When Lu Lin woke once more, night had already fallen deeply. He glanced around—yes, this was indeed Jueyun Karst.
He had finally escaped.
Returning to the Dust Song Pot, he found Yao Yao and Qiqi still awake, anxiously awaiting news of him. Ganyu, having just finished work, was sitting with the two little ones, keeping them company.
Seeing Lu Lin return safe and sound—and having already left the secret realm behind—everyone's faces lit up with relief and joy.
After Lu Lin recounted the full sequence of events, Ganyu nodded thoughtfully.
"This domain has never been documented by Yujing Terrace. I'll arrange for a separate investigation team to survey it."
Once that matter was settled, Ganyu looked at him, hesitating as though something was on the tip of her tongue.
"What is it? You still need to hesitate with me?" Lu Lin reached out, gently rubbing one of the soft horns on her head with a warm smile.
"…It's nothing major. Xianyun—Cloud Retainer—seems to have guessed about our relationship. She came to me to confirm it."
"Hah, that's not surprising. She was bound to find out eventually."
"But her attitude toward you… it's very complicated. I can't quite describe it." Ganyu shook her head slightly. Even she found the adeptus's demeanor toward Lu Lin hard to pin down.
Lu Lin gave a light, reassuring chuckle.
"It's fine. I'll make her like me too."
The words carried a casual confidence that made Ganyu blink in mild confusion, though she didn't press the matter further.
While waiting for him to return, Ganyu had already explained the basics of the Dust Song Pot to Yao Yao and Qiqi to pass the time—sparing Lu Lin the need to go over it all again.
Since both girls were already here and had firmly declared themselves his "girlfriends," it was only natural to formally invite them to reside inside and grant them full entry/exit privileges.
The current resident count stood at seven. With Yao Yao and Qiqi's confirmations, the system's current-phase residency mission was successfully completed.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invited eight residents.
Rewards: 2,000,000 Mora, 1,000 Points, 1,000 EXP, Host Trait: Graceful & Charming]
[Graceful & Charming]: The host's charisma receives a comprehensive enhancement, significantly increasing the ease with which others develop goodwill toward him.
[Ding! New residency mission triggered]
[Mission: Reach 16 residents (Current: 9/16)]
[Rewards: 4,000,000 Mora, 5,000 Points, 5,000 EXP, 1 Random Host Trait]
The phase task cleared, and the next immediately unlocked.
This new trait looked exceptionally potent. A full-spectrum charisma boost effectively turned him into a walking magnet for favor and affection.
It wouldn't cause men to prostrate themselves or women to throw themselves into his arms on sight—but in any interaction, gaining people's liking would become effortless. Everything he pursued would proceed with half the effort and twice the success.
"Big Brother Lu Lin… why do I feel like you suddenly got even more handsome?" Yao Yao tilted her head, her puzzled expression unbearably cute.
"Lu Lin… very handsome," Qiqi echoed with a small, serious nod.
"Your presence really has changed," Ganyu added softly, eyes lingering on him. "Even with your clothes torn and ragged, you don't look the least bit disheveled. You were already very handsome… now you're even more captivating."
Hearing sincere praise from all three girls at once put Lu Lin in an excellent mood. If even those who saw him daily could feel the difference so clearly, the effect on others would surely be far stronger.
This trait was going to bring him countless pleasant surprises.
After changing into fresh, clean clothes, Lu Lin left the Dust Song Pot together with Yao Yao and Qiqi and set off on the road back to Liyue Harbor.
…
In Liyue Harbor, Xianyun sat alone at the table in her loft, chin propped on one hand, staring blankly at the blueprint spread before her.
When Lu Lin had stopped coming, she had assumed she would feel relieved—perhaps even happy. And indeed, for one quiet evening she had felt lighter, unburdened.
But afterward came far more tangled, indescribable emotions.
The loft felt hollow. Something essential was missing.
Missing the frivolous, teasing smile of that handsome young man.
Missing the electric thrill when their ideas collided and sparked something brilliant.
Missing the deep satisfaction of minds so perfectly in tune.
The Mechanical Culinary Divine Machine blueprint in front of her was something the two of them had perfected together. Normally so efficient, she should have long since produced the first working prototype.
Yet it remained nothing more than paper. She had no heart to build it.
Only now did realization strike: she had already grown accustomed—addicted, even—to his daily visits. To their endless discussions on mechanisms, their shared flights of imagination, the way they could instantly grasp each other's most fantastical thoughts.
They were true soulmates in that regard. The last person she had shared such effortless harmony with was Guizhong.
Without him, even the mechanical arts she cherished felt suddenly dull and uninspiring. The painstakingly designed divine machine no longer held any allure.
People are often blind to what they have—sometimes they even find it irritating—until it is gone. Only in absence do they finally see their heart's truest desire.
Unbeknownst to herself, she had developed an unusual, deepening fondness for Lu Lin.
But he was Ganyu's man.
How could she allow herself to become entangled with him?
This was the thorn that tormented her most. When Lu Lin had first begun dropping hints—subtle at the start, then increasingly direct—that he harbored interest in her, her immediate thoughts had been of his bond with Ganyu… and with Shenhe.
It was precisely those two relationships that had blinded her at first to her own growing feelings. Instead, she had instinctively recoiled, viewing his behavior as greedy and improper.
Even now, having slowly come to terms with the truth in her heart, she had resolved not to allow any further entanglement. Better to let it end here, to fade naturally—at least then she could face both of her disciples with a clear conscience.
Glancing out at the darkening sky, she realized the hour had come. It was time to pick Shenhe up from work.
Shenhe…
A soft, weary sigh escaped her lips.
After all, she wasn't the only one struggling to adjust to Lu Lin's sudden absence.
…
Shenhe had been in noticeably poor spirits these past few days—something Xianyun, Xiangling, and the others could all clearly sense.
The girl who had finally begun to open up and interact normally with people had suddenly reverted to her former glacial demeanor: distant, indifferent, and even colder toward familiar faces.
Previously, when irrelevant strangers approached or pestered her, she would simply ignore them with icy detachment. But in the last two days her patience had evaporated—twice she had even struck out and injured those who crossed her.
Standing quietly at a street corner, Xianyun watched Shenhe's every movement. That familiar expression of aloof withdrawal pierced her heart like a needle.
She knew exactly why Shenhe had regressed so sharply.
And she couldn't help but ask herself again: had driving Lu Lin away truly been the right choice?
Just then, a tall, strikingly handsome figure appeared at the far end of the street—graceful, poised, radiating effortless charm.
Lu Lin.
He walked straight toward Wanmin Restaurant, straight toward Shenhe.
Xianyun's eyes widened—surprise mingling with a faint, involuntary spark of relief. The man who had vanished for four full days had suddenly reappeared.
But no one felt that return more keenly than Shenhe.
She stood there, radiating an aura that screamed "stay away," frost clinging to every line of her posture… until a familiar voice reached her ear.
"Why do you look so unhappy? Did someone bully you?"
Shenhe's head snapped up.
The instant her eyes met his face, the ice shattered. Frost melted away; spring flooded back across frozen ground.
The corners of her lips lifted—just the faintest, softest curve of a smile.
"As long as you've come back… I'm very happy."