If everything went smoothly tonight, Lin Yi could grow closer to Ningguang.
But Zhongli's sudden arrival was rather ill-timed.
Lin Yi gritted his teeth in anger. If he stood any chance of winning, he would have loved to tear Zhongli apart right then.
You ruined my chance. I'll remember this, Zhongli!
As though he had read Lin Yi's gaze, Zhongli paid him little mind.
Ningguang, beside him, looked delighted to see Zhongli again.
Unbelievable. After several days together, Lin Yi had yet to see Ningguang smile at him of her own accord. Just moments ago, she had even gotten angry for no apparent reason.
The moment Zhongli arrived, her expression changed.
Although the two had once been superior and subordinate, Lin Yi still felt a little uncomfortable.
After being invited inside, Zhongli did not sit down.
His gaze remained fixed on Lin Yi, observing and assessing him.
Neither sensation sat well with Lin Yi.
Then Zhongli actually gave a quiet sigh, seemingly disappointed.
Lin Yi frowned slightly. Why was everyone he met today acting so strangely?
There was a strong possibility that Zhongli was the reason he had crossed over to Teyvat, yet now Zhongli seemed less than satisfied with him. Was it because he had forced Ningguang to marry him as soon as he arrived?
The atmosphere grew awkward. Zhongli stood tall in the room, his proud yet restrained and profound presence somewhat overshadowing Lin Yi's own.
At last, after studying him for some time, Ningguang spoke.
"Thank you for helping my husband out of danger today, sir. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable... May I ask your name?"
"Zhongli."
The name drifted lightly from his lips, almost detached.
At the sight of Ningguang's familiar face, even Zhongli's normally unruffled heart felt a faint stirring.
Seeing that the two seemed to be ignoring him, Lin Yi cleared his throat and stepped in front of Ningguang.
She was his woman, and he had to stake his claim. Even if miHoYo itself showed up, it could forget about coveting Ningguang.
Behind him, Ningguang felt an unprecedented sense of safety from those shoulders, which were not particularly broad.
Now was not the time for romance.
She still needed to establish Zhongli's identity and determine whether he was friend or foe before deciding what to do.
Yet she noticed that the looks Zhongli and Lin Yi exchanged seemed to convey something.
It gave Ningguang the impression that the two knew each other.
"It's so late. What brings you here, Mr. Zhongli?"
Lin Yi spoke, feeling a faint unease and uncertainty at the sight of Zhongli.
According to the original storyline, the Geo Archon had faked his death and wandered the mortal world as Zhongli, handing complete control over Liyue's development to its people.
He merely watched over and protected them quietly from the shadows.
Only after witnessing firsthand that Liyue could stand on its own did he surrender his Gnosis.
But Lin Yi had arrived during the rite to summon the god and obtained the Geo Gnosis before his system activated.
It was hard to say whether Zhongli had willingly given it to him, or whether he had acquired this hot potato without even Zhongli knowing.
"This isn't something I can explain in a few words. Meet me at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor tomorrow."
With that, Zhongli left without looking back, leaving the young couple utterly baffled.
"You know him?"
Watching Zhongli's figure disappear into the night, Ningguang asked.
"I do, and our relationship is rather complicated. What's going on here isn't something your husband can explain in a few words either."
"It's getting late. Time for bed."
Lin Yi stretched, but the moment he turned around, he saw Ningguang's Star Swirl hovering right in front of his nose.
It seemed to be warning him not to make any rash moves.
Then Lin Yi smiled smugly.
"We're officially registered as husband and wife now. Surely you're not even going to keep me out of bed?"
Ningguang's expression was cold.
"So you do remember that we're married on paper only? If you don't want to die, you'd better keep your distance. I don't like getting too close to someone full of secrets and lies."
Ningguang would not budge, whether he tried persuasion or pressure.
As a man, Lin Yi could not help feeling frustrated.
"I've already had a room prepared for you. From now on, I'll play along in front of others, but in private, remember that we're no different from strangers."
Ningguang seemed intent on drawing a clear line, making Lin Yi give up while also calming herself down so she could return her focus to her work for Liyue.
Yet after those harsh words, regardless of whether they had any effect on Lin Yi, the moment the final word left her lips-
Her heart grew uneasy, followed closely by a sense of loss.
To her, Lin Yi was a very strange man.
He had arrived in Liyue under strange circumstances and specifically demanded to marry her. Despite their brief time together, he could affect her emotions so deeply that she could not help paying attention to him.
As a merchant, her guiding principle was never to do anything pointless.
Time seemed to slow as she approached the door, step by step, intending to leave and avoid Lin Yi for a while.
Yet she could not help slowing her pace, as though waiting for something.
She did not look back. When she grasped the door handle, she felt a measure of relief.
Our relationship was always based on mutual interests. We share the goal of contributing to Liyue's development. Perhaps I really am overthinking things. I'll just treat that kiss as a dream.
Just as Ningguang pulled the door open-
Lin Yi, who had remained motionless all this time, suddenly rushed forward.
He forcefully pushed the door shut and locked it again, pinning Ningguang against it.
"What are you doing?!"
Ningguang panicked and tried to resist.
A Star Swirl formed and shot toward him, but as Lin Yi pinned both her wrists with one hand-
She let out a startled cry and lost all ability to resist.
"Don't, please..."
Their noses were barely a hair's breadth from touching.
Lin Yi had no idea where his courage came from as he pressed his knee between Ningguang's long, slender legs.
Her hands were pinned above her head.
He admired her flushed, bashful face from up close. Both of them breathed heavily, and in an instant, the atmosphere heated up, thick with intimacy.
"Let... let go of me..."
Ningguang struggled to break free, but Lin Yi grew bolder, holding her chin and forcing her to meet his gaze.
The softness of her chest rose and fell, almost brushing against Lin Yi's chest.
Sensing the presence of a man so close, Ningguang's heart trembled, and her whole body went weak.
"Look into my eyes."
Lin Yi spoke softly.
Just as he was about to go further, and Ningguang sensed his intention, closing her eyes and lifting her face to wait-
An overwhelming wave of exhaustion swept through Lin Yi's entire body, as though all his strength had been drained away.
When nothing happened for some time, Ningguang calmed a little and opened her eyes, only to see Lin Yi's pale face. He gave her a faint smile, then collapsed.
"Lin Yi!!"
Failing at such a crucial moment would probably leave Lin Yi unable to eat or sleep in peace for a month.
Before you continue