"Hmm."
Nahida, sitting on Qin Yu's lap, paused, then puffed out her cheeks.
That gentle voice belonged to Mother Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
Really, she had promised to keep the morning for herself, but here they were, searching her out again ahead of schedule.
"Heh heh... Perfect, the two of you, mother and daughter... let's have breakfast."
Qin Yu looked at the appetizing rice bowls on the table, chuckling.
Rather, it was a sign of good faith that his wife hadn't snuck up to his bedside for a morning ambush.
He felt a strange chill down his spine.
"Hmph."
After receiving a few playful, albeit discontented, punches from the little angel, Qin Yu walked towards the door.
"Coming."
His footsteps paused, and then the door was opened.
Instantly, sunlight poured in, clear and dazzling.
"My sun, good morning—"
A gentle, happy voice rang out.
A graceful and enchanting figure stood outside, holding flowers.
Her smile was breathtakingly beautiful, and she naturally opened her arms to Qin Yu.
The next moment, she was in his embrace.
"Good morning, my beautiful wife."
Qin Yu gently held Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's soft, slender waist, murmuring softly into her ear.
What could be more invigorating than a gentle wife's morning greeting?
The answer was nothing.
"My sun, have you been missing me?"
Tree King's wife hooked her arms around Qin Yu's neck, blinking meaningfully.
Today, she wore a pure white, form-fitting pencil dress, exuding a mature and gentle aura.
Her snow-white hair cascaded naturally onto her bare, fragrant shoulders, her skin fair and silky.
"Of course, I've been thinking of you,"
Qin Yu smiled, nodding sincerely under his wife's roll of the eyes.
Though, he had been thinking of quite a few people.
"Hmph, smooth talker."
His wife playfully swatted him once, seeing right through him.
Then, she leaned close to Qin Yu's ear and whispered, "Our darling daughter, did she sleep well last night?"
Her gentle voice held a hint of amusement.
She deliberately emphasized the word "daughter," her tone seductive and alluring.
As expected of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, she was so skilled.
"Cough, cough."
Qin Yu's face flushed, and he silently nodded.
Nahida had her... moments, day and night.
Getting some appropriate exercise in her child form before sleeping naturally improved sleep quality.
Though, when she was asleep in her little loli form, she did tend to kick off her covers.
"Hmph, greedy thing."
His wife let out a soft hmph, but still leaned in to gently kiss Qin Yu's cheek.
A morning kiss was customary, after all.
"Not at all, I'm a decent person."
Qin Yu tightened his grip on his wife, his arms around her.
Under her reproachful gaze, he lowered his head, about to claim her soft, tempting lips.
A decent person was preparing to enjoy his morning dessert.
After all, no one was passing by, so there was no need to worry about being seen.
Just then.
"My sun, breakfast isn't finished yet."
A soft voice, accompanied by hurried footsteps, announced.
Nahida headbutbutted her way in, cheeks puffed out, separating the entangled couple.
She wouldn't let them have all the cuddles with Mom!
Unless she was included.
"Okay, we'll all go for breakfast together."
Qin Yu ruffled Nahida's little head, then took his wife's hand.
Outside, the weather was clear, with birds singing and flowers blooming.
He looked at the two women, bathed in sunlight as if adorned in a beautiful veil, and a contented smile spread across his face.
This was what family bliss and being a winner in life looked like.
...
After a warm and fulfilling breakfast.
"Are you ready, my daughter?"
Tree King's wife asked softly, having helped Nahida change into a delicate little dress.
The float parade was a day for the God of Grass to receive blessings.
Once you leave here, you will be the divine being carrying the wishes of the people, the Lesser Lord Kusanali.
"...I'm still not quite sure."
Nahida blinked her large eyes, appearing somewhat nervous.
Could a child's body truly inspire the trust of the people of Sumeru?
Should she perhaps grow a bit larger, even to a maiden's form...
At that moment, a warm feeling enveloped Nahida.
And his wife as well.
"Believe in yourself, Nahida."
Qin Yu gently held both women, "We will all support you."
"There will be a surprise at the float parade,"
His wife said softly, adding a touch of mystery.
"Mhm!"
Nahida nodded vigorously, a warm smile returning to her little face.
What a lovely little angel.
"Without further ado, let's head to the Akademiya to work now."
She tugged at Qin Yu, whose face stiffened, her tone full of anticipation.
After finishing work, they could attend the float gathering.
The timing would be just right.
"Work?"
Qin Yu glanced at his wife, who smiled without comment, and then looked at Nahida.
This wasn't right, he was supposed to be slacking off!
"Yes, there are still so many things to handle."
Nahida, diligent in her tasks, began counting on her little fingers, fully engaged.
With Greater Lord Rukkhadevata retired, the power of the Akademiya rested with the Lesser Lord Kusanali.
Naturally, most of the work would fall to her.
She wouldn't disappoint the senior Seven Gods!
"Heh heh, my sun, do your best~"
His wife giggled behind her hand, looking on with amusement.
After all, all the Seven Gods, except the Cryo Archon, were essentially on strike.
She herself only needed to sit in her office, drink tea, read books, and occasionally tend to her potted plants.
Qin Yu handled anything that arose, and when nothing arose, she...
This was the retired life of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
"Help—"
...
As the sun grew hot, the Little Grass God's day officially began.
While handling official duties at the Akademiya, she also studied and took notes.
Occasionally, she would receive scholars from various regions, learning about Sumeru's development.
The rainforest, the desert.
When faced with conflicts, she instinctively wondered what Greater Lord Rukkhadevata would do.
But when her gaze fell upon the figure who should have been serene and gentle...
"Reading, don't be naughty."
A suppressed, teasing giggle echoed in the quiet office, sparking imaginations.
Qin, the Sage of the Akademiya, and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's clandestine moments within the office.
The Little Grass God swung her little legs, feeling curious.
So, it turned out that squeezing into a small sofa and whispering to each other could also bring happiness.
Was this some kind of forbidden, mysterious knowledge?
As time went by, the office became even more lively.
"Teacher, I'm back—"
At noon, Nilou, the young dancer, finished her rehearsal for the celebration and brought lunch.
"It's Nilou, you've arrived at the perfect time, come and study with us."
Qin, with an arm around each of them... no, studying knowledge.
The small, crowded sofa, in the end, bore more than it should have.
Strangely, the three of them seemed to be discussing something, consistently avoiding Nahida.
Nahida felt a little puzzled but didn't dwell on it.
Perhaps they were discussing the topics for the academic conference tonight.
...
As dusk approached.
After finishing a day's work, it was time for Nahida's rest.
The float parade was also about to begin.
Yet, it was at this very moment that Qin Yu and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata left together.
The closer the deadline approached, the more nervous the solitary Little Grass God felt.
She instinctively recalled her mother's words.
What exactly was the surprise?
"Lesser Lord Kusanali, the people are waiting for you on the streets."
"...Mhm!"
After that, the city of Sumeru held a grand float parade.
Nahida stepped out of the Akademiya, her eyes filled with curiosity for the unknown.
"It's so beautiful, a sight I've never seen even in my dreams."
She murmured, then suddenly paused.
Why... were there so many people?
"Lesser Lord Kusanali, we've been waiting for you for a long time—"
On the bustling streets, residents had gathered spontaneously long ago.
They cheered towards the small figure, the atmosphere fervent.
This time, you are no longer alone!
"Everyone...?"
Nahida's eyes widened slowly, her gaze trembling slightly.
Through the faint murmurs in her heart, she finally understood the surprise her mother had spoken of.
Dreams.
As Greater Lord Rukkhadevata returned the dreams of the people, she also brought Nahida's dreams.
Through Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's narrative, the people learned a new story.
It was the story of a small deity who, from her birth, had held a sincere and beautiful wish to protect everyone.
Once, the small deity was very weak.
She spent countless cold, lonely nights all by herself.
She was the most gentle gardener, nurturing every life she could see.
If someone had a nightmare, she would comfort them.
If someone fell ill, she would find ways to care for them.
She sought no praise, no reward.
The deity's dream was simple.
"As long as everyone is happy, that's enough."
She simply held onto her original wish, nothing more.
Even if the small deity found herself in distress, even if everything she did in her dreams would eventually be forgotten by people.
Even if she had doubted whether she was truly needed.
People were astonished to discover how gentle the small deity was, seemingly never complaining.
No one knew how to compensate the small deity.
They had been kept in the dark by the Akademiya, even gradually forgetting the existence of the small deity.
"I truly deserve to die."
Someone gritted their teeth, saying this.
But the dreams that followed brought a different voice.
It's all in the past now.
The once prejudiced and arrogant sages of the Akademiya have been purged.
Let all sins and misunderstandings end here.
From now on, everyone just needs to support the small deity and not make her sad again.
"Who says deities don't need protection?"
"Thank you..."
Nahida looked at the enthusiastic people, her eyes moist.
They sang familiar homeland songs in unison, scattering vibrant, beautiful flowers to welcome the deity.
This time, it wasn't just Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali, please accept this—"
Amidst the cheers and applause of the crowd, Nahida accepted a small flower crown.
She held up her beautiful, delicate dress and twirled in place.
"So cute!"
"It suits you perfectly, Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
"Waaah— Little Grass God, my Little Grass God—!"
For the first time facing so many flowers and applause, the girl's eyes sparkled.
It was the emotion known as joy.
The existence of dreams was incredibly precious.
It seemed to possess a magical power, allowing stories to be passed down.
Perhaps, this was the great power of humanity, something deities never possessed.
My sun, Mother.
Am I finally able to gain everyone's recognition?
...
[The float swayed back and forth, and Nahida opened her eyes]
[She boarded her own float amidst the expectations of the people]
[Flowers, smiles, encouragement]
[Nahida tried to hold the candies beside her and sprinkle them towards the children]
[The innocent smiles of the children were so endearing]
[Is this what the float parade is like?]
[Everywhere she looked, there was festive joy and delight]
[This was a beauty she had never experienced, as if in a dream]
[But this joy was too real]
"So that's how it is."
[Wild dreams and memories are everyone's most precious treasures]
[Understanding each other, helping each other]
[Once, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata pondered ways to save the world by borrowing the dreams of Sumeru's people]
[Now, the power of dreams has been returned, and the people have a Lesser Lord Kusanali they can trust]
[The float moved forward, the festive atmosphere intensifying]
[Nahida saw her familiar Sister Nilou]
[She was adorned in a dreamlike veil, her dance graceful, like a pure water lily blooming after the rain]
[Crimson and purple Padisarah flowers swayed in the wind]
[The sea of flowers created a scene that made one linger]
"It's the God of Flowers—"
[Everyone cheered, their smiles radiant]
[Sister Nilou plucked a flower and gently approached Nahida]
"Keep up the good work, Lesser Lord Kusanali."
[So beautiful, thank you]
[Nahida responded, her eyes filled with tenderness]
[Today is for Nahida... no]
[Today is for everyone, and for Nahida, the most beautiful dream]
...
The citizens of Sumeru, following the float, continued to move further away.
And in a slightly quieter corner.
"Nahida is very happy."
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata leaned gently into Qin Yu's embrace, murmuring.
The soft evening breeze stirred her hair, bringing a sense of comfort.
The corners of her lips curled slightly, and she couldn't help but feel a bit proud.
[Dreams are truly magical, aren't they?]
My dear friend, the God of Flowers.
[Yes, dreams.]
[If not for Qin Yu, perhaps we would never have understood.]
A gentle female voice spoke with emotion.
The desert, the rainforest.
The regions isolated everything.
Even the former Three-Rulers Accord could not resolve Sumeru's superficial unity.
But just now, the two deities seemed to have seen something different.
Perhaps, this was hope.
Dreams transcended origin, language, and experience.
"Perhaps this is what Nahida always talks about, holding hands?"
Qin Yu squeezed his wife's soft little hand, smiling.
The beauty of this world was meant to be witnessed together.
"Now that we've finally managed to get Nahida out of the way, it's our time now."
His wife's lips curled, resting her head on Qin Yu's shoulder, her eyes filled with delight.
The child is not home.
You understand, my sun.
"Cough, cough, what about the God of Flowers..."
[Come on together, handsome~]
The God of Flowers' voice was charming and alluring.
It had been a while since she had sparred with her good friend.
"So you two had already conspired."
Qin Yu also became interested, ready to warm up.
But at this moment.
"What is this?"
His wife reached out and caught a speck of light falling from the air.
"Is it a dream...?"
Her eyes widened slowly.
That was Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's dream.
For Sumeru, she had paid a great price multiple times, expending herself to suppress forbidden knowledge.
She had even nearly given her life, enduring inhuman torment, and guarding Teyvat for five hundred years under the World Tree.
"You are also a kind deity."
Qin Yu cupped Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's exquisite face, speaking softly.
"My sun..."
The atmosphere heated up, but before the two could do anything.
Suddenly, with a swish, the air split.
"?"
Qin Yu and his wife instinctively reached out, blocking an incoming shadow.
It was a...
"Hydrangea?"
As soon as the word left his lips.
"There—!"
A slightly childish voice, accompanied by joyous sounds, echoed as they returned.
It was Nahida, of all people.
She led the float, along with the people, and had found Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
"Cough, cough."
His wife instinctively pushed Qin Yu away, a blush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
This obedient daughter had leaked again.
She actually dared to disrupt her mother's moonlit date plan!
"The one who catches the hydrangea will be my Knight of Flowers tonight."
Nahida placed her hands on her hips, a sweet smile gracing her lips.
My dear mother.
The one dating the sun is not you.
It's me, the Little Grass God!