Lumine: I Really Am the Worst

"Um... is the reward really one million Mora?" Paimon couldn't contain his anticipation and asked first.

Xingsu casually tossed the heavy money bag in his hand toward Paimon.

"Whoa!"

Paimon hurriedly reached out to catch it, but the purse's astonishing weight instantly pulled her straight to the ground. She grabbed the opening of the purse with both hands and feet, and with great effort, managed to drag it back into the air, her little face turning bright red.

"Traveler, Traveler, this is so heavy! How many meals at Wanmin Restaurant could this be enough for us?"

Ying calmly stepped forward, took the large bag of Mora, gently placed it on the ground, and gave Paimon a look.

"Oh oh."

Paimon immediately understood and quietly floated behind Ying to hide.

They still have better chemistry Callas and Navia.

"Hello, Mr. Morning Star, let's not talk about the payment yet. Can we discuss the details of the commission first?" Ying asked calmly, getting straight to the point.

"Of course, feel free to ask me anything."

"Why did your family disappear in the Chasm? Logically, that area should have been sealed off by Liyue long ago."

"She belongs to the unit fighting monsters in the Chasm. She sent a letter home a few months ago, saying she would return to get married after her shift ended... But since that letter, there has been no news of her, which is why I asked you to go in and investigate with me."

Ying's heart sank. Her loved ones had gone to the front lines to fight the abyssal monsters, and then vanished without a trace...?

"... I see." Ying's tense aura eased slightly, a hint of sympathy appearing in her eyes, but her guard remained. "But why insist on entrusting this to me? Can't the Liyue authorities handle this?"

"I submitted an application to the Liyue government, but... the situation has been turbulent recently, Liyue is going through a critical period, and the situation in the Chasm is particularly unique, so I ultimately did not receive a response."

Is the Liyue official team overwhelmed and unable to handle this...?

"I'm sorry... If the Liyue authorities can't intervene, I'm indeed willing to lend a hand, but the commission fee..."

"Isn't one million Mora enough...? If all else fails, I can grit my teeth and go to the Northland Bank..."

"Ah! No, no! That's not what I meant! This is already a huge sum of money! Could it be that you got this money from the Northland Bank...?"

Xingsu nodded.

Ying felt a pang of guilt.

An image of an ordinary family suffering from hardship formed in her mind.

His own child went missing on the front lines, and despite exhausting all his connections, he received no news. In the end, he was willing to take on debts from the Northland Bank in order to find her.

Those who cannot repay their loans from the Northland Bank... will not have a good ending.

I had actually been doubting the other party before.

I'm so damn stupid!

Xingsu watched quietly as the Traveler's expression shifted from initial wariness and suspicion to moved sympathy, and finally to a look of guilt and self-reproach.

It feels like they're trying to scam a young girl.

He was telling the whole truth!

The child was indeed fighting the abyssal monsters in the Chasm, and I did send a letter to the Liyue authorities, wanting to go to the Chasm to rescue him, but it never came to fruition. Also, the money was indeed obtained from the Northland Bank.

Xingsu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, and her tone instantly became flustered. "This... this is... you're not willing to help me anymore?"

Ying gently shook her head, looking at the heavy money bag at her feet, her tone sincere and apologetic. "That's all. Actually, you really didn't need to give so much commission. This reward is too valuable. You should return the money to the Northland Bank first."

"This, this... you're unwilling to help me?"

"Ah! No! Absolutely not!" Ying quickly waved her hands to explain, afraid that the other party would misunderstand, "I just wanted to say... that you don't actually need that Mora to commission me, just 50,000... no, 30,000 Mora would be enough!"

"Huh?!"

Paimon, standing to the side, widened his eyes instantly, staring blankly at Ying with disbelief written all over his face.

"Really? You're really willing to help me? Thank you, Traveler!"

Ying quietly gave Paimon a reassuring look.

Paimon instantly understood, silently reassuring herself: Okay, okay, the Traveler must have her reasons for doing this!

Guh--

Paimon blushed, scratched the back of his head sheepishly, and said in a low, embarrassed voice, "Um... sorry, I've been busy for so long, and I suddenly got hungry."

Seeing this, Xingsu smiled easily and said considerately, "Are you hungry? I just heard you mention Wanmin Restaurant. Perfect, this meal is on me, let's treat you properly."

Here we go! Traveler, the last dish, boiled blackback bass, is ready for your table! The restaurant is quite busy today, so I won't be able to serve you much more!

Xiangling quickly set out the dishes with the tray in hand, and as soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and rushed back to the kitchen to continue her busy work.

"Oh, oh, oh, great! What great luck! Xiangling is in charge of cooking today!" Paimon's eyes lit up, and he couldn't wait to pick up his chopsticks and start eating with gusto.

Ying looked at Xingsu across from her and casually started a conversation. "Xingsu, can you tell me about your home?"

"My home... I have many children, most of whom are still in school. My wife isn't home often; she Snezhnaya long hours, and I'm the one who spends most of my time teaching the children. Sometimes I do part-time jobs... but opportunities are scarce."

Yingwei was slightly moved. "So you have so many children in your family?"

"Actually, most of them are orphans." Xingsu smiled faintly, her tone calm and gentle. "I grew up without anyone to rely on, and so did my partner. We both grew up through thick and thin, and it's precisely because we've experienced the hardship of homelessness that we want to lend a helping hand to others. So my partner and I took in these children, giving them a stable home."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into an instant silence.

"..."

"..."

Ying rubbed her forehead.

I'm asking unnecessary questions; I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Paimon was eating nearby, froze instantly. His little hand holding the rice bowl stopped in mid-air, and the fragrant food in his mouth suddenly lost its appeal.

She awkwardly and flusteredly tried to smooth things over and ease the heavy atmosphere. "Um... this boiled black-backed bass is Xiangling's signature dish! You should eat more!"

"Thank you." Xingsu nodded, then added softly, "I'll try more. It's just a pity that my lover isn't used to these. We had a rough childhood and are used to simple meals. She's never liked these complicated cooked foods; she prefers raw food. Now that things are a little better, I often try to persuade her, but she still hasn't been able to completely change her mind."

"..."

"..."

Brother, stop talking. If you keep going, two people won't be able to sleep tonight.