"...Can you repeat what you just called me, boss?"
Qin Muren blinked, and instinctively said.
"?"
On the other end of the call, Yelan was clearly silent for a moment.
What a strange request.
But soon, a playful chuckle sounded.
"I'm ready, boss."
"Whatever you need, just tell me."
"Or perhaps..."
"Boss has a special job for me to help with~"
Yelan's tone grew increasingly off, and Qin Yu quickly told her to stop.
He cleared his throat.
Her voice was that of the Empress, proud and commanding, yet she spoke with the deference of a secretary.
This sudden contrast.
*Hiss*, it was a bit intense.
Speaking of which, if Yelan were to impersonate another girl...
Wait, he was a decent person!
"Are you ready?"
Qin Yu shook his head, dismissing the inappropriate thoughts from his mind.
The next action was crucial for whether he would mess up today.
"Don't worry, I'll replace the Cryo Archon and return to the cabin."
On Yelan's end, the sound of rain grew louder and more urgent.
She clicked her tongue, almost inaudibly.
"Yelan, do you need me to bring you an umbrella?"
Qin Yu blinked and said softly.
Based on her voice, she was probably sheltering under a tree.
When you're out, you need to take care of yourself.
"Heh heh... Boss, are you concerned about me?"
Yelan teased, saying lazily.
As an expert in wilderness operations, she was used to this kind of rain.
"You're my secretary."
Qin Yu rubbed his hands, looking at the condensation from his breath, and muttered.
The early spring rain brought a chill to the air.
Thinking of this, he turned his head and knocked on the door.
"Remember to wear more layers, it's cold outside."
"..."
Just as Qin Yu was chatting with two women simultaneously, online and offline.
In a small grove in the distance.
"What is my companion doing?"
Sandrone held up her binoculars, observing in secret.
So well-behaved, was she punished by Her Majesty the Empress and forced to stand?
Let's zoom in a bit...
"Little sister Sandrone, you won't see anything like this."
Columbina held up a small flower umbrella, reaching out to meticulously arrange Sandrone's hair, which had been dampened by the rain.
She tied it into a simple braid.
The corners of her lips curled up, clearly enjoying the quiet and leisurely time.
"Heh heh heh... My companion is so handsome."
Sandrone let out an unintelligible laugh, not knowing what she had seen.
Girls in love were like this.
You never knew when their hidden fangirl tendencies would be activated.
Even Fatui Harbingers were no exception.
"?"
Columbina sighed softly.
Little sister Sandrone, where is your ladylike elegance?
"Qin Yu's collarbones, glistening with water droplets, are so alluring."
"...Let me see too."
"Sister Columbina, don't snatch!"
The two girls pressed their faces together, observing in secret.
...
Completely unaware, Qin Yu hung up the call with Yelan.
He looked up at the sky again and spaced out for a moment.
Soon, with a creak.
Accompanied by the crisp sound of high heels, the door was pushed open.
The Empress emerged.
Qin Yu instinctively looked, his eyes widening slowly.
What greeted his eyes was, naturally, the proud Cryo Archon.
Her pure white coat could not hide her alluring figure, accentuating her noble demeanor, both fierce and beautiful.
In contrast, her slender legs, revealed unintentionally and clad in delicate black stockings, were exceptionally tempting.
"Let's go."
The Empress glanced at Qin Yu, who was somewhat stunned and his gaze full of admiration.
It was just a casual change of clothes, why was he staring?
"This outfit looks great."
Qin Yu said with a grin, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
The Empress lowered her eyes, her tone as indifferent as ever.
However, the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her mood.
A woman adorns herself for the one who pleases her.
Even the Cryo Archon could not escape this sentiment this time.
"It's raining heavily, let's share an umbrella."
Qin Yu opened his umbrella, extended his hand with a smile, and invited her softly.
At this moment, he was the Empress's exclusive guardian knight.
"Mm."
The Empress's gaze softened, and she nodded slightly.
Their hands gently brushed, and finally clasped.
They exchanged a knowing smile, everything understood without words.
...
Sandrone and Columbina watched the two leave.
"Sister Columbina, there really is something going on."
Sandrone looked at the two figures walking away into the rain, her face serious.
"This isn't conclusive evidence, after all, it's just normal courteous behavior."
Columbina shook her head, still calm.
Through the umbrella, the specifics were unclear.
However, it was true that only Qin Yu could be so close to Her Majesty the Empress.
"Heh, who was the woman who approached Qin Yu with 'courteous behavior' last time, Sister Columbina?"
Sandrone smiled amiably.
Surely it wasn't my most trusted sister?
"I don't remember."
"Sister Columbina!"
The two did not act rashly for now.
Getting too close to the Empress and being discovered would result in being sent to grow potatoes.
So.
"If Her Majesty the Empress and Qin Yu don't return for a long time..."
Sandrone swayed the recording device in her hand, brimming with confidence.
But before she could finish speaking, she suddenly let out a soft "Hmm?"
"What is it?" Columbina asked.
"Sister, look quickly, Her Majesty the Empress is returning alone."
"Are you sure it's Her Majesty the Empress?"
"Of course it's real, same black stockings!"
"?"
…
Meanwhile.
"Thank you for your assistance, Miss Yelan."
Qin Yu hung up the call and let out a long sigh of relief.
The plan was successful!
He would have to give his secretary a substantial raise when he got back.
"Is everything in place?"
The Empress watched Qin Yu untie the ropes of the small wooden boat by the lake and asked softly.
She stood on the bridge, holding an umbrella to shield Qin Yu from the rain.
"Yes, now it's our time."
Qin Yu took the Empress's hand, and the two stepped onto the small wooden boat.
"Set sail—"
In the misty rain, the lake scenery was picturesque.
Qin Yu felt a surge of exhilaration in the cool breeze.
"Next, shouldn't you be giving me some pointers?"
He turned to the beautiful woman behind him and asked with a smile.
"Take this."
The Empress took out a shimmering necklace and placed it beside them.
"This is...?"
"A crystal imbued with the power of Cryo."
The Empress indicated for Qin Yu to keep it on him.
"What does it do?"
Qin Yu smiled, approached the Empress, and reached out to pick it up.
A gift from a dominant CEO girlfriend to her young boyfriend?
"Nothing much, it can just freeze time within a certain range."
The Empress tilted her chin, her tone arrogant.
"?"
Qin Yu secretly clicked his tongue at this.
It seemed the Empress hadn't used her full strength when they fought before.
But the moment he touched the necklace, a sudden change occurred.
*Swish*—
Sakura pink and icy blue lights flashed simultaneously, erupting in a fierce conflict.
"?"
The Empress's beautiful eyes narrowed.
"You've already been implanted with a time-element authority?"
"This power... it's Raiden Shogun."
"What have you two done together?"
The Empress's series of questions made Qin Yu's expression change.
The sakura pink power was a blessing from the Divine Tree.
Oh no.
The Empress had already been suspicious of his relationship with Raiden Shogun.
Wasn't this directly walking into the muzzle of a gun!