"I am... the child's father..."
"What are you talking about?"
Qin Yu stared blankly at Yae Miko, his pupils trembling.
This, this isn't right, who was supposed to frame him today?
A mischievous fox smiling always meant trouble.
She had been smiling the whole time!
Before Qin Yu could question her, his expression changed.
"Hiss."
He instinctively clutched his throbbing head, panting slightly.
His fingertips were damp with cold sweat.
He shook his head fiercely, trying to shake off the blankness.
He couldn't remember anything about the child at all.
This sense of disconnect was like...
"Child's father, could it be that... you've lost your memory?"
Miko supported Qin Yu, her words of concern tinged with a hint of unease.
She looked just like a devoted little wife caring for her husband.
"Lost my memory?"
Qin Yu murmured at the words, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
The effects of spatial travel were still lingering.
His mind was blank, with most memories temporarily wiped out.
Had he really...?
Thinking this, Qin Yu instinctively looked at Miko.
"Lie down first and rest your head on my lap for a while."
Her demeanor was gentle and mature, exuding a full sense of a married woman.
This was a side of the mischievous fox he had never seen before.
And this seemingly genuine expression...
Qin Yu's eyes slowly widened, his heart beginning to waver.
Was Yae Miko truly his wife, and had they had a little fox?
This…
"But I only completed the Sakura Tree ritual."
"Wasn't that many years ago?"
"?!"
Seeing Qin Yu's bewildered expression, Yae Miko began to recount their love story.
Qin Yu was already a powerful deity who had ascended to Celestia, having saved Teyvat.
But among his many companions, he couldn't forget the fox lady.
Ultimately, he chose to confess.
The fox lady accepted and stepped down from her position as Guuji.
The two fell in love, married, and had a child.
While it wasn't earth-shattering, it was exceptionally heartwarming.
Everything happened naturally.
"No, I've never seen that child."
Qin Yu shook his head, trying to calm himself.
This story was too absurd.
He must be dreaming, definitely dreaming.
Just as he was convincing himself of this, there was a soft thump.
Qin Yu instinctively hugged the little creature that had bumped into his stomach.
"?"
It was a fluffy, pink-haired little fox spirit.
She nuzzled Qin Yu affectionately, her large eyes sparkling.
As if looking at her father.
"?!"
Qin Yu, utterly defeated, stopped thinking.
"Heh heh... she's still this clingy to you."
Yae Miko reached out and petted the little fox, her gaze gentle.
The meaning was clear.
"This..."
Qin Yu's body trembled as he looked at Yae Miko, who was radiating maternal affection.
A terrifying thought gradually solidified.
This adorable little fox spirit was his child?
"This isn't right... how could it be a fox."
Qin Yu began to question his existence.
Had his genes not won at all?
"Our daughter isn't old enough to shapeshift yet."
"Child's father, are you going to abandon us, mother and daughter?"
Yae Miko slapped a piece of paper onto Qin Yu's chest, her tone full of grievance.
"A father's guarantee letter?"
Qin Yu took two glances and was deeply shocked.
Be good to your daughter, obey your daughter, make your daughter happy every day...
It looked like a very warm family contract.
"Come, for the sake of us mother and daughter, press your handprint here."
Yae Miko smiled.
From now on, you must take responsibility.
"I..."
Qin Yu opened his mouth.
Perhaps, he had truly lost his memory.
In his mind, a voice kept urging him.
Press it, press it quickly.
As long as you press your handprint, you can live happily.
Can you really bear to make mother and daughter sad?
"If you've lost your memory, you'll remember it slowly."
Yae Miko said softly, taking Qin Yu's hand.
Don't overthink it, just press your handprint.
"..."
Qin Yu seemed to be persuaded and slowly raised his hand.
The curve of Miko's lips grew more pleased.
This was a trap.
"Miko, what's our daughter's name?"
Suddenly, Qin Yu's hand stopped.
He looked up at Miko, but there was no confusion in his eyes as expected.
"Alas... it's been exposed after all?"
Yae Miko fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
The gentle housewife disappeared, replaced by the lazy, alluring fox lady.
"From when did you, with your fragmented memory, start to feel something was wrong?"
Miko asked curiously.
This was a peculiar state.
People would temporarily forget many past memories.
This was an opportunity.
As long as he could plant a result, half-true and half-false, in Qin Yu's heart before he regained consciousness.
Then for the remaining fuzzy process…
The fox lady could weave whatever story she wanted.
She had thought she could use this to trick Qin Yu into signing the contract.
But she hadn't expected…
"Naturally, from among the many companions."
Qin Yu smiled.
How could he choose just one person?
Naturally, he wanted them all.
His honesty was commendable.
As expected, Qin Yu received a roll of Miko's eyes.
"Of course, there's also the conclusive evidence."
Qin Yu spread out the guarantee letter in his hand.
The word for daughter on it revealed its true nature.
Yae Miko.
In other words, this so-called father's guarantee letter…
was actually a contract for Qin Yu to become Miko's little dog.
"The magic has actually failed."
Yae Miko noticed the purple glint in Qin Yu's eyes.
That was the power of the Archon's authority.
Qin Yu had actually mastered the Electro Archon's authority?
"Under thunder, nothing can hide."
Qin Yu chuckled enigmatically.
That mischievous fox, your Archon is amazing, point martial arts.
"Alright, I lost this round again."
Miko knew her chance was gone and slowly stood up.
She beckoned, calling back the pink-haired little fox spirit.
Qin Yu admired her long, shimmering white legs and raised an eyebrow.
"Have you forgotten something, Miko."
"Oh? Do you mean you want to..."
Miko's lips curled into a playful smile, her gaze teasing.
"You still haven't told me the child's name."
Qin Yu shrugged, expressing his curiosity.
Even if there wasn't a little fox now, it didn't mean there wouldn't be one later.
"Hmm... let's call her Sakura, what do you think?"
Miko looked at the falling cherry blossoms and smiled.
It wasn't because another Archon had used that name before.
"Yae Sakura? That's a good name."
Qin Yu nodded.
As expected of you, the fox lady of wisdom and beauty.
"Heh, the joke is over. You succeeded, right?"
Yae Miko was naturally referring to finding Makoto.
"Yes, I succeeded."
Qin Yu lay back on the grass, gazing up at the starry sky.
He was relaxed, like a lazy bum.
"Finally..."
Yae Miko murmured, looking deeply at Qin Yu.
He had accomplished what even the gods couldn't…
yet he remained so nonchalant.
Truly an interesting man.
"What about you, Miko?"
Qin Yu asked.
Referring to tracking the Fatui.
"You'll have to wait for them to tell you about this surprise."
Miko's lips curved into a smile as she kept him in suspense.
"Surprise?"
Qin Yu frowned, wondering if it wasn't a scare.
"Qin Yu—"
Before he could think further, a cat-like maid burst into view.
And a gracefully poised young lady.
"Lumi, Columbia!"
The harmonious and loving quartet had reassembled.