The atmosphere in the room fell silent after Yelan presented the marriage contract. Ryu stared at the offered contract paper as if looking at a beautiful, venomous snake. Thirty million Mora. Or marriage.
He took a deep breath, feeling the pain in his ribs, but this time the pain felt like a clear reminder: he was still alive. He had a second chance. In this world.
His blue eyes rose, meeting Yelan's unwavering gaze. There was fatigue there, perhaps, and a seriousness that made her ultimatum feel very real.
"Well then," Ryu said, his voice firmer than he expected, "I will sign that marriage contract and marry you."
Yelan wasn't surprised, only her eyebrow rose slightly, waiting for him to continue.
"But," Ryu continued, emphasizing the word, "I have a few conditions."
Now, there was a genuine flash of interest in Yelan's eyes. Her neck tilted slightly, like a curious cat. "Oh? Conditions? This is getting interesting. What are they?"
Ryu organized his thoughts. He needed clarity, and a little breathing room within this sudden bond. "I want to explore this world." He spoke the sentence with conviction.
"I come from another world, where I was just an ordinary person with no special abilities. I was almost always at home because…" he paused briefly, "I had a heart condition called Arrhythmia."
Yelan narrowed her eyes. The term was foreign to her. "What kind of illness is that?"
Ryu explained calmly, as if describing the weather. "An illness where the heartbeat is irregular. Sometimes too slow, sometimes too fast. The type I had was Ventricular Tachycardia—a high-risk type of Arrhythmia. My heart rate must not go above 120 beats per minute. I also couldn't eat food that was too sweet, salty, spicy, or contained caffeine like coffee."
A bitter smile appeared on his lips. "Every day, the menu was always tuna fish, some fruit, and special tea. A very… measured life."
He looked towards the window, his voice becoming flatter, recounting a story that was no longer his. "Even though my parents were very wealthy—my father was a major shareholder in a tech company—and money was abundant, my life was only inside the house. Accompanied by Sora, an artificial intelligence, a hologram that constantly monitored me." His voice trembled slightly.
"After graduating school, I didn't know whether to go to university or work. Just at home, playing games."
Yelan listened attentively. Her initially analytical gaze changed, becoming deeper. There was something behind this flat story that pierced her—a profound loneliness that was very familiar, though wrapped in different luxury.
Ryu continued, staring at his own hands. "Then… after I finished buying a game console outside, in the car with my maid, Risa… a large truck suddenly crashed into us." His breath hitched, the memory feeling vivid and painful.
"I was busy with my phone. Then… the car flipped, fell from the bridge, and caught fire. I died."
He looked directly at Yelan. "Then I woke up on that cliff. Nearly died a second time. That's all there is to me. Nothing interesting."
Silence descended between them, filled only by the steady, rhythmic sound of the waterwheel outside. Yelan opened her mouth, wanting to say something—whatever it was—but before the words could come out, the bedroom door opened.
Granny Ruoxin entered with a simple wooden tray. On it was a ceramic bowl steaming with a fragrant aroma. "Here, dear. Radish Veggie Soup. Vegetable soup with a radish base. The texture is soft, the taste is sour and sweet. This and plain water. Sorry it's all I could make quickly, ingredients are scarce."
Ryu quickly hid his emotional turmoil, switching to a more manageable guilt. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. I've really troubled you, Granny Ruoxin."
Granny Ruoxin placed the tray on the small table near the bed. "I'll leave the rest to you, Yelan," she said with a small smile before stepping out again, leaving the two of them alone.
Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound broke the silence. Ryu's stomach protested. His cheeks flushed, and for the first time since he woke up, Yelan genuinely chuckled softly—a clear, real sound, without a trace of sarcasm.
"You really are starving, it seems," Yelan said, still smiling.
She picked up the bowl of soup. Deftly, she took a wooden spoon, blew the hot steam off a spoonful of soup containing transparent radish pieces and green vegetables, then fed it to Ryu's mouth.
Ryu, still embarrassed by his stomach's noise, was taken aback by Yelan's action. This was the first time in his life—both in his previous world and this one—that he had been fed by someone else.
His awkwardness made him simply open his mouth and swallow. Warmth immediately spread. The refreshing sourness from the plums likely used, the perfect sweetness of the cooked radish, and the savory broth made his eyes widen.
"This… is delicious," he mumbled, sincerely. For a moment, he forgot all the chaos, debt, and marriage contract. This was the real taste of Teyvat. This is what he had always longed for from behind a screen.
Yelan smiled seeing his expression. "First time being fed? And no symptoms? No dizziness, heart not racing?"
Ryu chewed slowly, then shook his head. "Yes, first time. Usually I eat by myself, even though the food was prepared by a maid. It seems… there are no negative effects." He stopped, thinking about something.
"In fact, it seems I have a different body here. The heart problem seems to be gone for now."
Yelan was silent for a moment, her always-quick brain processing the new information. "Is this… an effect of reincarnation? Your soul and memories came, but in a new body?"
Ryu nodded slowly, swallowing the next spoonful Yelan offered. "I believe so. It seems I didn't bring my fragile old body completely."
After the bowl of soup was finished and Ryu drank his water, Yelan stood up and took the empty bowl to the small kitchen in the house. Ryu heard the brief sound of water and clattering dishes. Yelan returned, her face more serious.
"Back to our conversation," she said, sitting down again.
"You said you wanted to adventure. That… won't be easy, Ryu. Especially for a man. This world is not kind to those who are weak and alone. Even with protection, travel is dangerous."
Ryu looked at her, and in his eyes, Yelan saw not just a childish desire for adventure, but a rooted determination. A desire for life that had been denied to him before.
"I'm sure," Ryu answered. "But…" he sighed, "I want to confirm one thing later. Before truly starting any adventure."
"What is it?" asked Yelan, curious.
What could this man from another world be holding onto that makes him so eager?
Ryu suddenly smiled, a mischievous smile that made his pale face look more alive. "Not now. It's no fun if I tell you directly."
Yelan was startled, then found herself slightly annoyed. She flicked Ryu's forehead gently. "Naughty child. Fine, keep your secret. For now, rest. Recover your strength until you can walk. I have some matters to attend to."
Hearing the word "matters," Ryu became nervous. "Is it… about the marriage?" he asked, his voice small.
"Will many people come? I get nervous in front of crowds. I don't want to stand out. I don't even know what the marriage customs are like here."
Yelan's expression softened. There was something vulnerable and honest about Ryu's anxiety. "For the time being," she said in a teasing tone, "that's… a secret."
Ryu immediately pouted, a childish expression that was amusing on his usually flat face.
Yelan laughed again, and without thinking, her warm hand gently ruffled Ryu's black hair.
The touch was sudden and familiar, making them both fall silent for a moment. "I'll go now," Yelan said, withdrawing her hand.
"If anything happens, tell Granny Ruoxin, or… wait for me to return."
She turned and left the room, leaving Ryu alone with swirling thoughts, the lingering aroma of soup, and the warm sensation on top of his head.
Ryu lay back down, staring at the bamboo ceiling. Marriage to Yelan. One of his favorite characters. In real life. With a contract. And a 30 million Mora debt erased.
He sighed, trying to sort his emotions. His heart was beating, but still within normal limits.
His priorities were now clear: recover.
After that… then he could face his first 'adventure' in Teyvat: his contract marriage, and the secret he would confirm before they went any further—the secret about the possibility of gaining elemental power, and whether the Statues of The Seven would respond to him like they did for the Traveler.
Outside, Yelan walked along the path in Qingce Village, her mind also unsettled.
The glint in Ryu's eyes when he told his story of death, his determination to explore, and his mischievous smile… they all formed a picture far more complex than just a "wounded foreign man." She took out the marriage contract from her robe, looking at it.
"Marriage," she whispered to herself. This was initially just a strategy, a practical way to secure and monitor someone who could be dangerous or useful.
But now… there was something else. A responsibility she took on willingly, and perhaps, a new, unexpected adventure.
She folded the paper neatly, storing it away again. A small smile spread on her lips. The world had suddenly become more interesting.