The next morning—
Dawn's light had barely broken when Yae Miko and Ei were already up.
Spotting Paimon, who was sporting dark circles under her eyes and looked utterly drained, Miko tilted her head curiously.
"What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you were eavesdropping all night?"
Paimon shot a pitiful glare at Lumine, then complained in a weak voice:
"It's all her fault! I was already asleep, but she shook me awake to keep her company because she couldn't fall asleep!"
Even just from her tone, one could hear the bitterness radiating off her.
Ei blinked in confusion.
"Why couldn't you sleep? Are you feeling unwell?"
Lumine waved it off.
"It's nothing serious. I'll be fine in a couple of days."
Once she and Raiden Makoto got a little closer and their relationship deepened, she figured she wouldn't be so anxious anymore.
Sure, Gu Chen was the happiest of them all, but Lumine felt it was worth it—it was fair to both her and Makoto, and besides, she'd sleep better in the long run.
Good sleep quality was vital for a woman's beauty, after all!
"Anyway," said Yae Miko, "Ei and I talked it over last night. We plan to stroll around Liyue today and then head back to Inazuma. You know how things are—Eye of the Storm and Sakoku Decree have just been repealed, and we've had to clean out several of the Tri-Commission families. Inazuma's a mess right now."
She sighed and added teasingly,
"Here's hoping our newly awakened airheaded Shogun will actually be dependable~"
"Hmph!"
Ei huffed in protest, then murmured softly,
"If only Kitsune Saiguu were still around…"
Too bad history was single-line integration—if it were multi-line, Saiguu could've come help as well.
Paimon rubbed her face and perked up a little.
"Honestly, I think as long as you make good use of people, it'll be fine! There are plenty of Inazumans in the chat group—just ask them for advice!"
"True, that's what I was thinking too." Yae nodded.
"Want me to take you around?" Lumine offered.
"No need," said Miko, shaking her head. "I already contacted Ganyu. The Qixing forced her to take a few days off, and while they meant well, I'm worried she'll overthink things."
"Alright then. Have you eaten yet?" Lumine asked.
"Not yet. We planned to meet Ganyu and have breakfast together. You?"
"I'm too lazy to go out," Lumine said frankly. "I'll just message Xiangling to buy something and send it over. Besides, those two in the bedroom probably don't want to leave the bed anyway."
"Fair enough. We'll be off then~"
The two left together.
Lumine ordered breakfast from Xiangling, who sent it via a red packet.
The good thing about those was that if you didn't claim them within 24 hours, they'd automatically refund—but time didn't pass inside the packet.
So as long as Lumine didn't open it yet, even if she waited till afternoon, the food would still be fresh and steaming hot.
"Should we start eating?"
Paimon glanced toward the master bedroom—no movement. But her stomach was growling.
"Sure." Lumine nodded.
Not everyone had the same constitution; even if Makoto was a god, she doubted the woman would be up so soon after last night.
Inside the bedroom—
Cradled in Gu Chen's arms, Raiden Makoto slowly awoke, her face still flushed crimson.
Even though she was a god, she was also a woman—shy to her very core after everything that had happened.
"You're awake?"
Gu Chen smiled warmly. "Hungry?"
"Mm…"
Makoto nodded gently.
"Then let's get up and have breakfast. The sound of someone slurping noodles out there is making me hungry."
"Okay…"
But as soon as she lifted the blanket—her body glowed faintly, and she quickly pulled the covers back up, cheeks burning.
After a long pause, she forced herself to calmly get dressed.
Gu Chen stretched, yawning, and the white robe folded itself around him like flowing water.
Supporting the still-weak Makoto, he led her out toward the dining room.
When they arrived, Lumine was sitting there, half-dozing, having just finished her noodles.
Gu Chen couldn't help but be impressed—
Only Lumine could go through the same thing and still have enough energy to run out for breakfast the next morning like nothing happened.
"You're up? I wasn't sure what you liked, so I got a bit of everything."
Lumine cleared the table, then opened Xiangling's red packet.
Steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk, noodles—the works.
The smell made Makoto's appetite flare up instantly.
"Thank you."
"We're family now! Don't be so polite!" Lumine grinned.
Gu Chen sat down casually and asked,
"You two look half-dead. What's wrong?"
"Gu Chen, I'm telling on her!" Paimon shot upright. "I was sleeping peacefully, and she woke me up just to lose sleep together!"
Gu Chen chuckled helplessly.
"Ahem." Lumine cleared her throat. "Paimon, be understanding. You'll just have to put up with me for a few days."
"I don't think so!" Paimon pouted.
Makoto tilted her head. "Why couldn't Lumine sleep?"
"She can't sleep unless she's next to you-know-who," Paimon said, spreading her hands.
"Eh?"
Makoto froze, face turning scarlet.
"It's fine!" Lumine said sweetly. "Once we're all together, it'll be fine!"
"T-Together?!"
Makoto's mind went blank—her pretty face as red as a sunset.
Gu Chen's eyes flicked between Paimon and Lumine.
He suddenly got the feeling those two had planned something.
"Well," Lumine said, blinking innocently, her eyes glistening, "married couples don't sleep in separate rooms, right?"
Makoto panicked at her tearful, pitiful expression.
She thought about it—and sighed.
"If I were her, I'd lose sleep too…" she muttered softly.
Then, steeling herself, she nodded.
"A-alright… we can try it."
"Makoto, you're such a good person!" Lumine said with heartfelt admiration.
Gu Chen smiled to himself—
Just as he picked up his chopsticks, something soft brushed against his calf under the table—stocking-clad toes.
He glanced up at Lumine.
Hidden from Makoto's sight, she flashed a sly grin—like a mischievous child seeking praise.
He rewarded her with a knowing look.
"Let's go out later," he said casually. "Take a walk."
"Yay!" Paimon clapped her hands.
"Aren't you tired? Go nap first," Gu Chen suggested.
"Good idea!" Paimon nodded vigorously and floated off to her room.
"Sounds right to me," Lumine said, following her.
"...She's doing it on purpose, isn't she?" Makoto asked quietly once they were gone.
Gu Chen chuckled. "Yeah. But she really does need it—if she keeps losing sleep, she'll crash. Don't worry, if it's uncomfortable for you, we can just take turns."
"No… I'll try to adapt." Makoto shook her head quickly.
Take turns? That would only make it harder! She'd find a way to accept it fully.
They ate in peace for a bit, until Gu Chen's eyes drifted toward the Transcendence Group Chat.
(Chat excerpts omitted for brevity — discussing Gu Chen's divine power, Zhongli's retirement, and Azhdaha's "plans.")
At the end, Makoto put down her cup of soy milk and smiled.
"This chat group is surprisingly useful."
Gu Chen laughed.
"Extremely. You can even use it to keep an eye on Inazuma from here—no need to teleport halfway across Teyvat."
"Mm-hm." She nodded. This time, I'll make up for what I failed to do in my last life.
Just then, Lumine reappeared, eyes gleaming mischievously.
She took one long look at Makoto's smooth, flawless legs and said with a teasing grin—
"Such perfect legs! Not wearing stockings is practically a crime. Come on, let's go shopping—I'll help you pick out something that'll drive Gu Chen crazy!"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage