"You agreed so quickly."
Ke Qing turned her face slightly and snorted softly.
It wasn't that she was inviting Qin Yu to go out with her...
It was just that she didn't want Qin Yu to be alone.
She kept telling herself in her heart.
"Then let's go, Ke Qing."
Qin Yu smiled slightly and said softly.
Sunshine, beach.
Plus Ke Mao Mao's company.
No one to disturb, it was simply a perfect trip.
By the way.
A certain puppet girl was locked up by him.
Absolutely impossible for things to go wrong.
"Mm."
Ke Qing did not hesitate and nodded in agreement.
Thinking of something, she picked up the sea chart.
"Let's deliver this to the Millelith together."
She looked at Qin Yu and smiled with anticipation.
Usually, she worked alone most of the time.
After all, Ke Qing's execution speed was full, and few people could keep up.
Now that Qin Yu was by her side, it felt pretty good.
Thinking like this, she was filled with energy.
Should she find an opportunity to work overtime with Qin Yu?
"Okay."
Qin Yu smiled, naturally having no objections.
Obviously unaware that he had already been targeted for overtime.
...
"Wow! Amazing—"
On the shore, a clamor could be heard from afar.
A group of soldiers were gathered in a circle, cheering from time to time.
Among them, mechanical rumbling sounds could also be heard.
For a moment, the atmosphere was lively.
"Alas, what's going on over there?"
A guard soldier looked over curiously.
Weren't they the ones responsible for exploring and salvaging the sea area?
Why were they suddenly watching the excitement as if they were on vacation?
Another person clearly knew something and casually said:
"You wouldn't know about this."
"It seems to be a magical mechanical crab brought from Inazuma."
"With it, exploring the sea area is very simple!"
"It can even transform into various shapes."
"I heard there's also a puppet girl..."
"Ah? Is it really as magical as you say?"
As the two soldiers were chatting enthusiastically, they suddenly fell silent.
"What are you doing?"
Ke Qing walked over, her expression stern.
To be so lax during working hours.
Did they have no regard for military discipline?
"I'm sorry, Ningguang!"
The two soldiers quickly lowered their heads and admitted their mistake.
They exchanged glances, regretting it secretly.
To be caught slacking off during work by Ningguang.
The consequences would be very serious!
Just as they resigned themselves to awaiting punishment.
"You..."
Ke Qing took a deep breath and snorted softly:
"Be more careful next time. I'll note this down for today."
She didn't say anything more and left directly.
"Yes, Ningguang!"
The two soldiers were stunned and greatly surprised.
Ningguang seemed to be in an unusually good mood today.
She even became... a little gentler.
Could it be...
The two soldiers looked at the young man accompanying Ke Qing.
He was the envoy from Inazuma who arrived today.
He was actually talking and laughing with Ningguang.
And he wasn't driven away.
"My heavens, this is a big problem."
The two soldiers exchanged glances and murmured.
Shocked, Ningguang and the mysterious young man were getting along splendidly.
If this news were to spread back to Liyue.
How many people who pursued Ke Qing would be depressed.
...
Time slowly passed, and it was nearing evening.
Work had come to an end, and they could finally relax.
Qin Yu and Ke Qing strolled along the beach, chatting about many things.
"Mm..."
Facing the gentle sea breeze, Qin Yu squinted comfortably.
With such beautiful scenery, it was natural for one's mood to relax.
More importantly, it was the beauty by his side.
But the current Ke Mao Mao clearly had something on her mind.
"Still thinking about those two soldiers?"
Qin Yu looked at Ke Qing and asked softly.
"..."
Ke Qing nodded gently, then shook her head.
It was related, but the main reason was still...
Ke Qing glanced at the hairpin on Qin Yu's body.
Slacking off in front of her was unacceptable.
She had originally intended to make the two soldiers work overtime as punishment.
But when she thought of Qin Yu being by her side, she held back.
She couldn't appear too overbearing.
If he got scared away, how could she bring him back to Liyue for overtime?
"Qin Yu."
Thinking of this, Ke Qing stopped.
She looked at Qin Yu, her gaze becoming serious.
"What's wrong, Ke Qing?"
Qin Yu turned to look at her.
It was nearing evening, and the sky was dyed a fiery red.
Ke Qing's face was flushed red.
It was the color of the setting sun reflected on the sea.
Beautiful and magnificent.
"Why are you wearing the hairpin?"
She didn't conceal it and asked directly.
"This?"
Qin Yu heard her, took off the hairpin from his body.
"Mm."
Ke Qing nodded firmly.
She stared at Qin Yu, her gaze serious.
"Mm..."
Facing the girl's gaze, Qin Yu pondered for a moment.
Suddenly, he raised the hairpin.
In the setting sun, it was reflecting a different kind of light.
Like a jewel, it made people unable to look away.
"Is it beautiful?"
Qin Yu said softly.
Ke Qing nodded silently.
"You think it's beautiful too, right?"
Qin Yu gazed at Ke Qing and said softly:
"I like it a lot, that's the only reason."
"..."
The sea breeze quietly lifted the girl's hair.
Ke Qing silently turned her flushed face away.
Like...
She knew it referred to the hairpin.
But why?
Did you have to look at me while I said it...
"Oh."
After a long while, the girl responded softly.
She stood there, motionless for a moment.
Could it be that meaning?
"..."
Qin Yu sensed something and reached out to the girl.
They looked at each other, silent for a long time.
"Shall we continue to stroll together?"
Qin Yu said softly.
The corners of Ke Qing's lips curved up, and she nodded gently.
She put her hands behind her back and walked to Qin Yu's side.
"Mm, I want to see some more."
The girl's voice, accompanied by the sea breeze, said softly.
Qin Yu noticed the joy in her eyes and nodded slightly.
"Okay, let's see some more."
...
The two strolled on the beach.
The sound of waves and wind brushed past their ears, and the atmosphere was tranquil.
In the setting sun, the shadows of the young man and woman slowly drew closer.
This was time that belonged only to them.
It should have been like this...
"Crack—"
Until a crab, carrying a puppet girl, appeared before Qin Yu.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Ke Qing."
The doll-like girl waved her hand, her smile sweet.
"Who are you?"
Ke Qing looked at the puppet girl curiously and asked softly.
However, someone's eyes slowly widened.
A bad feeling instantly spread throughout his body.
Didn't Sandrone get locked up?!
Before Qin Yu could think further, a light voice rang out.
"I am Qin Yu's partner."
"..."
Ke Qing was stunned and instinctively looked at Qin Yu.
"?"