Looking at the pitiful expression on Klee's face, Xiangling asked curiously, "Don't you have any family?"
Although they had met once before, she didn't really know the little girl's situation.
Klee shook her head lightly and said, "Klee has a mommy... and she's a witch! But… Mommy is really busy. I haven't seen her for a long time. And in Mondstadt, even though it's fun, Klee doesn't want to stay in the confinement room all the time."
"Confinement room? What's that?"
Yaoyao suddenly had a bad feeling.
"It's a place where they lock people up," Xiangling explained briefly. Then she turned toward the innocent-looking Klee and asked in confusion, "But Klee, you're so little. Why would Acting Grand Master Jean lock you up so often?"
Touched on her sore spot, Klee recalled a few unpleasant memories. After thinking for a while, she finally said, "Because… because Jean says Klee doesn't listen, so she makes Klee go there to reflect. But Klee just wants to play…"
Hearing that, Xiangling became even angrier, not noticing Klee's slightly guilty expression.
She only thought about how cruel it was to keep such a cheerful child confined indoors. Even if Klee had done something wrong, there was no need to lock her up all the time, that would only suppress her nature.
She remembered a conversation with Su Han about raising children; he once said, "Guidance works far better than scolding."
Thinking about that now, Xiangling couldn't help but frown. "That Acting Grand Master really doesn't know how to take care of kids. Hmph! Who does that? If she does something wrong, she just needs to apologize! Why lock her up? If I ever visit Mondstadt, I'm going to question that Jean, treating a child like that, how could that be right?"
Seeing everyone take her side, Klee felt indescribably happy. She even began to think that maybe… she wanted to stay in Liyue a little longer.
Su Han, however, looked calm. Let's see if you still feel that way after you've heard about Klee's "incidents." He decided to change the subject before things went too far.
He cleared his throat and said, "Alright, let's talk about that later. Since we're done eating, how about we go out and play now? If we wait too long, it'll be evening soon."
"Yay! Klee wants to play!"
"Yaoyao too! What about you, Senior Sister?"
"No problem. I'm not that busy today."
The moment they heard they could go out, both little girls grew excited, and Xiangling, seeing them so happy, agreed to come along.
They left the city and headed straight toward Tianheng Mountain.
Though it was near the main road, the area was much quieter than Mondstadt, peaceful and scenic.
Along the way, Klee and Yaoyao walked side by side, chasing butterflies and playing with crickets, laughing the whole time.
Watching the two little ones, Xiangling's eyes softened. "Klee must've been holding herself back for so long. I was going to ask, does that Jean have something against her? Who locks up a child like that?"
"It's not quite like you think," Su Han sighed lightly. "Jean's only nineteen, yet she has to manage an entire knightly order. Add to that the rigid noble upbringing she received, it's not surprising things turned out this way. But it's still unfortunate for Klee."
"So that's why… Still, no one's ever questioned her? If someone locked Yaoyao up every day, I'd never allow it."
Xiangling believed children should be allowed to play freely at their age.
Su Han rolled his eyes.
And people wonder why I moved to Liyue? The Knights of Favonius were a mess. Even Diluc, one of the few competent ones, was ostracized because of his father. The rest? Frankly, even the scholars of Sumeru were better organized.
After a while, the group reached a small stream.
The clear, cool water sparkled in the sunlight.
Klee took off her shoes and dipped her feet in, sighing with pleasure at the chill.
Yaoyao soon followed her example.
The two little girls splashed about, laughing and chatting, the atmosphere carefree and bright.
Seeing this, Su Han smiled and said to Xiangling, "Why don't you gather some ingredients nearby? The scenery's nice, we could have a picnic here."
She glanced around and indeed spotted plenty of wild ingredients worth picking. Since they were already out, it was a great idea.
"Alright, I'll go find some. You keep an eye on them," Xiangling said.
"No problem."
With that, she disappeared into the forest.
Su Han lay back, a stalk of grass between his teeth, gazing lazily at the sky. He was mulling over when to head for Mondstadt.
If he went now, he'd inevitably get caught up in the coming chaos.
And based on the game's timeline, Lumine and Paimon should be awakening soon… perhaps he should wait until after the dragon calamity passed.
Just as he settled on that plan, the two little girls, having tired of splashing in the stream, ran back to him.
Each took one of his hands and began gently rocking them back and forth.
"Big Brother, Yaoyao wants to hear a story!"
"Big Brother, Klee too! Can you tell us one from your comics?"
Faced with their eager faces, Su Han naturally couldn't refuse.
He sat up and smiled. "No problem. But today, Big Brother's not just going to tell you a story, he'll teach you something fun too."
"Something fun? What is it?"
Both little ones blinked curiously, looking adorable.
A faint golden glow flickered between Su Han's fingers. With a light flick, the light gathered into a small orb and shot into the forest.
A thunderous boom! followed, a tree as thick as half a meter instantly shattered.
Klee's eyes sparkled like stars. "Wow! So amazing! Big Brother, what's that? Is it a golden Dodoco bomb?"
Yaoyao stared thoughtfully at the fading glow, then turned to ask, "Big Brother, is that the Golden Light Mantra?"
Su Han was surprised, no wonder she was an adepti disciple. Her insight and composure were far beyond her years. He nodded. "That's right, it's the Golden Light Mantra. Since you both call me Big Brother, I can't let you do it for nothing. Today, I'll teach you this technique, but you can't tell anyone who taught you, understand?"
"No problem!"
"Klee won't tell anyone!"
Seeing them agree so earnestly, Su Han began to both tell stories and teach them the mantra.
Yaoyao was mature and already had cultivation experience, so she picked it up quickly, within an hour, she had already entered the beginner stage.
As golden light shimmered from her tiny palm, Su Han couldn't help but praise, "Impressive. You've already mastered the basics."
Klee, seeing that, immediately pouted. "Big Brother, help Klee too! I want to make golden light!"
She had no cultivation foundation and couldn't sit still, one moment petting Dodoco, the next chasing butterflies... making it impossible to focus.
But seeing Yaoyao succeed sparked her competitive side.
Su Han nodded. "Alright, follow Big Brother's lead and calm your mind."
The Golden Light Mantra wasn't difficult.
After all, even children in the comics could learn it.
As long as one could find stillness, it was simple enough.
Though Klee was restless at first, her talent was extraordinary. In less than half an hour, faint golden light began to glow from her hands.
The little girl raised her shining palms, ready to show off, but then she suddenly froze, her eyes widening in panic.
"Big Brother! Behind you! There's an enemy!"
Su Han reacted instantly. In a flash, golden light flared around him as the Fire Qilin Sword materialized in his hand.
Boom!
A jet-black spear clashed with the golden radiance, sending out a shockwave of force.
Only then did he see clearly, the attacker was an Abyssal Apostle!
The creature's body was covered in deep blue markings, its form wrapped in chaotic Abyssal energy. The weapon in its hands shimmered with icy blue elemental light, twin blades of water.
Though its sneak attack failed, the Apostle's expression was feverish with excitement. Its eyes locked onto Su Han as it hissed, "Found you… My lord decrees that all who wield the Golden Light must be destroyed."
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