On the way back to the inn, Bai You didn't say much.
She was still thinking about Zhongli's words.
"Now that the contract has come to an end, I'd like to go and experience life in the human world."
Those words were like a fine needle, piercing her heart.
She knew what would happen tomorrow, and a strange feeling welled up inside her.
"What are you thinking about?"
Varesa took her hand and turned her head to ask.
"... It's nothing."
"Thinking about that gentleman again?"
Bai You was stunned for a moment.
How did you know?
"You've been distracted ever since you came off the stage." Varesa's voice was very soft. "What did he say that made you so concerned?"
Bai You opened her mouth.
"... He said the contract had come to an end, and he wanted to go and experience life in the human world."
Varesa remained silent for a moment.
"Sounds like someone with a story."
"Hmm."
"Don't think about it." Varesa squeezed her hand. "We'll talk about tomorrow's problems tomorrow."
"Tonight is our first night in Liyue."
The inn's rooms weren't large, but they had a window offering views of the harbor lights and the sea.
Hot water is ready, and steam is rising from the wooden basin.
Bai You sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the basin of hot water.
"What's wrong?" Varesa came over. "The water's getting cold."
"... Together?"
Bai You's voice was very soft, and her ears turned red.
Varesa looked at her and smiled.
"Okay."
The sound of water.
Fog.
The wooden tub wasn't big, and the two people squeezed together, knees touching.
Bai You kept her head down, not daring to look at her.
The water was very hot, and her face was even hotter.
"Don't hide."
Varesa's voice came from above, tinged with amusement.
"We've swum together before, what's there to be afraid of?"
"That's different..."
What's the difference?
"We've been married for so long, what's there to be afraid of?"
Bai You couldn't say it.
The water is definitely different from the water.
One is open and free.
One is narrow and private.
Varesa reached out and tucked her wet hair behind her ear.
My fingertips brushed against her earlobe, very lightly.
Bai You's shoulders twitched.
"Still not used to it?"
"... Don't touch there."
"Oh?"
Varesa deliberately wiped her fingertips again.
" Varesa!"
"Yes, I'm here."
Bai You got so angry that she splashed water on her.
Water droplets splashed onto Varesa.
Varesa didn't flinch, she just looked at her with a smile in her eyes.
As I splashed the Bai You, my hand slowed down.
Because she noticed that Varesa's eyes, through the mist, were frighteningly bright.
It felt like he wanted to swallow her whole.
" Little Bai You."
"... Hmm?"
My first night in Liyue.
Varesa's voice lowered.
"I think I should remember this well."
Bai You's heart skipped a beat.
After taking a shower, the two went to bed.
The bed in the inn wasn't big, so the two of them squeezed together, shoulder to shoulder.
Bai You had her back to her, pretending to look out the window.
Outside the window, the harbor lights twinkled, and ships were moored along the shore with lights hanging from their masts—it was simply breathtaking.
"What are you looking at?"
Varesa pressed herself against her from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.
His breath brushed against her earlobe, warm.
"... Watching the boat."
"What's so interesting about a boat?"
"It looks good."
Is it as good-looking as Wo?
Varesa didn't continue speaking.
Her hand slowly wrapped around Bai You's waist and encircled her.
Bai You's body stiffened for a moment.
"Relax."
Varesa's voice was close to her ear, very low.
"Tonight is our first night in Liyue."
"I don't want to just fall asleep like this."
Bai You's breathing became erratic.
She could feel the person's heartbeat behind her, the beat hitting her back again and again through the thin nightgown.
It overlapped with her own heartbeat.
" Varesa..."
"Hmm."
"You..."
"What?"
Later, Bai You didn't know when she fell asleep.
All she remembered was Varesa whispering something in her ear.
The sound was very soft.
She only caught a few words.
"... The first night."
"I've remembered that."
"... and many more nights to come."
Outside the window, the ship lights in the harbor went out one by one.
The moonlight was bright, shining on the two of them.
That night, the wind in Liyue was gentle, and the sea was calm.
The next day, Bai You was awakened by the sound of bells in the harbor.
One sound after another, deep and resonant, echoed from the heart of the harbor.
The Rite of Descension is about to begin.
(The timeline doesn't quite match up with the previous one; it should have said the day after tomorrow. I'll revise it later.)
She opened her eyes; Varesa was already awake and looking at her with her head turned to the side.
"Awake?"
'... Hmm.'
Bai You's face flushed red instantly.
Memories of last night flooded back like a tidal wave.
She quickly buried her face in the blanket.
Varesa smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Get up, go to the Rite of Descension, or you won't be able to get in."
The two quickly packed up and left the inn.
The streets were packed with people.
Merchants, Traveler, and local residents of Liyue from all over the world are flocking in the same direction— Yujing Terrace.
In the crowd, Bai You spotted Ying and Paimon.
Paimon floated in mid-air, looking around.
" Bai You! Varesa!"
Paimon saw them first, then floated over waving.
"You guys are here too!"
"Hmm." Bai You smiled. "Together?"
"Okay, okay!"
The four of them squeezed into the crowd and walked towards Yujing Terrace.
Paimon's mouth never stopped moving the whole way.
"I've heard that the Rex Lapis will personally appear today!"
"A divine decree will also be issued!"
"This is the first time I've ever seen a deity!"
Ying, standing beside her, unusually refrained from criticizing her, simply walking quietly and scanning her surroundings.
Bai You walked beside Ying, looking at her profile, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.
She knew that after today, this blonde the Damselette would be caught up in a huge storm.
The Yujing Terrace was already packed with people.
Several of the Liyue Qixing have already arrived.
Ningguang stood at the front, wearing a long white and gold dress, exuding an elegant and graceful air.
Behind her were Keqing, Ganyu, and others.
Bai You stood in the crowd, her heart gradually quickening.
She knew what was going to happen next.
However, it seems there's nothing she can do right now; she can only wait patiently for the show to begin.
Varesa noticed her nervousness and quietly took her hand.
"Don't be afraid."
"... I wasn't afraid."
"Then why are your hands shaking?"
Bai You looked down and realized that her hands were indeed trembling.
Just then, the sky darkened.
It's not a dark cloud.
It was a huge, golden dragon.
The Rex Lapis descended from the clouds in the form of a dragon.
Scales and claws flew about, blotting out the sky and the sun.
The entire Yujing Terrace fell silent instantly.
Everyone looked up at the golden dragon coiling in the clouds.
Bai You also tilted her head back.
She had seen this scene in the game.
Seeing it with your own eyes, the impact is completely different.
It was a kind of reverence for ancient gods.
The golden dragon circled once before slowly descending.
Then--
An anomaly, a sudden occurrence.
The golden dragon seemed to have been struck by something, letting out a deafening wail.
Then it plummeted straight down from mid-air.
Boom!
The entire Yujing Terrace trembled.
The smoke and dust cleared.
The golden dragon lay motionless in the center of the Yujing Terrace.
The scales had lost their luster, like a lifeless statue.
The entire hall fell silent.
Then a deafening gasp erupted.
" Your Rex Lapis!"
The Rex Lapis—
"What's going on?!"
Ningguang's expression changed instantly.
She quickly stepped forward and reached out to check the dragon's breath.
Then she withdrew her hand and remained silent for a long time.
" The Rex Lapis has been assassinated! The entire area is sealed off!!!"
Her voice trembled, but she tried her best to remain calm.