Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [148]

"Ren, what's wrong?"

As Ren sat in a daze, a soft hand waved gently in front of his face.

Keqing had noticed something was off and quickly spoke up.

But no matter how many times she called his name, Ren didn't respond.

"Ren? Say something."

Keqing's expression shifted, her voice tinged with concern as she reached out to nudge him.

The small frustrations she had felt earlier were long forgotten.

She'd planned to maintain some composure before heading down the mountain together.

But now, Ren looked as though his soul had suddenly left his body, sitting there with a grim expression.

The usually proud and stubborn Keqing was starting to panic.

Just as she leaned closer to check on him more carefully, Ren's eyes flickered.

"…I'm fine."

His voice was soft, almost a murmur, as his gaze slowly refocused.

Standing in front of him was a worried, beautiful girl.

She had lifted her hand, as if about to brush against his face.

Ren blinked in surprise. "Keqing?"

Was this… bad timing to regain his senses?

What had she been about to do? And why had she stopped?

"You…!"

Keqing froze, her raised hand awkwardly suspended mid-air.

The two of them were so close that they could feel each other's heartbeats.

Under the moonlight, a blush crept over Keqing's cheeks.

"It's not what you think!"

After struggling for a while, she finally forced out an explanation.

Her expression, with her lip caught between her teeth, resembled that of a kitten caught red-pawed trying to sneak a snack.

How… how did it turn out like this?

"Ahem, I don't know anything."

Ren cleared his throat and shut his eyes, feigning ignorance with exaggerated theatrics.

His expression practically said, Do whatever you want; I won't resist.

"I wasn't going to do anything!"

Under the moonlight, Keqing's flustered voice—on the verge of breaking—echoed across the quiet night.

After a bout of chaos, the two found themselves sitting side by side, gazing at the starry sky.

"Sorry for worrying you," Ren said softly, his eyes fixed on the golden core in his hand, which shimmered faintly.

As he spoke, he carefully tucked it away.

Such an unknown, powerful force—better not to use it lightly.

"Hmph."

Keqing puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms and holding herself protectively.

She was upset.

The kind of upset that wouldn't be easily soothed.

"How about I carry you down the mountain?" Ren suggested, glancing at her.

He decided he needed to reflect on his actions.

And what better way to do that than by carrying the sulking Keqing in his arms all the way down?

Yes. A punishment—a severe punishment indeed.

"?"

Keqing glared at him, instantly seeing through his little scheme.

Did he think she'd forgotten how he had carried her princess-style up the mountain earlier?

"I often go on adventures in the wild. I can walk just fine," Keqing declared with a proud huff as she stood up.

Her gaze was sharp, full of determination.

If you want to race down the mountain, bring it on.

"Alright, let's walk together," Ren replied, a note of disappointment in his voice.

After all, who wouldn't want a soft, clingy kitten snuggled in their arms?

How nice would it be to cuddle her, even warm up the bed together…

"You're thinking something weird, aren't you?"

Keqing frowned, tugging lightly at the hem of her skirt. The cool breeze brushing her legs made her feel self-conscious.

Stop staring at my legs already!

"Not at all," Ren said earnestly, his gaze lingering on the moonlight glinting off her pale, flawless legs.

"You!"

"Here, this is the map."

Ren rummaged through a pile of documents and handed a map to Keqing.

There were still plenty of records left from the Doctor's research—enough to keep him busy for a while.

However, one particular note stood out: something about interference from an unknown force in a dream.

Was that referring to Columbina?

But the records seemed much older than that—out of sync with the current timeline.

"Work's over now, Keqing," Ren said with a mischievous smile.

With this map, their investigation was complete.

"Somehow, you always manage to get the job done," Keqing replied, taking the map with a conflicted expression.

She'd always been annoyed by Ren's laid-back attitude.

But after working with him, she'd come to realize he could still effortlessly complete tasks, even while "slacking off."

Is this the luck of someone who slacks off?

Keqing puffed up her cheeks in frustration.

How am I supposed to convince him to come to Liyue and do overtime at this rate?

"Let's go."

Ren waved casually from a distance, smiling.

"Mm."

Keqing gently ran her fingers over the map, a soft smile spreading across her face.

This feeling… isn't bad.

The cool sea breeze greeted them as they returned to the foot of the mountain.

With Keqing's help, a warm fire crackled to life, along with several skewered fish roasting over the flames.

Ren's pile of fish noticeably outnumbered Keqing's.

"How did you catch so many?"

Keqing glared at Ren, puffing her cheeks suspiciously.

They had reached the bottom of the mountain at almost the same time.

When Ren mentioned he was hungry, Keqing, eager to compete, had suggested fishing.

If I take off these stockings, I'll definitely beat him!

But reality was cruel. She'd lost again.

The memory of it made her scowl, a soft growl escaping her lips.

"I'm good at lots of things," Ren said smugly, suppressing a chuckle.

Trying to beat me at catching wildlife? Keqing, you still don't understand.

[Innate Talent: Yoohoo Art: Silencer's Secret]

[Approaching certain creatures like Crystalflies won't startle them.]

With a talent like this, the competition had been over before it even began.

"I don't believe it! You cheated!"

Keqing muttered as she focused on roasting her fish, sensing deception.

"You're overthinking it," Ren replied, coughing lightly, trying to maintain a straight face.

Not my fault talents are basically hacks.

"I even secretly used Electro to stun the fish..."

Keqing grew more flustered as she thought about it, accidentally blurting out her "cheat."

Halfway through her confession, she clamped a hand over her mouth.

Why did I say that out loud?!

"Wait, you actually—"

"You misheard!"

By the firelight, the two of them started bickering playfully over their fish.

---

Later that evening, Ren leaned back against a fallen tree, exhaling deeply.

The equipment Sandrone had insisted he carry down had weighed him down the entire way.

Adding the chase earlier with Keqing, he was exhausted.

"..."

Keqing sipped water Ren had boiled for her, her face still faintly red.

She was embarrassed—not just because her "cheating" had been exposed but because she'd lost even while cheating.

"Keqing?"

"I don't want to hear it!"

Ren smiled wryly, deciding to leave the sulking cat-girl alone for now.

On his shoulder, a small Seelie spun around playfully, brushing his cheek.

"You want to lead me to a treasure chest?"

Ren blinked, intrigued.

The Seelie bobbed its head enthusiastically.

No doubt sent by Columbina… smart little thing.

"Alright, lead the way," Ren said, following the Seelie toward the shore.

As he walked, he pulled out the communication device.

"Let's check in with Sandrone first."

The device buzzed as Ren waited for the connection.

"Beep… beep… beep…"

The Seelie floated ahead, searching for something, while Ren knelt by the sand, absentmindedly poking a seashell.

Click.

Finally, the call connected.

"Sandrone, can you hear me—"

Ren brightened, ready to speak.

But the voice on the other end froze him.

"Hello, stranger I've never met before."

The voice was soft, slightly youthful, yet brimming with warmth and intelligence.

Ren froze, pulling the device away to double-check it.

What's going on? Did I call the wrong number?

Before he could ask, the voice on the other end continued.

It was tentative, but full of joy, as if meeting someone important for the first time.

"Excuse me," the girl asked earnestly.

"Are you… in the bathroom?"

The air fell silent for a moment.

Ren: …

"Uh…??"

"No, wait, who are you?"

"My name is Nahida," the girl replied cheerfully.

"It's nice to meet you."

---

T/N: HUHHHH ALREADY?

"..."

- Gardevoir

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