Layla, Show Me Around Sumeru City

"Yes, I'm from abroad."

Bai Ye gently answered Layla's question.

"Oh oh..."

Layla nodded like a little rabbit, then sat opposite Bai Ye, her feet pressed tightly together. She only dared to place the book on the very edge of the table, opened it, and looked down to read.

Throughout the entire process, Layla didn't get a clear look at Bai Ye's face.

After a while, she felt like crying.

"I can't write it, I just can't write it!"

Layla looked at the treasured books in the Akademiya's library, hoping to find some information to help her write her thesis. However, due to extreme fatigue, Layla couldn't find any ideas at all.

In truth, Layla knew that what she needed most right now was a good night's sleep. But without finishing her thesis, she simply couldn't sleep.

The less she could write, the less she could sleep; the less she could sleep, the less she could write. This cycle repeated itself, Layla felt like she was about to burst from the pressure.

No, I have to pull myself together, or it'll be all over.

She thought to herself.

Yes, Layla, Layla, you can do it.

At that moment, Layla suddenly felt many eyes on her from all around.

Why? Did I do something wrong?

Layla thought to herself.

Could it be that my frustration at not being able to finish my research project is bothering them?

Actually, she didn't know that the way these people looked at Layla was out of envy.

The other female researchers, who were usually introverted and focused on research, did want to approach Bai Ye and strike up a conversation, but they lacked the courage. They made up excuses, such as feeling they hadn't put on makeup or that their clothes weren't appropriate, to avoid talking to Bai Ye.

But Layla did it, she didn't know anything and just went up there.

Surprisingly, nothing bad happened.

Ahhhh—

I'm so envious!

Of course, these were indeed some resentful glances. Many of them were already dissatisfied with Layla's personality; she was doing so well but always pretending to be weak, it was as if they didn't want them to live.

Everyone was envious, while Layla looked completely bewildered.

Now I'm even more nervous and don't know what to think about.

She had never been watched by so many people, especially in such a close proximity as the library. She felt like she was about to explode with pressure, and her body was trembling uncontrollably.

Bai Ye was still reading a book about elemental science, pondering the process of integrating various Elemental Reaction and Art of Automata. At that moment, he clearly felt the table trembling.

What's going on?

Bai Ye then looked across and saw Layla trembling slightly.

Ah, this...

He looked around again.

Well, Layla has taken on pressure she shouldn't have had to bear.

After thinking for a moment that he had seen enough in the past few days, he immediately stood up and prepared to leave.

The students present couldn't help but feel disappointed as they watched Bai Ye leave.

Bai Ye thought for a moment, then stood in front of these female students.

"Um, which of you is a student of the Logic School?"

"Yes, I am."

"Junior student, have you joined the Logic School?"

"Come on, let me take you to class."

Several female students present said excitedly.

"Um, I remember my class is in a few days. I'm letting you know in advance that there will be an exam."

Bai Ye showed his identification to the female students.

He believes that no exam can make students like it.

"Ah!"

Upon hearing Bai Ye's words, the female students present couldn't help but gasp in surprise. However, when they contacted each other through the Akasha Terminal, they discovered that what Bai Ye said was true. Bai Ye really was a guest teacher of the Logic School.

The key point is that her age is also clearly written.

At thirteen years and eleven months old, she is a standard young girl.

How did he become a mentor at such a young age?

Seeing the stunned expressions on everyone's faces, Bai Ye smiled slightly and then left the Palace of Wisdom.

With Bai Ye gone, everyone's attention naturally shifted away from Layla.

Even so, Layla still felt no relief from the pressure. She could clearly sense that there were still unfriendly eyes secretly watching her.

I want to escape.

Layla hurriedly stood up, completed the borrowing procedures, and went straight outside.

Outside the 'escape' box, Layla breathed a sigh of relief. However, in an instant, she remembered that she hadn't even finished the proposal for her thesis, and the look of frustration returned to her face.

"What should I do? Maybe I should just tell my advisor to stop wasting time on me... but I'm not willing to accept that."

Layla felt that her future was bleak.

Then, at that moment, she felt someone appear in front of her.

"Why are you out here too?"

Bai Ye asked Layla.

He had originally planned to take a stroll around Sumeru City, but after only a short walk, he saw Layla appear.

Seeing her anxious look, Bai Ye couldn't help but go up to her to ask.

"Ah!?"

At this moment, Layla could finally see Bai Ye's appearance clearly.

Her exquisite face was flawless, and her exotic charm was full of vitality. What caught Layla's attention the most were Bai Ye's eyes, which were bright and clear, without a trace of impurity, just like shining stars.

It looks really good.

Unlike myself, I am not exhausted.

She lowered her head slightly and said to Bai Ye, "Um, did I bother you just now? I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I was in a hurry to start my thesis proposal, that's why I did that."

"It's okay, I understand. Papers can be a real headache."

Bai Ye spoke with understanding.

As someone who was once a college student, Bai Ye is well aware of how difficult it is to write a thesis.

"I really envy my sons. My accidental time travel resulted in them all getting guaranteed admission to graduate school."

Bai Ye sighed inwardly.

As a fellow college student who had also struggled with writing papers, he felt great sympathy for Layla.

"Yes, it is indeed very difficult."

Upon hearing Bai Ye's approval, Layla smiled faintly.

Bai Ye looked at her and continued, "At this time, what you need to do is relax and fall asleep. Otherwise, you won't be able to write anything no matter what you do."

"However, it's too late."

"Instead of wasting time and achieving nothing, it's better to take care of your mental well-being first. There's always a solution to every problem."

Bai Ye smiled and said to Layla.

"This, this won't do..."

Layla quickly waved her hand; the guilt of going straight to sleep was just too much.

She let out a soft "ooh" and said to Bai Ye, "I... I'd better go back to my dorm and think about how to approach my thesis proposal. Yes, I'm sorry... Professor."

She had just heard Bai Ye's words and knew that he was the mentor of the Logic School.

After saying that, all she wanted to do was leave.

However, just as she was about to leave, Bai Ye stroked his chin and said to Layla, "As a tutor in the Akademiya, can I ask my students for help? I've only been in Sumeru for a few days and I'm not familiar with this place yet. Can you help me? Of course, I will ask your tutor for leave during this period, and your thesis will have to be postponed."

"Ah!?"

Layla was stunned when she heard Bai Ye say that.

"How... how can this be?"

This is good, but can I really do it?

"Why not?" Bai Ye picked up the Akasha Terminal and found Layla's mentor identity.

Immediately, he picked up the mechanical wooden kite and had it carry the leave request he had written to the teacher.

They're both my mentors, after all; I can't refuse to grant them a few days' grace.

If you don't give it to her soon, does Bai Ye know that Yu Ningguang has made a huge investment?

If the amount is too small, the Akademiya probably won't agree, but the decision of who gets the money and who doesn't still has some influence in this matter.

"Um, I..."

Layla watched Bai Ye's actions with some bewilderment.

Bai Ye smiled and said to Layla, "Alright, the leave has been approved. You can go and rest for two days."

As he was about to leave, Layla said to Bai Ye, "Well, I received a mission to take you to Sumeru City, so I can't go back directly."

"Well, I'll just wander around by myself."

Upon hearing what Layla said, Bai Ye quickly waved his hand.

"If that's the case, I... I can't accept it."

Layla stammered softly.

Bai Ye thought for a moment and said to her, "Alright, then Layla, you can show me around."

"Mmm..."

Layla nodded quickly.

So the two began to wander around Sumeru City.

"That, I remember that one was delicious..."

"Also, the coffee over there is really good for staying awake..."

Layla spoke, she also dozed off.

Walking with the Bai Ye, that relaxing scent kept lingering in my mind.

Taking advantage of Bai Ye's absence, she secretly pinched her thigh.

Yes, I can't sleep, I absolutely can't doze off, otherwise it would really be my dereliction of duty.

She thought her movements were subtle enough that no one would notice. However, this couldn't fool the fact that Lezi Guizhong.

"This little girl is kind of cute in her silly way."

Guizhong commented on Layla in this way, and told Bai Ye about Layla's actions just now.

This Layla...

Bai Ye shook his head.

He said to Layla, "Well, I'm a little tired from walking. Why don't we go and rest for a bit? By the way, could you come with me to give me a general overview of Sumeru? This is my first time in Sumeru City, and I'm not familiar with many things."

"Yes, it was the same when I first came to Sumeru."

Layla suddenly felt that the distance between herself and Bai Ye had shortened considerably.

"Yes, I will help you adapt to Sumeru."

Bai Ye found it amusing.

He doesn't intend to stay in Sumeru for long, nor does he intend to adapt to Sumeru for anything.

However, he had no intention of saying it aloud.

The two of them talked like this as they walked into a coffee shop.

Bai Ye ordered two coffees and paid with Mora. Turning around, he saw Layla about to open her wallet.

"I'm the tutor, so I'm the one who should be paying."

Although he was stingy, Bai Ye still felt a little reluctant to spend money on Yu Layla like this.

Layla, her personality is just too well-behaved.

At worst, I'll just ask for some bills and send them to the Fatui later.

I came to Sumeru to find you, but you didn't come to find me. Shouldn't I be reimbursed for the expenses incurred during this time?

If you don't report it, believe me, I'll transfer the debt to Zhongli.

Let him come after you for the money.

"Um."

Layla, biting her lip slightly.

Sitting in the same seat, Layla felt more relaxed.

No, I can't sleep.

She clenched her fists tightly.

"Um, Professor..."

"Bai Ye, my name is Bai Ye."

"Mr. Bai Ye..."

"Just call me by my name," Bai Ye said to Layla.

"Um..."

Layla wanted to start a conversation with Bai Ye about the situation in Sumeru City.

However, when she tried to speak, she found herself unsure of where to begin.

Even though I've been to so many places, I can't say a word about it.

I'm useless!

Layla thought to herself.

Seeing her nervousness, Bai Ye thought for a Bai Ye and said to Layla, "Well, why don't you tell me about your hometown first?"

"My hometown?" Layla paused for a moment. "My hometown is a small village on the other side of Mount Sumeru. I traveled for several days to get to the Akademiya."

"That must be a pretty little village."

"No, no, it's just like any other village. There are mountains, water, and lots of Yak-Dravya Beast. If I ever find myself struggling to make Sumeru meet in the future, I plan to go home and feed the Yak-Dravya Beast. My friends, they're all like that. I, my family also has lots of Yak-Dravya Beast."

Layla said to Bai Ye.

Bai Ye glanced at Layla.

This guy might be a small landowner.

That's true. Although Layla was shy and timid, no one had ever said that she was a poor person.

Bai Ye nodded and said, "Oh, that sounds really nice. If I have the chance to travel, I'd like to visit one of those small villages."

"Um."

Layla gently, a happy smile involuntarily appearing on her lips.

She felt happy when she heard someone praise her hometown.

But then she felt a little sad. "It's just that I haven't had time to go back to my hometown since then. The studies at the Akademiya are really too complicated. All the students around me are so capable and talented. No matter how hard I try, I can't keep up. I simply don't have time to go back to my hometown."

"If you have time, it would be good to go back and take a look."

Hearing Layla say that, Bai Ye also sighed.

Layla came to Sumeru City from her hometown and can't go back, just as I came to Teyvat from Earth and can't go back either.

She has a lot of studies to do, and she also has the responsibility to save Teyvat.

"Bai Ye, what's wrong with you?"

When Layla noticed that Bai Ye's expression was off, she couldn't help but ask him what was wrong.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things related to my hometown."