"Lord Qin Yu, this..."
Yelan's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise in her heart.
She hadn't expected Qin Yu, the man who had changed Inazuma's fate, to be so… unsportsmanlike.
Who starts counting dice from six!
"Don't be nervous, it's just a game."
Qin Yu smiled.
Could the "dice" from the Scarlet King's technology be the same?
He wasn't hiding it anymore. He was indeed being unfair.
The identities and strengths of both parties were not on the same level to begin with.
Naturally, he set the rules.
Qin Yu's gaze flickered.
Or perhaps, Miss Maid...
Did you intend to resist me here?
The air gradually grew heavy.
"...I lose. What's the punishment?"
Yelan complied, lightly clutching her chest.
She appeared like a virtuous woman about to be sold off to settle debts, vulnerable and bullied.
But in her heart, she was already on high alert.
Why was Qin Yu doing this? Was it just to tease a maid?
Or perhaps...
Had she been exposed?
The thrill of being in danger brought Yelan an unusual sense of pleasure.
Yes, this was it.
She had a premonition, deep within her soul.
That by getting close to Qin Yu, she could touch a higher level of power.
Just as Yelan was about to grasp something.
The tense atmosphere quietly eased.
"Pour some tea first."
Qin Yu withdrew his gaze and said calmly.
Everything seemed to return to normal, as if the oppressive aura he had exuded earlier was just an illusion.
"...Yes."
A hint of disappointment flashed across Yelan's face as she began to brew the tea.
She was so close, so close to grasping that power.
It was a shame, leaving her wanting more.
"?"
Qin Yu glanced at her, a strange feeling stirring within him.
What was with that lingering, resentful expression?
He shook his head.
The playful charade was over; it was time for a showdown.
A maid without malice, who was skilled at disguise...
Perhaps they could cooperate.
...
"Lord Qin Yu."
Yelan brought the freshly brewed tea and placed it before Qin Yu.
"Mhm, set it down."
Qin Yu observed the chess game between Ayaka and Nilou, speaking casually.
Since he was ready to lay his cards on the table, there was no need to rush.
After all, Miss Maid was right here; she wasn't going anywhere.
"Yes."
After placing the tea, Yelan was about to sit back down.
But soon, her body paused.
The tetrahedron emitting a cyan glow once again captured her attention.
Yelan knew very well.
The technology contained within this little object was extraordinary.
If Ningguang found out, she would probably pour a fortune into acquiring it.
But even more than the technology, the laser that bound people was what attracted her.
Heat often came with pain.
Yelan relished this feeling, even becoming addicted to it.
"Do you want to play?"
Qin Yu noticed Yelan's gaze and smiled.
If she asked him nicely, perhaps there would be an opportunity.
"Lord Qin Yu... I want to."
Yelan didn't hide her desire, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Seeing Qin Yu nod, she reached out and took the tetrahedron.
How did this thing bind people with lasers?
"..."
Qin Yu sighed softly.
Why did her focus always have to be on binding people?
He didn't respond, letting Miss Maid tinker with it.
After all, without instructions, ordinary people couldn't activate the mechanism.
But clearly, Miss Maid was not ordinary.
With her heritage from Liyue's prominent families, Yelan was naturally adept at fiddling with all sorts of peculiar contraptions.
"Click."
With a soft sound, she accidentally triggered a switch.
"Swish...!"
The cyan light suddenly became blinding.
Yelan felt a burning sensation on her fingertips and rejoiced internally.
It was pain.
And this tingly sensation...!
"What are you doing?"
Qin Yu's expression changed slightly as he noticed the maid's gleeful expression.
Were they playing that intensely now?
This was the energy of a laser!
To prevent any accidents, he immediately took the tetrahedron back.
"Mmm..."
Yelan let out a soft hum, her body swaying slightly.
The tingling sensation from the laser energy had not yet completely subsided.
She instinctively reached out, but her hand grasped nothing.
*Tap.*
Coincidentally, the teacup beside Qin Yu was knocked over.
"Hiss."
Qin Yu's expression stiffened, and he instinctively looked down.
This damp sensation seemed to be from Miss Maid's...
And the tea had spilled right onto his thigh!
"Lord Qin Yu, I'm so sorry!"
Yelan seemed to snap back to reality, her face a picture of panic as she grabbed a handkerchief and moved to wipe him.
She was doing it on purpose.
"Wait a moment!"
Qin Yu's face darkened as he stopped her hand from reaching for his thigh.
He would handle it himself.
"But Lord Qin Yu's pants..."
Yelan glanced at the two women engrossed in their chess game not far away, hesitating to speak.
Getting wet in front of his disciples would be quite embarrassing, wouldn't it?
Qin Yu: ?
The worst thing was the sudden silence in the air.
"Master?"
Ayaka and Nilou noticed the commotion and looked over.
When did a maid enter?
"It's nothing, it's nothing, you two continue..."
Qin Yu shot a glare at the innocent maid, then smiled again.
He absolutely couldn't let his precious "little cotton-padded jackets" see any strange water stains on his pants!
"Oh."
The two nodded, not thinking much of it.
The chess game was at its most crucial juncture, and they couldn't be distracted.
In order to have some private time with Master...
"Come out with me."
Finally calming the two girls, Qin Yu said, exasperated.
This disobedient maid would have to be taught a lesson.
"Yes."
Yelan lowered her head slightly and followed Qin Yu out of the room.
...
The two arrived at the empty room next door.
With a *pat*, Qin Yu locked the door.
He leaned against the door, his figure swallowed by the shadows.
"Lord Qin Yu, shall I change your pants for you here?"
Yelan, now realizing what was happening, smiled.
She had finally fallen into the trap.
"Was the laser just now fun?"
Qin Yu played with the construct, as if chatting casually.
He knew that Miss Maid spilling the teacup was just a test.
It was fortunate that there were things that were inconvenient to discuss over there.
"It was very fun."
Yelan's expression was calm, but she was actually looking for an escape route.
Qin Yu must have suspected her even before throwing the dice.
Since that was the case, she might as well take the initiative to test him.
It was just that she couldn't figure out how she had been exposed.
This feeling of being seen through...
It was as if he had mind-reading abilities.
Yelan's thoughts flickered.
She shook her head subconsciously, how could that be possible?
But in the next moment.
"Your intuition is quite accurate, Miss Maid."
The light, ethereal voice made Yelan's pupils contract.
She suddenly looked up, her heart filled with shock and uncertainty.
Qin Yu really had the ability to hear thoughts!
Then, from the very beginning, hadn't she already...
"Shh."
Qin Yu looked at the maid, whose fingertips were now glowing with crystalline threads, and raised a finger.
You should think carefully about the consequences before taking action.
The two of them met each other's gaze, falling into a silent standoff.
"...Why do you keep me around?"
Yelan was the first to break the silence.
"You have no ill intentions."
"You're not worried about others?" Yelan asked.
"Feel free to try."
Qin Yu smiled mysteriously.
The fighting power within the Komore Teahouse was almost enough to ascend to Celestia. What was there to worry about?
At most, he'd worry about himself... *cough cough*.
"It seems everything is within your grasp, Qin Yu."
A captivating smile spread across Yelan's face as she slowly raised her hand.
*Swish--*
The ordinary-looking maid tore off her mask.
Restoring her peerless beauty, Yelan was elegant and enchanting.
"A pleasure to meet you properly. You've shown considerable sincerity."
Qin Yu nodded, expressing his satisfaction.
Good figure and beautiful appearance, this was as it should be.
"Tell me, what is the purpose of your visit?"
"Purpose?"
Yelan smiled faintly and produced a document.
A commission from the Adventurers' Guild.
Qin Yu subconsciously glanced at it and read aloud.
"Yelan... applying for the position of my secretary?"