Qin Yu held Columbine's small hand and slowly raised it.
The verdant light of life radiated, illuminating the delicate profile of the latter.
Like an angel fallen to earth, inspiring tenderness.
Qin Yu gazed at her, his eyes flickering.
The life energy in his hand hesitated.
He was patiently waiting for something.
"Why aren't you coming in yet?"
Columbine tilted her head and asked softly.
She could clearly sense that this power could better suppress the curse of the Arlecchino tribe.
Her long-held calm was stirred.
It had begun the first time she saw Qin Yu.
"Columbine, don't you think something is missing?"
Qin Yu suddenly smiled, his gaze still calm.
He said, unceremoniously pinching the girl's tender little hand.
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Moreover, the one by his side was an Executive of the Fatui.
And now, he was the one in control.
Ready to be completely devoured? "Girl"...
"What do you want from me?"
Columbine's lips curved into an arc, and she asked softly.
As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly and leaned against Qin Yu.
Her breath was like orchids, elegant and mysterious.
"..."
Qin Yu was slightly taken aback; the girl's action was somewhat unexpected.
Did she want to tease him again?
Truly a formidable opponent.
Qin Yu asserted that his will was the strongest.
...
In the courtyard, the air was quiet.
Only two intimate figures, quietly sticking together.
"What do you want?"
Columbine murmured softly, like lovers on a secret rendezvous, lazy and captivating.
"You can show some sincerity first."
Qin Yu had no intention of letting go of her hand and said softly.
Having the initiative, he had no need to rush.
"Heh... greedy man."
Columbine drew out her words, her lips curving slightly.
She liked this part.
The subtly scheming yet serene girl enjoyed the feeling of intimacy with Qin Yu while navigating the situation.
Like dance partners, observing each other from a distance, finally capturing each other.
Thinking of this, Columbine frowned slightly with distress.
But this time, she was clearly the prey being targeted...
After a moment of thought.
"What do you think of Sandrone?"
Columbine raised her pretty face and asked with a half-joking smile.
She agreed to this marriage.
Sandrone:?
Qin Yu looked strange.
As expected of you, not playing by the rules.
Who would immediately sell off their younger sister like this.
Besides, your "younger sister" Sandrone had already become my partner.
Even you, her older sister...
Trying to get something for nothing?
"Alright, be serious."
Qin Yu knew that Columbine was subtly reminding him.
Sandrone was nearby.
If Columbine made a sound, who would she believe then?
Qin Yu felt he was being playfully controlled by the girl.
"Tell me, what do you want?"
Columbine had already leaned into Qin Yu's embrace.
"I want information about Arlecchino."
Qin Yu's eyes flickered, and he said softly.
"Tell me, what does she want to do in Inazuma."
...
The negotiation between Qin Yu and Columbine had concluded.
Next, it was time to fulfill the promise and suppress the curse.
"Shall I begin?"
Qin Yu's voice echoed in the quiet courtyard.
"Begin."
As soon as Columbine finished speaking, the verdant life energy blazed in the courtyard.
"Mmm..."
The girl hummed softly, like a contented kitten, tilting her snow-white chin slightly.
A warm and comfortable feeling...
How long had it been since she experienced this after losing everything?
This time, she had finally found her travel companion.
Time slowly passed.
Columbine's curse was temporarily suppressed by the life force Qin Yu infused.
But this also meant that she would need to receive Qin Yu's power regularly in the future to stabilize herself.
"Phew... Thank you, Qin Yu."
Columbine's eyelashes fluttered, and her exquisite face regained some color.
"Can we write the future story together?"
Qin Yu tilted his head, looking at the serene girl nestled in his arms, and asked softly.
His hands gently encircled her slender waist.
Well, she was still weak after her curse was suppressed.
What if she lost her balance and fell?
As for whether this process counted as part of the negotiation...
The two understood each other, neither clarifying it.
"Of course, let's write it together."
Columbine nodded gently, gladly accepting the invitation.
After speaking, she raised her face to look at Qin Yu.
As they looked at each other again, their feelings were no longer the same as before.
The girl's lips curved slightly, revealing a reassured smile.
It is known that being close to Qin Yu accelerates physical disintegration, requiring Qin Yu to infuse life energy.
And each time the curse is suppressed, it requires being close to Qin Yu.
From this, it can be concluded:
This way, there will be no end.
She... can no longer leave Qin Yu...
...
Columbine regained her strength and gently pushed Qin Yu away.
"How do you feel?"
Qin Yu smiled as he watched the girl silently tidying her messy hair.
Columbine regained her elegance and mystery, as if her earlier dependence was just an illusion.
"A warmth I've never felt before, and..."
She thought for a moment, then took out paper and pen, preparing to record this feeling.
"Do you want to win the championship of the Yae Publishing House event so badly?"
Qin Yu smiled, walked over, and asked curiously.
It seemed she had already recorded quite a bit.
Let me see...
Exchanging glances with a high-ranking official, stories that must be told with a gentle wife, etc.
Qin Yu's expression began to change for the worse.
Wait, were some of these contents not quite right?
"Heh heh... Shall I show it to Sandrone?"
Columbine chuckled lightly, elegantly and nimbly sidestepping, dodging Qin Yu's outstretched hand.
These were all powerful bargaining chips.
The girl's inadvertently revealed mischievousness made one's heart tingle.
"Absolutely do not show it to anyone else."
Qin Yu gave up, saying with a hint of helplessness.
Speaking of which, more and more people were coming to the Komore Teahouse, should it be expanded?
Perhaps add a hot spring or something...
No, what was he expecting again!
"Columbine?"
Qin Yu shook his head, casting away the thoughts in his mind.
He gazed at the girl's beautiful profile bathed in sunlight, lost in thought.
"What is it, Qin Yu?"
Columbine returned to Qin Yu's side, with a comforting, faint smile.
What Qin Yu did not know was.
That this relaxed and leisurely demeanor of the girl was currently only appreciated by him.
"Didn't you say we'd record it together? I will too."
Qin Yu took the pen and prepared to write something.
"Let me think... a certain diplomat is actually a mischievous, scheming little girl..."
"Qin Yu!"
Qin Yu, who was prepared, also dodged the girl's outstretched hand.
After a bit of playful tussling.
"Let's start writing."
Qin Yu took Columbine's small hand, and they held the pen together.
At the moment of putting pen to paper, Qin Yu finally understood.
The so-called outcome was not important.
The process of companionship on the journey was more precious.
Was this the freedom and happiness that Columbine yearned for?
"..."
Qin Yu felt the delicacy and warmth from her palm, his heart filled with contentment.
Since they had promised to be each other's travel companions and appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way.
Then, he would never let her leave alone again.