
"I'll be waiting." Beidou slung her greatsword, turned, and soon vanished into the dark.
Ningguang didn't return to rest. Gazing at the brilliant stars, her eyes shone.
Now that Liyue was returning to the right track, it was time to put romance on the agenda.
…
The villa.
It was late at night when Ken returned from the neighboring villa. While discussing the preview, Venti had come back with fine wine—so they inevitably drank deep.
Hence the late return.
"How did it go?"
As he entered the yard, he saw Lumine on the garden swing, fireflies twinkling around her, swaying lightly with a somewhat enraptured look.
"Perfectly resolved. Shenhe helped a lot at the critical moment. I feel she's changed a lot since she came."
Lumine smiled at him.
Ken raised a brow. "Good. Makes it worth it that Cloud Retainer entrusted her to me."
"Mhm… Klee's back too—already asleep." Lumine grinned. "One more thing—I came to say goodbye. I'm sailing with Captain Beidou to Inazuma tomorrow. Might not see you for a month."
Ken ruffled her short hair. "Okay. Let me know when you reach Inazuma."
He understood her.
When she traveled from Mondstadt to Liyue, she hadn't stopped on Blue Star to rest. She enjoyed the hardships of travel and faced unknown risks willingly—not looking to indulge too much.
So he didn't insist; he respected her wishes.
"Mm… before I leave, is there anything you want to give me?" Lumine looked up, her soft features tinged pink under the moonlight, glowing faintly.
Ken thought for a moment. "What do you want?"
Lumine didn't answer—her gaze drifted down, a touch suggestive.
With a long time till the next meeting, she wanted to cuddle much before leaving—so no one else would steal what was hers.
It wasn't their first time; Ken understood at once and decided to oblige.
"W-wait… we're outside…"
"Relax, I set up a barrier."
Ken knew the deal; he didn't enjoy being watched.
This barrier was special:
If someone passed by, Lumine would still clearly see them—but to them, this was just an ordinary garden.
Even Zhongli or Venti wouldn't notice it.
No worries.
But because everything looked normal, Lumine felt extra shy.
Still, she had started this—so she had to see it through.
Ken stepped closer, his presence enveloping her like a warm shadow under the moonlit sky.
The fireflies danced around them, casting fleeting glimmers on Lumine's flushed skin.
He gently cupped her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze, his thumb tracing the soft curve of her lower lip.
"If this is what you want," he murmured, his voice low and reassuring, "then let me make it memorable."
Lumine's heart raced, a mix of anticipation and the thrill of their hidden intimacy amidst the open garden.
She nodded, her golden eyes shimmering with desire.
Ken leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, deepening kiss.
Their mouths met with a tenderness that quickly ignited into passion, tongues intertwining in a dance of shared longing.
She tasted faintly of the evening's sweet tea, and he savored it, his hands sliding down to her waist, pulling her closer against the gentle sway of the garden swing.
As the kiss intensified, Ken's fingers deftly worked at the fastenings of her dress, the fabric whispering against her skin as it loosened.
Lumine gasped softly into his mouth, her own hands exploring the firm planes of his chest beneath his shirt.
She tugged it open, revealing the sculpted contours of his torso, her palms gliding over the warm, smooth expanse.
The night air was cool, but their bodies radiated heat, chasing away any chill.
With a gentle push, Ken eased her back onto the swing's cushioned seat, the chains creaking faintly under their weight.
He knelt before her, his eyes locked on hers as he slid her dress down her shoulders, exposing the soft swells of her breasts.
They rose and fell with her quickened breaths, her nipples hardening under his gaze and the faint breeze.
He leaned forward, his lips brushing against one sensitive peak, drawing a quiet moan from her.
His tongue circled the tender bud, teasing it to fullness, while his hand cupped the other, kneading gently, feeling the warmth and responsiveness of her flesh.
Lumine's fingers threaded through his hair, urging him closer.
Waves of pleasure rippled through her, pooling in her core as his mouth lavished attention on her breasts.
She arched her back, the sensation building like a gathering storm, her body aching for more.
"Ken..." she whispered, her voice breathy, filled with a mix of shyness and need.
He responded by trailing kisses lower, down the flat plane of her abdomen, his hands sliding her dress further away until it pooled at her feet.
Now fully exposed, her intimate folds were revealed, glistening with arousal under the moonlight.
Ken's breath hitched at the sight, his own desire evident in the growing firmness pressing against his trousers.
He parted her thighs with care, his fingers tracing the silky skin of her inner legs, inching closer to her most sensitive center.
Lumine trembled, the barrier's illusion heightening her awareness—the garden looked so ordinary, yet here they were, hidden in their private world.
Ken's touch was reverent as he explored her, his fingers gently parting her delicate petals, feeling the warm, slick invitation.
He leaned in, his tongue tracing a slow, deliberate path along her folds, savoring her essence. She tasted of sweet nectar, and he delved deeper, his lips enclosing the swollen nub at her apex, suckling with expert rhythm.
A surge of ecstasy coursed through Lumine, her hips bucking involuntarily as pleasure built in insistent waves.
Her breaths came in soft pants, her hands gripping the swing's edges for support.
Ken's movements were unhurried, drawing out her delight, his free hand caressing her thigh while the other slipped inside her, fingers curling to stroke the velvety walls that clenched around him.
The dual sensations—his mouth on her pearl and his fingers exploring her depths—pushed her toward the edge.
"Oh... it's... too much," she murmured, her body tensing as the first orgasm washed over her.
It started as a tremor in her core, blooming into a radiant burst of bliss that radiated through every nerve.
Her inner muscles pulsed around his fingers, a rush of warmth flooding her, leaving her breathless and glowing with satisfaction.
Ken didn't stop, his tongue lapping gently to prolong the aftershocks, until she was limp and sighing in contentment.
He rose then, shedding his remaining clothes with swift efficiency.
His manhood stood proud and erect, the smooth length throbbing with need, veins tracing its firm surface.
Lumine's eyes widened slightly, a fresh wave of desire stirring despite her recent release.
She reached for him, her fingers wrapping around his shaft, stroking with a gentle firmness that made him groan.
The skin was hot and silken under her touch, the tip beading with anticipation.
Ken guided her to straddle him on the swing, the seat swaying gently as she positioned herself above him.
Their eyes met, a silent affirmation of trust and affection, before she lowered slowly, enveloping him inch by inch.
He filled her completely, his girth stretching her in the most exquisite way, their bodies joining in perfect harmony.
Lumine gasped at the fullness, the intimate connection sending sparks of pleasure through her.
They moved together, her hips rocking in a rhythmic dance, the swing amplifying their motions like a gentle cradle.
Ken's hands gripped her waist, guiding her, while his mouth found her breasts again, teasing the sensitive tips.
Each thrust brought waves of delight, her slick warmth caressing his length, building friction that heightened their shared ecstasy.
Lumine's breaths mingled with soft cries, the sensation of him deep inside her—thrusting against her most sensitive spots—igniting a fire that spread through her veins.
Ken's own pleasure mounted, the tight embrace of her body driving him wild.
He thrust upward, meeting her movements, their bodies slick with sweat despite the cool night.
The fireflies seemed to swirl faster around them, as if mirroring the intensity.
Lumine leaned forward, capturing his lips in a fervent kiss, her tongue exploring his mouth as her pace quickened.
The buildup was intoxicating, pleasure coiling tighter within them both. Lumine felt it first—a second climax approaching like a tidal wave.
Her inner walls tightened around him, milking his shaft with rhythmic pulses. "Ken... I'm..." she breathed, and then it crashed over her, a profound orgasm that shattered her senses.
Bliss exploded from her core, radiating outward in euphoric waves, her body trembling as she clung to him, utterly satisfied in the depths of her release.
The sensation pushed Ken over the edge. With a deep groan, he thrust once more, his manhood pulsing within her as his own orgasm surged forth.
Warmth flooded her, his essence spilling deep inside, each throb bringing him waves of intense satisfaction. He held her close, their bodies locked in the aftermath, hearts pounding in unison.
They remained entwined for long moments, the swing's gentle sway lulling them.
Lumine's head rested on his shoulder, a soft smile on her lips, her body humming with residual pleasure and a profound sense of fulfillment.
Ken stroked her back, his touch tender, whispering words of affection into her hair. "Something to remember me by," he said softly, and she laughed quietly, feeling cherished and content.
As the fireflies continued their dance, the barrier held their secret, and the night enveloped them in peaceful intimacy.
Tomorrow's journey loomed, but for now, they were lost in each other, sated and whole.
…