Honkai: Star Rail, Marrying Acheron First Upon Landing

"In that case, you can just call me Fu Xuan. 'Grand Tutor' sounds too distant."

"Ah? Is that appropriate... After all—"

"You turned me into that state, and now you want to distance yourself?"

Fu Xuan's urgent tone cut off Lin Shuang's words, but the phrasing was surprisingly intimate, unlike what one would expect from Fu Xuan.

"Hiss—"

Lin Shuang was stunned for a moment, then could only nod in agreement:

"Alright then, Fu Xuan... But I still need to emphasize that those reactions were normal responses to the massage. There's no need to be so..."

"—!"

Fu Xuan's gaze stabbed into Lin Shuang's chest like a knife, forcing the rest of Lin Shuang's words back down his throat.

After a couple of awkward laughs, Lin Shuang shrunk his neck and fell silent.

Fu Xuan took a deep breath, trying to suppress her turbulent emotions.

Today's events had been too stimulating, and coupled with Lin Shuang being someone even her dharma eye couldn't fully see through, it had caused her to lose her composure.

Fu Xuan herself didn't realize that her current demeanor was somewhat akin to acting spoiled towards Lin Shuang.

After all, the Grand Tutor would never engage in the kind of conversation they just had.

At this moment, Fu Xuan even felt, in a moment of daze, that she was no longer the Luofu's Grand Tutor, but the young girl who was still studying in the past.

It wasn't until the sharp pain from her dharma eye jolted her that Fu Xuan regained some clarity.

"Ahem... Lin Shuang, your massage techniques are indeed excellent. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. Next time..."

Fu Xuan trailed off, finding it difficult to continue. The matter was too embarrassing to speak of.

Lin Shuang immediately understood and finished the Grand Tutor's unfinished sentence:

"If Fu Xuan is too tired from work, you can contact me anytime, and I'll come to the Divination Department to give you a massage to relax."

"...No need for the Divination Department. This is a workplace, after all... Next time, just come to my residence next time."

Volume 1: Chapter 53 The Grand Tutor is Truly a Good Person

Lin Shuang had no objections to Fu Xuan's invitation.

The wild thoughts he'd entertained earlier were just that – thoughts in his mind.

While the technique was unorthodox, the positive effects were undeniable.

If Fu Xuan needed it, he wouldn't refuse to help her with massages when he had free time, especially if it boosted her favorability.

"Since you've said so, if I can help you, I naturally won't refuse."

Lin Shuang smiled at the Grand Tutor, who was meticulously tidying her hair, and then quickly added:

"However... just going to your place for a massage feels a bit strange, like a business transaction."

"Business?"

Fu Xuan frowned slightly.

"Although I will prepare appropriate compensation, calling it 'business' feels too impersonal."

"Yes, yes."

Lin Shuang nodded, looking at Fu Xuan with a hint of anticipation.

As the Grand Tutor, Fu Xuan could see through Lin Shuang's intentions, but she didn't mind. In fact, she welcomed Lin Shuang's initiative to establish a personal connection.

For both public and private reasons, Fu Xuan had no reason to refuse. She had a very good impression of Lin Shuang, aside from his perhaps peculiar tastes.

Moreover, according to what her dharma eye had shown her, if Lin Shuang, whose future was hazy and unpredictable, were to form a good relationship with the Xianzhou, it would undoubtedly bring good returns.

However...

Fu Xuan was unsure. If the supplier-demand relationship were removed.

For Fu Xuan, inviting someone to her residence meant they had to be a very close relationship.

Parents, partners, best friends, and so on.

Ordinary acquaintances wouldn't receive an invitation to her home; if there was anything important, they could just come to the Divination Department.

Fu Xuan herself had always operated this way. Now, suddenly having to define an appropriate relationship for Lin Shuang was proving difficult.

As Lin Shuang had said, inviting him to her residence solely for business or mutual assistance felt too impersonal.

More importantly, Lin Shuang had already seen her in such an embarrassing state, which felt like a threshold had been instantly raised.

And the thought that every time she invited Lin Shuang for a massage in the future, the same situation would repeat itself, made Fu Xuan feel that calling them mere acquaintances was a bit too absurd.

Even Fu Xuan fell into a period of silent contemplation and deliberation.

Then, Fu Xuan slowly turned to face Lin Shuang, a hint of shyness in her expression. She fiddled with her hair, hesitating, and said:

"You're right. If you don't mind, would you be willing to try becoming a close friend with me?"

Lin Shuang's eyelid twitched. She'd already reached "best friend" status?

How come Grand Tutor Fu seemed easier to handle than Tingyun.

She had initially thought this would just be another acquaintance, but it had unexpectedly progressed to best friend status.

However, since Fu Xuan herself had said it, Lin Shuang naturally wouldn't refuse. She immediately nodded:

"Of course, I don't mind. It's an extreme honor to become close confidantes with Fu Xuan."

Making friends certainly wasn't just about verbal promises, but sometimes it could be the start of a relationship.

Although it seemed a bit redundant, it could occasionally serve as an excuse for interaction.

For Fu Xuan, she had dedicated almost her entire life to the path of divination, paying little attention to interpersonal relationships. Therefore, such verbal commitments were actually quite useful.

As for Lin Shuang, only verbal acknowledgment could bring her real benefits.

[Target: Fu Xuan]
[Affection: 77 (Astonished and Shy)]
[Relationship: Close Confidante]
['Your massage technique has astonished a long-lived being who has been in constant pain. No life can completely resist the instinct to seek pleasure and comfort. You must be able to easily win over this long-lived being now.']
['Are you truly making good use of this skill now, charging headfirst towards the path of a Sea King? Although tsundere is out of meta, she's still cute.']
[Reward: 1 Green Draw, 1 Purple Draw]

Just that short conversation alone had increased Fu Xuan's affection for Lin Shuang by two points.

It was already the highest affection level, excluding Acheron.

Moreover, because their relationship had been solidified into the more intimate "best friend" status, it had even directly granted Lin Shuang two chances to draw.

At this, Lin Shuang genuinely felt the urge to pick up Fu Xuan, lift her high, and spin around three times right there.

The Grand Tutor is truly a great person.

Giving her two draws at once, and one of them a purple draw at that.

More importantly, these two draws came from Fu Xuan herself. The amount and quality of the draw contents were somewhat related to the person they dropped from.

So, these two draws might be related to prophecy, fortune-telling, or similar abilities.

The moment she thought of Fu Xuan's capabilities, Lin Shuang couldn't wait to draw.

Coincidentally, Fu Xuan had also finished tidying her hair. Her long hair, now free of its hairpin, cascaded down smoothly, accentuating a girlish charm.

"Lin Shuang, I plan to go and rinse off quickly. You..."

Hearing this, Lin Shuang quickly interjected:

"Then I should probably excuse myself. Besides, this Divination Department isn't really a place for me to wander around. Perhaps I should head off first? If there's anything, you can contact me anytime."

As she spoke, Lin Shuang raised her phone to signal.

Fu Xuan, who was already feeling a bit awkward, let out a sigh of relief.

"The Divination Department is indeed not suitable for you to wander around freely. I'll contact you via the Jade Seal later regarding the thank-you gift."

"Heh, then I'll be on my way. See you next time, Fu Xuan."

With that, Lin Shuang stood up, waved goodbye to Fu Xuan, and then left the lounge directly.

As Lin Shuang left, Fu Xuan finally let out a long sigh of relief.

The experience just now had been truly awkward and uncomfortable. Being alone now finally allowed Fu Xuan's tense nerves to relax.

She then collapsed onto the bed, exuding an air of laziness that was almost never seen from her.

Meanwhile.

After leaving the room, Lin Shuang retraced her steps. Passing the main gate, she glanced towards the nearby port.

Just as she was wondering if the Starship would leave now that she was leaving the Divination Department alone.

Suddenly, a figure zipped out. Her fluffy twin ponytails flicked in front of Lin Shuang.

It was none other than Qingque, who had already left.

Qingque was now making a show of aggression, feigning a fierce stance towards Lin Shuang, as if demanding an explanation:

"Lin Shuang! You've caused me so much trouble!"

"How could I have! Little Qingque, trying to leave me to face Fu Xuan alone, you're the one who deserves punishment!"

Lin Shuang immediately shifted the blame. Qingque, reacting swiftly, retorted:

"I did that so you could build a good relationship with the Grand Tutor! Don't I know about your massage skills? It would have been more troublesome if I had stayed."

"You introduced me, so you're responsible for being there. If something went wrong, who would Fu Xuan look for?"

Lin Shuang not only refused to take responsibility but also acted exceptionally self-righteous, infuriating Qingque to the point of sputtering.

Volume 1: Chapter 54: Encountering Danshu at the Alchemy Commission

On the Starship leaving the Divination Department, Qingque and Lin Shuang sat facing each other.

"You're really going to the Alchemy Commission? I thought you'd go straight to Changle Heaven to play cards."

Hearing Lin Shuang's surprised tone, Qingque instead put on an "experienced person" expression and said proudly:

"Doesn't the Grand Tutor know I'm fine? I know I'm fine too, but since the Grand Tutor instructed me to go to the Alchemy Commission, I have to go there to get some medicine, even if it's just for show. Otherwise, where would the leader's face go?"

"If you make the leader lose face, doesn't that mean the leader will remember you? How can that be? This path of slacking off, you can't make achievements, but you absolutely cannot make mistakes. Only by blending into the crowd can you avoid attracting attention."

Qingque spoke logically, but Lin Shuang mercilessly pierced Qingque's facade with a single sentence:

"But you've already been thoroughly targeted by Fu Xuan. What's the point of all this now?"

"..."

Qingque pouted and glared at Lin Shuang with an expression that said, "If you say one more word, I'll cry."

Then she deflated, saying helplessly:

"Sigh... Yeah, why did the Grand Tutor set her sights on me? That shouldn't have happened. Anyway... I plan to go to the Alchemy Commission. If you're not busy, will you accompany me? Afterwards, we can play Emperor's Jade together."

Lin Shuang thought for a moment. Danshu from the Alchemy Commission seemed to be the leader of Abundant Doses.

If she went with Qingque to the Alchemy Commission, considering the ideas of Abundant Doses, she might even get to interact with people from Abundant Doses.

Thinking this, Lin Shuang decided not to refuse.

As for those two draws, she could do them later when she got home; there was no rush for now.

"Okay, since you've worked so hard, I'll accompany you to the Alchemy Commission."

With Lin Shuang's agreement, the Starship made a turn and flew towards the Alchemy Commission.