The exhausting journey finally wound down by the campfire with some jerky. Unlike Bonanus, who seemed completely carefree, Noelle looked genuinely tired. That was surprising.
Everyone thought Noelle didn't know the meaning of the word "fatigue." If someone heard she had shown such an expression, they probably wouldn't believe it.
But even while tired, Noelle still sat gracefully. Anyone could tell she was a well-mannered girl.
"Noelle, are you very tired?" Bonanus asked, confused. She chewed on her jerky while warming one hand by the fire.
"I wouldn't call it tired. It's more like my head suddenly feels like resting." Noelle shook her head gently, pointing to her head as she answered.
Bonanus nodded thoughtfully. She understood what was happening. Noelle had been on edge all day. It was normal for her to feel exhausted.
She had been trying to help Noelle relax, but the girl just wouldn't listen. Today had been hard on her.
"See? I told you not to be so tense all the time. But there is a silver lining. At least you'll fall asleep easily tonight." Bonanus smiled, then walked behind Noelle after finishing her jerky.
Without waiting for permission, she reached out. Don't misunderstand. A gentle sister was just going to give her adorable younger sister a head massage.
"Sister?" Noelle was confused at first but soon closed her eyes and enjoyed it.
She had to admit, Bonanus's massage skills were top-notch. She quickly got lost in the feeling. It was wonderful.
Wait. She couldn't let Sister Fashui do this. Sister was probably more tired than she was.
The refusal was right on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it back down. This was not like her. It was the first time someone had treated her this way.
Seeing Noelle's mix of enjoyment and discomfort, Bonanus couldn't help but laugh softly.
"We're good friends. It's normal for friends to care about each other. Don't say no."
Hearing this, Noelle nodded gently. How wonderful. She hadn't expected to make a friend like this. She felt so lucky.
In that moment, the simple-hearted Noelle felt that everything she had done was worth it. If she could, she wished she could stay by her sister's side forever.
"Sister, I'm very happy to have met you." Noelle's voice was soft and warm.
"I'm very happy to have met you too." As she said this, Bonanus pinched Noelle's suddenly rosy cheeks.
This girl was so cute and got embarrassed so easily. She remembered being the same way with Xiao. Speaking of which, she wondered how that shorty was doing.
But come to think of it, after all this time, Xiao still hadn't written her a single letter. He was as cold as ever.
And not just Xiao. What about her big brother and the second brother she had saved? Honestly, did those three not know what a letter was?
It looked like she would have to write to those unreliable guys when she had time. Yes, that's what she would do.
After chatting for so long, it was time to rest. Noelle had originally planned to stand guard tonight. This was the wilderness. If they both fell asleep, monsters might attack.
That danger couldn't be ignored. But under Bonanus's strong insistence, Noelle had no choice but to change her guard duty to sleeping together.
Her sister was so stubborn. If Noelle didn't sleep, Bonanus wouldn't either. For the sake of Sister Fashui's rest, Noelle had to agree.
But before sleeping, she still needed to set up some security devices around the area. Don't underestimate these gadgets. They could be very useful in dangerous situations.
After placing the devices around the tent, Noelle also lit a Liyue-style mosquito coil. The shape was strange, nothing like what you would see in Mondstadt.
She had bought it from a Liyue merchant. She heard it could repel mosquitoes. She had no idea how well it would work in the wilderness.
She could only hope it worked. There were many mosquitoes outside. Without proper protection, she would wake up covered in bites.
---
Inside the soft sleeping bag
"Sister, you're holding me too tight." Noelle's face was burning hot. She wasn't sick or uncomfortable. She was just embarrassed.
"Okay, I'll loosen up a little." Bonanus chuckled. She relaxed her grip slightly but didn't let go.
Noelle is warm and sweet. How wonderful.
With some of her armor removed, Noelle was soft like a cat. Bonanus couldn't resist holding her closer. She enjoyed having this person in her arms.
"Good night, sister." Noelle slowly closed her eyes. Soon, she was breathing softly.
Her expression was completely relaxed, like a child sleeping in its mother's arms. The warmth and security a mother gives to a child were that strong.
"Good night." Bonanus smiled and closed her eyes, ready to drift off to sleep.
---
Meanwhile, back in Liyue Harbor
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Courtyard
"Hey, Menogias, what's wrong with Alatus? Why does he suddenly seem so angry?" Bosacius used his left hand to cover his mouth and whispered.
He rubbed his sore neck. Genius Invokation TCG was really addictive. He kept losing, but for someone who never gave up easily, it was just a challenge.
"I don't know. He suddenly turned like that." Menogias shook his head. With Alatus gone, his opponent for Genius Invokation had become Bosacius.
"He doesn't seem as patient as before. We should train him sometime." Bosacius shook his head, concerned.
"Agreed. Let's do it tomorrow. We'll take him out to the wild for a sparring match. It might help take his mind off things." Menogias nodded in agreement. For people like them, an intense battle could make them forget many worries.
"Then it's settled. Let's continue." Bosacius held back his loud laugh since it was nighttime.
---
On the rooftop
Xiao sat cross-legged, eyes closed, trying to steady his breathing. He wanted to calm himself down.
"There it is again. This restless feeling." Xiao rubbed his head. Ever since his sister left, this restless feeling kept spreading through his body.
He had a strange feeling that someone was stealing his cabbage. It was unpleasant. He hadn't heard from his sister in a long time.
In over a hundred years of guarding Liyue Harbor, he had never felt so restless. Should he ask Rex Lapis for leave and go to Mondstadt?
Xiao couldn't stop thinking about it. Liyue Harbor now had more than just him guarding it. He should ask Rex Lapis what he thought.
---
Somewhere, drinking tea
Zhongli's expression was very calm. He shook his head gently. Xiao still had room to grow.
He set down his teacup, his expression suddenly turning complicated. He wondered how that certain someone was doing in Mondstadt. It was very worrying.
In Teyvat, history was not easily changed. But now, an unexpected person had brought someone back from the dead, from another place entirely.
"I wonder how long this can stay hidden. Perhaps those ones already know." Zhongli muttered to himself.
As soon as he finished speaking, a girl's voice rang out beside him.
"Zhongli! It's the middle of the night. Why are you here drinking tea? Come back with me!"
The girl speaking was Hu Tao, the current director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. She stood with her hands on her hips, looking annoyed at this consultant who refused to go home.