The peaceful atmosphere in the room shifted once more.
"Dependence, huh...?"
All the girls' curious gazes turned towards Nahida.
It was just an instinctive reaction, not excessive suspicion on their part.
Qin stirred with a slight cough.
After all, looking around the increasingly crowded room…
Kamisato Ayaka had once confidently believed the small cabin was spacious enough for all the girls.
But now, it seemed she had miscalculated.
Keqing and Sandrone had recently joined them.
Fortunately, that mysterious witch, Sakura, was not present.
If she were to come too…
It would truly be impossible to fit everyone.
Of course, Nahida, being just a little white-haired loli, wasn't counted in the numbers.
The girls felt she posed little threat.
"Mm."
Sensing the girls' gazes, Nahida blinked her large eyes, appearing a little confused.
"Sisters, what's wrong?"
She instinctively reached out and grasped Qin Yu's finger.
Feeling the warmth, she was greatly reassured.
Nahida’s sun, she wanted to keep it by her side forever.
"So cute..."
The girls' beautiful eyes lit up, and they murmured unconsciously.
They longed to hold her, rub her little belly, and poke her cheeks.
And so…
The girls' gazes once again focused on Qin Yu.
What are you doing?
"Hey, why are you all looking at me?"
Qin Yu picked up the white-haired loli and asked innocently.
Do you all want a hug too?
"Gege, hug."
Nahida seemed to sense the girls' thoughts and nestled closer into Qin Yu's embrace.
The little white-haired loli's voice was soft, and her meaning was clear.
She didn't want other sisters; her eyes were only for being close to Qin Yu.
"Good girl."
Qin Yu smiled and said softly.
Hearing "Gege" made him feel light and comfortable all over.
Nahida, the little angel, was indeed thoughtful.
Madam Great Tree King, I envy you for having such a cute daughter.
At the same time, Qin Yu looked triumphantly at the girls.
Sorry, this child, apart from her mother, is only close to me and only wants to stay by my side.
Speaking of which, I still don't know who Nahida's father is.
Never mind, Qin decided, I've already taken her.
"What's with this child, my partner?"
Sandrone swirled her teacup and said casually.
Her gaze flickered, and her suspicion grew.
Could Nahida be the child of Qin Yu and some white-haired woman?
"Just a distant cousin, what are you thinking?"
Qin Yu gently stroked Nahida's little head and said softly.
"Yes! Brother Qin Yu is very good to me."
Nahida raised her face, looking obedient and adorable.
"Is that so, but..."
Sandrone clearly didn't believe it and was about to press further.
But before she could speak.
Qin Yu, as if he had anticipated it, spoke first:
"Let's not talk about that for now, look at the gift I specially prepared for you."
He took out a blueprint and placed it directly in front of Sandrone.
"Oh? You actually prepared a gift for me..."
Sandrone chuckled, a hint of interest piquing.
Of course, this interest was due to Qin Yu.
After all, it was just an ordinary mechanical design blueprint.
As an Executive who specialized in Khaenri'ah technology, what kind of industrial blueprints had she not seen?
Surprise and sincerity were what mattered most.
Therefore, she was prepared to receive something ordinary.
"But speaking of which."
Her gaze fell on the envious and slightly jealous girls, and Sandrone's lips curved slightly.
What pleased her the most was still…
That he actually gave her a gift in front of so many girls.
What a greedy and audacious scoundrel.
Although, she rather enjoyed it.
After all, a little vanity was every girl's nature.
Executive [Marionette] was no exception.
Thinking this, Sandrone deliberately drew out her voice.
"It's so mysterious, I wonder what it could be—"
"..."
The girls clenched their little fists secretly.
This woman is definitely doing this on purpose!
"Hurry up and open it."
Qin Yu's eyes flickered with a hidden meaning.
Sandrone blinked, her smile playful.
"It seems you are very confident in this gift that's meant to please me."
With that, she unsealed the blueprint.
Then…
A mechanical design blueprint that surpassed human imagination appeared before her eyes.
"Wait a moment, could this be?!"
Sandrone's beautiful eyes slowly widened, a look of shock and uncertainty.
It was actually the technology of the Scarlet King!
With that said, she no longer had time to pay attention to others.
She directly unfurled the blueprint and began studying it on the spot.
"Do you like it?"
Qin Yu smiled and nodded, feeling satisfied.
Even though he couldn't understand it.
He didn't believe this wouldn't win over Sandrone.
"My partner, I love you to death!"
Sandrone excitedly caressed the mech blueprint, her eyes filled with infatuation.
To have gained a god, the wisdom of a civilization condensed, how could she not lose her composure?
My partner, what else do you have in your hands?!
Qin Yu: ...
At least look at me.
"?!"
What Qin Yu didn't notice was.
In his arms, Nahida's small mouth parted slightly.
How could this be?
It was actually the Scarlet King civilization.
That was an ancient existence that even the Sumeru Akademiya and the Irminsul could not decipher.
And now…
"Then what about me!"
Keqing, the cat-girl, was the first to step forward, holding out her hand.
She didn't want to be left behind.
"Yours."
Qin Yu took out a statue of the Geo Archon.
"I, I don't like this kind of thing..."
"Alright, alright, take it."
Qin Yu placed the doll into the tsundere cat-girl's arms and smiled.
Seeing the surprise in her eyes, she must have loved it, right?
After pacifying Keqing, Qin Yu continued.
"And there's more."
Gift after gift appeared.
"Ayaka, this is the little fox mask you admired last time we went out."
Kamisato Ayaka took it with both hands, her eyes filled with surprise.
She had only looked at it a few times, but he had remembered it.
Who could refuse such a gentle and thoughtful Master?
"And yours."
Qin Yu held out a bottle of floral arrangement and handed it to Shinto Chihiro.
The floral arrangement was meticulously designed, beautiful in form, and pleasing to the eye.
On the emerald branches, flowers from all nations bloomed.
Of course, there were also a few wild flowers that Qin Yu had clearly picked himself.
"Thank you, Xiao Yu."
Shinto Chihiro accepted it.
Looking at the wildflowers, she smiled.
She remembered when she was little and sneaked out to play with Qin Yu, they had picked these flowers together.
In the blink of an eye, they had grown into adults.
And these flowers remained as beautiful as ever.
Yoimiya watched as the other girls received gifts, feeling envious.
Would there be a gift for her?
Probably… not.
Her eyes drooped slightly, and then she put on a cheerful smile.
"Then I'll go get some snacks."
Saying so, she was about to leave her seat.
As if wanting to leave the crowded cabin as soon as possible.
However…
"Why are you leaving?"
Qin Yu asked, confused, and handed a small box to Yoimiya.
Yoimiya realized something, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
She hesitantly extended her hands.
Was this… a gift for her?
"Mm."
Qin Yu nodded with a smile.
"..."
Yoimiya suddenly didn't dare to meet Qin Yu's gaze.
Looking at her like this… it would be misunderstood.
She opened the box.
Colorful candies fell into her palm.
Her favorite flavors.
Yoimiya always liked to share candies when playing with children.
"Qin Yu, how did you know I liked..."
"...these flavors of candy."
Yoimiya bit her lip, almost saying that name.
"Don't you often give them to me? I remembered them long ago."
Qin Yu said casually.
"Oh."
Yoimiya blinked, her cheeks flushing.
What the…
You pay attention to my every move too?
And to say it so casually… it's too unfair.
"Yoimiya, what's wrong?"
Kamisato Ayaka asked from beside her.
She felt that her best friend's condition was getting stranger and stranger.
"N-nothing!"
The lively girl flashed a brilliant smile.
Even if it was a bit silly, she was happy.
"Qin Yu, I super—like it!"
She looked at Qin Yu and said loudly, gathering her courage.
As for whether she liked the candy, or…
"I'm glad you like the candy."
Qin Yu smiled, not taking it to heart.
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere among the girls.
It should be stable now, right?
Fortunately, he was more skilled and prepared in advance.
Otherwise, he would have been tripped up by Kazuha again!
"..."
Nahida remained quiet throughout.
She lightly pursed her lips, watching everyone.
It's so nice.
This genuine happiness.
The feeling of being cared for is so warm.
She looked forward to having a gift of her own.
Born with expectations, she should have received countless flowers and encouragement.
But…
Nahida had been under house arrest for hundreds of years.
Even though she also wanted to help the people of Sumeru.
No, that wouldn't happen again.
She had found her sun.
"..."
Nahida smiled and waited quietly.
However, until the very end.
There was no such thought in Qin Yu's mental fluctuations.
There isn't one?
Nahida's eyes drooped, and she murmured in her heart.
She suddenly understood something.
Was she different because she hadn't grown up?
She also wanted to become stronger, and she wanted to grow up quickly.
But…
"Ah, right."
Just then, Qin Yu released Nahida.
The warmth slightly dissipated.
Nahida instinctively reached out, wanting to hold on.
"I have an announcement to make."
Suddenly, Qin Yu said.
The girls' gazes turned towards him.
"Brother Qin Yu?"
Nahida's beautiful eyes slowly widened.
This gaze…
Qin Yu was looking at her.
Her sun hadn't forgotten her!
"My partner, do you have a child?"
Sandrone asked without looking up, still studying the blueprint.
"Yes, I have a child."
Qin Yu smiled.
Before the girls could explode.
He lifted Nahida, who was in his arms.
"She is our little angel!"
The sudden twist surprised the girls.
Including Nahida.
She seemed to realize something and gently bit her lip.
"Pop!"
With a snap of his fingers, the lights in the room went out.
"Who's touching me?"
Qin Yu's voice rang out.
What's going on? Someone's trying to sneak attack!
"Ahahaha, I couldn't see clearly..."
Yoimiya said sheepishly.
Kamisato Ayaka: ?
"Turn on the lights," Sandrone said with displeasure.
In the confusion, only Nahida lay quietly in Qin Yu's arms.
She blinked her large eyes, her gaze gentle.
Being able to stay by her sun's side freely was enough.
Suddenly.
Faint specks of light appeared in the darkness.
"What is that..."
Nahida murmured, instinctively reaching out.
The light specks gradually brightened and began to flicker.
It turned out to be lit candles.
The warm light illuminated everyone around.
It also illuminated Nahida's angelic and peerlessly beautiful face.
Her emerald green eyes sparkled, reflecting the candlelight.
As they flickered and swayed, she was deeply moved.
Qin Yu looked around at the girls and smiled:
"Today is the day our little angel was born."
"Happy birthday, Nahida!"