Keke Mao Mao officially joins the group chat.
This meant Qin Yu had messed up again.
He never expected this day to arrive so soon.
Sandrone, Keqing, and the lively firework girl.
...Well, that girl wasn't much of a threat.
Qin Yu felt helpless. Why did every mishap involve Sandrone?
Were they just fundamentally incompatible?
"..."
In any case, the long-awaited video chat began.
But this time, a certain someone was kicked out of the group chat.
"Good morning, everyone..."
Qin Yu maintained a sunny smile, waved at Sandrone, and spoke in a gentle tone.
He appeared calm, but inwardly, he knew things were going south.
He hadn't contacted Sandrone last night, likely earning himself a spot on her naughty list.
"Not good."
Sandrone and Keqing stared at each other and said in unison.
Both women wore cold expressions, looking as if they didn't want to speak to Qin Yu any further.
Qin Yu: "..."
Before even reaching Inazuma City, someone was already being shunned.
Should he just leave?
"Why are you here?"
Keqing snorted, glared at Qin Yu beside her, and then scanned their surroundings.
Keke Mao Mao was looking for her sword.
After searching for a while and not finding it, she puffed out her cheeks and stared at Qin Yu.
Where was her sword?!
"Ahem, why are you looking at me?"
Qin Yu casually slung the Umesora Ryugin over his back and looked up at the sky.
He couldn't help but feel relieved that he had prepared in advance.
If he hadn't taken Keke Mao Mao's sword away earlier, something terrible might have happened.
"Hmph... still flirting with my partner."
Sandrone's expression remained calm, but her voice turned icy.
Keqing's pursuit to Inazuma had caught her by surprise.
My partner, what a truly wicked man he is.
Does he need a little "snap" to help him out?
"?"
Qin Yu felt a chill down his spine as he sensed Sandrone's gaze.
Please stop those dangerous thoughts!
The chilling sensation quickly faded.
"Sister Yoimiya."
"Ah...?"
Yoimiya stood there, bewildered and at a loss.
She hadn't quite figured out who this beautiful girl who suddenly appeared was.
She seemed to be very close to Qin Yu...
"Aren't you going to say hello?"
Sandrone blinked, her words carrying a deep meaning.
"Good morning, Yoimiya," Qin Yu said with a timely smile.
He subtly winked at Yoimiya.
At this crucial moment, he needed a neutral party like her to ease the awkward atmosphere.
It's up to you, the emotional master of Hanamizaka!
"Good morning."
Yoimiya averted her gaze, slightly hesitant to face Qin Yu.
She was no longer a neutral party.
Her little secrets, hidden from Sandrone, had already been exposed.
Sob sob sob, she was "coerced."
Qin Yu: "?"
What a peculiar, awkward expression.
Before he could say anything.
"There's still a lot to tidy up here, I'm off to get busy!"
The girl, holding a large cardboard box, dashed away.
Her figure disappeared from the screen, leaving only her hurried voice echoing.
Qin Yu's mouth hung open.
Is this girl going to report him to Ayaka!
Qin Yu, in danger.
"Who was that cute girl?"
Keqing smiled at Qin Yu and asked softly.
Her attitude was amiable.
She hadn't expected to encounter two girls familiar with Qin Yu before even reaching Inazuma City.
What about those two renowned young ladies from Liyue rumors?
"She's actually..."
Sandrone's lips curved slightly as she drew out her words, about to say something.
She seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.
"Just a friend."
Qin Yu spoke up immediately, cutting off Sandrone's words.
Stop causing more trouble!
"So, what are you doing in Inazuma?"
Sandrone chuckled and didn't press the previous topic.
Instead, she focused on Keqing, her gaze flickering.
"I just suddenly wanted to take a break."
Keqing snorted and turned her face away, showing a hint of pride.
It wasn't like she followed Qin Yu here.
"..."
Sandrone's smile gradually faded.
She hadn't seen anyone take a break by coming to Qin Yu.
The atmosphere became a bit tense.
As the two women exchanged glances, subtly competing.
Knock knock knock.
Yoimiya scurried around behind Sandrone, adding a splash of color to the small room.
"Phew... there are so many things to prepare before opening the shop."
She was currently cleaning the room, her beautiful face flushed, looking exceptionally cute.
"Yoimiya, run a little slower."
Qin Yu watched Yoimiya busying herself and said softly.
What a virtuous and warm-hearted girl.
Whoever marries Yoimiya will surely be very happy.
"My partner's gaze is becoming impure."
Sandrone suddenly smiled.
"...Sorry, I zoned out."
Qin Yu shook his head. Was he too tired?
Why was such a strange thought popping into his head?
"Qin Yu, traveling by sea must be exhausting, you should rest more!"
Yoimiya, upon hearing Qin Yu mention her, jogged over to the communication device.
She blinked her large eyes, her gaze filled with surprise.
She shouldn't have interrupted when Sandrone was contacting Qin Yu.
However, Qin Yu had mentioned her.
So, it should be alright to chat for a bit, right?
The lively girl gave a victorious gesture in her mind.
She probably wasn't discovered!
"..."
Sandrone's lips curved into a playful smile.
She glanced at Yoimiya beside her, who was beaming and greeting Qin Yu.
Interesting.
Perhaps Yoimiya hadn't realized it yet.
Just now, she resembled a sensitive and wary little rabbit.
That deliberate running and hopping behind him...
It was merely a small tactic to attract Qin Yu's attention while fearing discovery.
...
"So, you're still opening a fireworks shop?"
Qin Yu looked at the ongoing renovation of the interior and asked in confusion.
Is the Inazuma arms dealer opening a branch?
It was truly rare for the Tenryou Commission to approve such a "dangerous individual" to open a branch.
"It's not me, it's Sandrone sister."
"She's opening a toy shop."
Yoimiya quickly corrected him.
She usually enjoyed making toys for children.
Upon learning that Sandrone was opening a toy shop, she was naturally the first to enthusiastically support it.
"I see, that's quite good... Wait a minute!"
Qin Yu nodded, then suddenly realized.
Toys made by the Fatui Harbinger "The Puppet" are not suitable for children!
"My partner, remember to come back and help."
Sandrone blinked with a knowing smile.
Qin Yu: ...
The best toy maker in Snezhnaya?
"He's accompanying me to tour Inazuma, he doesn't have time."
Keke Mao Mao snorted and squeezed Qin Yu out of the screen.
Have you chatted enough?
"Keqing, don't be difficult."
Qin Yu tried to get the communication device back.
"Don't come near me."
Keqing hugged the communication device and walked a few steps away, turning her back.
She hadn't expected Sandrone's true form to be even more elegant and exquisite than her puppet form.
This opponent is truly too dangerous.
At least here, she would isolate every girl who wanted to approach Qin Yu.
No one would be able to steal her man right in front of her!
"Behave yourselves."
Qin Yu stood alone, waving his hand helplessly.
What was read as "getting along" was written as a quarrel between girls.
Well, he'd be basking in the sun alone again.
However, could Keke Mao Mao win an argument against Sandrone?
He really wanted to see girls argue.
Just as Qin Yu leaned against the ship's railing, looking up at the blue sky.
"Excuse me, are you Qin Yu?"
A slightly tender yet very gentle voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
"?"
Qin Yu froze and instinctively looked around.
"It's me, Nahida."
The soft voice said softly, filled with joy.