Liyue Harbor at Dusk
Night gradually enveloped the land. Its darkness didn't bring discomfort. Liyue was so prosperous, with its bright lights and bustling crowds.
The people here seemed long accustomed to such nights. After a long day of hard work, it was time to have some good wine and reward themselves.
The silently standing street lamps illuminated the patrolling Millelith soldiers. Their watchful eyes were always guarding the peace of Liyue Harbor.
Fishing boats returning from the sea slowly docked. Seeing the lights of Liyue Harbor, they knew—that was the direction of home.
...
Yujing Terrace
Bonanus, having purchased the groceries from the commercial street, walked home. Standing at a high vantage point, she admired the beautiful night view of Liyue.
"No matter how many times I see it, I never get tired of it..."
Bonanus's eyes reflected the prosperity of Liyue. At times like this, she always felt like it was a festival.
Looking at the scenery, she couldn't help but think of the uncle who had raised her in her previous life. That man worked hard every day just to support the two of them.
She remembered that her uncle loved looking at scenery, especially night views like this.
People who had worked hard all day always wanted to see something beautiful to help them relax.
Would her uncle be sad that she had left? Probably.
Bonanus's mood gradually sank. She was such a selfish woman.
Coming to this world alone to enjoy life, while the uncle who raised her was still struggling out there.
In his small, cramped room, would he feel lonely without a partner?
You are a great man. Even though we're not blood-related, and I've never called you "father"...
I sincerely thank you.
"Thank you..."
Tears dripped from Bonanus's cheeks. She suddenly missed her original family. She hadn't even had a chance to repay him yet.
...
She arrived at the place where she and Yanfei lived.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Bonanus knocked on the door. She waited for Yanfei to open the door home for her.
Click~
The door slowly opened, and Yanfei's cute head peeked out.
Seeing that it was Bonanus, Yanfei's eyes lit up. She grinned.
"Sister, you're finally back!"
Yanfei's smile looked a little unnatural, as if she were hiding something.
Seeing this, Bonanus tilted her head. Normally, Yanfei would open the door and then go do her own thing. But now she was peeking out to greet her. Something felt off.
"What are you doing? Acting all mysterious. Did you hide something inside?"
Bonanus asked suspiciously. Her intuition told her there was definitely something hidden in the room. Something big!
"Hehe, Sister, step back a little. Better stay away from the door." Yanfei shook her head, keeping the door open just enough to show her face, smiling.
"Be honest with me. Are you messing with something dangerous?" Bonanus asked, confused. Even so, she stepped back as Yanfei had asked.
The moment she stepped back, Yanfei swung the door wide open. It happened so fast that Bonanus didn't even have time to react.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The moment the door opened, party poppers burst open. Colorful confetti flew into the air and drifted down onto Bonanus.
It genuinely startled her. What was going on? Was it a festival today?
"Surprise!"
Yanfei grinned. She held a party popper in her hand. Behind her stood Alatus, Menogias, and Bosacius.
The three Yakshas also held party poppers. Their expressions were all different.
Bosacius wore his usual hearty laugh. Menogias had a gentle smile. And Alatus's expression was stiff.
Seeing that expression, Bonanus couldn't help but laugh. Alatus was probably holding that party popper because his brothers had forced him to.
After all, the words "I was forced into this" were practically written all over his face.
"What are you all doing? You even brought party poppers?"
Question marks appeared above Bonanus's head. She didn't remember any festival today. Was it because she had returned? Did they want to celebrate?
"Oh! Little sister really forgot! Today is a very important day." Bosacius stepped forward and patted Bonanus's head helplessly. How could she forget such an important day?
"It's normal to forget. Not many Yakshas have had the chance to properly celebrate this day in the past." Menogias chuckled.
"Sister Bonanus is so forgetful." Alatus crossed his arms, looking at her like she was his silly older sister.
"Hey! What do you all mean? Why are you all being so mysterious? Tell me! What's going on?"
The question marks above Bonanus's head multiplied. If they were physical objects, they would have formed a towering mountain.
She looked at Yanfei, seeking an answer.
Seeing her sister's pleading gaze, Yanfei spread her hands. She had only found out about this today herself.
How did she find out? Bosacius had told her!
"According to the Yakshas, today is your birthday, Sister. They've been planning how to celebrate it." Yanfei explained with a smile.
Ah? Birthday? So today was the original body's birthday.
She really didn't know. She had no memories of it.
She shook her head helplessly. She didn't want to celebrate the original owner's birthday in her place. It always made her feel guilty.
But seeing everyone's smiles, she felt it would be rude to refuse. She couldn't let them down.
No wonder Yanfei had sent her out alone to buy groceries. They were all waiting for this.
"How come I didn't notice anything?" Bonanus asked, puzzled.
"Heh! If you'd noticed, it wouldn't have been a surprise!" Bosacius patted Bonanus's back with a laugh.
"What about all this confetti outside? We'll have to clean it up."
Bonanus looked at the colorful paper scattered on the ground outside. That would be littering! Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility!
"Don't worry. We already hired someone to clean it. They'll take care of it." Menogias smiled.
With that, they led Bonanus inside.
Stepping in, sparkling lights and beautiful decorations caught her eye. It was really lovely. Whoever had decorated had put a lot of thought into it.
"So pretty! I was only gone for a bit, and you managed all this!" Bonanus said in surprise.
"Your big brother did it all! Easy peasy!" Bosacius patted his chest proudly.
"Come on. If it weren't for Yanfei and Menogias cleaning up your messes, you would have ruined all the decorations." Alatus closed his eyes and said flatly.
"Huh? I at least helped a little!" Bosacius's smile stiffened. This brat was exposing him!
"No... you were more of a hindrance..." Yanfei muttered quietly.
Even though she whispered, everyone heard it.
Bosacius and Menogias exchanged glances and burst out laughing.
Alatus just nodded quietly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. He didn't laugh out loud.
Realizing everyone had heard her, Yanfei rubbed her head awkwardly.
She looked at the cake on the table and quickly changed the subject.
"Ta-da! Cake! I had a pastry chef make a giant one!"
Following her gaze, Bonanus saw a large blue cake with fish patterns on it. It looked beautiful and immediately made her hungry.
A cake... Looks like she was in for a treat today.
Rubbing her empty stomach, she suddenly remembered something and said to Yanfei,
"Oh, right! Here are the groceries you wanted."
Bonanus pulled out all the ingredients she had bought today from her storage space. There were so many that she couldn't have carried them all by herself.
"Hehe! Time to cook! Sister, you're helping too!"