Chapter 235
"How do you feel?"
"Not bad."
"And your strength?"
"Recovered a bit."
"Looks like this works."
"Mm, it does."
"How did you recover your strength in the past?"
"By gathering faith and slowly converting it."
"Faith, huh…"
"Don't even think about it. The faith in Teyvat is already firmly established, and there's no place for you in it. Besides, relying on faith has its drawbacks. My own faith has dwindled so much that it's become a shackle. Avoid that path if you can."
"Is that so…"
"Massage me again tomorrow."
"Alright."
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata went to take a bath.
Xia Zhi stretched his wrists. After a night of massages, he was a bit tired.
But honestly, the sensation of massaging with the essential oil was amazing.
After tidying up the back room, Xia Zhi waited for Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to finish her bath before going in himself.
The bathroom still carried the lingering scent of the essential oil—leftover from the girls' second round of showers.
The smell was pleasant, even a little… suggestive.
After bathing, Shenhe and Zhu Zi washed his clothes together. This time, Shenhe seemed especially meticulous compared to usual.
Meanwhile, Ganyu went upstairs and entered Shenhe's room, flopping down comfortably on her bed.
Wait…
Ganyu suddenly raised her head, puzzled.
She stared at the pillow on the bed, frowning slightly.
Leaning closer, she sniffed it carefully.
There it was!
Though faint, the scent was unmistakably Xia Zhi's.
How odd… Why did Shenhe's pillow smell like Xia Zhi?
Could it be…
Recalling the tacit understanding between Shenhe and Xia Zhi during their shared dream, Ganyu's eyes widened as a possibility struck her.
---
After hanging up the laundry, Shenhe returned to her room to find Ganyu lying on her bed, engrossed in reading a novel, her snow-white legs dangling idly.
"Senior Sister."
"Junior Sister."
Ganyu greeted Shenhe casually, as though nothing was out of the ordinary.
The two chatted for a bit before Shenhe began preparing for her [Dreamwalking Technique], lighting the seven-star lamp and sitting cross-legged on the bed to enter the dream realm.
Ganyu closed the novel she was holding and sat up.
She glanced at Shenhe's pink, polished nails—painted to an alluring perfection—and a complicated look crossed her face.
Then, she removed her Cryo Vision and joined Shenhe in the dream.
Tonight, Ganyu observed them carefully.
Sure enough, she noticed something unusual between Shenhe and Xia Zhi.
They frequently exchanged knowing smiles. That alone was suspicious, but Shenhe also often allowed Xia Zhi to feed her, sometimes even biting his fingers…
Ganyu turned her head silently.
"Miss Ganyu, why so quiet tonight?"
"Ah, I must be tired from work this week. I feel drained…"
"Then perhaps you should head home to rest instead of running around with us."
"…That might be for the best."
Xia Zhi sent Ganyu back to his consciousness space.
Sitting at her desk, Ganyu sighed, turned on her computer, and started playing a game.
Yet for some reason, the game she had always found enjoyable now failed to bring her any joy.
It was frustrating…
---
The next morning.
Ganyu wasn't in great spirits, rubbing her eyes groggily as she sat on her bed.
In contrast, Shenhe seemed as stoic as ever but radiated a clear vitality.
After brushing their hair and changing clothes, the two went out together.
Ganyu noticed her junior sister casually glance at Xia Zhi's room door.
In the past, Ganyu wouldn't have thought much of it.
But now, that small action seemed laden with meaning.
---
After washing up downstairs, Xia Zhi eventually came down too.
Ganyu observed her junior sister's eyes brighten noticeably when she saw him.
Silently, Ganyu averted her gaze, wondering whether she should continue staying overnight next week.
Shortly after, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata also arrived from the neighboring shop.
"How did you sleep last night?" Xia Zhi asked her.
"Pretty well."
"The shop is closed today. Why don't you go out with Zhu Zi and the others to explore the city and buy some clothes? Take whatever money you need from me."
"Mm, thank you, Cousin."
"You're welcome."
---
After breakfast and a cup of tea, Xia Zhi rested for a while before heading to the kitchen at 10 a.m. to prepare a lavish lunch.
The enticing aroma of food soon wafted from the kitchen, drawing attention.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata glanced toward the kitchen, her eyes thoughtful.
She had seen Xia Zhi's entire life in the other world and knew he didn't originally possess such excellent culinary skills.
What had he experienced since then?
Her curiosity grew, but if Xia Zhi wasn't going to tell her, she couldn't force the answer out of him.
---
At 11 a.m., Yaoyao arrived and immediately sought out Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to play.
Yaoyao adored the new "big sister," not only because they were similar in height, but also because of Rukkhadevata's warm, inviting aura.
As a holder of a Dendro Vision, Yaoyao felt naturally drawn to the Dendro Archon.
Likewise, Rukkhadevata enjoyed spending time with Yaoyao. Children like her, pure-hearted and curious, were a joy to teach.
---
By 11:30 a.m., Zhongli arrived as promised.
"Mr. Xia, sorry to intrude."
"Come on, what's this talk of intruding? Besides, I actually need a favor from you this time."
"Oh?"
"Lady Ningguang bought the neighboring shop as a gift for Shenhe. We want to connect the two shops, and since the shop is closed for the next two days, construction won't disrupt business."
"So…"
"I heard Geo Vision holders are skilled in this kind of work. Rather than commissioning the Adventurers' Guild and wasting time, I thought of you, Mr. Zhongli. Could you help us out?"
"It's a small matter. Of course, I can help."
"That's great. Thank you, Mr. Zhongli."
"Which wall needs to be broken down?"
"This one here. It shouldn't affect the structural stability of either building, right?"
"No, it won't."
"Perfect."
Zhongli stepped forward, extending his hand. The Geo Vision on his back glowed, and the once-solid wall began to crumble under the power of Geo.
The girls watched in awe at the display of elemental power.
Xia Zhi and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, however, knew the truth—Zhongli's Geo Vision was merely a decoration, a guise to mislead others.
Rukkhadevata's eyes turned contemplative as she looked at Zhongli.
Morax… where is your Gnosis?
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