Qin Yu inhaled the delicate fragrance of the beauty in his arms and smiled.
There was no one around, which was perfect for a princess carry.
Qin Yu declared that he absolutely wouldn't mess this up!
"Are you sure about this?"
Columbina looked up, her ethereal voice laced with a hint of teasing.
If they were discovered...
Terrible things might happen, wouldn't they?
"Of course, I like princess carries."
Qin Yu smiled and directly scooped Columbina into his arms.
Her soft, gentle body radiated warmth, feeling as light as a marshmallow.
It felt exceptionally comfortable to hold her.
As for the possibility of being discovered...
Don't be ridiculous, he was incredibly brave.
Even if they were found out, how terrible could it be?
Could it be more terrifying than soaking in hot springs during the day and then writing essays at night?
A hero must not retreat in the face of battle!
"Why the rush? Be gentle."
Columbina wrapped her arms around Qin Yu's neck, complaining.
Such rough handling might hurt her.
"Alright, hold on tight."
Qin Yu smiled faintly and leaped from the Dragon Lizard's back.
The Dragon Lizard's body was as vast as a hill.
But this height was no longer a challenge for Qin Yu.
The wind howled past his ears.
The hair of the beauty in his arms fluttered in the wind, brushing against his face.
It felt ticklish and smelled fragrant.
*Thud.*
They landed safely back on the ground.
But it was clear that Qin Yu wasn't about to let his lovely companion go easily.
He lowered his head.
"Qin Yu..."
Columbina was nestled in Qin Yu's embrace.
Her eyelids were lowered, as if she were gently falling asleep.
Languid, elegant.
She exuded an irresistible charm, drawing Qin Yu ever closer.
"Not here... it's not appropriate."
Sensing Qin Yu's intentions, Columbina reached out and pushed him away.
This scoundrel was getting bolder.
"..."
Qin Yu raised an eyebrow and moved closer.
Just as he was about to seize the opportunity to kiss Columbina,
Columbina's body tensed.
The Wicked Eye on her person flashed with a deep, cold glint.
Something was approaching.
In the next moment...
*Crack—!*
The sound of ice freezing suddenly pierced the air.
A profound light illuminated Columbina's pretty face.
"?!"
Qin Yu's heart leaped, and he instinctively looked up.
In the open space not far away, the air warped.
It was the Fatui's spatial teleportation technology.
And emerging from it...
Was an exquisite girl with brown hair.
She materialized from the spatial rift and opened her eyes.
And then...
She saw the man and woman embracing.
Didn't she look a little familiar?
"You...!"
The worst kind of silence is the one that hangs in the air.
"What a coincidence, isn't this... Sandrone?"
Qin Yu's lips parted with difficulty.
It's over, I've messed up again.
Danger!
"So, it's my partner..."
"And my most trusted sister, Columbina."
Sandrone's beautiful eyes slowly narrowed, her small hands clenching the armrests of her wheelchair, making them creak.
Partner, sister.
These two combined should have meant double the joy.
But now...
"Little sister, did you miss me?"
Columbina said softly, like a caring elder sister.
"Very much, dear sister."
Sandrone's smile was kind, her tone intimate.
Beneath the facade of harmony and affection lay...
"My partner, have you missed me while I was away these past few days?"
If looks could kill, Qin Yu would likely be dead by now.
Beyond saving, even with the Geo Archon's shield.
What were you two doing embracing?
"Don't get agitated, this is a misunderstanding."
Qin Yu released Columbina and walked towards Sandrone.
He directly took her small hand.
Please hear his desperate explanation!
"My partner is quite forward after only a few days apart."
Sandrone paused for a moment, then smiled.
She looked at Qin Yu, who wore a serious expression, with pity in her eyes.
Making advances on two Harbingers in front of the Tsaritsa...
Just you wait until you're dealt with!
"?"
Before Qin Yu could speak, he froze.
*Tap, tap.*
More sounds echoed from the spatial rift.
The sharp clack of high heels on the ground, conveying an icy coldness.
A blurry figure appeared.
"Who is it?"
Qin Yu's gaze was solemn.
This aura... it's so powerful.
Even colder than Ei when she's in her aloof state.
"Relax, it's fine."
Columbina came to Qin Yu's side and encouraged him gently.
At most, he'll be taken back to Snezhnaya.
Qin Yu: ?
"Hmph, my partner, listen up."
"Standing before you is the owner of the biggest toy shop in Snezhnaya!"
Sandrone turned her head to look at the slowly emerging figure, her tone proud.
"That impressive?"
Qin Yu's eyes widened slowly.
Wait a minute, something's not right.
What are you so proud of?!
The next moment—
The mysterious woman strode out, her long legs carrying her forward.
Her aura was icy, and she was cloaked from head to toe.
Even so, it couldn't conceal her curvaceous figure, which was almost bursting forth.
Cold, arrogant.
This was Qin Yu's first impression of the mysterious woman.
What could her identity be?
"It's nice to meet you for the first time."
The Tsaritsa spoke softly, her voice chilling.
She looked at Qin Yu, who was holding hands with two women, her gaze dangerous.
This was the man who had abducted two Harbingers.
And now he was doing this in front of her...!
"It's nice to meet you, hello."
Qin Yu nodded, greeting her with a smile.
At the same time, he tugged at the hands of the two women.
Let go of my hands quickly!
"..."
Sandrone glanced at Columbina.
Naturally, the good sister should go first.
"..."
Columbina's lips curved slightly.
Let the good little sister go first.
"?"
The two women were silently competing, neither willing to let go first.
Qin Yu and the Tsaritsa's expressions grew increasingly grim.
The former's hand hurt.
The latter wanted to kill.
"We're just... it's been a long time, we got a little excited."
Qin Yu smiled helplessly, giving up his struggle.
Just getting close in front of the toy shop owner should be fine...
Yeah, right!
This woman's identity is definitely not simple!
"You have a good relationship."
The Tsaritsa withdrew her gaze and said calmly.
After all, she hadn't forbidden Harbingers from dating.
In the end, Qin Yu would be taken back to Snezhnaya anyway.
Thinking of this, the Tsaritsa's cold eyes narrowed, and she slowly raised her hand.
Perhaps now is the time...!
*Click—*
The air instantly lost its warmth.
Faintly, frost seemed to condense.
"?!"
Qin Yu's expression shifted, and the divine light in his eyes ignited.
He knew this woman wasn't simple!
Just as the atmosphere solidified.
*Beep, beep...*
An incongruous electronic melody sounded.
Qin Yu's eyes widened slowly. This familiar sound?
"..."
The Tsaritsa remained silent for a moment, then took out a game console.
The screen, flashing past, displayed gameplay.
"Sandrone, how do you pause this game?"
A moment of silence filled the air.
Qin Yu: ?
He looked at Sandrone, whose mouth was slightly agape, with a strange expression.
What's going on?
This cold, aloof older sister with such a powerful aura...
Actually carries a game console and is halfway through a game!
"What are you laughing at?!"
"Ahem, I thought of something happy."
Under the Tsaritsa's murderous gaze, Qin Yu couldn't help but smile.
Isn't this a total gamer girl?
"..."
The Tsaritsa took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling.
Suddenly, she noticed the little plush toy on Qin Yu's waist.
(ᗜ˰ᗜ)
Tsaritsa plushie.
"!"
Qin Yu reacted, instinctively covering it.
How could he forget to put this away!
But obviously, it was too late.
"What are you laughing at?!"
"Thought of something happy."
Sandrone and Columbina leaned in.
So Qin Yu was a hidden Tsaritsa plushie collector.
"That's not it!"
Outside the tea room, the two women's soft laughter could be heard, accompanied by Qin Yu's weak explanations.
The initially tense atmosphere slowly melted away like ice and snow in spring.
"..."
The Tsaritsa gazed at Qin Yu and the others, her eyes widening slightly.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on the game console in her hand.
Sandrone and Columbina's smiles were tinged with nostalgia.
Once, she too was this carefree.
Until she met the chains of fate.
And now...
"Qin Yu, is this your gentleness?"
The Cryo Archon mused inwardly.
Sandrone's words echoed in her mind again.
Around Qin Yu, everyone was relaxed and happy.
Relaxed, happy...
Such beautiful things had been forgotten for too long.
No, it wasn't forgetting.
It was merely sealed away by ice, unwilling to face it again.
Yes, even the coldest god was filled with love in their heart.
Observing Qin Yu's memories, they began to surface.
"Indeed, you are different."
At that moment, the Tsaritsa's inner tenderness was finally touched.