Live together? Does she mean... cohabitate?
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson.
How can she just say something like that so casually?!
"I've told you before, I'm not interested in impure relationships. I'm still not comfortable with cohabitation..." Qin Yu stammered.
Shenhe only looked at her with genuine confusion.
"Impure relationships? Is living together considered impure? I just thought it would solve your housing problem."
Qin Yu's ears burned even hotter, a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness.
Oh my god, she totally misunderstood! She must think... what exactly does she think? But it's not weird for two women to live together, right? It's not like it's a man and a woman.
What's wrong with my brain? Why does it always jump to these ridiculous conclusions?
Shenhe seemed genuinely concerned by Qin Yu's words. "What exactly made you think this arrangement was 'impure'? I don't understand. Please explain."
"Ah, ah! It's ready! Come on, come on, sit down, sit down. You should eat while it's hot!"
Even Shenhe could tell Qin Yu was changing the subject, but she couldn't refuse the meal. Suppressing her confusion, she reluctantly took her seat.
Qin Yu sighed in relief and settled beside Shenhe.
Thank goodness I managed to deflect that. If Shenhe ever found out what was going on in my head, she'd probably make me meditate with her for hours to purge my impure thoughts.
Speaking of living together...
Even aside from the house's remote location, which made shopping inconvenient, the mere fact that Shenhe would see my true appearance was enough to make it a disaster.
So, no. You should just sit there and admire my dazzling appearance.
Qin Yu watched Shenhe eat her meal in silence and asked with a smile, "How is it? Does it taste better than last time?"
"It tastes the same to me."
Ha? Are you joking? Or did I mess something up? That's impossible! I activated my Skill, and everything—from the seasoning to the preparation of the ingredients—was perfectly balanced. It should be flawless.
Refusing to believe it, Qin Yu insisted, "Let me try it."
She held out her hand, gesturing for the chopsticks.
Shenhe picked up a piece of potato instead. "I'll feed you. Open your mouth."
Feed me?! Why can't she just hand me the chopsticks like a normal person? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly.
But refusing now might spoil Shenhe's mood. She'd come all this way; it wasn't unreasonable to earn a few extra Points while she was here.
Still, Shenhe's unwavering calmness was infuriating.
Left with no choice, Qin Yu opened her mouth. Seeing this, Shenhe's expression softened, and she gently placed the potato inside.
"Mmm~ Mmm? Mmm... I think it's delicious."
This is beyond anything I've ever made before, even I'm impressed. Why does Shenhe still say it tastes the same as always? Is she messing with me?
Qin Yu felt a surge of frustration but couldn't voice it, forced to swallow her irritation.
Tch, next time I'm not making anything for you.
At that moment, Shenhe spoke, "To me, it all feels the same—warm. I like it very much. Thank you."
[Evaluation: C]
"I-I see," Qin Yu mumbled, lowering her head.
But after a moment, she couldn't help but sigh.
Here we go again. Why can't she just say what she means? The first time was the same—a whole speech about how she shouldn't be eating it, followed by saying it was delicious and that she wanted to eat it again sometime. Is this woman deliberately trying to annoy me? If so, I'll never forgive her.
As Qin Yu stewed in her thoughts, Shenhe extended her chopsticks. "Open your mouth."
"Ah—ah? Wait, I don't need any more! I already had lunch, I'm not hungry at all!" Qin Yu hurriedly snapped back to reality.
"Alright then..." Shenhe said with a hint of regret.
What's there to regret? Qin Yu thought.
Qin Yu smiled. "Don't worry about me. Eat as much as you like. Your enjoyment is the best reward for me, since I made this meal just for you."
"I understand," Shenhe replied.
Good, Qin Yu thought.
Qin Yu sighed and gazed out the window.
What am I even doing here? I was supposed to relax today—no work, no clingy moments.
Yet here I am, lugging all this stuff across town just to cook for Shenhe?
Qin Yu was beginning to question her own actions.
Oh well, maybe this is just a spontaneous whim. People are like that sometimes! Right, that technique Lady Ningguang taught me... perhaps I could try it now.
No sooner had the thought formed than Qin Yu acted. First, the angle! A low posture conveys comfort and makes one more receptive.
Since they were sitting, Qin Yu leaned forward, resting her head on the table with her cheek pressed against the surface. Her arms dangled loosely, projecting an air of natural relaxation.
Shenhe noticed this and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to look at you, Shenhe," Qin Yu said with a smile.
Ugh, how cheesy! I really hope this works.
"Look at me? Is there something on my face?" Shenhe touched her cheek.
"No, I was just glancing. If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll stop."
"Just glancing? I don't understand, but I don't mind. You can look as much as you want... I'm finished eating," Shenhe said, having cleared her plate completely.
Qin Yu nodded. "Just leave the dishes there. I'll wash them later."
"I'll help you."
"Haha, it's just a few pots and bowls..."
Shenhe stood up, stacked the dishes, and sat back down. Noticing Qin Yu still had her cheek pressed against the table, gazing up at her, a subtle feeling stirred within her—an urge to touch her hair.
But would that count as an impure interaction?
Shenhe couldn't help but wonder. Qin Yu's definition of "pure" and "impure" was too vague. She still couldn't grasp what those terms truly meant, so she had to rely on Qin Yu's reactions to guide her.
Perhaps Shenhe could have avoided this awkwardness by asking first.
So she did: "Can I touch your hair?"
Pfft—W-what?! Where did that idea even come from?!
It's just hair, though... Qin Yu whispered, "Okay..."
Shenhe gently picked up a strand of Qin Yu's hair.
"H-how is it?" Qin Yu stammered.
"What?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
"My hair... it's not split or too dry, is it?"
"No, it's very soft and smooth."
Qin Yu sighed in relief. So my hair care routine is actually paying off. All those daily efforts weren't in vain.
As Shenhe gently stroked Qin Yu's hair, she seemed lost in thought.
Until now, it feels like I've been the one receiving all the time—whether it's the precious friendship we share, her introducing me to the other two young girls in Liyue Port, or even cooking for me...
In comparison, all I've done is save her twice.
Master taught me that friendship thrives on mutual giving and receiving. A relationship built solely on one person's generosity or the other's acceptance can't last.
Shenhe thought to herself, I should probably give Qin Yu something in return.
"Is there anything you want?" she asked.
Qin Yu blinked in surprise. "Me? Why are you asking?"
"I want to give you something as a thank you."
Shenhe wanting to repay me? No way. I owe her far more.
But this is exactly what I should do in this situation!
Second move: Close the distance and invade her personal space. Qin Yu slowly leaned closer, gripping the hand Shenhe had just used to stroke her hair.
"If you're happy with our friendship, that's the greatest reward I could ask for."
Shenhe's chest tightened slightly. There it was again—that strange, gripping sensation.
It feels like joy, yet it's different from pure delight, strangely complex...
"Is that what you truly believe?" she asked.
"Huh? Ah, yes! Of course! I've always been honest with you, Shenhe. You really don't need to repay me. As long as you still want to be my friend, that's enough."
"Yes, I would be happy to."
[Evaluation: C+]
But if Master's words are true... what should I do? Shenhe deeply cherished their bond and wanted it to last. Yet Qin Yu insisted she didn't need repayment.
I'll ask Master for advice, Shenhe resolved.
Qin Yu maintained her smile as she withdrew her hand.
Repayment?
What right does a woman like me have to deserve repayment...?