Seeing Shenhe's obedient expression—which was really just resignation born of having no other options—only made Yi Chen feel even more indignant on her behalf.
He rubbed his chin and thought for a moment.
Although Ganyu had repeatedly warned him not to casually tell others about the special nature of his blood, lest it attract unnecessary trouble…
This was Senior Sister Shenhe!
They'd known each other for less than a day, but she clearly seemed cold on the outside and kind on the inside—and right now she was being bullied by something bad!
Helping one's own people was only natural!
If Ganyu found out… she probably wouldn't be too angry, right?
Having made up his mind, Yi Chen looked up at Shenhe, his eyes filled with nothing but a sincere desire to help.
"Senior Sister, um… could you let me take a closer look at that baleful aura? Maybe draw just a tiny bit of it out so I can see?"
"Maybe… I can do something about it?"
Shenhe looked at him, at those eyes filled with concern and a simple I want to help you sincerity, and for once she froze for a brief moment.
This kind of goodwill—untainted by fear or pity, purely wanting to do something for her—was far too unfamiliar.
And far too warm.
She almost didn't hesitate before nodding lightly.
"Alright."
For this junior brother—whose presence alone caused her baleful aura to instinctively fear—she felt a strange, unexplainable trust… and curiosity.
Shenhe closed her eyes again, calming her mind. As she usually did, she tried to use her intent and inner breath to guide and force out a tiny strand of the Solitary Star baleful aura entwined deep within her soul, intending to control it at her fingertips for Yi Chen to observe.
One minute passed.
Two minutes passed.
Shenhe's brows knit slightly, spiritual energy flowing as she continued to exert effort.
But the baleful aura—which normally tried to surface constantly and required great effort to suppress—was now acting like a terrified rabbit, shrinking deep into hiding.
No matter how she urged it, it refused to move in the slightest!
It was as if something unimaginably terrifying stood nearby, robbing it of even the courage to show itself.
Shenhe could even feel the aura trembling in fear.
She tried a few more times, but the result was the same.
The aura that had troubled her for years was now so docile and silent that even she found it unbelievable…
And deeply awkward.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Yi Chen, who was blinking eagerly beside her, clearly waiting to "see the sample."
"…It seems," she said softly, "that it does not wish to come out."
"Doesn't want to come out?!"
Yi Chen stared in disbelief.
"This baleful aura's got quite a personality! Knows it can't win so it plays dead?!"
Seeing his exaggerated reaction, Shenhe could only shake her head faintly. She didn't know how to explain such an unprecedented situation either.
Yi Chen scratched his head.
"Well, forget it then. If it wants to hide, let it hide. Forcing things never ends well—forcing baleful aura out probably isn't pleasant either. When we get back, we'll ask Master. She's knowledgeable—she'll know what's going on!"
Just as he finished speaking, an extremely ill-timed "grrrr" echoed clearly through the quiet forest.
Yi Chen: "..."
Shenhe paused, her gaze falling on the hand covering his stomach. She seemed to understand.
Silently, she rummaged through the small-looking storage pouch at her waist and took out a handful of jade-green plants emitting a faint, bitter fragrance—Qingxin.
She held it out to him.
"If you are hungry, you can eat this to tide you over."
Yi Chen took some curiously and chewed.
The next second, his entire face twisted.
"Pah—! This is so bitter! Senior Sister, how can this be considered food?!"
Shenhe replied honestly, "Qingxin calms the mind, stabilizes the spirit, and alleviates hunger. I usually… only carry this."
Her pouch indeed contained nothing but talismans, artifacts, and large quantities of Qingxin for suppressing her baleful aura.
Yi Chen looked at her calm take it or leave it expression, then at the tongue-numbing Qingxin in his hand, and suddenly felt deeply sympathetic.
Senior Sister's past life had been way too austere!
His eyes lit up as he clapped his hands.
"No way! Senior Sister, you can't survive on grass! Come on—your junior brother's taking you out for something good!"
He naturally extended his hand toward her, eyes sparkling.
"Grab my hand, Senior Sister. I'll fly you over—super fast!"
Shenhe looked at the hand offered to her—clean, warm, well-defined—then at Yi Chen's bright, guileless smile.
After a brief hesitation, she slowly placed her hand into his.
The moment their fingers touched, Yi Chen closed his grip firmly.
He laughed softly as wind-elemental energy surged around them, wrapping both in a gentle azure glow. In the next instant, they shot skyward like an arrow loosed from a bow, racing toward Wangshu Inn!
The wind roared past their ears as mountains and rivers shrank below.
It was Shenhe's first time traveling this way, yet she felt no discomfort—only a strange sense of enjoyment.
Especially the hand gripping hers.
His hand was soft—unlike her own, hardened by years of spear practice. Warm, dry, and holding her with just the right amount of strength.
It gave her an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
Almost unconsciously, Shenhe tightened her fingers, holding his hand a little more firmly.
Yi Chen, focused on controlling the wind, immediately felt the change.
He froze—then suddenly exclaimed in realization.
"Ah! Sorry, Senior Sister! That's my bad!"
He assumed she disliked such close contact and quickly released her hand, using the wind more gently to support her instead.
"Using wind to carry you works just as well—sorry about that!"
The warmth vanished from her palm.
A faint, cool sense of loss quietly spread.
Shenhe looked at Yi Chen's apologetic, completely innocent face, withdrew her hand into her sleeve, and unconsciously curled her fingers.
"…It's fine."
She lowered her gaze, concealing the fleeting emotion in her eyes, her voice once again calm and distant—just as if that brief hand-holding and her subtle disappointment had never occurred.
"That's good!"
Yi Chen relaxed, grinning again as he pointed ahead at the massive structure coming into view.
"Look! Senior Sister, that's Wangshu Inn! Their almond tofu and meat rolls are amazing! After we eat, we can even pack some for Master!"
Shenhe followed his gaze and softly replied, "Mm."
Deep inside, she quietly pressed down that unfamiliar flutter and sense of loss—just as she had always suppressed her baleful aura.
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