The oasis at night was tranquil and serene.
Clear spring water reflected the myriad stars and the flickering campfire.
Amidst the haze.
"Yes... this is it."
"Ah, comfortable."
Qin Yu lay on the bench with his eyes closed, letting out a sigh of relief.
The fatigue accumulated over several days seemed to be releasing.
And by his side.
"You've worked hard lately, Boss."
Yelan leaned over, her elbows applying pressure along the masculine, toned lines of his back, beginning to massage.
The perfectly timed technique, coupled with her gentle whispers, made his heart flutter.
"Yelan, I never knew you were so professional."
Qin Yu turned his head slightly, gazing at the woman with a calm and focused expression in the dim lamplight.
Her soft, sensual lips were slightly pursed, her long lashes trembling.
Her shoulder-length short hair fell, obscuring most of her face, mysterious and alluring.
Getting closer, one could feel Yelan's unique charm.
Well, to be precise, it was the perfume that seemed to emanate from her like a fragrant orchid.
"I once learned meridian-activating massage techniques from an elder in my clan, and it seems I haven't forgotten them."
Yelan smiled slightly at his words, then brought her legs together and stood on tiptoe.
Her long, slender, and firm legs allowed her to easily adjust her balance by arching her back, concentrating her entire weight onto her arms.
"Cough, the pressure can be a little lighter."
Qin Yu grinned, quickly reaching out to pat the chair.
"Oh?"
Yelan eased up slightly, as if casually saying,
"This acupoint governs the qi and blood of the kidneys."
"If pressing it slightly causes pain... Boss, you couldn't possibly be..."
She chuckled softly, leaving the rest unsaid.
The boss had been working overtime so much lately, he really needed to exercise some restraint.
"Who said it hurts? I said I don't feel anything, I want you to increase the pressure!"
Qin Yu, who had been grimacing, instantly dropped the expression and said calmly.
Jokes aside, a man can never admit to being inadequate.
Especially when being pressed on an acupoint related to the kidneys.
Even a twitch of his face would be a loss for him!
"But Boss, can you really take it...?"
"Too much talk is useless, just do it!"
As soon as Qin Yu finished speaking.
Yelan smiled sweetly and suddenly applied more force with her hands.
*Crack—*
"Hiss."
Qin Yu's mouth twitched, and he gasped for air.
The bench beneath him creaked under the strain.
As expected of his secretary, she really used her strength.
She's doing this on purpose, it's definitely on purpose.
Stop it, this can't be called a massage anymore!
"Boss, how does that feel?"
Yelan asked with a gentle smile, feigning concern.
If you can't take it, you can stop and rest anytime.
"No... feel...ing."
"What about this?"
"No...!"
...
After the silent struggle.
Qin Yu buried his face in his hands, motionless.
"Boss, the massage service is over."
Yelan clapped her hands, her tone cheerful.
She seemed quite satisfied with her performance just now.
"Yelan."
Qin Yu suddenly said in a muffled voice.
"What, are you going to give me a raise?"
Yelan's lips curved slightly as she turned and sat on the bench, crossing her black-stockinged legs.
She tilted her head back to gaze at the starry sky, lightly tucking away strands of hair that had become slightly disheveled from her movements.
This kind of peaceful, leisurely time was quite pleasant.
"If I get a raise, will my secretary continue to work?"
Qin Yu turned his head slightly, half-jokingly asking.
If he gave her a raise and she still left, wouldn't he be at a disadvantage?
"Heh... you want to keep me?"
Yelan propped herself up with her hands, her playful gaze meeting Qin Yu's.
She had indeed been considering returning to Liyue.
Keeping her.
Can you afford that price?
"Mhm."
Qin Yu nodded gently, his expression serious.
Any amount of Mora would do.
Even a project worth hundreds of millions, he could negotiate.
"You're very well-informed. Where did you get that intelligence?"
Yelan's lips curved slightly, her enchanting eyes flickering, not giving a direct answer.
She took out a die, tossed it into the air, and caught it.
She repeated this process.
"I guessed."
Qin Yu suddenly smiled and said softly.
Although it was a bit cheeky, that was the truth.
"...Guessed?"
Hearing this answer, Yelan was not surprised; instead, she revealed a captivating smile.
After spending so much time together, this level of understanding was bound to exist.
She dangled the toe of her shoe, idly hooking her shoe.
"Are you really going back?"
Qin Yu asked.
"Otherwise."
Yelan said softly, "The battle with the Abyss has come to an end, and I have obtained the intelligence and power I desired."
It seemed she no longer had any reason to stay by Qin Yu's side.
"..."
After a moment of silence.
"Before you truly decide to leave, let me share one more piece of intelligence with you."
Qin Yu sat up and smiled.
He also patted the spot next to him, as an invitation.
My secretary, come sit closer.
As expected, Yelan showed interest and sat down beside Qin Yu.
"The black mud in the Chasm, it's actually..."
He explained the ability of the Skyfrost Nail to purify forbidden knowledge and solidify it into black mud.
"In other words, the Abyss is also at play beneath the Chasm."
Understanding flashed in Yelan's eyes, and she finally sighed softly.
She looked up at the distant Abyss rift.
The dark space seemed to devour everything, sending a chill down one's spine.
Only those who have faced the Abyss know how terrifying it is.
Her ancestors and the Millelith fought against those endless monsters.
They were all heroes.
"..."
The desert night was filled with a biting cold wind.
Yelan unconsciously rubbed her black-stockinged thigh.
"Why are you telling me this?"
She turned her head, gazing at the handsome profile of the man in the dim light.
"This is part of the truth you are pursuing, and you should know."
Qin Yu inhaled the faint fragrance of the beauty beside him, closing his eyes as if intoxicated.
The secretary had a new perfume today.
He gave it to her.
Just then, a fragrant breeze brushed his cheek.
"Then... what about the rest of the truth, my Boss?"
Yelan leaned over, her voice playful.
The distance between them was intimate, like lovers on a clandestine meeting.
It was clear that this piece of intelligence had piqued her curiosity.
Whether it was intelligence, understanding, or power that surpassed that of gods.
The man before her always managed to surprise her.
Everything about Qin Yu undoubtedly made Yelan, who was inherently drawn to danger, feel excited.
She wasn't a woman who would be satisfied with just dessert.
But...
More desire meant more weaknesses.
My Boss, could it be that you...
Want to use this bargaining chip to forcefully bind your secretary to your side?
"The rest of the truth..."
Qin Yu gazed at Yelan's soft lips so close to him, and her sensual figure, his eyes flickering.
He knew what she was thinking.
But unfortunately, the complete truth was not yet available.
"Perhaps if you continue to stay by my side, you will witness the so-called truth."
"Of course, I can support you for a lifetime."
Qin Yu's gaze was burning.
No more pretense, he was laying his cards on the table.
Qin Yu had designs on his secretary.
He was honest, and that deserved praise.
"But... Boss, can you afford the price?"
Yelan's gaze was teasing, her slender fingers quietly tracing Qin Yu's neck.
If she were tricked by a unscrupulous boss, she wouldn't have any protection.
"I have a few hundred million projects here, how about we start now...?"
Qin Yu subtly clasped Yelan's hand.
Didn't we tacitly send away the maid earlier precisely for this moment?
"Alright."
A beautiful smile appeared on Yelan's face. "However, we need to establish a contract first."
"A contract? Where?"
Qin Yu asked subconsciously, then his gaze froze.
Through Yelan's black stockings, he could see a piece of parchment tied to her thigh.
Qin Yu was stunned.
This was how his secretary reported work to her boss?!
"The contract... I don't know where it is either. Do you want to come and find it yourself?"
Yelan's lips curved slightly, as if challenging him.
"?"
...
The evening breeze rustled through the grass.
The lights in the camp were quietly extinguished.
After all, this was a project worth hundreds of millions.
They had to have a thorough exchange.
Let the dice rolls decide the intensity of the negotiations.
Qin Yu, who had just received a massage, was full of fighting spirit, determined to regain his honor after being teased by his secretary.
...
"Achoo—!"
In the distance, Lumine sneezed.
She instinctively looked back at the pitch-black oasis.
Something felt off.