Chapter 88: I'm Professionally Trained!

"So that's the situation~"

Shajin spread his hands with a helpless look, as if to say he was a victim too.

He shook his head and sighed. "I really didn't expect something like this to happen!"

Then he turned and looked at what used to be his house—now reduced to a pile of rubble.

Finally, he let out a long sigh, voice tinged with regret.

"Sigh… Looks like we'll have to leave this to the almighty Regrator~"

Columbina stared at the ruins in front of her, her face full of heartache and sorrow.

She gently caressed a stone from the wreckage, as if she could still feel the warmth of her "memories."

"My house…" she murmured.

Shajin looked at her speechlessly.

He gave her a light pat on the head and corrected her. "That's my house!"

Rosalyne let out a soft snort from the side, though her reason for doing so was unclear.

Was it because she disapproved of the destruction? Or something else?

Shajin had no idea.

…

The three of them left the ruins in silence.

Dust slowly settled over the wreckage, casting a quiet and sorrowful air.

Columbina seemed to have received orders from the Tsaritsa.She lowered her head in resignation and left, utterly disheartened.

With nowhere else to go, Shajin showed up at Rosalyne's place.

The moment he stepped through the door, he made himself right at home. He sauntered over to the sofa, flopped down, crossed his legs, and rested his arms on the armrests like he owned the place.

There was a look of contentment in his eyes—like he'd found his new sanctuary.

Rosalyne placed a plate of grapes on the table.

She turned to Shajin and asked, "Now that the mission handoff is complete, when are we leaving for Inazuma?"

Shajin stretched lazily and answered nonchalantly, "No rush~"

"The Lantern Rite is coming up in a few days. I'm thinking of heading back to Liyue for a bit. Tartaglia's there too, right? Perfect timing to hang out for a few days."

At those words, Rosalyne slammed the table and stood up, furious.

"Which is more important—the Tsaritsa's grand vision or your food and games?!"

Shajin replied with a dead-serious expression, "The Tsaritsa's vision, of course."

Then, after a beat, he added, "But eating and having fun is important too."

Finally, he concluded, "But eating and having fun for the Tsaritsa's vision is the most important of all!"

Rosalyne's mouth twitched uncontrollably as she tried to suppress her anger.

"What does your partying have to do with the Tsaritsa's vision?!"

Her tone was full of disbelief, as if she were trying to wrap her head around Shajin's bizarre logic.

Shajin wagged a finger sagely. "Think about it, Rosalyne. If I eat and have fun, I'm happy. If I'm happy, I'm motivated. And if I'm motivated, I can lay more bricks for the Tsaritsa's 'new world'!"

There was a self-assured glint in his eye—like he'd discovered the secret to success.

Rosalyne rubbed her chin and muttered, "Well… that kinda makes sense… like hell it does!"

"That's complete nonsense!!!"

She snapped, "You just want to slack off on the Tsaritsa's dime!"

Shajin slumped into the couch. "So what if I do~"

He sounded utterly carefree, like he was savoring a rare moment of leisure.

"I've already secured two Gnosis for Snezhnaya. Don't I deserve a little reward?"

He picked up a grape from the plate and popped it into his mouth, chewing proudly and somewhat unclearly.

Rosalyne couldn't find a good comeback.

Shajin went on.

"Besides, Inazuma is in isolation right now. The only vessels that can get past the Raiden Shogun's storm are our Snezhnayan warships—and Liyue's Alcor."

"Even then, there's no guarantee we'll get through safely, and it'll take days either way."

He pulled out his Serenitea Pot and gave it a pat. Inside, the sound of waves could be heard.

"But we have Baqiu!"

"With it, we can travel between Liyue and Inazuma in a single day—no need to worry about time~"

"Not to mention, Scaramouche is still there. As a puppet created by the Raiden Shogun, surely his 'mother' won't just slash him down, right?"

"So there's no problem at all~"

Though Rosalyne was still reluctant after hearing all that, she couldn't find a valid argument.

"Fine. But make it quick."

She grumbled in frustration.

Shajin grinned, nodded, and bounced to his feet.

"Then let's head out right now!"

…

"Baqiu, if you dare shake again, I will turn you into sashimi~"

"Yes, master!!!"

Baqiu was aggrieved, but Baqiu kept it to itself.

What kind of human is this?!

He wants both speed and stability—how is that even possible?!

On Baqiu's back, Shajin had strapped down two lounge chairs.

One for himself, and one for Rosalyne.

Shajin tapped a sharp protrusion on Baqiu's back.

"Baqiu, you weren't badmouthing me in your head just now, were you~?"

Baqiu gave a forced, human-like smile.

"Master, you jest—I wouldn't dare, haha…"

Rosalyne couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration.

"Incredible, Adventurine."

"To think you actually tamed an ancient beast that can rival Archons."

Baqiu rolled its eyes.

If I could beat you, you think I'd put up with this?!

Shajin lounged back, letting the sea breeze wash over him.

"So, Rosalyne—what do you think? Isn't this Baqiu I trained specially for riding super comfortable?"

Rosalyne gave a small nod. "Mm. It's actually really stable."

Baqiu screamed internally.

WHEN DID YOU EVER TRAIN ME?!

Shajin stomped a foot.

Baqiu declared with forced righteousness:

"I am professionally trained—fast and stable, guaranteed!"

"Pfft—"

Rosalyne couldn't help but burst into laughter.

…

As time passed, Liyue drew closer and closer. In the distance, Liyue Harbor bustled with activity.

Countless workers were sweating and toiling away, working hard to restore the harbor to its former glory after the great battle.

It was already beginning to take shape—faint glimpses of the old prosperity could be seen.

Shajin was about to tell Baqiu to dock, when suddenly it came to a halt.

"What's wrong, Baqiu?" he asked.

Baqiu hesitated for a moment before answering, "M-Master… I think someone fell from the sky…"

Shajin: "?"

"SHAJIN! THE DIRECTOR IS HERE!!!"

A voice echoed from above.

A fiery red figure plummeted from the sky.

Shajin's eyelid twitched.

He cursed in raw Liyue slang.

Bending his knees, he launched upward in a powerful leap.

He caught the figure mid-air.

"I swear, Hu Tao—are you trying to die?!"

Hu Tao, still in his arms, was all smiles as usual.

"Aww, didn't you catch me? That means you believe in me~"

_

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