Several weeks had passed since Guizhong's return.
Zhongli's life had become much more vibrant, even lively. After all, little Guizhong was a spirited girl.
The interesting part was that the usually calm and aloof Zhongli had actually gotten together with Guizhong!
Yes, you heard that right. Literally. No one expected Mr. Zhongli to find a girlfriend.
Everyone who knew him was shocked when they heard the news, but it wasn't widely publicized.
Few people cared about others' personal lives. Even if it was the learned Zhongli, no one dug deeper.
If anyone did, they would probably be called a pervert.
Zhongli had completely transformed. Simply put, he looked even more handsome. His attire was more classical, and he mostly wore robes when going out.
His usual braid was gone, replaced by flowing long hair. He was the picture of a heartthrob. The "Teyvat wrench" wasn't just a joke.
This new look was all Guizhong's doing.
Guizhong not only loved beauty herself, but she also didn't spare her man.
No girl could resist an even more handsome man.
Zhongli seemed helpless about it, but he didn't refuse. He followed all her suggestions.
Now that they were together, he could only indulge her.
Guizhong was mischievous, always finding ways to tease Zhongli. Her tricks were endless.
Especially when Zhongli frowned at the sight of seafood—that always made her double over with laughter.
Hu Tao, the director of Wangsheng, often teased Zhongli about it. Every time she saw them, she would give them a knowing look.
It was the kind of look you'd give when watching a good show. Like a curious kitten. Maybe it was just a "daughter" caring about her "old father's" love life.
...
But with good things came bad things.
On the last day of the previous week, something happened that made Bonanus sad.
That day, the system suddenly went online without her permission. Normally, it wouldn't activate without a special reason.
The moment it came online, it told Bonanus something she never expected: she might not be able to stay in this world much longer.
She had been in this world for so long. She had brought back three adepti and one god.
Such huge changes and disruptions, even if the people of this world didn't notice them, how could those stronger beings beyond the stars not detect them?
The system told her that beings even more powerful than Teyvat's Heavenly Principles wanted her gone. They said she was an anomaly, and they didn't tolerate anomalies.
If she didn't leave, they would take matters into their own hands. No one knew what would happen then.
But the system also said she could stay for one more week and that all her changes would remain.
That meant the system had negotiated with those supreme beings and succeeded.
It made sense. The system itself must have been created by a higher civilization.
The power to travel through time meant its creator was certainly powerful.
That creator was probably on the same level as those beings, which was why they chose to negotiate.
It all added up.
Bonanus felt her mind spinning. Her head ached. She was never good at thinking, and now this had to happen.
Maybe it was just the highest gods of the universe messing around for fun.
She wasn't surprised by the news, but she hadn't expected it to come so soon.
It was like walking past someone and suddenly getting punched without warning.
That was fate, she guessed. Everything happened so suddenly, without giving you time to breathe.
...
Inside the Room
Bonanus lay quietly on the bed, looking utterly defeated. Her face kept rubbing against the soft blanket.
Six of the seven days had already passed. She had been down all week. Even though they had given her a week, what could she really do with it?
She was clearly being pessimistic. She had prepared for this day, but when it actually came, it still hurt.
She just didn't want to face it. Face the siblings she had come to see as family.
"System, who's your boss? I mean, the one who created you." Bonanus said weakly.
[System lacks the authority to answer.] The mechanical voice replied flatly.
"Boring." Bonanus rolled over. Even now, the system was still so dull.
While she was moping, the other four Yakshas had been frantic for weeks.
Ever since that day, Bonanus had been like this. Of course they were worried.
What frustrated them most was that when they asked her, she wouldn't say a thing.
It wasn't just them. Even her friends had come to ask, but they all failed.
"What's wrong with our little sister?" Bosacius scratched his head frantically, his brow furrowed like a Chinese character.
"I don't understand either. This is the first time I've seen her like this." Menogias's expression was grim. His brain cells were clearly running out.
"Hey, Alatus! Did you do something bad? I told you, forced love doesn't work!" Indarias put her hands on her hips and glared at the shorter Xiao.
Everyone knew Xiao liked Bonanus, which was why Indarias suspected him.
"I never did anything like that..." Xiao shook his head. His eyelids twitched, and his breathing quickened.
Bonanus had locked herself away, refusing to talk to anyone, as if trying to hide her feelings.
And since she wouldn't come out, they couldn't force their way in. That was her privacy.
"What a headache..." Bosacius smacked his own forehead, hoping to shake loose a good idea.
Everyone fell silent. They were at a loss.
Xiao wanted to go in and check on Bonanus, but he was afraid of making her angry.
The four of them hesitated as the sky slowly darkened.
They all had their own duties, so they couldn't stay at Yanfei's house forever.
They agreed to finish their tasks, buy some good food, and visit Bonanus again. No matter what, they had to get to the bottom of it.
Unbeknownst to them, Bonanus had already left the house. She went to a sandy beach, found a flat rock, and sat down slowly.
Her gaze swept across the beautiful scenery before her.