Chapter 392
Nahida had snuck out of the palace again.
Following the instructions her sister had whispered to her the night before through the void, she climbed to the palace rooftop.
She looked around.
Nothing suspicious.
A little puzzled, she turned toward Liyue, raised her hand, and waved uncertainly.
After waiting a bit longer and still seeing nothing unusual, she tilted her head in confusion—
And tiptoed back inside.
My little sister is too adorable!
Xia Ci happily put the telescope away.
Diona whispered, "Xia Ci, when are we going back down?"
"Knew it. You are scared of heights."
"I-I'm not! I just need to go help my boss cook!"
"Well, this'll be our travel ride from now on. You'd better get used to it."
"I'm doing fine! I won't be scared when everyone's riding it together!"
"Alright, alright."
The hovercraft landed smoothly.
Diona immediately hopped off, secretly breathing a sigh of relief once she was back on solid ground.
"I'm heading back now!"
"Go ahead."
Not long after Diona left, Xia Zhen arrived.
"Everything sorted?"
"Yeah. Want to give it a spin?"
"What's so fun about it?"
"Tch. By the way, haven't seen your sister lately, huh?"
"Nope. Ei's been cooped up inside for who knows how long. Is Inazuma really that swamped with paperwork?"
"Who knows? But hey, I saw my sister just now."
"…"
—
Yuehai Pavilion.
Mountain Shaper set down his newspaper and looked at the simple meal in front of him, frowning in thought.
"Ah Ping, this is our lunch today?"
"Yes."
Madame Ping cast him a glance and spoke coolly.
"If you don't like it, go cook something yourself."
"I didn't say that. I was just asking."
Moon Carver sighed as well.
"It's not your fault, Ah Ping. Ever since that one meal at Mr. Xia's—Gods' Temptation, was it?—I haven't had an appetite for anything else. I wandered around town, and even the food stalls couldn't stir any hunger in me…"
Mountain Shaper furrowed his brows.
"Wait. When did you go wandering around town?"
"Last night."
"Why didn't you invite me?"
"It was late. I thought you were asleep."
"…"
"Any news in today's paper?"
"Yeah—something about the construction site."
"Oh?"
"Says Mr. Xia is cooking there himself, and there's unlimited Rainbow Juice. The workers are putting in serious effort…"
"Hold on. Mr. Xia is personally cooking?"
"Mm."
The two Adepti exchanged glances.
Mountain Shaper's face turned contemplative. "Rex Lapis is involved in this school project as well. It means a great deal to Liyue."
Moon Carver nodded. "Indeed. It's tied to educational reform—it could shape Liyue's future."
"In that case, as Adepti, it's only right that we lend our strength."
"Well said!"
"Let's head over."
"Agreed."
The two Adepti stood up.
Madame Ping glanced over.
"Where are you two going?"
They cleared their throats, straightening with righteous airs. "To the construction site, of course. To assist Rex Lapis and Mr. Xia. We can still pull our weight."
"Eat your meal first."
"Not really hungry."
"We'll be out for the evening, Ah Ping!"
Before she could say another word, they were gone.
Madame Ping stared at the two untouched bowls of rice across from her and shook her head.
She glanced at her own bowl—barely touched—and fell silent.
After a moment, she cleared the table, muttering to herself.
"Haven't seen Yaoyao in days. I'm starting to worry. I should go check on her."
That evening, after hauling bricks all afternoon, the two Adepti wiped the sweat from their brows and entered the dining hall with cheerful banter—
Only to see Madame Ping sitting at a table.
"Ah Ping?"
"Wait, you're here too?"
The two were stunned.
"I came to see Yaoyao. And make sure she keeps up her training."
"…"
"She hasn't practiced her spear forms all day. At her age, she's far too prone to playing around. I need to keep a close eye on her."
"…"
"Well? Don't just stand there. Come eat."
"…Oh."
The two Adepti trudged over and sat down quietly.
Alright, fine. You've got a disciple. You're allowed to mooch dinner.
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