Jiang Chen looked down helplessly at Lumine, still held in his arms.
She shot him a quick glare — cheeks red — before turning her face away.
"It's because you moved," he said. "Don't fidget."
His breath brushed against her cheek as he spoke.
That only made her face grow hotter. Lumine immediately averted her head even more.
Her reaction made Jiang Chen laugh inside.
So she could get shy, huh?
Rare sight.
…Though, she really did have quite a good figure.
With Lumine in his arms, Jiang Chen quickly crossed the skies above the Guili region.
But instead of landing, he continued flying — aiming straight toward Liyue Harbor.
High above the land, Lumine finally complained:
"Why didn't you fly us the whole way before? We walked all that distance!"
"You think you would've let me carry you like this back then?" Jiang Chen shot back.
"You'd have probably slapped me."
Lumine froze — then scowled.
"And now it's suddenly okay? I didn't agree to this. You just grabbed me!"
"You aren't objecting now, are you?"
Lumine opened her mouth, then closed it again.
She wanted to object — really — but after spending so long together, she didn't actually dislike him.
Being carried like this…
Annoying, embarrassing, but… not uncomfortable.
Thinking this, she chose to drop the subject and instead looked down at the panoramic view below.
From this height, the scenery of Liyue's mountains and rivers was breathtaking.
Paimon chatted excitedly beside them as Jiang Chen focused on speed.
Before long, Liyue Harbor appeared in the distance.
Jiang Chen descended outside the city, choosing a quiet hillside rather than flying directly in — that would cause chaos, and neither of them wanted attention.
After landing, Lumine stretched and shook out her limbs, clearly pleased.
Jiang Chen noticed the faint upward curve of her lips.
He didn't know why she was happy — but she clearly was.
The three of them climbed a rocky ledge and looked out at the great harbor.
"Whoa…"
"From here it looks incredible," Paimon breathed.
The whole harbor lay before them: lanterns gleaming, ships drifting in and out, rooftops glowing with evening light.
Lumine exhaled softly.
"Beautiful. This nation… really is something else."
Jiang Chen nodded, feeling that familiar pang of nostalgia for a place he had only ever seen on a screen before arriving here.
"Let's get moving," Paimon urged, nearly vibrating. "We have to get in before dark! And there's so much food inside!"
"You're way too anxious," Jiang Chen said calmly.
"And we'll get in just fine — relax."
Paimon blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Lumine shot Jiang Chen a deadpan look.
The joke went straight over Paimon's head.
Jiang Chen chuckled and started down the stone road.
Unlike the small stairway in the game, the real path to Liyue Harbor was a wide, sturdy stone avenue built for merchant caravans.
Only by standing here did one realize just how small the game's representation truly was.
There were no teleport waypoints either — perhaps leyline energy existed, but actual teleportation?
Not something mortals could casually use unless the Heavenly Principles wanted them deleted.
They entered Liyue Harbor shortly before sunset.
Though work hours had technically ended, the city was buzzing.
So many people were still working overtime.
Liyue truly was the land of hustle.
Definitely the fault of Keqing and Ganyu setting terrible examples.
After a long day, they found a restaurant, filled their stomachs, then checked into an inn for the night.
News of Jiang Chen and Lumine's arrival reached Ningguang almost instantly.
Her eyes lit up.
"So the ones Mondstadt tried to recruit… arrived even faster than expected."
Perfect.
But the Rite of Descension preparations kept her occupied.
She would meet him after the ceremony.
Jiang Chen, unaware that he had already entered Ningguang's radar, slept peacefully.
The next morning, they went out to explore.
Liyue Harbor's mornings were vibrant.
The moment they stepped outside, the cries of vendors filled the air:
"Fresh Mora Meat! Only five mora a portion!"
"Steamed buns—hot and fluffy!"
"Wotou! One mora each!"
Jiang Chen couldn't stop smiling.
"This feels amazing."
The entire city radiated life and human warmth.
Lumine nodded.
"The atmosphere here is wonderful."
"Come on," Jiang Chen said. "Breakfast first — then we ask around about buying land."
As soon as food was mentioned, Paimon perked up like a puppy.
"Jiang Chen, what are we eating? I want Mora Meat! And buns! And maybe that thing over there too!"
If she weren't so attached to Lumine, she would've defected to Jiang Chen's side already.
He bought her food without hesitation.
Lumine sighed helplessly.
Total traitor.
This little gremlin's loyalty was made of snacks.
"Food makes a new mom, huh?"
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