Getting Ready to Run! (Not Abandoning the Book)

[The new chapter is here!]

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(The picture is in the usual place.)

The morning sunlight, like a light gauze, filtered through curtains as thin as cicada wings and fell gently across the bedchamber in Tenshukaku.

The morning light seemed like the deft hand of nature, draping the ancient building in a soft golden trim and filling the entire bedchamber with a tranquil, mysterious air.

Baichen woke in Ei's embrace. The Shogun's steady breaths brushed the back of his neck, sending a tingling sensation through him.

He carefully shifted his body, only to wake the lightly sleeping Ei.

"Morning..." Ei's voice was husky with sleep. She tightened her arms and drew him closer.

Baichen turned to face her, about to say something, when a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

[Ding! System notification]

[The host's recent range of activity has been too limited]

[Suggestion: Expand your conquest targets]

[Current addiction index: 85% (danger level)]

Addiction index? What does that mean?

[Exactly what it says, dummy!]

[What kind of man spends all day curled up in Ei and Makoto's arms?!]

[There are so many girls waiting for you elsewhere!]

Baichen froze.

Thinking back over this period, he realized that he had indeed been nowhere but Tenshukaku and the festival. He hadn't even had a proper look around Inazuma City.

The tender comforts of Ei and Makoto's embrace were so pleasant that he had almost forgotten the system's original goal.

"What's wrong?" Ei keenly noticed that something was amiss and touched a finger to the space between his brows.

Baichen forced a smile. "Nothing... I was just thinking about today's plans..."

Ei was about to press him when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

Kujou Sara's voice came through the paper door. "Shogun, I have urgent military intelligence to report!"

Ei frowned and reluctantly released him. "Come in."

The paper door slid open, and Kujou knelt on one knee, holding a document in both hands.

She looked up, ready to make her report, but her gaze inadvertently swept over Baichen on the bed-

The sight of the boy just waking up was downright deadly:

His normally smooth hair was somewhat disheveled, as though it had been subjected to a violent storm.

A few strands had playfully slipped down beside his cheeks, brushing gently against his fair skin,

revealing glimpses of his reddened eartips, like ripe apples that made one want to take a bite.

His loose pajamas covered most of his body, but they couldn't completely conceal his delicate collarbones.

At the neckline, a suggestive red mark was faintly visible, as though someone had gently bitten him and left a light imprint.

The red mark echoed his reddened eartips, adding a touch of bashfulness and allure.

Even worse, a notification suddenly popped up before Baichen's eyes:

[Emergency adjustment: Charm +30% (temporary)]

[Duration: 2 hours]

Kujou's words came to an abrupt halt.

Her pupils contracted sharply, and the document in her hands fell to the floor with a clatter.

Baichen could clearly see an unprecedented blush appear on the face of the normally stern Tenryou Commission general.

"Kujou?" Ei reminded her coldly.

Kujou snapped back to her senses, but couldn't stop herself from stealing another glance at Baichen. "I... I..." Her voice had grown strange, as though she were desperately suppressing something. "The Liyue border... there's Fatui activity..."

Baichen felt uncomfortable all over under her gaze and instinctively edged behind Ei.

The movement seemed to provoke Kujou. She suddenly stepped forward. "Shogun! Please permit me to take Lord Baichen to... to a safe place for an examination!"

"What?" Ei's gaze instantly turned cold.

As though driven by some force, Kujou took another step forward. "Lord Baichen doesn't look very well... I can..."

"Leave." Ei didn't speak loudly, but the temperature in the entire bedchamber plunged.

Kujou trembled, a trace of struggle flashing in her eyes.

In the end, the Shogun's authority overcame the sudden impulse. She stepped back with difficulty and bowed. "...As you command."

But the reluctant look she cast back as she left sent a chill down Baichen's spine.

[Kujou Sara's favorability: 40% → 75%]

[Warning: Excessive charm may cause dangerous situations (mm-hmm)]

Ei closed the door and turned to scrutinize Baichen. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!" Baichen protested, aggrieved. "I don't know what's wrong with General Kujou either..."

Ei gripped his chin and studied him closely. "Your charm has increased..." Her violet eyes narrowed slightly. "Have you been secretly using something again lately?"

Baichen guiltily looked away.

He didn't dare mention the hot spring essential oil, even if the system really had given it to him...

"From now on, when you go out..." Ei pondered for a moment. "You must dress up properly."

"Huh?" Baichen blinked. "Shouldn't I dress more plainly?"

"No." Ei was unequivocal. "Wear the most luxurious clothes."

Her fingertip traced his collarbone. "Let everyone know who you belong to."

Baichen didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this exceedingly possessive line of reasoning.

But what concerned him more was what the system had said-perhaps he really should go out and explore?

At breakfast, Baichen ventured, "I'd like to go look around Liyue..."

"No." Ei rejected the idea without even looking up.

Makoto set down her chopsticks. "It's too dangerous. Last time you went to Snezhnaya..."

"What if the Traveler went with me?" An idea struck Baichen. "Lumine is very reliable!"

Ei and Makoto exchanged a look.

Lumine was indeed a suitable choice-she was powerful, had a clean background, and was also a woman (?).

"...Let me think about it." Ei finally relented. "After the festival."

Baichen's eyes lit up. He immediately leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thank you, Ei!"

[Ei's favorability: 100% (stable)]

[Status obtained: Travel plans taking root]

After breakfast, Baichen slipped out of Tenshukaku alone, using the excuse of buying books at Yae Publishing House.

He needed to find Lumine and discuss what to do-after all, if he suddenly asked her to go to Liyue with him, he should at least give her advance notice.

The streets of Inazuma City were livelier than usual, and preparations were underway for the second Thunder Sakura Festival parade. (This part is written very strangely, but the author doesn't know how else to write it either. Please forgive me. If you have any good suggestions, leave a paragraph comment and the author will change it upon seeing them.)

Baichen pulled his cloak's hood low and hurried through the crowd.

Suddenly, a familiar figure came into view-Kujou Sara was patrolling a street corner.

Baichen instinctively tried to hide, but it was already too late.

Kujou's sharp gaze swept over and immediately locked onto him.

To his surprise, Kujou didn't approach. Instead, she bowed from a distance, then... turned and walked away?

System, isn't the charm effect still active?

[She's a professional, okay?!]

[Self-control max, you get it?!]

[But her favorability really did go up, hehe.]

Baichen breathed a sigh of relief and continued toward Yae Publishing House.

As he strolled down the street and passed a clothing shop, his gaze was inadvertently drawn to a Liyue-style robe displayed in the window.

The robe was exquisitely designed, as though it had stepped straight out of an ancient Liyue legend.

It was a deep, mysterious blue, like the night sky over Liyue,

embroidered with beautiful cloud patterns whose lines flowed naturally, as though clouds were drifting across the fabric.

The cuffs and hem were embroidered with delicate lace in silver thread, making it even more splendid.

He stood before the window, gazing at the robe, and began to picture himself wearing it as he strolled through Liyue Harbor.

Liyue Harbor was a place full of wonder, with ancient buildings, bustling streets, and lively markets.

He imagined himself wearing the robe as he walked along Liyue Harbor's stone-paved streets,

a breeze stirring its flowing fabric, as though he had become one with his surroundings.

He couldn't help longing for it, wanting to own the robe at once and experience that unique Liyue style.

"Little Baichen?"

A clear voice came from behind him.

Baichen turned to see Lumine and Paimon waving at him.

The blonde girl still wore her exotic outfit, while Paimon floated in the air, munching on a candied apple.

"It really is you!" Paimon spun around excitedly. "Long time no see!"

Lumine smiled and nodded. "I heard through the grapevine that you brought Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu back to life. That's amazing."

Baichen scratched his head sheepishly. "Well... there's actually something I wanted to ask you two..."

The three found a secluded teahouse to talk things over.

After hearing Baichen's plan to visit Liyue, Paimon's mouth fell open in surprise. "You want to go behind Lady Ei's back?"

"Not necessarily behind her back!" Baichen hurriedly explained. "Not necessarily... Maybe, but I need companions to come with me..."

Lumine looked thoughtful. "Ningguang did send me an invitation..." She looked at Baichen. "But will Lady Ei really agree?"

"As long as you agree to come with me..." Baichen pressed his hands together in a pleading gesture. "Please!"

Paimon flew in front of him and grinned mischievously. "What's in it for us?"

"Three feasts! No, five!" Baichen went all in. "At the best restaurants in Liyue!"

Lumine was amused by his reaction. "All right, I agree." She paused. "But I'll have to finish my commissions in Inazuma first. About three days from now?"

Baichen excitedly grasped her hand. "Thank you so much!" The gesture made Lumine pause, and the tips of her ears quietly turned red.

[Lumine's favorability: 30% → 50%]

[Paimon's favorability: 40% → 60%]

[Travel companions get]

On the way back to Tenshukaku, Baichen was in a wonderful mood.

The system chattered away in his mind, as though it had already imprinted a map of all Liyue in its head.

It laid out each step in detail, starting with a visit to the Jade Chamber, then how to cleverly "run into" Ganyu and raise her favorability, and how to start a conversation with her. Every step was neatly arranged.

The system seemed full of confidence in the plan. It constantly rehearsed the various situations that might arise in its mind and came up with a way to handle each one.

Its voice echoed in my mind like an incessantly chattering tour guide, leading me through Liyue's streets and alleys to explore those unknown places.

As he rounded a corner, Baichen suddenly ran into a wall of people. He looked up to see Kujou Sara, her face bright red.

"Lord Baichen..." Kujou's voice trembled a little. "I... I'll escort you back."

Only then did Baichen notice that several Okuzumeshuu soldiers were following Kujou. Their expressions were equally strange, and their eyes were fixed on him.

"No, there's no need..." Baichen backed up two steps. "I can..."

"Those are the Shogun's orders." Kujou stepped forward, her breathing growing noticeably faster. "The streets... the streets haven't been very safe lately..."

Only then did Baichen realize that the charm effect was still intensifying.

Kujou and the female soldiers looked just like hungry wolves that had spotted a lamb. (Don't ask why there are female soldiers in a female-dominated world. The real world isn't dominated by either sex, but doesn't it have both male and female soldiers? Answer me!)

He swallowed and decided to do as he was told.

The road back seemed exceptionally long, as though it had no end.

Kujou followed close behind him, always keeping an arm's length away, yet her burning gaze was like a flame, almost burning a hole through his back.

He could clearly feel Kujou's gaze. It was a stare full of complex emotions: curiosity, inquiry, and even a trace of something difficult to describe.

The feeling made him uncomfortable all over, as though a ferocious beast had set its sights on him.

Worse still, women kept stopping to watch along the way. Their gazes also fell on him as they huddled together and whispered.

He didn't know what they were saying, but from their expressions and looks, he could guess it was definitely nothing very normal.

The stares and whispers followed him like a shadow, making his mood grow increasingly heavy.

He quickened his pace, hoping to escape the awkward situation as soon as possible, but Kujou continued to follow behind him at an unhurried pace, her burning gaze never leaving him.

"That's the Shogun's..."

"So cute..."

"I want to take him home and cuddle him..."

System! What's going on?!

[Warning: Charm at peak!]

[Suggestion: Pick up the pace!]

Baichen practically ran back to Tenshukaku. The moment he closed the main gate, he let out a long breath,

only to find Ei standing in the courtyard, watching him with a faint smile.

"Did you have fun?" Ei approached slowly and lifted his chin with a finger. "It seems my little kitten... is very popular now?"

A chill ran down Baichen's spine.

The look in Ei's eyes told him that tonight probably wasn't going to be easy...

Suddenly wanted to run away... boo-hoo-hoo (I mean the protagonist, not the book).

The picture is in the author's note and the discussion at the end of the chapter.

Dear readers,

Remember to click that poop-colored follow button. There really are so few follows. Next time, I'll set a target, and if it isn't reached, I'll post fewer updates.