A Performance of Divine Damsel of Devastation**
Heyu Teahouse
Because Yun Jin, the head of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, was premiering a new play today, the teahouse was already packed to the brim shortly after noon, lively beyond measure.
"So many people!"
Paimon was extremely excited by the dense crowd below the stage, constantly looking around as she followed behind Luo Li.
Lumine was also curious. She had never listened to an opera before.
Nearby, Ganyu quietly explained the meaning of opera to her junior sister Shenhe.
After having the chance to listen last time, Ganyu herself had developed a strong interest in opera and grown fond of this form of entertainment.
Unfortunately, she had always been swamped with endless work—especially with everything piling up recently—leaving her no time at all.
Upon entering the teahouse, Manager Fan immediately noticed the group. Knowing they were distinguished guests, he quickly led Luo Li and the girls to a private room on the second floor.
Yun Jin, who was warming up on stage, also spotted Luo Li and the others and revealed a sweet smile, instantly captivating many hearts.
Once inside the private room, Luo Li found that everyone was already there.
"You're so late. It's about to start," Eula said lazily, half-reclining in a rocking chair with her long, eye-catching legs propped on the armrest, chin resting on her hand, looking rather smug.
Luo Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Looks like you're fully rested these days. Want to try finishing the remaining Devil Essence?"
Eula pursed her lips and refused lightly.
"Uh… no, that won't be necessary."
"Move over a bit."
Without ceremony, Luo Li sat close beside her. Under Raiden Makoto's mildly reproachful gaze, he felt the soft warmth of the girl's skin.
Noelle promptly served tea, perfectly fulfilling her role as a maid.
Raiden Makoto then beckoned Shenhe and Ganyu to sit beside her.
Lumine and Paimon glanced around, then settled on nearby independent cushions and sat cross-legged.
"They really look like one big family," Paimon muttered softly.
Lumine couldn't help but agree—the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
She could see Ganyu quietly talking with Shenhe, the two fellow disciples exchanging experiences.
Pretending not to notice Eula carefully resting her long legs on Luo Li's knee while the play hadn't started yet, Raiden Makoto asked softly:
"Have you truly prepared yourself?"
Luo Li naturally understood what she meant—Inazuma.
Mondstadt and Liyue hadn't felt much different, but when it came time to return to Inazuma, there was an undeniable sense of hesitation, like returning home after a long absence.
"I'm fine. What about you—are you ready to come clean with your sister?"
His teasing tone earned him a glare from Raiden Makoto.
"And whose fault do you think that is?"
"Alright, alright. My fault."
Not only were women unreasonable—apparently goddesses were the same.
Gently pressing Eula's proud long legs, Luo Li sighed softly.
"I wonder how many old friends we'll still be able to meet."
At those words, even Raiden Makoto fell silent.
Memories surfaced one after another—
beneath the crimson sakura trees, Saiguu and the oni girl performing before the court; Ei practicing karuta with all her might, then breaking into a radiant smile upon winning.
Gazing toward some distant, unknown horizon, Raiden Makoto's eyes grew unfocused.
Five hundred years had passed. Time had worn everything away.
Thankfully, the melancholy lasted only a moment before the lively atmosphere in the room washed it away.
Looking over the girls chatting and laughing among themselves, a gentle smile appeared on Raiden Makoto's lips.
She was not one to dwell in sorrow. To her, the past was like a fleeting illusion.
Unlike Ei, Makoto focused more on the present—on savoring the beauty of each fleeting moment.
"Everyone from back then… should still be waiting for us to return."
Instead, she comforted Luo Li, gently holding his hand as she spoke softly, warm breath brushing his ear.
Once you've gone ahead and settled everything, I'll return with you.
After you've soothed Ei, she probably won't blame her sister for 'stealing a man'…
Makoto calculated quietly in her heart, while her expression remained unchanged.
Truly, women were born actors.
Luo Li had absolutely not expected that Raiden Makoto would scheme against him—sending him ahead to deal with Raiden Ei's resentment and anger while she stayed safely behind.
No wonder she was capable of teasing her sister like that. Deep down, she was rather mischievous.
Of course, according to Makoto herself, she had been "corrupted" by Luo Li's influence.
"Look! It's starting!"
Just then, Paimon suddenly pointed at the stage and shouted.
Everyone turned their gaze to see that the veteran performers had already withdrawn backstage, leaving only Yun Jin alone on stage in her ornate costume and crown.
Her makeup was light, yet her brows carried an innate, captivating charm.
She first glanced toward the private room where Luo Li sat, then lifted her hand delicately and prepared her voice.
The next moment, long, resonant instrument notes rang out from backstage.
Clear sounds like jade beads striking a plate ushered in the performance.
"Ah—how lamentable—"
The very first operatic note, soft and rich, pierced straight into the heart.
The audience gently closed their eyes, immersing themselves in Yun Jin's new opera.
Each syllable was enunciated clearly, the lingering notes echoing long after.
Paimon couldn't help but exclaim, "This sounds amazing!"
Luo Li nodded slightly, fully absorbed.
Compared to her previous works, perhaps because this was a story of mortals themselves, Yun Jin's emotional investment was far deeper.
Or perhaps it was because she had personally heard Shenhe's story and immersed herself in that tragedy, causing her emotions to erupt all the more intensely.
Shenhe, who had been quietly speaking with Ganyu, froze.
From the figure on stage, she seemed to see her own past.
Watching someone perform her life story—Shenhe didn't dislike it.
In fact, she liked it very much.
This way, she didn't need to suffer through everything herself or witness it firsthand to understand another's fate.
After some time—no one knew how long—the performance ended, Yun Jin's final sustained note slowly fading away.
For a long while, the audience failed to recover, still trapped within the life portrayed on stage.
Exhaling gently, steadying her breath, Yun Jin finally smiled and spoke:
"Today's Divine Damsel of Devastation is my carefully crafted work. I hope you all enjoyed it."
Leaving those words behind, she hurried off the stage.
The audience didn't understand why she had left so quickly.
Normally, she would linger to chat with the crowd—but today, she vanished as soon as she finished speaking.
Only the sharp-eyed noticed that Yun Jin hadn't even removed her makeup as she briskly headed toward the second-floor private rooms.
The way she moved was as though she were about to meet someone she deeply cherished.