Keqing and Xiangling were quite bashful at first, putting up a little token resistance.
But before long, it all simply fizzled out.
Thanks to her earlier experience in the hot spring, Keqing didn't find it so strange this time, but Xiangling was still terribly embarrassed.
Afterward, Keqing began recounting tales of Ye Xi's past.
Ye Xi and Xiangling listened together.
At that moment, Ye Xi suddenly realized he could understand why Zhongli so often went to listen to the storytellers.
Hearing someone else recount your own story was a truly heady feeling.
Xiangling kept gasping in amazement as she listened: "So this fellow is really that impressive!"
"That Azhdaha sounds incredibly formidable just from the telling!"
As she spoke, Xiangling giggled and hugged Ye Xi's arm tightly, looking every bit the little fangirl.
Keqing nodded in agreement: "Even now I still don't understand what exactly happened back then."
"Ye Xi, what on earth did you do at that moment?"
Ye Xi said with a smile: "It's actually quite simple—I paused time."
"Paused time!?"
Both girls were utterly astonished.
"Time... can actually be paused!?"
"That's just too incredible! How could that be possible! Can even the Lord Rock King pause time?"
"What's the world like after time is paused?"
"Wait a moment... if you can pause time, then couldn't you do all sorts of wicked things to us without us even knowing?"
"Eh——!?"
Hearing Keqing say this, Xiangling too felt a chill the more she thought about it.
Ye Xi calmly gave the two of them a little pinch at the waist and said: "If I wanted to do something wicked, would I really need to pause time?"
"Besides, once time is paused, you'd both be like blocks of wood, without the slightest reaction."
"Where would the fun be in that?"
Keqing suddenly saw the light: "That's true...."
Now, whatever Ye Xi wanted to do, neither she nor Xiangling would resist, so there was no need to pause time at all.
Beside them, Xiangling asked, puzzled: "Is there any way to prove you can pause time?"
"Oh? You two want to experience it?"
At Ye Xi's question, both girls nodded eagerly.
But before they could even react, they felt the scene before their eyes change drastically!
Their positions had actually been swapped!
Just a moment ago Keqing had been on the left and Xiangling on the right, yet now they'd traded places.
And it had happened in the blink of an instant!Their eyes hadn't so much as flickered, and yet it had already occurred!
"Wuu——! Amazing!"
"How magical, Ye Xi! Is this how you defeated Azhdaha back then!"
Ye Xi nodded with feigned nonchalance: "Actually, tomorrow I still have to go deal with another dragon king."
"Eh?"
Seeing the astonished looks on Keqing and Xiangling's faces, he told them about the Dendro Dragonlord that Nahida had just mentioned.
At this, the two little beauties couldn't help but grow worried.
"Won't it be very dangerous?"
"If even the two Dendro Archons can't manage it, then what's to be done?"
Ye Xi patted their little hands and reassured them: "Don't worry. With my power to pause time, I can keep myself safe no matter what."
"Tomorrow's main objective is to subdue the Dendro Dragonlord."
Even so, Xiangling and Keqing still felt a little uneasy.
But they also knew that, given their own strength, tagging along would only add to Ye Xi's worries.
Xiangling pressed a little closer and said softly: "Let's turn in early and build up our strength—we ought to rest well first."
Keqing chimed in too: "No more stories—let's hurry and get some rest."
The two little beauties' reaction left Ye Xi caught between laughter and tears.
He could only say: "All right, all right, have it your way."
Beneath the glow of the starry sky and the moonlight, everyone in the little Western-style house gradually turned off their lights and drifted off into dreamland.
....
The following day.
The sun rose in the east, and the little birds chirped.
Ye Xi stretched lazily and reached out to gather the wife in his arms, only to find he'd grasped at empty air.
Opening his eyes, he discovered that his wives were gone.
He dressed himself neatly and freshened up on his own.
Heading downstairs, he caught the fragrance of breakfast.
Ye Xi could guess at once that Xiangling must have hurried off to prepare breakfast for him.
Arriving at the kitchen, sure enough he saw Xiangling cooking with rapt concentration.
"Ye Xi, you're awake!"
"The food will be ready soon—go stretch your legs out in the courtyard for now."
Watching Xiangling's earnest, virtuous demeanor, Ye Xi couldn't help but sigh—this was what life was all about.
Coming out to the courtyard, he found that, besides Dehya and Alusha, who usually did their morning training, there were a few more figures today.
Candace, Kujou Sara, and Kamisato Ayaka were practicing as well.
It had to be said, Kamisato Ayaka looked truly pure once she'd changed into her kendo uniform.
Less like a poised, dignified young lady, and more like a girl brimming with vitality.
Seeing such a scene first thing in the morning, he felt he'd have all the more appetite for the meal to come.
Gradually, the girls woke up one after another.
Both the courtyard and the house grew livelier and livelier.
"Time to eat——!"
A shout came from the kitchen, and the girls could hardly wait to head back inside.
Just one dinner the night before had already captured their appetites!
Even Kamisato Ayaka felt so content she could forget all about home.
Xiangling had prepared a great deal for breakfast, and for Ye Xi alone she added an extra serving.
Seeing the braised meat in Ye Xi's bowl, Paimon and Lumine were practically drooling to tears.
After breakfast, as always, everyone went about their own duties.
Those bound for Sumeru went to Sumeru, those for Liyue went to Liyue, and those returning to Inazuma went back as well.
Ye Xi got ready to set out with Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
Since the Dendro Dragonlord was located in the desert, the best way to get there was still by airplane.
As it happened, the day before Lumine had opened a portal to Aaru Village.
From there, they'd take a helicopter and fly to where the Dendro Dragonlord dwelt—that was Ye Xi's plan.
So he and Candace happened to be heading the same way.
As it turned out, Candace was about to return to the village.
Dehya intended to accompany Candace back to the village.
In truth, she hadn't forgotten her promise to win Candace over for Ye Xi within three days, and was preparing to launch her offensive.
Ye Xi explained the matter of the Dendro Dragonlord Apep to Dehya and Candace, and they prepared to head to Aaru Village together.
......
"...I understand."
Candace nodded and said: "The Dendro Dragonlord must be very powerful, isn't it?"
"Since it's in the desert, if you need me to lend a hand, just say the word."
Ye Xi waved his hand and said: "Don't worry—with the two Dendro Archons along, nothing will go wrong."
"Then let's set off."
Everyone walked into the Sumeru portal together and chose the door to Aaru Village.
Stepping out through the door, they emerged right into Candace's boudoir.
But everyone's gaze fell, all at once, upon a few small garments lying on the bed.
"Aaaah!"
Candace had completely forgotten about this!
The night before, when she'd gone to the Serenitea Pot, she'd only just changed out of them, and because of the hour, she hadn't put them away!
She'd never expected Ye Xi would come today!
She hurriedly tossed the little garments into the bedding.
Seeing this, Dehya burst into hearty laughter: "Candace, didn't I tell you to buy a few new ones?"
"Those are so frumpy—Ye Xi won't find them the least bit appealing."
"Dehya!"
Candace was overcome with embarrassment.
It was already mortifying enough, and now Dehya had gone and called attention to it.
Had she known, she'd have listened to Dehya and bought some new ones!
Ye Xi said with a smile: "It's not really surprising—very much Candace's style."
"Cough, cough, cough...."
Candace, flushing with embarrassment, hurriedly said: "I-I'll go buy new ones with Dehya in a bit...."
Dehya patted her own chest and laughed: "No problem, leave it to me."
"I'll take you to pick out some pretty ones—guaranteed to make you the center of attention in one go!"
...
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