After all that commotion...
"Phew... phew... phew..." Bonanus rested her paws on her knees, breathing lightly.
She looked exhausted.
"Sister, are you okay?" Xiao stepped forward with a smile and gently rubbed her back.
"What do you think? You're bullying your sister now."
Bonanus swatted his hand away with her paw. She never expected Xiao to pull something like that. She had to admit, it was exciting.
"You're quite the player, Alatus. Have you been reading dirty books again?" Bonanus took a deep breath.
Xiao just spread his hands with an innocent look. "You started it, Sister Bonanus. And what are dirty books?"
"I'll get you back for this. Just you wait." Once she caught her breath, Bonanus crossed her paws and put on a stern face.
Xiao chuckled and nodded. His sister was such a fool. What kind of revenge could she come up with? He was actually curious.
He shook his head and returned to his usual stoic expression, glancing around.
"Sister Bonanus, let me take you back. You should rest. Rex Lapis is probably waiting for you too."
"Hey, hold on. Wait." Xiao's sudden shift caught her off guard. Was he a master of disguise or what?
"What is it, Sister Bonanus?" Xiao looked at her curiously.
"This time in Mondstadt, I brought back gifts for everyone."
Bonanus smiled and started rummaging through her space. She had bought so many things that it took a while to find what she was looking for.
Gifts? Hearing that his sister had brought him something, Xiao's mood immediately lifted. What kind of gift was it?
After a moment...
"Ta-da! A cute green sparrow necklace!" Bonanus pulled out the trinket she had bought in Mondstadt. It wasn't expensive, but it was full of sentiment.
She stepped forward and put it around Xiao's neck. Then she stepped back to admire her work.
"Perfect! It looks great!"
Bonanus nodded approvingly. She had great taste. The green sparrow matched Xiao perfectly.
Xiao touched the sparrow necklace hanging around his neck.
For some reason, looking at it made him feel a little nostalgic.
"Do you like it? Do you like it?" Bonanus leaned in, her eyes sparkling like a girl waiting for praise.
"I love it. You really put thought into this, Sister Bonanus." Xiao nodded gently. Receiving a gift from someone he loved felt wonderful.
"Of course I did! It took me forever to find the right one." Bonanus patted her chest proudly.
"Thank you for going through all that trouble, Sister Bonanus." Xiao reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his smile full of warmth and affection.
Suddenly caught off guard by the head pat, Bonanus's face turned red. She froze, not knowing what to say.
Xiao was patting her head! When did he learn to be this smooth? And why did it feel like everything around them was turning pink?
Just as the atmosphere was getting dangerously romantic, the classic "interrupters" from a manga finally arrived.
And that interrupter was Bosacius. Xiao clicked his tongue in annoyance. They were so close. Couldn't he have come a little later?
"Little sister! Welcome home! Your big brother came to pick you up personally!"
Bosacius appeared beside them as if he had teleported. It looked magical.
Looking at her four-armed big brother, Bonanus couldn't help but laugh. Then her expression turned serious.
"Big Brother Bosacius, didn't I mention in my letter that our clothes were ready? Why are you still walking around without a shirt?" Bonanus frowned. Walking around like that on the streets set a bad example for children.
"Ah, that! I saw it, but I forgot because we were drinking. Besides, the letter's been in Alatus's pocket this whole time." Bosacius rubbed his head sheepishly.
"Speaking of drinking, why do you keep dragging Alatus out for drinks? Drinking is bad for your health! As our big brother, you shouldn't be doing that!"
Bonanus was like a chanting monk, her words firing out like a machine gun.
"Haha, little sister, don't be too hard on Bosacius." Out of nowhere, Menogias appeared from behind Bosacius, speaking with a smile.
"Second Brother, welcome home." Seeing it was Menogias, Bonanus smiled. Her second brother was handsome and tall.
"Little sister, I know about everything. You've worked hard."
"We'll help you. Alatus, Bosacius, and I. Together, we'll bring our family back."
Menogias stepped forward and ruffled Bonanus's hair, his smile warm and gentle like a caring big brother.
Bonanus nodded inwardly.
All those sleepless nights earning karmic debt had been worth it. Seeing her family together like this felt like something inside her had clicked.
"Second Brother, you've adapted so quickly. It seems like you're already used to this peaceful life." Bonanus grinned.
"Haha, I never expected to survive this long."
Menogias shook his head and looked up at the sky. Everything felt like a dream. Part of him was afraid he would wake up back on that bloody battlefield.
"Enough talk! Little sister's back. Let's go drink! I heard there's a new tavern in Liyue Harbor with amazing wine." Bosacius slung an arm around Menogias's shoulder, licking his lips.
"Forget it, Bosacius. You know Sister Bonanus can't hold her liquor." Xiao stepped forward and said flatly.
Hearing that, Bonanus tilted her head. How did Xiao know she was a lightweight?
She rubbed her chin and thought for a moment.
After a few minutes, she remembered. She had been tricked by that system into spending a ton of karmic debt on something.
As for what it was called, she had completely forgotten.
But even if she didn't remember the name, she still remembered its effects. That must have been the passive ability.
"Drinking is a skill. You just need to practice." Bosacius said seriously.
"Not happening." Xiao shut him down immediately.
"Alatus, you don't get it. I'm creating opportunities for you." Bosacius shook his head helplessly.
As he said that, his eyes darted between Bonanus and Xiao. What a dense little brother.
"Hey! What are you saying, Big Brother Bosacius?" Bonanus stomped on his toes, turning his face purple.
It hurt so much.
"Stop saying things that corrupt the youth." Bonanus crossed her paws, looking stern.
"I'm not a child..." Xiao turned away, muttering under his breath.
"Haha, only little sister can keep Bosacius in check." Menogias chuckled.
"Oh, right! I brought gifts for you guys too." Bonanus nodded, and her paws dove back into her space, searching.