Shenhe once again realized just how powerful the master she had just met truly was.
An Immortal Lord could actually fly through the sky!
Looking at the vast blue sky, Shenhe's eyes widened.
At her young age, it was the first time she had ever seen such a view.
Held in Jiang Yan's arms, she couldn't even feel the wind rushing past them.
It felt like she was inside the safest harbor in the world.
Even though he had unexpectedly taken in another disciple, Jiang Yan hadn't forgotten the purpose of coming out today.
Carrying Shenhe, he flew toward Morax's location.
He didn't use the Space Gem to teleport.
Even with its protection, traveling through space caused a dizzying sensation that a child wouldn't be able to handle.
To avoid hurting little Shenhe, Jiang Yan decided flying would be better.
Besides, they weren't in a hurry.
Chenyu Vale
"Mmm. As expected of the new tea from Qiaoying Village this year. Truly extraordinary."
Morax took a sip of tea, clearly in a good mood.
"Zhongli!!"
A loud voice suddenly echoed from the sky, causing the people nearby to look up.
Morax's hand paused slightly.
Jiang Yan's voice?
Not good.
Instinctively, Morax felt a bad premonition.
If Jiang Yan had suddenly come looking for him instead of staying peacefully in Liyue Harbor, it definitely meant trouble.
Better slip away.
Just as Morax stood up to leave, a tea house attendant grabbed him.
"Sir, you haven't paid yet."
The attendant said with a polite but forced smile.
Who would have thought such an elegant-looking young man was trying to skip out on the bill?
Looks really could be deceiving.
"Ahem… one moment."
Morax coughed lightly and reached into his robe.
Then his body stiffened.
…Oh no.
His wallet was still at the inn.
An awkward silence filled the air.
Morax had grown used to living in Liyue Harbor, where he preferred putting things on a tab.
Because of that habit, he often forgot to bring money.
The awkward atmosphere finally broke when Jiang Yan arrived.
"Yo! Mr. Zhongli, you were really hard to find."
Jiang Yan landed beside him with Shenhe in his arms and slapped Morax on the shoulder with a smile.
However, when he said the name Zhongli, the tone sounded particularly heavy.
"Long time no see, old friend."
"…By the way, do you have any Mora?"
Jiang Yan: "..."
Wait.
Hold on.
Let me process this.
You—
Morax, the Geo Archon who literally created Mora.
You went out for tea…
and didn't bring Mora?
Are you kidding me?!
Jiang Yan never expected one of Zhongli's most famous running jokes from his previous life to actually appear here.
Seeing Jiang Yan's disbelief, Morax looked at him calmly.
His expression practically screamed:
Yes. I didn't bring money. So what?
The veins on Jiang Yan's forehead started popping.
Damn it!
Morax!
What kind of expression is that?!
Your character setting is collapsing, you know that?!
In the end, Jiang Yan paid the bill.
Because he had benefited from Jiang Yan's help, Morax agreed to personally guide Ningguang, Beidou, and Shenhe in the future.
Afterward, to prevent another embarrassing situation like forgetting his wallet again, Jiang Yan simply handed Morax the rest of the Mora he had on him.
That way Morax wouldn't have to return to the inn just to get money.
After saying goodbye to Morax, Jiang Yan quickly returned to Liyue Harbor with Shenhe.
Although Jiang Yan didn't feel much carrying her—
After all, Shenhe was very light—
Shenhe herself felt a bit embarrassed.
As soon as they arrived in Liyue Harbor, Shenhe spoke up:
"M-Master! My legs feel much better now!"
"I… I can walk on my own now!"
"C-can you put me down?"
Jiang Yan could hear the shyness and restraint in her voice.
So little Shenhe was a bit shy.
It was hard to imagine that such a cute girl would one day grow into the cold beauty who calmly said things like:
"If you grab someone's head and slam it against the ground three times, they'll compromise."
Perhaps it was because of the misfortunes she experienced in childhood.
Later, Cloud Retainer used red ropes to suppress her nature, and Shenhe spent most of her life cultivating in the mountains with little contact with the outside world.
Back when Jiang Yan heard Shenhe say "Husband is amazing", he nearly wanted to dig through the entirety of Teyvat overnight just to marry her.
But the Shenhe before him now was not that future Shenhe.
Jiang Yan didn't want her to grow up lonely and isolated.
Let her grow up cheerful and lively like this.
That was perfect.
"Alright, you can walk on your own then."
Jiang Yan gently set her down.
"I'll have your senior sister take you around Liyue Harbor later."
"If you want anything, just tell her."
He continued explaining:
"Your senior sister is about the same age as you. You two should have a lot to talk about."
"Okay, Master!"
Shenhe nodded energetically, answering in a soft childish voice.
That one word—Master—nearly melted Jiang Yan's heart.
It was just too adorable!!!
Jiang Yan felt that this level of cuteness rivaled Nahida's "Nana~" and little Ayaka's "Ousama move!"
Soon, Jiang Yan brought Shenhe to Yuehai Pavilion.
The moment they reached the third floor, little Ningguang and little Beidou ran over.
Since Jiang Yan had gone out earlier, Ganyu had brought them to Yuehai Pavilion to play on the floor where Jiang Yan worked.
"Master!" ×2
The two crisp voices made Jiang Yan smile.
He brought Shenhe over to them.
"Ningguang, Beidou."
"Come meet your third junior sister."
Then Jiang Yan introduced them to Shenhe.
"This is Ningguang, your Senior Sister."
"This is Beidou, your Second Senior Sister."
Shenhe stepped forward.
Under the gaze of Ningguang and Beidou, she spoke nervously:
"Hello, Senior Sister… Second Senior Sister! My name is Shenhe!"
Ningguang and Beidou exchanged a glance.
Each of them took one of Shenhe's hands.
"Little sister, from now on we're family."
"If you need anything, just tell your senior sister."
Ningguang spoke gently.
Her mature temperament immediately noticed Shenhe's nervousness, so her tone was very soft.
Beidou patted her chest confidently.
"Junior sister, from now on I've got your back!"
"If anyone dares bully you, tell your second sister!"
As expected of the future big sister of the seas—her words were full of heroic spirit.
Hearing such warm and friendly words, Shenhe's eyes grew moist again.
On the way here, she had been worried about what her two senior sisters would be like.
Would they bully her for being the newcomer?
But now it seemed she had worried for nothing.
"Senior sisters…"
Shenhe's soft voice sounded as the three girls began chatting happily.
The atmosphere quickly became warm and harmonious. ✨
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