Seeing Yelan like this leaves Kael with mixed feelings.
After going through so many life simulations, every time he died, the female leads would be utterly devastated.
Yet now, Yelan had regained her composure so quickly.
It almost seemed like she had not shed a single tear after seeing his corpse.
…As expected of Yelan?
Or perhaps it was because her feelings for him were not as deep as he had imagined.
Thinking about it, in this life simulation, he had rejected Yelan countless times.
Feelings require effort from both sides.
After being turned down again and again, even the most passionate heart would eventually grow cold.
Maybe Yelan's feelings for him had only ever reached the stage of mild fondness.
That was probably for the best…
At least he did not have to feel so guilty anymore…
Hearing Kael's thoughts, the System quietly checked Yelan's data in the background.
[...]
It fell into speechless silence.
It truly did not know whether to praise the Host's ability… or lament its own misfortune.
Kael follows Yelan all the way back to Liyue.
The device the Fatui planted on Chenxi is still there, so enemies try to intercept them along the way.
However, within Liyue's territory, the Fatui do not dare act as recklessly as they did in The Chasm.
Besides, the person who posed the greatest threat to them was already dead.
As a result, the Fatui units that come to block their path are all low-level squads.
Yelan dispatches them with ease.
In this manner, she brings Chenxi back to Liyue at the fastest possible speed.
The moment Yelan steps into Yanshang Teahouse, her subordinates spot her at once.
"Lady Yelan!"
Everyone rushes over, faces filled with excitement.
Yelan had been missing for some time while searching for Chenxi.
They had worried constantly, afraid something might have happened to her.
Now that she is finally back, how could they not be emotional?
But once they draw closer, they realize something is wrong.
Yelan is covered in injuries.
The most severe wound is the burn on her back, which is already charred black.
The skin exposed across her back is not intact in a single place.
Chenxi follows beside her, her face steeped in sorrow.
And the most shocking sight of all…
"…Lady Yelan, is the person you're holding… Kael?"
Everyone finds the figure in Yelan's arms painfully familiar.
But his face is completely obscured by dried blood and hardened mud, making it impossible to see his original features.
Yelan answers calmly.
"Mhm. It's Kael."
"Th… this…"
When Chenxi hears her brother's name, the tears she had just managed to stop spill down again.
Seeing her expression, everyone's hearts sink.
Could it be that Kael… has already fallen?
But…
Everyone at Yanshang Teahouse knows how much Yelan valued Kael.
Those who were more perceptive had already noticed that Yelan's feelings for Kael were anything but simple.
If Kael were truly dead, Yelan should not be this calm.
One person who was fairly close to Kael speaks anxiously.
"Is Kael injured? I'll go get someone from Bubu Pharmacy right away to treat him."
"There's no need."
Yelan looks at the speaker.
"He's already dead."
The words strike like thunder.
Even though many at Yanshang Teahouse had been dissatisfied with Kael due to Yelan's favoritism and Chenxi's willfulness…
They had still worked together.
Even if they had not known each other long, none of them wanted to see Kael meet such an end.
Pain shows on every face, and a few even have reddened eyes.
"Kael…"
Just as everyone is about to ask what happened, Yelan cuts them off.
"There's a Fatui device on Chenxi. This isn't the time to talk."
"Take her to see Ningguang. Let Ningguang see if there's any way to remove the device from her."
After saying this, Yelan does not give anyone else a chance to speak.
She carries Kael straight toward the rear courtyard.
"Lady Yelan!"
Seeing her leave without hesitation, her subordinates call out loudly.
"You're injured too. At least treat your wounds first!"
Yelan's voice carries back.
"No need. I'll handle it myself."
Kael, who followed them back, stands in the main hall of Yanshang Teahouse, watching as Yelan's subordinates lead Chenxi away.
Tsk.
Compared to the unnervingly calm Yelan, he is more worried about Chenxi right now.
Yelan said she did not find any device on Chenxi.
So where exactly did the Fatui place it?
He does not know if it could harm Chenxi's body.
Even though he had not spent much time with her…
When Chenxi was still a baby, he had used Sensory Mode to personally take care of her for a while.
She is his sister too.
And he had promised their mother that he would take good care of Chenxi.
That was his responsibility.
Unfortunately, the target he chose for his Possession Talent was Yelan.
Now that Yelan and Chenxi are separated, he can only follow Yelan…
The range limit of Possession is twenty meters.
Once Yelan enters her room, she exceeds that distance.
Before Kael can finish agonizing over it, his vision abruptly shifts.
The System forcibly teleports him to Yelan's side.
Sigh.
Chenxi's condition will be reported back sooner or later.
He might as well stay here obediently.
Besides, judging by the timing, nearly a full day has passed.
When he gets to choose a possession target again, he can go check on her personally.
Kael resigns himself to staying with Yelan.
He watches as Yelan gently lays his body onto the bed, then goes outside and brings back a basin of water.
She takes a handkerchief, wets it, and carefully wipes Kael's face.
Soon, all the grime is cleaned away, revealing his handsome features.
Then Yelan removes all his clothes.
She does not even leave his underwear on.
Kael falls silent.
At first, he feels a bit awkward.
Yelan is wiping him far too carefully.
As if handling a priceless treasure, she does not miss a single part of him.
But as he continues watching, Kael begins to frown.
Yelan's expression is perfectly calm, no different from usual.
Yet somehow…
Something feels very wrong.
---
Next Target 250PS