Qin Yu's surroundings were becoming increasingly lively.
Just as he was hoping no one else would show up...
On another route, heading towards Inazuma.
"Mmm... what lovely weather, perfect for a nap."
On the ship's deck, a blue-haired woman stretched, her body forming a sexy and alluring curve.
On the wooden table before her lay the latest Teyvat Continental newspaper.
Among the articles, the news about the Fatui Harbingers visiting Inazuma was circled.
"Heh... still can't shake off these habits,"
The woman crossed her legs, basking in the sun, looking lazily relaxed.
But beneath that laziness, her jade-like eyes flickered slightly.
"Tap, tap..."
Her fingertips tapped rhythmically on the name Qin Yu.
"Heh, as expected, only news about the Harbinger girl."
A subtle curve formed on the woman's lips.
Seemingly sensing something, she appeared elegant and composed.
"Miss Yelan, I envy your leisure."
From a distance, a girl's slightly panting voice rang out, sweet and charming.
As the words finished, the clear sound of a musical instrument arose, like a clear spring in a desert oasis, refreshing body and soul.
"Me? I'm merely a person of leisure."
Yelan smiled, resting her face on her hand and watching the girl dancing gracefully at the ship's bow, admiring her captivating moves.
"Phew... done!"
Finally, the dance ended.
The girl gently clenched her small pink fist, cheering herself on with joy.
"Miss Nilou, your progress is truly astonishing."
Yelan clapped her hands, praising her with a smile.
Energetic and diligent girls always garnered more favor.
Of course, Yelan remained the same slacker.
"Hehe... it's not that amazing."
Nilou lightly tucked her hair back, her face flushed from exercise.
With steps as nimble and lively as a young deer, she sat before Yelan.
"..."
Yelan glanced at the blooming Padisarah beside her, her gaze flickering.
"What is it, Miss Yelan?"
The girl seemed to have no reservations, merely smiling and fanning herself.
As she spoke, she noticed the newspaper in front of Yelan and picked it up curiously.
The man's name caught her eye.
"It's that Qin Yu again."
Nilou pouted slightly and put the newspaper back.
"Miss Nilou seems to dislike Qin Yu?"
Yelan asked with a hint of amusement, observing Nilou's lack of enthusiasm.
"It's not that I dislike him, it's just that I've heard so much... they all say he's a great hero."
Nilou propped her chin on her hands, staring out at the sea with a dazed expression, murmuring.
Really, is he that amazing?
"Isn't being a great hero a good thing?"
Yelan smiled; young girls like Nilou must have once hoped to encounter a great hero.
It's a nascent memory from a girl's growth.
"But...!"
Nilou frowned, her beautiful brows furrowing, and whispered to herself:
"No one on the ship has seen him with their own eyes. What if he's not like the legends say?"
The girl thought rebelliously, legends were often untrue.
And more importantly...
"Heroes always feel a bit unreal."
Speaking of unreal, Nilou immediately thought of the figure in her dreams, the God of Flowers.
She wanted to communicate face-to-face with that phantom figure, but there was always a barrier, an inability to connect.
"I'm just a child from an ordinary family... I never wanted to become..."
Nilou cupped her hands around the blooming Padisarah on the table.
Facing the suddenly appearing God of Flowers, she felt lost.
"Miss Nilou, please remember, you are not ordinary at all."
Yelan smiled and pushed a drink towards the slightly dazed Nilou.
"One day, you will master extraordinary talents."
She rubbed her finger, which was wrapped in a blood-stained bandage, in thought.
"Like obtaining a Vision?"
Nilou blinked her big eyes, asking curiously.
"Heh... Miss Nilou, you truly are adorable."
Yelan chuckled and looked at Nilou's waist.
The girl's waist was slender and aesthetically pleasing.
The slight bulge beneath the dance skirt added a touch of playfulness.
One wondered which lucky man would get to feel it firsthand someday?
Of course, that wasn't the main point.
The main point was, a Hydro Vision was shining brightly.
"S-sorry."
Nilou finally realized that she had a Vision, while Yelan did not.
"No need to mind, I understand what you mean."
Yelan shook her head and turned to look at the boundless sea.
She was silent for a moment, then said softly:
"Would you like to hear a story about Qin Yu?"
"...Yes."
The girl nodded firmly, her attention fully focused.
"Then we have to start with the Vision Hunt Decree."
"The Vision Hunt Decree?"
Nilou's face showed curiosity.
"..."
After Yelan's explanation.
"Inazuma actually went through something like that..."
"Did Qin Yu resolve it all?"
Nilou cupped her face with both hands, her beautiful eyes shining.
So he was someone who changed the fate of a nation.
So amazing.
"How about we guess again, what were the reactions of ordinary people and Vision holders to the Vision Hunt Decree?"
Nilou's earnest little expression made Yelan smile involuntarily.
"Everyone must have helped each other, right?"
Nilou thought without much consideration, a warm smile blooming on her face.
"Regrettably, the public's reaction was indifference."
Yelan's smile gradually turned cold.
"How could that be..."
Nilou's small mouth parted, surprised by the final answer.
Her long, delicate eyelashes trembled as she looked at her own Vision.
In her hometown, the Grand Bazaar, people helped each other because small groups needed to stick together for warmth.
But when it came to the scale of a nation...
If it's none of their business, they'd rather stay out of it.
"Ordinary and extraordinary... will there always be a gap in the end?"
Nilou thought of the God of Flowers in her mind, murmuring.
She was mortal, and the God of Flowers was a true deity.
This was a natural contradiction, irreconcilable.
If she gave up facing the God of Flowers, could she maintain her ordinary life and live out her days?
Suddenly, Nilou thought of something.
"Then what about Qin Yu? He stopped the Vision Hunt Decree to protect everyone too."
Unconsciously, the girl had started paying attention to Qin Yu's every move.
She just hadn't realized it yet.
"Is that so? He has an Anemo Vision, after all."
Yelan smiled meaningfully, hinting at something.
"Was it for himself?"
Nilou bit her lip lightly and shook her head instinctively.
"No... no."
As a hero, how could he only act for himself?
"Heh... little girl, you've already fallen for it."
Yelan's teasing voice sounded.
"I am not defending him...!"
Nilou's small face flushed, and she couldn't help but stomp her foot.
For some reason, her heart began to race.
"Don't worry, Inazuma has now regained its vitality."
"There is no war, and people live in peace and contentment."
"All of this is because Qin Yu thwarted the plans of the two commissions and the Fatui."
Yelan waved her hand, not letting Nilou overthink.
She leaned forward slightly and said earnestly:
"In Qin Yu's heart, he carries the ordinary people."
"Ordinary or extraordinary, he treats them all the same."
This was also why Yelan was interested in Qin Yu.
...Or rather, she identified with him.
Her ancestor had died fighting to protect the people of Liyue in the Chasm.
In a way, they were both heroes.
However, Qin Yu, a hero who changed the fate of a nation, was still alive.
Qin Yu: ?
"I see."
Nilou gazed at the flowers on the table, speaking softly:
"Indeed, Qin Yu is a great hero."
She too, had to try to accept her extraordinary side.
In Nilou's eyes, a radiant light, like a sea of flowers, began to glow.
The Padisarah on the table quietly bloomed a vibrant purplish-red.
"Do you want to go see him?"
A clear, ethereal female voice sounded in Nilou's heart.
It was the soul of the God of Flowers.
She had heard Qin Yu's story and awakened once more.
"Can I see you first, God of Flowers?"
Nilou asked in her heart.
"You do not yet have the capacity to introspect yourself."
The God of Flowers sighed softly, with regret.
"..."
Seeing Nilou's silence, Yelan shook her head slightly.
She stood up and moved away from her seat, presenting the fully bloomed Padisarah to Nilou.
"While I don't know what talents you possess."
"Go and find Qin Yu. Perhaps he can help the 'ordinary' you."
...
Yelan departed.
The beautiful Padisarah was cradled in Nilou's palm.
"Yes, I will."
She nodded gently, a faint smile appearing on her beautiful face.
She was looking forward to meeting Qin Yu.
"God of Flowers, is there something you wish to tell me?"
Nilou's heart felt lighter, and she, the ordinary one, was gradually accepting this extraordinary "other self."
"There is one thing I wish to ask of Nilou."
"What is it, God of Flowers?"
Nilou asked curiously in her heart.
"Go and prove to Qin Yu... that the God of Flowers is more beautiful than the Grand Sage Seven."
In her mind, the God of Flowers' voice carried a hint of emotion.
Was that a slight resentment... and a grudge?
...
Meanwhile, in Inazuma City.
Qin, a certain someone, sneezed several times.
Who was thinking of him now?