In a blink, Kael appeared at the teleport waypoint just outside Liyue Harbor.
Once he confirmed there was no danger, he immediately released Mona and Keqing from the Serenitea Pot.
Mona took one look at their surroundings and broke into an excited grin. "You made it out!"
Then she turned toward Keqing, who wore a complicated expression. "See? I told you Kael's Adeptus Artifact is amazing. No need to stress so much."
Keqing kept her head lowered, her mood clearly dim.
"Yeah… okay."
Kael noticed something was off with her. His gaze slid toward Mona.
"Did you bully her?"
Catching the meaning in his eyes, Mona quietly looked away.
She… didn't say anything too bad…
She had only claimed her position—just a little declaration of her rights. She'd merely informed Keqing about her relationship with Kael.
Kael studied Keqing's unusually downcast expression, worry creeping in. "Keqing… are you alright? How do you feel now?"
Hearing his voice, Keqing finally lifted her head. She forced a small smile.
"I'm fine…"
Inside, she was fighting a war with herself.
She had just learned what Mona and Kael were to each other.
With her pride, she should leave.
But the moment she saw Kael… her carefully built rationality fell apart.
She could never walk away from him.
"Kael, let's go back to Wanmin Restaurant. I didn't get to say anything to Chef Mao or the others. I'm afraid they're worried."
"Alright."
Mona moved to take Kael's hand and lead him away, but Keqing panicked and called out before she could stop herself.
"Wait!"
She met Kael's eyes and finally made up her mind.
Drawing a breath, she gathered her courage. "I… I'm Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. Thank you for saving me. In the future… can I still come see you?"
"Of course you can."
Kael looked at her gently. "I'll be at Wanmin Restaurant."
Hearing that, the dullness in Keqing's eyes vanished instantly.
She gave him a soft, warm smile. "Okay. I'll definitely come find you."
Mona watched Kael's tender expression and couldn't help pouting a little.
She latched more tightly onto Kael's arm, making their closeness extremely obvious on purpose.
But Keqing, now resolute, only smiled faintly at her.
"Mona, thank you for coming with Kael to rescue me."
The unexpected gratitude made Mona stiffen.
Why is she suddenly being all polite?
Doesn't that make her look petty?
Trying not to squirm, Mona muttered, "You don't have to thank me."
Then she quickly tugged Kael forward.
"Come on, let's go see Chef Mao and Xiangling."
Kael felt her little spike of jealousy and let her pull him along.
He glanced back at Keqing with a faintly apologetic look.
Keqing shook her head with a smile, showing she didn't mind.
Mona dragged Kael all the way into Liyue Harbor before finally slowing down.
"Hmph… first Ningguang… and now Keqing… What's next? Another Qixing showing up on your doorstep?"
Kael heard the jealousy in her voice and teased, "Who was it again who said she was mentally prepared? Back in Mondstadt, weren't you acting all magnanimous?"
"That's different!"
Mona had indeed braced herself, but that didn't mean she didn't have feelings.
She'd thought that after leaving Mondstadt—and being far away from Amber and the others—she could have Kael to herself for a little while.
But how many days had they been in Liyue? And suddenly two more people appeared.
Mona puffed out her cheeks at him.
"You're not allowed to go to the Jade Chamber these next few days. I haven't seen you properly in ages. You're staying with me!"
"Okay." Kael leaned close to her ear. "I'll stay with you tonight…"
Mona's face turned bright red. She shoved him lightly.
"That's not what I meant!!!"
Kael chuckled.
That little push was definitely fake.
But seeing blue elemental light flicker faintly at her fingertips—sign she was seconds from splashing him with water—he decided not to push his luck.
He gently took her hand.
"Alright, back to Wanmin Restaurant. I promised you a Liyue-style Satisfying Salad, remember? I'll make it tonight."
Mona finally dismissed the Hydro gathering in her hand.
Her lips curled upward as she lifted her chin proudly.
"Hmph. Now that's more like it."
As soon as they stepped inside Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling bolted toward them.
"Mona!!! Where did you go?! You said you'd help us serve today, and then you just vanished!! Dad and I were drowning in orders!!!"
Startled by her intensity, Mona instinctively stepped back.
"I… I…"
Feeling guilty, she couldn't even string a sentence together.
Kael hurriedly stepped between them.
"Alright, it wasn't Mona's fault. I needed her for something urgent, and we didn't have time to tell you."
Xiangling narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him.
"What urgent thing? Why didn't you tell me and Dad first? Brother, were you sneaking off to do something dangerous?!"
Her voice kept rising, and Kael panicked. He clapped a hand over her mouth before she could alert Chef Mao.
"Keep your voice down!"
"Mmmph… mmph mmph!!"
Unable to speak, Xiangling glared at him in outrage.
Guilt gnawed at Kael.
He'd just promised Chef Mao he wouldn't do anything dangerous.
And then he marched straight into a Fatui camp and fought La Signora.
He whispered to Xiangling, "Stop shouting and I'll let go."
She nodded.
He released her, and when he saw the worry and fear in her eyes, he had no choice but to explain.
"I really did have an urgent task. It was something for Lady Ningguang, so I can't tell you the details. But I didn't go anywhere dangerous. Don't worry."
Xiangling looked at Mona. "Really? He didn't go anywhere dangerous?"
Mona wasn't good at lying. Her honesty was a problem.
But she could tell Kael didn't want Chef Mao and Xiangling worrying, so she nodded awkwardly.
Xiangling finally relaxed a little.
She pressed her lips together. "If it was Lady Ningguang's request, then… fine. I'll let it go this time. But if you ever plan on going somewhere dangerous, you have to tell me and Dad. No—actually, you're not allowed to go anywhere dangerous!"
Helpless, Kael nodded.
Every death in his life simulations had been horrific, and the emotions of the people tied to him in reality had absorbed that dread. Everyone acted like he might die at any moment.
Before today, he wasn't even sure how strong he really was—he'd only been fighting wild boars and Hilichurls.
But after facing La Signora, he realized he could handle himself.
He wasn't going to die that easily.
And even if he did…
He still had Rebirth.
A whole extra life.
Seven days later, he'd be back on his feet.
Still, for Xiangling's and Chef Mao's sake, he had to reassure them.
"Alright, alright, I get it. Come on, little housekeeper."
He led Mona and Xiangling inside Wanmin Restaurant.