Amid the hazy mist of steam.
Raiden Ei leaned into Su Xuan's embrace as he gently fondled her.
Overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensations coursing through her body, Raiden Ei gritted her teeth. She occasionally turned her head aside, mouth slightly agape as she adjusted her breathing, her submerged toes curling tightly.
"Um... are we still going to explore that secret later?" Raiden Ei asked with difficulty.
She was utterly puzzled—why would Su Xuan, who knew everything, still want to uncover her secrets himself?
"Oh, you..." Su Xuan finally released his hand, sparing Raiden Ei. "You really have no idea?"
Raiden Ei: "Huh? What should I know?"
Su Xuan let out a long breath. As expected of a country bumpkin like her—it left him at a loss for words.
Still, Su Xuan thickened his skin and explained the truth of what had happened between them.
After hearing Su Xuan's explanation, Raiden Ei was struck dumb as if by a bolt from the blue, frozen in place.
It took her a long moment before she blinked and stammered, "Ah... s-so that's how it is..."
"So that's what that was..."
What was done was done—Raiden Ei had nothing more to say.
Besides, if Su Xuan truly wanted to do something to her, could she resist? Did she even have the power to?
That wasn't the issue.
"What surprises me is that even after learning the Qiankun Mirror can resurrect the dead, you didn't ask me to revive your sister or your comrades."
Su Xuan naturally wrapped an arm around Raiden Ei's waist, pulling her into his embrace as they talked.
Raiden Ei's face flushed red as she mumbled, "You said you wouldn't casually intervene in matters that defy life and death."
"And I think you're right—no one wants to face the passing of old friends or loved ones."
"Without limits, it would cause endless trouble."
"Of course, if I could trade for your help, I'd rather save this chance for the villagers of Feimu Village."
"I'm sure Makoto would want the same."
But to Raiden Ei's shock,
Su Xuan shook his head. "The villagers of Feimu Village are out of the question."
"But Raiden Makoto or Kitsune Saiguu—I will resurrect them when the time is right."
Raiden Ei jerked her head up in astonishment, staring at Su Xuan in disbelief, her voice tense. "Then... what price must I pay?"
"Or rather, what do you want me to do?"
Unexpectedly, Su Xuan shook his head again. "This has nothing to do with you directly."
"My desire to resurrect Raiden Makoto or Kitsune Saiguu is for my own reasons."
"Your own?" Raiden Ei was more confused than ever, like a monk scratching his head in the dark.
Suddenly, inspiration struck, and she asked cautiously, "Could it be... you want to take over Inazuma?"
Of course! How could someone as powerful as Su Xuan come to the Teyvat Continent just to travel?
Travel was just an excuse—his real goal was to seize everything in Teyvat during his journey and accomplish some grand undertaking.
If so, he'd need capable managers.
Raiden Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu were indeed far more reliable than her or Yae Miko.
But just thinking about it filled Raiden Ei with sudden melancholy—under her rule, Inazuma had become a mess.
"Uh, I've said it before—I'm not interested in Inazuma," Su Xuan said calmly. "Ruling a nation is too much hassle."
"Compared to taking over Inazuma, I'd rather take you."
Raiden Ei: "????"
"To put it bluntly: by day, Inazuma is yours; by night, you're mine." Su Xuan grinned mischievously. "Taking the rulers is easier than taking the nation."
Raiden Ei's brows furrowed as she rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
After a long pause, she looked at Su Xuan and said, "I could interpret this as you playing the puppet master behind the scenes."
"But considering what you just explained about what happened between us, it feels like you just want to indulge in certain experiences with us."
"Like you're savoring it..."
The handsome guy was stunned.
Not bad—this country bumpkin had suddenly wised up.
"As you said, I just want the experience," Su Xuan replied coolly. "That's what travel is for, isn't it? To experience and enjoy."
But his words left Raiden Ei a bit depressed, and she rolled her eyes at him.
Once this man had his fun with them all and patted his butt goodbye, what would become of them?
Sigh, what a bitter fate.
Still, the thought of seeing Raiden Makoto, Kitsune Saiguu, and her other old friends again made any sacrifice worthwhile.
"Of course, I'm telling you this in advance so you can think it over. Even if I want to resurrect Raiden Makoto or Kitsune Saiguu,"
"I'll need the memories of them from you and Miko's minds."
As Su Xuan spoke, he mentally calculated the time until Ying and Paimon reached Mondstadt.
Then he smiled. "I've got about four days before I leave Inazuma for Mondstadt."
"If you agree, I'll give you a proper 'training' before I go."
"If not, no big deal."
After hearing Su Xuan's proposal, Raiden Ei pondered it seriously.
In the end, she said earnestly, "I have no issue with it, but I can't guarantee the others will agree."
"Don't worry about that," Su Xuan said slowly as he rose. "If you're in, I'll start your guidance from opening your mouth."
Raiden Ei stared dumbfounded at the rising Su Xuan, unsure if it was the rising steam or sheer shock that made sweat trickle down her cheeks.
At Su Xuan's renewed reminder to "open your mouth," Raiden Ei trembled, her chin quivering as she parted her lips.
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