[Your guess is correct. The Fatui are preparing to withdraw from the depths of The Chasm.]
[You and Yelan observe that although there are quite a few Fatui in the camp, everyone is busy moving supplies. No one is watching Chenxi at all.]
[In fact, Chenxi does not need watching in the first place.]
[She has always behaved very obediently. She does not look like someone being held captive at all. Instead, it feels as if she is on vacation in this pitch-black underground world.]
[With the Fatui busy, the two of you do not spend much effort before successfully infiltrating the camp.]
[You and Yelan slip into the tent where Chenxi is staying and hide in a corner.]
[You know how Chenxi sees you. You know how deeply she resents you.]
[There is no way she would obediently follow you back.]
[You and Yelan decide to knock her out first and then forcefully take her away.]
[Yelan sees you raise your hand, your posture clearly prepared to strike.]
[She gently places her hand on your arm and presses it down, forcing your tensed muscles to relax.]
["Let me do it instead."]
[You may look strong-willed on the surface, but Yelan now understands your past.]
[Your childhood and everything that came before are a chasm you can never truly cross in this lifetime. And the part represented by Chenxi is the most unforgettable stretch of time within that chasm.]
[She cannot change your tragic past.]
[But in the future, she will stay by your side.]
[As for laying hands on Chenxi, she will take on that role.]
[Not just this one thing. Everything that comes after, she will bear together with you.]
[You want to say something, but when you meet Yelan's gaze, you freeze.]
[Her love is laid bare before you, without reservation, like a fierce beast exposing its softest underbelly. It pierces straight through your soul.]
[Perhaps it is because you do not want to hurt Chenxi.]
[Or perhaps it is because Yelan truly moved you…]
[In the end, you follow your heart. You silently lower your hand and watch as Yelan steps forward in a protector's stance, placing herself in front of you.]
[The two of you hide in the shadows, waiting quietly…]
[After a while, the tent flap is lifted.]
[The person who walks in is Chenxi.]
[Yelan moves like a leopard spotting its prey. In a flash, she is at Chenxi's side, raising her hand blade to strike down at the back of her neck.]
["Is that… my brother?"]
[Chenxi murmurs softly.]
[That single question makes Yelan's hand stop abruptly.]
[Hearing Chenxi's words, you show a look of shock.]
[Since the moment you reunited with her, this is the first time she has ever called you brother…]
[Only then does Chenxi realize that Yelan is standing beside her, close enough that she had not noticed at all.]
[Yelan's hand is hovering just a few centimeters from her neck.]
[Chenxi hurriedly turns around, pulls the tent flap back down, then looks at Yelan and hesitantly calls out.]
["Yelan… sister?"]
[Yelan's eyes sharpen instantly, turning razor-cold.]
[She twists Chenxi's arm behind her back and slams her hard to the ground.]
["Who are you? You're not Chenxi. Where did you hide the real Chenxi?"]
[Chenxi is pinned to the ground in an awkward position, her face twisted in pain.]
["I… I really am Chenxi… What are you talking about???"]
[Hearing her words, Yelan increases the pressure of her grip.]
["I have a hundred ways to make you tell the truth. Be smart and speak now, or you're going to suffer."]
[Feeling the overwhelming pressure radiating from Yelan, Chenxi realizes she is serious. Her expression crumples, tears of pain spilling from her eyes.]
["I really am Chenxi… Brother… save me… it hurts!!!"]
[Just like Yelan, you are also suspicious of Chenxi's identity…]
[Her behavior is far too different from before.]
[Chenxi hated you so much. How could she possibly call you brother? How could she even cry out to you for help…]
[But when you hear Chenxi's voice, your heart softens after all. Unable to help yourself, you step out from the shadows.]
["Yelan, let her go for now. Just tie her up instead…"]
["…Fine."]
[Yelan has always been ruthless with enemies. The moment she suspected an impostor, countless interrogation methods had already flashed through her mind.]
[But Chenxi's brows and eyes resemble yours too closely.]
[Seeing that familiar face filled with grievance, even Yelan feels a trace of reluctance.]
[In the end, she follows your words and tightly binds Chenxi to a chair with rope.]
[You and Yelan carefully examine Chenxi's features but find no trace of disguise.]
["What proof do you have that you are Chenxi?"]
[Hearing your question, Chenxi answers anxiously.]
["Brother, I really am Chenxi… I…"]
[She suddenly stops.]
[She realizes why you and Yelan would doubt her.]
[A bitter smile appears on her face as she begins to explain the reason for the change in her attitude.]
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Next Target 650PS :)
