Chapter 2

Seeing that Lu Lin still hadn't come back to his senses, she simply took his hand and led him straight into the fitting room.

"Please… please take off your clothes." Inside the fitting room, Ganyu's voice was barely above a whisper — Lu Lin almost didn't catch it.

"This… doesn't feel quite right. How about I just do it myself?" Lu Lin swallowed hard.

He did want to close the distance between them, but this was moving far faster than he'd expected!

"It's fine. Just take off your… your top." Ganyu's delicate face was flushed a brilliant crimson, breathtakingly lovely.

Lu Lin wasn't the type to be coy about things. Seeing her insist, he didn't dawdle — he pulled off his tattered shirt without hesitation.

His firm chest and eight-pack abs were laid bare before Ganyu, and the girl couldn't help stealing a few secret glances.

Lu Lin actually noticed, and felt a wry amusement, but said nothing. Instead he asked, "So, what should I do?"

"This formal outfit uses an ancient Liyue technique — the way it's worn is a bit complicated. I'll help you put it on and teach you at the same time, so pay close attention."

As she spoke, Ganyu picked up the inner lining of the garment and began to dress Lu Lin.

Her hands circled around his neck one moment and wrapped around his waist the next, moving without pause while she explained the details of how to wear it. Her touch was gentle, her voice soft — like a devoted wife helping her husband into his clothes.

The two were nearly pressed together. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted from Ganyu into Lu Lin's nose, making his heart pound wildly and his mind fill with wayward thoughts.

Ganyu was no better off. This was the first time she had ever been this close to a man. She found his warmth and scent oddly comforting — so much so that she couldn't help wanting to draw even closer.

Her heart began to sink into something she couldn't name. She even had the fleeting urge to lean against his chest. She tensed her body to suppress the impulse, barely managing to keep herself composed.

When the last button was fastened, the tension that had held Ganyu rigid suddenly released — and her feet slipped.

Just as she was about to fall, Lu Lin's quick eyes and hands caught her, pulling her close.

"Are you alright? Watch your step!"

That embrace was like a spark landing in a pile of dry straw.

Ganyu had already been fighting a tide of wayward feelings with everything she had. Now those surging emotions burst through like floodwaters through a broken dam — utterly beyond control.

Almost on instinct, she reached back and wrapped her arms tightly around Lu Lin's waist, burying herself completely in his embrace.

His warmth enveloped her entirely, filling her with an indescribable sense of peace.

The wayward thoughts in Lu Lin's heart were even stronger than Ganyu's. He was, after all, a devoted Ganyu fan. When the person you adore dresses you herself like a little wife — soft-spoken and gentle — who could possibly remain unmoved?

Ganyu's figure was gracefully curved, and she pressed close against Lu Lin, her chest firm against him. Even through the layers of clothing, he could feel an astonishing softness. His arms encircled her slender waist and refused to let go.

Neither of them spoke. They quietly savored the still, warm atmosphere as the tender ambiance between them deepened and fermented, growing richer by the moment.

Lu Lin restrained himself from going any further. They had known each other for far too short a time — moving too fast risked putting her off, and the cost would outweigh any gain.

After some time, the dazed Ganyu finally regained a sliver of clarity.

She gently slipped free of Lu Lin's embrace and said, her shyness impossible to contain, "The clothes are on — I'll wait outside!"

With that, she fled the fitting room like a startled little rabbit.

Ganyu's taste was impeccable. When Lu Lin stepped out dressed in a set of black formal robes, even Xingqiu — a boy — was momentarily stunned.

The outfit was made from the finest silk, adorned with intricately embroidered golden cloud patterns that radiated an air of nobility. Lu Lin's physique was already perfect, and dressed like this, he looked more the part of a distinguished young lord than Xingqiu himself, the young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.

"This outfit looks as though it was tailor-made for Mr. Lu — absolutely perfect! Miss Ganyu's eye for style is truly exceptional!"

Xingqiu was a bit of a straightforward guy and hadn't noticed the awkward atmosphere between the two at all, offering praise after praise.

"Mm~ this one it is. How much Mora? I'll pay." Ganyu was equally pleased with the outfit and stepped forward to settle the bill.

Lu Lin was about to speak, but Ganyu cut him off: "You saved me on Mt. Tianheng — consider this outfit a gift from me…"

The real reason was surely more than that, but Lu Lin couldn't very well refuse the girl's heartfelt gesture, so he said no more.

He did, however, spend his own money on two sets of everyday clothes before bidding farewell to Xingqiu and stepping out of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.

Out on the streets of Liyue, Lu Lin and Ganyu stood facing each other in silence, neither saying a word.

Though they had both acted perfectly normal in front of Xingqiu, it was clear that Ganyu hadn't yet recovered from the earlier whirlwind of emotions.

"Uh… it's getting late. Are you hungry? Want to grab a bite together?" Lu Lin was the first to break the silence.

"Mm~ maybe next time. I've been out too long today — I still need to coordinate with the Qixing about the monster situation. Let's plan something once I have a day off in a few days."

Ganyu didn't dare spend any more time with him right now and made up a vague excuse to decline his invitation.

Lu Lin understood she needed a little time to settle herself. He smiled and said, "That's fine. Let me walk you back to Yuehai Pavilion then."

"No… no need. Yuehai Pavilion is very close from here — I can walk back on my own." Ganyu waved her hands quickly.

"Alright then. Once I've gotten settled, I'll come find you. Stay safe on the way!" Lu Lin didn't press her, and waved goodbye.

"Mm~ see you next time!" Ganyu nodded, turned, and walked into the brilliant lights of Liyue.

They had spent quite a bit of time at the Feiyun Commerce Guild, and by now Liyue was aglow with its evening lanterns, the streets alive with a vibrant, bustling scene.

Passersby coming and going, the calls of shopkeepers hawking their wares, children laughing and playing — the city was filled with the warm, lively energy of everyday human life.

Ganyu strolled along the street. The lanterns on either side cast a red glow that fell across her delicate profile, dreamlike and ethereal.

But Lu Lin, standing still and watching her go, felt that her retreating figure carried a trace of loneliness and solitude.

She was like the moon hanging alone in the night sky — radiant and pure, standing apart from the world, illuminating the human realm yet remaining distant from it.

As a devoted Ganyu fan, Lu Lin of course knew why.

Half-mortal, half-adeptus — she had always been tormented by the loneliness of being a being not quite human, adrift in a sea of people. She loved the human world and protected it, yet could never truly belong to it.

It's alright. Now that I'm here, I'll make sure you never feel lonely again.

Perhaps the Residence Entry from the Starter Gift Pack could help her?

[Double Happiness]: When the holder experiences joy, the feeling of happiness is doubled.

Doubled happiness would help dilute that loneliness over time — and eventually, it would no longer trouble her.

However, a Residence Entry could only be granted to someone who resided in the Serenitea Pot. This would have to wait until Ganyu moved in.

It seemed he needed to pick up the pace and get Ganyu into the Serenitea Pot as soon as possible!

No time to waste. Lu Lin found a secluded spot and pressed the pot-shaped mark on his palm.

This mark was a manifestation of the Serenitea Pot that had appeared alongside the System. By activating the mark, he could enter the Serenitea Pot's inner space.

Though it shared the same name, this Serenitea Pot was likely not the kind created by the Adeptus of the Singing Wind and Surging Tide. That immortal's power was not sufficient to create something as extraordinary as a System, and besides, there was no Pot Spirit within it either.

The time inside the Serenitea Pot's space ran in sync with Teyvat. The space itself was vast beyond measure — mountains, rivers, lakes, green meadows, and blooming flowers, all present in abundance.

However, while the space appeared boundless, the area he could actually move around in was currently quite small — roughly the size of a football field.

Venture any deeper, and an invisible barrier blocked the way.

Expanding the accessible area was simple enough: keep leveling up the System. Each time the System leveled up, the accessible range would expand.

Within the area he could use, anything was possible — building a house, farming, raising all manner of small animals… much like the Serenitea Pot's functions in the game.

Right now, the accessible area was completely empty — nothing but a flat expanse of lush green grass.

He already had plans for this open space.

First, he would build a house!

Not by laying foundations himself, of course — he lacked both the skill and the energy for that. Houses could be exchanged for Points through the System.

He currently had fifty Points from the Starter Gift Pack — just enough to exchange for a two-story wooden building.

Lu Lin spent all fifty Points and placed the two-story wooden building on the open ground.

Though not large, the building had elegantly upturned eaves and a classical aesthetic — exquisitely crafted. The second floor even had a small balcony with an excellent view.

The only downside was that the System had provided only the building itself — not a single piece of furniture inside. He'd need to buy a bed separately.

He had no Points left, so he'd have to go to Liyue Harbor tomorrow to buy a bed and bring it in. Items from the outside world could be brought into the Serenitea Pot — that much wasn't a concern.

With the building settled, Lu Lin opened his attribute panel to take a look.

[Host: Lu Lin]

[System Level: 1 (0/1000)]

[Host Entry: Critical Moment]

[Elemental Attribute: None]

[Points: 0]

Lu Lin had no Vision, so naturally he couldn't use Elemental Power. But since the Elemental Attribute field had appeared on his panel, it suggested he still had a chance to obtain it someday.

Could it be that a god would actually send me a Vision?

Lu Lin shook his head and didn't dwell on it further. He'd find out when the time came.

It was getting late. He left the Serenitea Pot's space and went to find something to eat.

He had been running around ever since he arrived in this world and hadn't eaten a thing all day — his stomach was growling fiercely.

Coming to Liyue Harbor, the obvious first choice for food was Wanmin Restaurant.

The real Liyue Harbor was far larger than the one Lu Lin knew from the game, but its general layout was no different from what he remembered. He made his way straight to Chihu Rock, where Wanmin Restaurant was located.

By now the dinner rush had passed, and there weren't many customers. Master Mao, with his practiced skill, was busy at work.

"I'll have the Steamed Three-Delicacy Shreds," Lu Lin said, looking over the menu.

"I'm terribly sorry — the fresh bamboo shoots needed for that dish are currently out of stock. We can't make it right now." Master Mao said apologetically.

"Master Mao, I came in the day before yesterday and ordered the Steamed Three-Delicacy Shreds and you said the bamboo shoots were out of stock. How is it still unavailable today?" another customer who had wanted the same dish asked.

"Ah, you may not have heard — Qingce Village, which supplies the bamboo shoots, has been overrun by monsters lately. The supply caravans can't get through, and now the whole of Liyue Harbor is out of bamboo shoots."

"Hasn't the Millelith gone to deal with it?"

"From what I hear, the monsters this time are particularly troublesome. Even the Millelith is at a loss for what to do!"

Monsters running rampant?

Lu Lin thought back to the conversation between Ganyu and Xingqiu earlier that day. Liyue didn't seem to be in a very peaceful state lately.

Just then, a person dressed as a shop hand came rushing over, shouting loudly: "Master Mao, something's wrong! Your Xiangling ran into monsters at the Guili Plains — she's gone missing!"

Clang!

The sudden terrible news made Master Mao lose his grip on the spatula.

Xiangling was missing?!

"What happened? Why would Xiangling go to the Guili Plains?" Master Mao grabbed the shop hand, his urgency overwhelming.

The shop hand had run all the way there and caught his breath before continuing: "Xiangling volunteered to travel with the merchant caravan to protect them from monster attacks. But the moment they reached the Guili Plains, they ran into trouble.

A large number of monsters scattered us. By the time we shook off the monsters chasing us, Xiangling had already disappeared."

Master Mao's eyes went blank, his heart clenching tight.

The people around him offered words of comfort, urging him not to worry — Xiangling had her Vision to protect her, and nothing would happen to her.

The messenger also said that the Millelith nearby had already gone to search and rescue, and asked him not to worry too much.

Lu Lin listened while finishing his dinner, when the System suddenly triggered a new quest.

[Ding — Random Quest triggered: Rescue Xiangling!]

[Quest Objective: Travel to the Guili Plains within three days and rescue Xiangling.]

[Quest Rewards: 500,000 Mora, 100 Points, 100 EXP, one random Residence Entry!]

Hiss… this quest was going to be tricky.

He had just arrived in this new world, with nothing but a single entry that paused time for three minutes — usable only once per day. Even with a decent physique, he was no more than an ordinary adult in terms of combat ability.

From what the shop hand had just said, the Guili Plains were currently swarming with monsters. Charging in to save someone like this would be nothing short of suicide.

Lu Lin quietly left Wanmin Restaurant, deciding to rest for the night and then go find Ganyu tomorrow to discuss how to rescue Xiangling.

Sharpening the axe won't delay the woodcutting. He had been on the move ever since he arrived in this world and hadn't rested once — he was genuinely exhausted.

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Proofreader & Editor: Fat Goose 🪶