Honkai: Star Rail, Marry Acheron Upon Landing

She was clinging to Lin Shuang as if glued.

This made Lin Shuang feel a bit embarrassed.

What was going on today? Everything had been fine just moments ago.

How could Tingyun seem like she wanted to cling to Lin Shuang after just a few days apart?

Noticing that people around them had already seen Tingyun's bold move and were eavesdropping, Lin Shuang felt even more awkward.

"Tingyun... what are you doing?"

"My benefactor, surely you don't dislike me? I'm clearly just clinging to you."

Tingyun blushed slightly, her beautiful eyes gazing at Lin Shuang with a look that could melt butter. Qingque, standing nearby, got goosebumps.

"Ugh, Lin Shuang, what did you do to her?!"

"I didn't do anything! I just gave her tail some care, what could I have done?"

"..."

Lin Shuang's words were met only by Qingque's piercing stare.

Clearly, she didn't believe a single word Lin Shuang said.

What great tail care that was. Does she think I've never seen a Foxfolk's tail being cared for?

What kind of normal tail care results in this?

This isn't some novel where tails are sensitive body parts.

Tingyun remained silent, leaning against Lin Shuang, seemingly enjoying the show and fanning the flames.

Only when Lin Shuang finally looked to her for help did Tingyun snap open her fan and gently fan Lin Shuang.

"It's all your fault for taking such good care of me, benefactor. Before, I'd go to Lady Bailu for a massage after returning from a business trip to relax. But this time, even Lady Bailu's touch didn't help. I couldn't eat or sleep properly every day. Now that you're finally free today~ I had to come beg you."

"... Just say it normally. It's just a massage, why do you have to say it so strangely."

Tingyun's voice wasn't loud, but Lin Shuang couldn't help but want to shut that glib mouth of hers.

However, Tingyun wasn't flustered at all. Instead, she retorted aggressively:

"Did I say something wrong? Or do you think your skills are very proper, benefactor~"

"..."

Lin Shuang was speechless.

Before she could even reply, Qingque quickly chimed in, nodding in agreement:

"Exactly! Lin Shuang, your skills really aren't proper. You even lied to me, saying it was just a massage!"

After speaking, she didn't forget to glare at Lin Shuang with a blush, puffing out her cheeks indignantly.

However, compared to before, perhaps because Tingyun was also a victim, it didn't feel quite as embarrassing anymore.

Then, Qingque quickly turned to Tingyun and started to stir the pot:

"Miss Tingyun, this person bullied us so badly, please punish her severely!"

In Qingque's eyes, Tingyun had clearly been on the receiving end and was now here for 'revenge'.

It was perfect; she wasn't as eloquent as Tingyun, so she could just cheer from the sidelines.

Tingyun chuckled, covering her mouth with her fan, then looked at Lin Shuang.

"Miss Qingque wants me to punish you severely, benefactor~"

"..."

Lin Shuang helplessly reached out and flicked Qingque's approaching forehead.

"Ouch—!"

Qingque cried out in pain, clutching her forehead, her small body shrinking back.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Miss Qingque. I genuinely came to ask my benefactor to massage my shoulders and legs, and to tend to my tail."

Qingque, still rubbing her forehead, widened her eyes. She looked at Tingyun in disbelief.

"No way, Miss Tingyun, her hands are so... so... and you still asked her to come?"

"Although my benefactor's skills are indeed a bit strange and a little embarrassing, it feels really comfortable after the massage. Miss Qingque, didn't you just get one too? You should have recovered by now after chatting for a while."

"Ah, this..."

Reminded by Tingyun, Qingque suddenly realized that her previously sore feet had already eased up considerably, and her slightly achy calves felt much better.

Was the effect really that good after just a few touches?

Judging by Qingque's expression, she too had realized the excellent massage effect.

Tingyun had played enough by now. Her face was slightly flushed as she let go of Lin Shuang's arm, though her tail still occasionally swatted Lin Shuang's behind.

"So, benefactor, when will you be free? I'll treat you, and we can taste the delicacies of our Luofu, and you can give me a massage?"

"Anytime is fine, I don't have anything important to do. How about tomorrow? Qingque has to work overtime under the Diviner's watchful eye tomorrow, and it'll be boring alone anyway."

"Oh, come on! We agreed not to bring that up! It's killing my mood for listening to opera."

Before Tingyun could even speak, Qingque threw her hands up in surrender.

"Benefactor, what is this?"

Tingyun's ears twitched with curiosity, while Lin Shuang chuckled as she explained, "Qingque skipped her attendance at the Divination Department today to slack off and play cards, so the Grand Tutor caught her red-handed and ordered her to make up for the missed work in front of the Diviner tomorrow."

"I've heard that the Diviners at the Divination Department are so busy they don't have time to rest, yet Miss Qingque is a regular at the card hall and is even so valued by the Grand Tutor. It seems Miss Qingque is quite a remarkable person."

Upon hearing the explanation, Tingyun looked at Qingque with increased scrutiny and curiosity.

Tingyun naturally understood the Divination Department. The current Grand Tutor, Fu Xuan, was a workaholic.

Qingque went to the card hall to play cards every day without being expelled from the Divination Department, and Fu Xuan even wanted to keep her by her side.

Either Qingque was a major insider, or she possessed something the Grand Tutor highly valued.

However, if she were just an insider, it wouldn't warrant such trouble. After much thought, Tingyun figured Qingque must be incredibly skilled in divination.

"Sigh… I slacked off so much, yet the Grand Tutor still won't let me go."

Qingque, unaware of Tingyun's thoughts, was rolling her head on the table when a sudden idea struck her.

"I've got it! A way to escape overtime tomorrow!"

With that, Qingque shot upright and grabbed Lin Shuang's other arm, her eyes shining as she stared at Lin Shuang.

"Lin Shuang!"

"……"

Lin Shuang's internal alarm bells blared, and she quickly pulled her arm away.

"What are you trying to do? I don't do anything illegal or taboo."

"What are you talking about? What kind of talk is that? This is all for you! Lin Shuang, use your massage skills to give the Grand Tutor a good relaxation tomorrow!"

First Volume: Chapter 42 As your benevolent father, I am simply duty-bound!

"I refuse!"

Without a second thought, Lin Shuang flatly rejected.

Listen to that.

Was that something a person would even come up with?

Giving Fu Xuan a massage, she actually thought of that.

Lin Shuang's icy gaze pierced Qingque's conscience. Qingque clutched Lin Shuang's arm tightly with both hands, pressing it to her conscience.

Her eyes were full of expectation as she looked at Lin Shuang, as if to say she truly had a conscience.

"Don't be like that! Think about it, if you serve the Grand Tutor well, you'll soar to the heavens and reach new heights. Then, with leaders from two of the six divisions of the Luofu knowing you, you'll be able to walk all over the Luofu!"

"Heh, I'm afraid I'll be arrested by the Cloud Knights before I can even walk all over the Luofu. Qingque, Qingque, I kindly offered to relieve your fatigue, only for you to try and harm me. My heart aches."

"How could that be! How could that be! With me here, there's no way the Grand Tutor will send you away. You have to believe me."

Seeing Lin Shuang looking like she was about to bolt, Qingque completely abandoned all pretense and clung to Lin Shuang's arm. Her warm, soft flesh pressed tightly against Lin Shuang, showing no signs of loosening.

"The Grand Tutor works overtime every day and never rests. Even an immortal being couldn't handle working without a break all year round. Lin Shuang, you're so skilled, you can definitely help the Grand Tutor release her stress. If she's happy, then I won't have to work overtime, right?"

Lin Shuang had to admit, she was tempted for a brief moment.

If she could get on Fu Xuan's good side and increase her favorability, she might be able to draw something good.

However, her rational mind told her that if things went wrong, the outcome wouldn't just be her feet being stomped on by Fu Xuan's white stockings.

Just then.

Tingyun, who had been watching the commotion for a while, suddenly spoke up.

"I actually think Miss Qingque makes a lot of sense."

"??"

Hearing this, Lin Shuang forgot about refuting Qingque and spun around, looking at Tingyun with sheer horror.

This little fox is so cunning! She already agreed to give her a massage and is still trying to frame me.

If she really gets me in trouble, who's going to massage her tail then!

"Oh, Benefactor, allow me to explain properly."

Tingyun's ears twitched, and she then leaned forward, bringing her face close to theirs.

"The Grand Tutor is incredibly busy. Our Xianzhou owes a lot to the Grand Tutor, as our merchant groups have been saved from danger multiple times thanks to her. We all see how hard the Grand Tutor works. If she could relax a bit, I believe many people in our five major divisions would wholeheartedly agree."

What she said made sense. Lin Shuang nodded, then retorted without mercy, "I understand the logic, but is that what we're discussing right now? We're discussing whether the Grand Tutor will kill me after the massage."

"Oh, let me finish first~"

Tingyun lightly tapped Lin Shuang's forehead with her folding fan before continuing, "I shall write a letter to the Grand Tutor today in the name of the Celestial Ship Division, stating that it's to thank Grand Tutor Fu Xuan, so I'm introducing a talented individual skilled in massage therapy."

"Then, Qingque will deliver the letter to make the introduction. As long as Qingque can secure the deal, someone as diligent as Grand Tutor Fu Xuan would never blame our benefactor."

Qingque's eyes lit up as she listened, especially at the last sentence. She thumped her chest, guaranteeing her success!

After all, she knew the Grand Tutor's preferences like the back of her hand! Others might not succeed, but with her, it was a sure thing!

Meanwhile, Lin Shuang began to ponder.

How to put it, what Tingyun said actually seemed quite feasible.

The key was that this way, Lin Shuang could naturally get close to Fu Xuan, thus having the possibility to increase her favorability.

Oh no, she was actually being persuaded.

Seeing Lin Shuang's wavering expression, Qingque quickly struck while the iron was hot:

"Miss Tingyun's work is as beautiful as she is. This way, the Grand Tutor gets to relax, Lin Shuang gets a backer from the Divination Department, and I can avoid overtime. Everyone has a bright future! Don't you agree, Lin Shuang?"

"...That's actually true."

Lin Shuang couldn't help but fall into thought. Since everyone won, who exactly lost?

"Alright, in that case, the 'Qingque No Overtime Plan' is officially launched! Shall we... adjourn for today?"

Qingque's 'ambitious intentions' were fully exposed, but Lin Shuang couldn't be bothered to call her out.

Tingyun smiled and nodded:

"Then I shall also prepare the letter promptly and have someone deliver it to Miss Qingque tomorrow."

"Hehehe, thank you, Miss Tingyun. Miss Tingyun is truly beautiful and kind-hearted~"

Lin Shuang, waiting on the side, found that Qingque had nothing more to say. She was momentarily incredulous and kicked Qingque: