Chapter Summaries

The Tsaritsa met Bai You at the theater to apologize for Dottore’s attack and assure her that his other segments had been eliminated. She offered Bai You the Peach Blossom Spring, a small realm she could enter and leave with a thought.

• The Tsaritsa arrived at the theater with Danika, Vesna, and Winter Pact Army soldiers, and Bai You, Varesa, and Odette went out to greet her.
• The Tsaritsa asked to speak with Bai You alone and told her that Capitano had reported what happened in the countryside.
• The Tsaritsa apologized for failing to control her subordinates and said Dottore’s other segments had been eliminated.
• The Tsaritsa presented Bai You with the Peach Blossom Spring and explained that it contained a small realm she could enter and leave with a thought.

The Empress gave Bai You the Peach Blossom Spring and explained that, as the Twelfth Harbinger, she was free to travel and had access to Snezhnaya Palace’s support. After apologizing for Dottore’s actions and promising compensation for Bai You’s friends, the Empress departed, leaving Varesa to anxiously ask Bai You how the meeting went.

• The Empress gave Bai You the Peach Blossom Spring and told her she could serve as the Twelfth Harbinger on her own terms, travel freely, and ask Pantalone for money.
• The Empress told Bai You that Rosalyne had gone to Mondstadt for the Anemo Gnosis and said Bai You could visit with friends.
• The Empress apologized for Dottore offending Bai You and promised generous compensation for Columbina, Varesa, and Odette.
• The Empress warned Bai You that her power was more important than she realized and said she would explain more in the future.
• The Empress left the theater with Danika, Vesna, and the Winter Pact Army as Bai You and the others saw her off.
• After the Empress departed, Varesa hurried to Bai You and asked whether the meeting had gone well.

Bai You told Varesa and Odette that Her Majesty had apologized for the Doctor’s attack and given her the Peach Blossom Spring as compensation. After promising to travel with Varesa someday, Bai You ate breakfast with her friends and learned the performance had been postponed until the evening after tomorrow.

• Bai You recounted Her Majesty’s apology and said the Doctor had been punished and would not bother them for a long time.
• Bai You showed Varesa and Odette the Peach Blossom Spring, and Columbina recognized it as an object once passed to Her Majesty by the Geo Archon of Liyue.
• Bai You said she could stay in Snezhnaya or travel to other nations, and she promised Varesa she would take her along wherever she went.
• Varesa insisted on feeding the injured Bai You breakfast while Odette and Columbina ate with them.
• Odette told Varesa that the performance had been postponed until the evening after tomorrow.

Varesa took Bai You to the theater's garden to play while Odette and Columbina rehearsed. The two Water Nymphs swam together in the pool, then rested as Varesa planned to return for rehearsal that afternoon.

• Varesa told Odette she would take Bai You out to play, rehearse with her that afternoon, and visit Tide Song Cavern the next day to see what could be salvaged.
• Columbina stayed behind to go over Odette's part of the dance while Varesa brought Bai You to the garden.
• Varesa and Bai You played in the snow, made a tiny snowman, and took turns on the swing before resting in the pavilion.
• Varesa suggested they swim in the garden pool, and the two Water Nymphs changed their tails and dove in together.
• Bai You and Varesa blew bubbles and chased each other underwater before Varesa caught and kissed her.
• When Bai You began to tire, Varesa brought her to the surface and said they would dry off and rest before the afternoon rehearsal.

Varesa and Odette finished rehearsing their performance while Bai You watched from the front row. Afterward, Varesa and Odette stopped Bai You from helping with dinner because she was still injured.

• Varesa led Bai You back from the pool, dried her off, and joined Odette and Columbina for lunch.
• Varesa and Odette discussed their rehearsal and invited Bai You to sit in the front row while Columbina accompanied them.
• Columbina stopped the first run-through to correct Varesa's breathing and point out that her attention had wandered toward Bai You.
• Varesa and Odette repeated the performance until Columbina was satisfied, and Bai You applauded their finished rehearsal.
• Varesa carried the sleepy Bai You back to the hall, then she and Odette prevented Bai You from getting up to help make dinner.

Bai You and Varesa shared their first bath and slept together before setting out for Tide Song Cavern the next morning. Odette and Columbina stayed behind as the two left the theater.

• Bai You checked the system storage and confirmed they had everything for the trip to the cave.
• Varesa and Bai You bathed together, washed each other’s tails, and grew comfortable through their playful closeness.
• Varesa carried Bai You to bed, and they fell asleep pressed together beneath the covers.
• Bai You and Varesa woke still embracing, teased each other, and got ready for their journey.
• Odette served them breakfast and reminded them to be cautious, while Columbina and Odette saw them off as they left for Tide Song Cavern.

Varesa and Bai You returned to the cave to check the damage and begin restoring it. After finding everything intact, they started cleaning and arranging their small room together.

• Varesa and Bai You took a train to the outskirts, and Bai You slept against Varesa for most of the journey.
• At the cave, Varesa remembered Bai You protecting her during the Doctor’s ambush, and Bai You reassured her that she was safe.
• Varesa and Bai You entered through the hidden back entrance and found the shells, echoing pillars, and giant shell undamaged.
• Varesa sang to the echoing pillars, then invited Bai You to help restore the cave and set up their room.
• Bai You and Varesa cleaned the room, made the bed with Bai You’s kitten quilt, and placed a lily on the stone table.

Bai You and Varesa decorated Varesa's cave bedroom together, turning it into a cozy pink room they called their little nest. They rested together afterward, planning to tidy the area outside the big shell once they had recovered.

• Bai You brought out pink floral wallpaper, and Varesa agreed to help cover the room's wooden walls.
• Varesa caught Bai You when she lost her footing on a stump, then helped her smooth the wallpaper.
• Bai You and Varesa finished decorating with a shell wind chime, a rug, cushions, and a tablecloth.
• Varesa embraced Bai You and called the decorated room wonderful, and Bai You corrected her that it was theirs.
• Bai You and Varesa lay together on the bed, and Varesa kissed Bai You's forehead before suggesting they rest before tidying outside the big shell.

Bai You and Varesa cleaned and decorated the cave together, then shared a private song in the water. Varesa promised the unnamed tune, which Bai You named “Bai You and Varesa,” would belong only to them, and they left for lunch after agreeing to return after the performance.

• Varesa roused Bai You from a nap, and they cleaned the cave’s outer room and resonant pillars.
• Bai You suggested arranging shells around the shallow pool and large shell, and she and Varesa decorated both.
• Varesa sang for Bai You in the large shell’s pool, then shared a new melody about two Water Nymphs finding each other.
• Bai You named the melody “Bai You and Varesa” and asked Varesa to sing it only for her, which Varesa promised to do.
• Bai You offered to write lyrics for the tune, and Varesa agreed to sing them before they left for lunch.

Bai You and Varesa finished bathing in the cave, shared lunch, and rested together. Bai You fell asleep against Varesa, who watched over her and admired the budding lily on the table.

• Bai You reluctantly left the cave pool with Varesa, and they dried off and dressed warmly.
• Varesa brought out food from Odette, while Bai You shared provisions from her storage space.
• Bai You made sure Varesa shared the best parts of lunch, and the two fed each other as they ate.
• Varesa said they could check the cave for missing items later and that she needed rest before her performance the next night.
• Bai You fell asleep leaning against Varesa, who stroked her hair and gazed at the budding lily.

Varesa and Bai You finished preparing the cave, then returned to the theater after Varesa reassured Bai You that her presence at the performance mattered more than flowers. Sandrone realized Columbina had been missing from the palace for days and suspected she had gone to live with Bai You, while the chapter ended with Bai You and Varesa arriving home to Odette and Columbina.

• Varesa and Bai You fell asleep together in the cave and woke after nearly two shichen.
• They checked the cave, found their work complete, and left as the sunset fell over the snow.
• Varesa told Bai You that having her at the performance mattered more than receiving flowers, then warmed Bai You's hand in her pocket.
• Sandrone discovered Columbina's room was empty and learned she had not returned to the palace for several days.
• Sandrone recalled Columbina leaving the tea party with the new Harbinger and worried that she had gone to live with Bai You.
• Bai You and Varesa returned to the theater, where Odette served dinner and reminded Bai You to wash her hands.

After dinner, Bai You told Varesa, Odette, and Columbina about a candy that could temporarily turn her into a kitten, and they agreed to watch while she tried it. The transformation began on the sofa, shrinking her body and turning her hands into furry paws.

• Bai You shared a meal with Varesa, Odette, and Columbina and recounted the day's cleanup in the cave.
• Bai You asked whether Varesa and Odette were nervous about their performance the next night, and Varesa said Bai You's presence in the front row would reassure her.
• Odette chose a recording about a kitten, reminding Bai You of the cat candy in her storage space.
• Bai You showed the candy to Varesa, Odette, and Columbina and explained that eating it would temporarily turn her into a cat.
• Varesa and Odette questioned Bai You about the transformation, while Columbina encouraged her to try it with them nearby.
• Bai You ate the candy and began shrinking as her hands changed into furry cat paws.

The narrator transformed from a Water Nymph into a small cat, gaining white fur with pale azure markings and heightened feline senses. She ended up wobbling on all fours beneath the heap of her now-oversized clothes.

• She lost the ability to separate her fingers as her hands and feet reshaped into paws, and her body adjusted for walking on all fours.
• Soft white fur spread over her body, with pale azure tips on her paws, ears, and tail.
• Her face changed into a cat’s muzzle, and her new nose detected familiar scents, including Varesa’s.
• Her teeth and whiskers formed, while cat ears sharpened her hearing enough to overwhelm her with sounds.
• Her eyes gained sharper vision, and a long, furry tail grew, helping her balance on all fours.
• Her shrinking body left her clothes slack around her, and she meowed from beneath the heap.

Bai You adjusted to her new kitten body as Varesa, Odette, and Columbina took turns petting and playing with her. After grooming herself, she climbed up Varesa’s arm.

• Bai You emerged from her clothes as a tiny white kitten and realized she could only meow.
• Varesa steadied Bai You and stroked her until she purred and collapsed in comfort.
• Bai You practiced standing and walking, then curled up with Varesa and let Columbina and Odette pet her.
• Varesa and Odette examined Bai You’s paws, and Varesa’s wiggling finger made her pounce and play like a cat.
• Bai You resisted falling asleep, involuntarily groomed herself, and climbed up Varesa’s arm after Varesa mussed her fur.

Bai You spent the evening as a kitten with Varesa, Odette, and Columbina before unexpectedly changing back into her human form. Embarrassed by her catlike antics, she was comforted by Varesa and grew sleepy as the women cared for her.

• Bai You climbed onto Varesa's shoulder, licked her cheek, and startled when she recognized her reflection in a silver tray.
• Odette brought Bai You warm milk, and Varesa played with a red string that Bai You chased and caught.
• Bai You visited Columbina and Odette's laps before returning to Varesa, then abruptly began transforming back into her human form.
• Varesa wrapped the naked Bai You in a blanket, while Bai You begged the women to forget her kitten behavior and Varesa teased her affectionately.
• Odette brought Bai You hot water, Columbina remarked that she could speak again, and Varesa carried the sleepy Bai You off to rest.

Varesa carried Bai You to the bathroom and bathed her after her evening as a cat. Bai You claimed she could turn Varesa into a cat, and Varesa teased her while agreeing to let her try another day.

• Varesa took Bai You to the bathroom and filled the bath while Bai You shyly undressed.
• Varesa washed Bai You's hair and asked how she had gotten her unusual abilities.
• Bai You threatened to turn Varesa into a cat, then claimed she needed a few days to recover before trying.
• Bai You described the cat she would make Varesa, and Varesa teased her about who would care for whom afterward.
• Varesa said she would accept being turned into a cat, then rinsed Bai You's hair as Bai You insisted she could do it.

Varesa cared for Bai You after their bath, and the two went to bed together without wearing nightclothes. As they settled in, Varesa recalled Bai You's affectionate behavior as a cat and teased her about being held by Odette and Columbina.

• Varesa helped Bai You wash and dry her hair, then carried her to bed while Bai You chose not to wear a nightgown.
• Bai You waited under the covers while Varesa bathed, then pretended to be asleep when Varesa returned.
• Varesa caught Bai You peeking and climbed into bed with her, pulling her close under the covers.
• Varesa told Bai You she remembered her licking and nuzzling Varesa while in her cat form.
• Varesa teased Bai You about being comfortable in Odette's and Columbina's arms, then kissed her forehead.

Bai You told Varesa she wanted to be her kitty because she missed her and wanted to stay close. Varesa teased her into meowing, then accepted her confession and set rules for their closeness before they went to sleep.

• Bai You told Varesa that neither Odette nor Columbina’s embrace felt as warm as hers and declared, “I’m your kitty.”
• Varesa teased Bai You with questions about being a kitty and asked her to meow, which Bai You reluctantly did.
• Bai You explained that she wanted to follow Varesa and be close to her, and admitted she had wanted to return while sitting with Odette and Columbina.
• Varesa said she had noticed Bai You shifting on Columbina’s lap and told her that her kitty could only stay in her arms, had to ask before visiting Odette or Columbina, and must tell Varesa before transforming.
• Varesa told Bai You she was hers whatever form she took, and Bai You agreed before they settled down to sleep.

While cuddling with the sleeping Varesa, Bai You asked the system how she could become a cat again and received the Phantom Cat talent, which let her freely switch forms and transform willing people. She fell asleep imagining trying her catgirl form and possibly turning Varesa into one too.

• Bai You asked the system whether Cat Transformation Candy was reusable and if there was another way to become a cat or transform someone else.
• The system explained that the candy was single-use and could only be obtained through check-ins or lottery draws.
• After recalling how content Bai You had been while Varesa petted her as a cat, the system granted her the Phantom Cat talent.
• Bai You read that she could switch freely between her original form, a kitten form, and a half-cat form, and could transform people who did not resist.
• Bai You resisted trying the talent beside the sleeping Varesa, imagined showing off cat ears and a tail, and fell asleep curled against her.

Sandrone reviewed reports about Bai You and learned that Columbina had been following her and living at Korolevsky Theater. Hurt and curious, Sandrone decided to attend the theater’s performance the next night, while Bai You slept with Varesa and Columbina sensed someone might be talking about her.

• Pronya brought Sandrone reports stating that Bai You’s origins and abilities were unknown and her danger level impossible to assess.
• Sandrone learned Bai You had killed a segment of The Doctor during a conflict several days earlier.
• Sandrone read that Columbina had followed Bai You since leaving the tea party and was sharing a residence with her at Korolevsky Theater.
• Sandrone resolved to attend the theater’s performance the next night and told Pronya to prepare the outfit Columbina had praised.
• Bai You slept in Varesa’s arms, unaware of Sandrone’s plans, while Columbina woke after sneezing and wondered if someone was talking behind her back.