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After a period of effort, the bandaging work was finally completed.
Navia gently wiped away the fine beads of sweat on her forehead and let out a breath of relief, showing a soft, satisfied smile. "Alright, the medicine's been changed."
"And I even added a little extra medicine I brought from Liyue, so when you fully recover, your wound shouldn't leave any scars!"
Clorinde nodded with gratitude, replying softly, "Thank you…"
No sooner had she spoken did she start looking around, as if searching for someone.
She asked with slight confusion, "Right… where is Shao Yun? Didn't he come in with you?"
Hearing Clorinde suddenly mention Shao Yun, Navia was a bit surprised and asked, "Huh? Why are you asking about him, Clorinde?"
Clorinde's expression shifted slightly, revealing a complicated look.
After a brief silence, she looked toward Lumine and Paimon and explained, "Because… well, Shao Yun told me before that unless it's for a commission, you three don't really act separately."
Lumine extended a finger and pointed toward the bedroom door. "Shao Yun's in the living room. But he said it wasn't really appropriate for him to come in right now, you know what I mean."
After speaking, Lumine lifted her chin toward Clorinde's bandaged chest.
Clorinde followed Lumine's gesture, lowering her head to look at her tightly wrapped chest.
At this moment, she truly did seem a little embarrassed to be seen by a man.
"Well… I suppose it is a bit embarrassing…" Clorinde sighed helplessly.
However, only a moment later, her tone shifted. "But… could you let him come see me for a moment?"
Lumine and Navia blinked in surprise, while Paimon gaped in shock and shrieked, "Huh?!"
…
In the living room, after Lumine relayed Clorinde's request, Shao Yun was stunned.
He scratched the back of his head with a confused look. "What? Clorinde actually wants me to go in? But… what am I supposed to do in there?"
Shao Yun frowned, trying to think it through but coming up empty.
Lumine also seemed puzzled. Tilting her head, she tried to reason it out. "Maybe she thinks leaving you in the living room alone makes her seem impolite? Since we're supposed to be here to visit…"
Shao Yun quietly considered it, feeling it was indeed possible.
With that thought, he stood up and spoke softly. "Alright then… since she gave permission, I'll go see her."
The moment Shao Yun stepped inside Clorinde's bedroom, a strong herbal smell filled the air.
Yet instead of being pungent or unpleasant, the scent was fresh and comforting, almost like the fragrance of Qingxin flowers unique to Liyue.
Shao Yun frowned slightly, his gaze landing on Clorinde resting against the headboard.
Her complexion was pale, but her expression was calm.
Shao Yun pressed his lips together, then asked, "Hello, Clorinde. How's the injury?"
Since he was the one who caused that injury, Shao Yun genuinely cared about her condition.
Clorinde showed little change in expression, merely nodding lightly. "It's… manageable. Thank you for asking."
A brief exchange passed, but a hint of awkwardness lingered.
Shao Yun cleared his throat to break the silence. "Did you call me in just to check on you, or is there something else?"
Clorinde looked straight into Shao Yun's eyes and spoke words that shocked him. "I want to become your student."
Shao Yun almost suspected he misheard. Let me take you as a student? You can't be serious.
"What?! What did you just say?!"
Clorinde remained composed, repeating her request with even greater seriousness.
"Please take me as your student."
Shao Yun never imagined she would say something like that.
Without hesitation, he shook his head and rejected her immediately. "No. Absolutely not. Give up on that idea."
Seeing Shao Yun refuse her so decisively, Clorinde was stunned and confused. "Huh? Why?"
Shao Yun looked at her bewildered face, feeling both annoyed and amused.
"How can you even ask why? Don't you realize how rude that request is?"
"I really don't know what to say about you. Did a wolf chew up half your brain? How'd you even come up with something this childish?"
After saying that, Shao Yun helplessly shook his head with a long sigh, muttering in regret.
"If I'd known I'd end up dealing with this, I should've taken Yelan with me to Fleuve Cendre. At least she only asked me to guide her. Compared to your request, that was totally normal…"
Hearing the name "Yelan," Lumine blinked in surprise. "Yelan? She's in Fontaine?"
Shao Yun came back to himself and nodded. "Yeah. I forgot to tell you—Yelan came to Fontaine. It's because of Yanfei."
Upon hearing that, Lumine suddenly remembered. "Ah… right. I didn't expect to run into so many friends from Liyue here in Fontaine."
She then muttered absently, "Maybe we'll see friends from Mondstadt, Inazuma, and Sumeru next…"
For reasons unknown, Clorinde suddenly spoke toward Navia, Lumine, and Paimon. "Um… Navia, Lumine, Paimon—could you leave the room for a little while?"
Her request shocked everyone.
Especially Shao Yun and Lumine, who shouted at the same time: "No!"
Shao Yun's refusal was only natural—Clorinde's request was far too strange.
Who would ask a married man to stay alone with her in a bedroom? That was completely unreasonable.
Lumine also shouted "no," mostly because she feared Clorinde might say something foolish and provoke Shao Yun.
With his temper, who knew if he might just kill her on the spot.
If someone ever claimed Shao Yun had "a relationship" with Clorinde, Lumine would assume they heard it wrong—and that the actual story was Shao Yun chopped off Clorinde's leg and chewed on it raw.
Navia also found Clorinde's request excessive—especially in front of Lumine.
"What's the point of avoiding us? If you have something to say, just say it here. We're not outsiders," Navia said.
Seeing their resistance, Clorinde grit her teeth helplessly. "If that's what you all think… then fine."
She slowly extended her left hand, lifted the blanket, and revealed her current state of dress.
At the moment she began to lift it, an image flashed through Shao Yun's mind—
That night in Aaru Village, when he almost saw Eula's snow-white body.
Instinctively, he turned around with his back to Clorinde.
Clorinde's upper body was wrapped only in bandages around her chest, with no other clothing. Her lower body was covered only by pale violet underwear, leaving her smooth, snow-white legs completely exposed.
Paimon quickly covered her eyes and hid behind Lumine.
Lumine froze wide-eyed, staring in disbelief at Clorinde's overly revealing state.
Navia stared as well, face turning bright red. "U-Um… Clorinde, maybe Shao Yun should leave first… I can help you get dressed…"
But Clorinde didn't seem to hear her at all.
She got out of bed, moved toward Shao Yun, and knelt down before him with solemn reverence.
"Please take me as your student!"
Watching this, Lumine instantly understood why Clorinde wanted everyone else gone—it was for the kneeling ceremony.
She swallowed nervously, hoping Charlotte wouldn't catch the scent of drama and come running in.
Still turned away, Shao Yun held back anger. "I already said no."
But Clorinde didn't back down. It was as though she had expected this.
Recalling dramatic apprenticeship scenes she'd seen in the Theatrics Bureau, she stubbornly continued, "If you refuse me, then I will remain kneeling like this. I won't get up."
She thought her words might move him.
Instead, Shao Yun responded as cold as frost. "Do whatever you want. Kneel as long as you like. Even if you kneel to death, I'm not accepting you."
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