The morning light roused Qin Yu's consciousness.
She struggled to sit up, grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table, and took a sip.
"Good morning," Shenhe greeted softly, already awake beside her.
Qin Yu mumbled a groggy response. Shenhe sat up, drew Qin Yu's face closer, and planted a fleeting, butterfly-like kiss that Qin Yu instinctively returned.
Evaluation: D
Her eyes widened, and her mind snapped awake.
She hastily pushed Shenhe away, her face flushing crimson. "D-don't just kiss me first thing in the morning!"
"Why not? We both enjoy kissing each other. I don't understand why we can't."
"Why wouldn't I understand...? And I don't exactly like it either."
Shenhe frowned slightly, a tightness in her chest. "You don't like it?"
Don't start interrogating me about this first thing in the morning! Qin Yu stammered, "It's not exactly that I don't like it."
"...This is so confusing. So, what you mean is, I shouldn't do that in the morning?"
"Exactly."
I understand. Then I won't do it again. Qin Yu's mind flashed with Shenhe's likely response, and she panicked.
If Shenhe stopped doing it, it would feel... wrong.
The sudden loss of something she'd come to expect was an unsettling feeling.
Just as Shenhe was about to speak, Qin Yu cut her off.
Evaluation: C-
Catching her breath, Qin Yu whispered, "No, what I meant was, you need to ask for my permission first... Don't be so sudden, understand?"
Shenhe's heart finally eased a little. She nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry. I don't know why, but the moment I see you, I just want to do that."
Evaluation: C+
Ha?
The moment I see you, I just want to...? Qin Yu's ears burned hotter, and she mumbled, "Just... restrain yourself a little."
"But isn't this a way of expressing affection? Why should I restrain myself?" Shenhe asked.
"You need to."
"Will you restrain yourself too?"
Qin Yu declared firmly, "Of course!"
"I don't think we need to restrain ourselves in this matter. Every time I do this with you, I feel incredibly happy. There's also this... indescribable feeling. My body gets warm... so warm. I want you to feel it too."
Shenhe remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Is that... not allowed?"
Evaluation: B
Whoa, when did she learn to be so... affectionate?
"O-okay, fine. But don't be so sudden—at least give me time to prepare," Qin Yu relented, accepting defeat.
She added a word of caution:
"And don't do this when others are around."
"I won't," Shenhe stated with absolute certainty.
Feeling a sliver of reassurance, Qin Yu recalled the events of the previous night.
She and Shenhe had talked at length, and Qin Yu had accepted Shenhe's confession. Though they hadn't officially become "lovers," it felt strange to call them mere family now. After all, Shenhe wanted a "relationship that transcends all others."
So greedy.
But I'm greedy too, Qin Yu thought.
So, perhaps a little indulgence wouldn't hurt?
With this thought, Qin Yu placed her hand on Shenhe's cheek, drew her closer, and together they closed their eyes.
"It'll be over in a flash," Qin Yu murmured.
"Mhm."
If it's just for a moment, it'll be fine.
Evaluation: A-
New relationships bring new changes, but whether there were any significant changes... well, not really.
Living with Shenhe hadn't undergone a drastic transformation; it simply made being home feel even better.
Relaxed, at peace... her mood consistently remained at a pleasant level.
That was about it.
Although there weren't major changes, Qin Yu considered it a good thing.
If their mutual confessions had suddenly steered their life onto a different track, rushing forward unstoppably, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
But the unchanging routine made her wonder: Have Shenhe and I always been in a similar state, even before?
Doesn't that mean Shenhe felt this way about me a long time ago, and I felt the same way about her...?
No, no, don't let your mind wander like this right now!
Qin Yu shook her head, muttering, "Work, work," to dispel the distracting thoughts. Grabbing a stack of documents, she headed to Ningguang's office in the Jade Chamber.
"Ningguang, I've brought everything you asked for!"
Ningguang replied casually, "Mhm, just put them on the desk. I'll review them later."
"Okay~"
Qin Yu's voice was unusually cheerful, leading Ningguang to think she was in a good mood today.
Seeing Qin Yu so spirited, Ningguang's own mood lifted as well. She couldn't help but smile, taking Qin Yu's hand and pressing a kiss to her fingers.
Evaluation: D
"You seem in high spirits. Did something good happen?" Ningguang asked with a smile.
Qin Yu blushed slightly at Ningguang's affectionate gesture. "Mmm... sort of."
"What good news? Can you share it with me?"
I can't exactly share this, can I?
Come to think of it, I'm currently dating three women simultaneously. I wonder if this will ever be exposed... The thought made Qin Yu uneasy.
Still, I want them all was the only way. There was no other path.
All she could do was focus on achieving her goal: to make Ningguang and the others love me even more.
And that was precisely what Qin Yu wanted.
As for how to make Ningguang like her even more, Qin Yu already had an idea.
"This... I can't share it."
Can't share it? A strange glint flickered in Ningguang's eyes.
She suddenly recalled something.
Previously, Shenhe had wanted to confess her feelings to Qin Yu. While it was unlikely Qin Yu would accept, given their relationship and mutual affection, what if?
Ningguang knew she shouldn't harbor doubts, yet an unsettling restlessness lingered in her heart.
I need to know... Qin Yu, does the "good thing" you mentioned involve Shenhe? she murmured inwardly, a sliver of anxiety clinging to the potential answer.
Such complex emotions were a rarity for her.
Just then, Qin Yu leaned down and gently stroked Ningguang's cheek.
Surprised by Qin Yu's initiative, Ningguang banished her scattered thoughts and focused her full attention on the person before her.
"But... it's time for our weekly session," Qin Yu whispered.
Even after becoming lovers, their weekly ritual remained unchanged.
Though they could freely share the warmth of each other's lips daily, Ningguang cherished this weekly practice as a unique intimacy between them.
The arrangement naturally continued.
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her cheeks still flushed.
A faint blush also colored Ningguang's face, yet she remained unsatisfied.
Just as savoring a delicious meal makes one crave even more exquisite flavors, Ningguang yearned to deepen their connection, to feel Qin Yu more intimately and be felt in return.
Qin Yu was clearly not ready to accept this yet.
Ningguang had no choice but to suppress her desires and proceed step by step.
"Qin Yu."
"Hmm?"
Ningguang said softly, "Nothing, I just wanted to say your name."
Qin Yu's face flushed even deeper red.
"Then—"
Qin Yu leaned in close to Ningguang's ear. Just as Ningguang thought she was about to hear her own name whispered in a tender voice, a warm breath brushed her ear, sending a gentle shiver through her body and mind.
Evaluation: C+
Having successfully teased her, Qin Yu giggled, "You fell for it, Ningguang!"
Ningguang snapped back to her senses, turned her face away, and exhaled slowly.
"The closer we become, the more you enjoy teasing me, don't you?" Ningguang said, trying to cool her rising heat.
"Depends on my mood," Qin Yu replied.
Ningguang smiled faintly. "I see. But remember, timing is everything. If we weren't here, things might get... dangerous."
Dangerous? Qin Yu looked puzzled. "What kind of danger?"
Ningguang stood up, her hand gliding down Qin Yu's neck to rest on her chest.
"This kind of danger," she murmured. "Do you understand?"
Qin Yu immediately retreated a step, clutching her chest protectively, and stammered, "Y-yes! I understand!"
Ningguang chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Just teasing."
"Phew..."
"When I said 'just teasing,' I meant it as a joke."
Ha?
"You should know by now that my patience... tends to run a little thin when you're around."
Ningguang took Qin Yu's hand, a hint of bashfulness in her smile. "Because I like you very much."
Awoooo... Heat threatened to burst from Qin Yu's head. I should say something back, she thought, murmuring softly, "I also..."
Ningguang pressed a finger to her lips. "Shhh."
"Let's prove it with actions from now on. Actions are what truly matter—and I'll be doing my part too. So, remember to keep some restraint when you tease me."
Ningguang gently traced Qin Yu's lips with her finger, whispering, "Otherwise, I might lose all restraint myself."
Evaluation: B
Qin Yu's heart pounded wildly. After hearing Ningguang's words, she realized she needed to calm down first.
Otherwise, who knows what might happen?!
"I-I'm going to find Senior Baiwen and the others to discuss the arrangements for later," she stammered.
Ningguang released her hand, her voice softening. "Go ahead."
This isn't running away, Qin Yu told herself.
But leaving just like that felt incomplete. To make Ningguang love her even more, she felt she needed to do a little extra.
Of course, with restraint.
She couldn't let Ningguang lose hers.
Qin Yu gently pressed her lips against Ningguang's cheek before swiftly leaving the office.
Evaluation: A-
Ningguang smiled deeply, feeling satisfied, and settled back into her chair, picking up her documents.
"Speaking of which..." Ningguang murmured, her brow furrowing slightly, "I remember Keqing confessed to Qin Yu."
Having already secured Qin Yu's affections, Ningguang had dismissed the matter entirely. But if Qin Yu had rejected Keqing's confession, wouldn't there be some lingering awkwardness between them? Even childhood friends as close as family would likely experience a shift in their relationship after such an incident.
Yet, as far as Ningguang knew, Keqing and Qin Yu remained close. Was this merely a facade, or...
As Ningguang pondered this, a knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Keqing," came the reply from outside.
"Come in."
Probably about Qixing business, Ningguang thought.
Keqing pushed the door open, entered, and closed it behind her.
"What's on your mind?" Ningguang asked, her tone neutral.
Faced with Ningguang's composed demeanor, Keqing hesitated for a moment.
Though she and Qin Yu hadn't been together long, Keqing felt it necessary to inform Qin Yu's closest circle about their relationship.
Getting their support would be ideal.
But even if not, Keqing could keep it in mind and try to get them to accept it later.
After all, as the saying goes, "fire cannot be wrapped in paper." If she and Qin Yu continued their relationship, those close to Qin Yu would inevitably notice something.
And since they were Qin Yu's closest companions, their disapproval would undoubtedly cause her great distress. Keqing was certain of this.
Of course, she didn't plan to be completely open with everyone. She understood that some people needed time to adjust to the idea.
Therefore, the individuals she chose to confide in were carefully selected.
But even this "careful selection" merely meant choosing from a small group: Shenhe, Hu Tao, Yanfei, Ganyu, and Ningguang. After all, they were the people Qin Yu was closest to.
With this in mind, Keqing visited the Jade Chamber, intending to first explain the situation to Ningguang.
Ningguang was renowned for her wisdom and clear judgment, traits that Keqing believed would allow her to understand.
"Ningguang, I need to tell you something," Keqing began earnestly.
"Oh? What is it?" Ningguang replied, reaching for her teacup.
Keqing stated firmly, "Qin Yu and I are dating."
Ningguang's hand froze mid-air.
She slowly lifted her gaze to meet Keqing's, who, though nervous, returned her gaze with unwavering resolve.
The two women locked eyes, wordless.