Xiangling munched on a shrimp dumpling while her eyes darted nonstop between Mona and Kael.
"Mona, where'd you go last night? You never came back to the room."
Mona's cheeks turned red, but she still answered with confidence. "I stayed in Kael's room."
"Ohhhh~?"
Xiangling let out a weird little sound, though she didn't dare say anything more with Kael sitting nearby.
She didn't want his merciless hand coming over to pinch her cheeks again.
She only gave Mona a mischievous grin, then lowered her head to keep eating.
Mona stared at the spread of Liyue dishes in front of her but didn't lift her chopsticks.
Instead, she murmured to herself, "I usually prefer something lighter for breakfast. A salad would be perfect right now."
She said it loud enough on purpose.
Kael sighed and set down his utensils. "A satisfying salad, huh? Fine, wait here. I'll make it."
He stood up and headed toward the kitchen.
On his way out, he faintly heard the girls whispering behind him.
"Mona, are you my sister-in-law now?"
"Yes."
"Hehe… I knew it…"
Kael stepped into the kitchen area and found Yanxiao working intensely, sweat beading on his forehead as he stirred the wok.
"Hello. Mind if I borrow the kitchen for a bit? I want to make something simple."
Yanxiao didn't even turn around. "Ingredients are over there. Use what you need. But this is the main kitchen, so be careful."
"Thanks."
With permission granted, Kael went to the cabinets and began searching for ingredients.
A satisfying salad was incredibly simple. He didn't even need fire.
He chopped everything neatly, mixed it together, and within minutes walked out with a bowl in hand, setting it down before Mona.
"Your salad. The ingredients here are limited. Once we settle in Liyue, I'll find some local specialties and make a better one for you."
"Hehe, it's perfect."
Mona happily scooped up a bite. The fresh, crisp flavor filled her mouth, and she closed her eyes with a blissful expression.
A bright spark of joy warmed her chest.
She felt more certain than ever.
Kael really did treat his woman differently.
She should've made her move earlier.
Of course, her thoughts weren't because of a salad alone.
Kael's cooking was amazing, yes—but not enough to make her risk everything.
What she really wanted… was to be someone special in his eyes.
She'd been by his side for a long time. Every time she saw him treat another woman gently, jealousy would burn through her like wildfire.
She'd known him for so long.
She wasn't inferior to anyone. Why didn't she deserve Kael's warmth?
Finally, she had gotten what she wanted most.
And it felt just as wonderful as she imagined.
No—better.
Just thinking about the tenderness he showed her last night…
Mona couldn't stop the tiny smile tugging at her lips.
After breakfast, Kael walked to Wangshu Inn's viewing deck to meet Xiao as promised.
The moment he stepped outside, he saw a tall man in a black long coat standing beside the deck.
Even from behind, the pressure and presence rolling off him were unmistakable.
Kael recognized him instantly.
The only man he'd ever willingly spend so much money on.
His very first fully crowned character—Zhongli.
Word sure traveled fast.
He and Xiao had only met yesterday, and Zhongli was already here today.
Even though Kael recognized him, he pretended he didn't. He wasn't supposed to know who Zhongli was yet.
So he walked to an open area and called softly,
"Xiao."
In a single breath, Xiao appeared before him.
"As agreed, I'll let you drive away the evil energy, and I'll let you take Little Gold."
"Little Gold?" Xiao looked puzzled.
"My pet."
As Kael answered, he released Little Gold from the Serenitea Pot.
The instant the dragon emerged, it launched itself toward Xiao like a starving animal.
It clung tightly to him, devouring karmic debt without pause.
Xiao closed his eyes, feeling the flow of energy.
His chest filled with joy.
So yesterday wasn't a hallucination after all.
It really worked.
This tiny creature could truly erase karmic debt.
When Little Gold finished, it burped lazily and drifted back to Kael.
Kael wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but… Little Gold did look slightly bigger today.
He placed the dragon back into the pot.
Xiao remained still, savoring the lingering feeling.
He hadn't felt this light in many years.
When the dragon consumed his karmic debt, his body felt almost weightless… almost like before he had ever been tainted by it.
The moment Little Gold left, the debt flooded back into him.
But Xiao now had hope.
If he kept this up, one day, all of it would be gone…
He opened his eyes with deep gratitude.
"You don't understand what this creature means to me. I'm truly thankful. Aside from Mora, I'm willing to help you with one request. As long as it doesn't harm Liyue and is within my power, I'll do it."
Kael smiled. "You're welcome. We both got what we wanted."
"No. A promise from me will be kept. If you ever need anything, come find me at Wangshu Inn."
A pledge from the Conqueror of Demons wasn't something given lightly.
Kael saw Xiao wasn't backing down, so he nodded. "Alright. I'll remember."
"As for the Mora I owe you…"
A calm male voice spoke from behind him.
"I will handle it."
Kael turned and watched Zhongli walk toward them.
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