#haven't really thought about it

[mobiuslab]

The Parting of Sun and Moon

Their bond was as inseparable as the sun and moon in the sky. Though opposite in nature, the two were destined to move together, one guiding while the other traveled along. Like gold and silver glinting side by side, they brought out the shine and beauty in one another. Now at journey's end, with farewell creeping close, they desperately clung to each fleeting moment. 2.4k words.

The sun had yet to rise on the day of their departure when Lumine and Paimon found themselves standing on the northern cliffs of the first nation they saved together, Mondstadt.

On the horizon, the divide that separated this world from the next was visible—a thin, glimmering line of golden hues.

Suddenly, Lumine felt a small hand tugging on her sleeve. The familiar voice of Paimon rang in her ears, "You fished me out of the river right over there, remember?"

Lumine turned to look at the spot where Paimon was pointing. An exceeding sense of nostalgia washed over her. She vividly remembered the day when she had saved this eccentric fairy from the river, starting the bond she never thought she would make on this journey.

"Yes, Paimon, I remember. You were really small and cute back then," Lumine replied softly, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

She remembered how much Paimon had made her laugh, how the fairy comforted her whenever she missed her brother, and how much they had grown together on their journey. Paimon, too, was awash with similar memories, their journey through Teyvat was unforgettable.

"Are you saying Paimon isn't cute anymore?" Paimon huffed, but the playful twinkle in her eyes gave away her teasing. Lumine chuckled, nudging Paimon gently. 

"Of course, you're still cute, Paimon. You're still the same after everything we've been through.” Lumine’s tone softened as a hint of tears sparked in her eyes, “Even though we have to part ways, I won't forget.”

Paimon’s joking demeanor faded when the weight of their imminent departure enclosed them. "Will you be okay without Paimon? How will you know where to find tasty food? Who will get you out of trouble when a bratty goddess wants to put you in jail again? Are you sure you will be alright without a travel companion by your side?"

Lumine's heart ached at Paimon's words. It was clear her beloved companion was projecting her own fears and worries onto her – but she couldn’t blame her, Lumine felt it too, the lonely void that would take Paimon's place in her heart. Lumine's smile faded as she felt the painful tug in her chest.

"I'll miss you, Paimon," Lumine acknowledged softly, "but I'm not helpless. You've taught me so much about navigating an unknown world, sleeping in tents, and surviving off of nothing but Fowl and Sweet Flowers. I think I'll be okay."

"Ugh, did you have to remind Paimon that she'll have to live without your cooking from now on?" Paimon wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye. "Anyway, Paimon is not convinced. Prove it! Defeat Paimon in a duel, and then Paimon will let you go. No tricks, no elements, after all, who knows, you might lose all your powers again. You have to prove your strength without them."

"Seriously, Paimon?” asked Lumine, taken aback by the sudden turn. Paimon stood her ground, crossing her arms stubbornly, silently challenging her to accept. Lumine chewing on her lower lip, knowing that Paimon was joking, still couldn’t fight back the wave of emotions building within her.

"Okay, alright," Lumine resigned. "But I won't go easy on you, just because it's been so long since you've been in your original body." 

"Fine by me. I’ll fight seriously and show you once and for all that, I, Canon Kaslana, the Third and Last of the Lunar Princesses, am no mere Emergency Food!"

They both stood across each other, hands firmly gripping the simple Dull Blades they'd chosen for this showdown. The weight was familiar and nostalgic for Lumine; it was the first weapon that she had ever wielded in Teyvat. Funny, their journey had begun with a Dull Blade and now they were going to end with it with them.

Paimon started the duel with a swift forward thrust; Lumine parried it, an amused grin on her face. Their blades crashed, metal hitting metal, ringing through the quiet landscape.

"Remember when we almost died because you smelled something delicious coming from a Hilichurl camp, which turned out to be a Pyro Slime?" Lumine's eyes twinkled teasingly as she stepped back, recalling one of Paimon's silly shenanigans back in Mondstadt.

A protest fluttered from Paimon's lips as she swung her blade. "It did smell delicious! And in the end, you saved- oh, I see what you're doing!"

The recounting of their misadventures brought much-needed levity to the fraught atmosphere. As they traded blows, sparks of their memories fragmented around them -- carefree days in Mondstadt, climbing mountains in Liyue, hiding from rain and thunder in Inazuma, and much more.

"What about you, when will you stop checking every waterfall for a hidden cave? Or endanger yourself by climbing up an active volcano because 'surely there will be Pyroculus up there'?" Paimon retorted playfully, making Lumine let out a hearty laugh. Lumine leaped back to avoid Paimon’s next attack, continuing the banter.

"I admit, I get sidetracked easily and probably would have accidentally ended up in Snezhnaya, wholly underprepared to fight the Tsaritsa, if it wasn't for you stopping me from going where I shouldn't. But at the same time, I had no choice but to search for treasure chests in every nook and cranny of Teyvat, just so I can scramble together enough Mora to keep you properly fed," Lumine retorted, her smile reaching her eyes as she thought back nostalgically to their shared antics over the past years. 

The spar continued; they danced around each other, every swing and parry stirring up memories of their many shared adventures. The air was filled with their laughter and the echoes of their clashing blades, a beautiful symphony that captured the essence of their journey. Their teases held a dash of melancholy, like a flicker of laughter laced with quiet tears, mirroring the duality of their feelings—giddy joy for their shared memories, but an underlying sadness for what was to come.

"Hey, don't think I didn't notice you slowing down time to evade just now," Lumine accused, her tone playful as she narrowly avoided Paimon’s overhead slash. "What happened to 'no tricks or powers'?"

Paimon let out an indignant huff, her cheeks glowing slightly red. "I... don't know what you're talking about!"

Watching the fiery glint in Paimon's eyes, Lumine couldn't stop a burst of happy laughter. Like their friendship, their battle was a dance that bore the marks of mutual trust and love. Lumine shook her head, grinning widely, before manifesting golden wings of light and taking to the sky in one powerful leap. 

"If you're going all out, so will I!" Lumine called, soaring above Paimon. The fairy gaped in surprise, looking up at Lumine, who was now nothing but a speck of bright, shimmering light against the evolving canvas of the early morning sky. Paimon prepared herself as Lumine descended from the sky, bearing down on her like a falling star, her speed making her blonde hair stream behind her like a comet's tail.

With an almighty clash, their Dull Blades collided once more and this time, the force sent a blast of wind that made Paimon skid backward. Be it stubbornness, right of passage, or simply a profound reluctance to part ways, Paimon found a second wind. Emitting her own radiant light, Paimon flew upwards to meet Lumine halfway. Paimon was not to be defeated easily; as the Heavenly Moon, she also had to prove her strength and capability to protect Teyvat without Lumine by her side.

"Alright then, Paimon, let's wrap this up!" Lumine declared, imbuing her sword with Light energy as she swooped down towards Paimon. Lumine's movements, swift and elegant, pierced the sky like a descending meteor, on the warpath to earth.

Paimon smiled through her tears at Lumine's challenge. Pulling out her celestial power, Paimon raised her own Light-imbued sword. The energy pulsed warm and familiar in her grip. With a resolute nod, Paimon bolted towards Lumine—Goddess against Traveler.

Their final clash echoed through the morning air, resonating with their determination, and fierce love for each other. The fight continued, both of them refusing to back down, pouring their heart, and soul into each attack, skillfully binding their divine powers with the simplicity of the Dull Blades. 

But neither held an upper hand for long, reflecting their mutual understanding and intimate knowledge of each other. They moved in rhythm, like a dance they had perfected over the passing years. But the dance had to end, and they knew who had to take the final step. Paimon and Lumine clashed again and again, their dull blades ringing out sharply in the morning air as they struck each other with increasing ferocity. Though the weapons were only dull practice swords, each blow carried the force of divinity behind it.

As they battled across the brightening sky, dawn broke in a riot of color. Rays of sunlight bathed the combatants, setting their hair and wings alight with shimmering halos. Their auras blazed ever brighter, gold and silver mingling as they traded blows at blinding speed.

With a final mighty clash, a powerful blast of elemental energy erupted from Lumine's blade, knocking Paimon back. The moon goddess tumbled from the sky, too stunned to right herself.

Lumine dove after her friend, wings beating furiously. She caught the dazed Paimon in her arms just before she hit the ground. They sank gently to the earth, Paimon cradled safely against Lumine's chest.

Paimon's light flickered, her silver aura waning as she tried to right herself. She could see Lumine standing in front of her, the sun glinting off her blade, forming the same silhouette that Paimon looked up to when she got fished out of the river, long, long ago.

With resignation clear in her eyes, Paimon smiled up at Lumine. The silver-haired girl lay down on the grass and spread her arms, accepting her defeat. Lumine joined her loyal travel companion on the grass, laughter bubbling from both their lips. They lay side by side, breathless and sweaty yet their hearts light with relief, their laughter ringing through the meadow. 

"You know, I never received one of those ugly nicknames you have been giving out to all our friends across Teyvat," Lumine suddenly blurted out. "Now that I defeated you in battle, surely you want to give me one, right?"

Paimon thought for a moment, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. Then she blinked as if a light bulb went off in her head. "Alright, from now whenever someone wants Paimon to recount the tale of how we saved Teyvat, Paimon will call you 'Silent Blabberer'," Paimon declared, her voice echoed with a touch of pride and fondness. 

It was a fitting nickname. Unless it was just the two of them, like right now, Lumine rarely engaged in conversations with anyone. Out in public, even when it was a comrade they fought side by side with to save a nation from the Fatui or the Abyss, she was always too shy to freely speak her mind. But whenever it was just her and Paimon, Lumine could talk for hours, fervently discussing the most mundane topics.

"And what exactly is a Silent Blabberer supposed to be?" Lumine asked, laughing despite herself.

"Well," Paimon retorted playfully, "Sometimes you're quiet, so silent. But you can also be chatty, a blabberer. Hence, Silent Blabberer! Clever, huh?"

Despite the humor, a shroud of silence soon fell upon them. They lay side by side on the meadow, no longer as opponents, but as allies who have faced countless dangers and celebrated countless victories together. With the sun casting long shadows across the field, the two found solace in each other's presence.

Suddenly, Paimon turned on her side to face Lumine, her azure eyes were wet and sparkly. "You... you are going to be okay, right?" Her voice was shaky as it was laced with fear and uncertainty.

Lumine turned to look at Paimon, holding her gaze, she nodded reassuringly back. "Don't worry, Paimon, I will be alright," Lumine whispered. "Promise me you will take care of Teyvat. Paimon nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat, "Paimon promises, Lumine. Paimon will take care of everything, and you travel safely."

Lumine squeezed Paimon's hand, the only answer she required. With the sun now rising over Mondstadt, the two lay on the meadow, dreaming of their adventures and the invaluable memories they would forever hold dear.

Their bond, formulated through each step taken, each enemy defeated, would not fade. The echoes of laughter, the pain of defeats, the joy of victories, the sorrow of partings, these were part of their shared history that time cannot erase.

The last chapter of their journey in Teyvat was coming to an end, and standing on the precipice of changed lives, all they could do was appreciate the serenity of the moment, as fleeting as it may be.

"I'm...I'm going now," Lumine announced, her voice containing a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

"If you ever need some rest from saving planets from those Antimatter jerks, or if you get lonely, or if you simply wanna grab a meal together, then Teyvat will always be there for you," Paimon replied, a single tear falling from her glistening eyes.

They shared one last tight hug, parting goodbyes echoing softly between them. The farewell was filled with a torrent of emotions that words could not capture. The bond they formed was strong, their journey legendary, but such was the transient nature of time. It was time to say goodbye.

Summoning her wings, Lumine ascended toward the stars. She spared one last look at the land they had saved, their memories buried within each corner. Her eyes fell on Paimon, who waved from the ground, her silver hair dancing in the gentle breeze.

Tears welled in Lumine's eyes, but she did not let them fall. She hadn't intended on crying, but the pang of separation made her heart heavy. A soft smile parted her lips as she waved at Paimon one last time from the sky, then turned her back on Teyvat.

As Lumine flew towards the great beyond, a new chapter of her life awaited, but she would forever keep the memories of Teyvat and Paimon close to her heart. Still, she knew this wouldn’t be the end. As she moved further away, Lumine knew that her journey had become richer and more meaningful thanks to the encounter with that tiny floating guide.

Back on the ground, Paimon lingered for a while, staring at the sky until Lumine's golden form vanished from her sight. But as she promised, Paimon pulled herself together to protect and cherish Teyvat. This was her home; this was the land she vowed to guard with her life.

"Goodbye, Lumine," Paimon whispered. "Until we meet again."

[merrigel]

I want it back = I drag its dead weight forward

[uncanny-tranny]

Basically, my philosophy around disability fakers is: I would rather a thousand people fake a disability than have one disabled person suffer without care, aids, compassion, or any help.

[vynnyal]

So let me get this straight:

Hollow knight is about the journey of a small creature possessing the corpse of a god's discarded child, and the character arc that unfolds as they realize they're more than the path they were set to take, eventually defeating the corruption instead of merely postponing inevitable destruction.

Rain world is about the journeys and experiences of many small creatures sent by a bunch of gossiping computers, and the efforts to help stop the destruction caused by a corrupted god that unfolds over hundreds of years, all to postpone his inevitable death.

Man, video games are fun!

[goat-moth-thing]

i think some get angry at transmascs for discussing our oppressiin because they view invisibility as a privilege rather than a way in which we are oppressed

when their view of invisibility as a privilege is challenged, they lash out and say that we want to be oppressed soooo bad and that we need to shut up

and of course, if we do shut up then nothing changes. we remain invisible and nobody sees us. or talks about us. or cares about us

[saltpepperbeard]

hugs ed hugs ed hugs ed hugs ed hug—

[egophiliac]

LEON

LEON YOUR EYEBALLS

[adustoflove]

Having bpd to me is like I'm the loneliest person on the planet, no matter how many people I talk to, no matter how many connections I make or have, I'm a lonely void who will die alone. I have to be talking to someone or with someone every second of every minute of every day. I love people so much, I need people. There's so many people out there with different things to teach you. And then, if I have to talk to one person for more than 6 seconds today, I'll kill them. I'll kill myself. I need to be left alone for the rest of the day, I need no one but myself to be happy. I don't want to partake in anything with anyone because it's all draining and taking out of my alone time. Everyone is the same, they're all boring and self-absorbed. Every conversation feels like I'm forcing myself to be actively present. I just want to be alone in my room with nothing or no one. I don't see a future where I'm happy with anyone other than being by myself.

[torgawl]

sometimes i think about how crepus probably wasn't father of the year and i go a little insane. the way he pushed diluc into becoming a knight of favonious at such a young age; diluc receiving his vision so early in his life; how he saw his accomplishments as both his and his father's; crepus planning to gift or getting a delusion for his son despite his vision; and, the way diluc's namecard references him as crepus' creation, which is such an impersonal and cold way to put being someone's son. not only that but, again, referencing his strenght specifically. i'm not saying crepus was a bad father, diluc loved him dearly, but the projection he did of his own dream onto diluc's life and the efforts he went through to make sure diluc was "strong enough" doesn't appear to have been the healthiest thing.

we obviously have little to no information about diluc's relationship with his dad outside of a few mentions here and there but from his character story it just seems that even the praise crepus gave diluc was always because he did well in, somehow, living his father's dream and not necessarily because of who diluc was. it's a little bittersweet.

[weaverofink]

AU where Belos DOES manage to successfully possess one of the unfinished grimwalkers and poor Hunter has to confront yet another thing wearing his face

[ruporas]

chapter 90 vash

[chaikajpeg]

day two of "just a quick sketch and i'll do my assignments" (this took me 2h 45min so far)

photo reference: Bej48 - Hu XiaoHui & Qing Yuwen

[arttsuka]

Eating your art style, sorry

Anyways, imagine if Jed can read Chinese (learned from the railroad workers, both historically and movie canon! Well meaning they speak Chinese in the movie) And translates something into English for Larry while everyone just collectively goes "sorry, huh?"

Larry would be so done with that situation

Imagine your boyfriend knowing Chinese but not being able to learn Latin

Edit: there's, there's a fanfic of this now. Go read it.

[keepyourpantsongohan]

I have a Venn Diagram to share

[heavendraven]

[REACTION SPEED - IMPOSSIBLE] Gracefully step OVER the cat

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Li Zeyan’s Candlelight Date (Eng Translation)

⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 烛火之约, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡

[Translation Under the Cut]

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

【Subbed Video】

─────────────

【Chapter 1】 

After being stuck in traffic for over forty minutes on the way to the airport, I slam on the brakes once again, staring in despair at the unmoving stream of cars ahead. 

The weather outside is gloomy, the sky overcast with heavy dark clouds, and the wind howls through the crevices of the car windows. 

Even though the evening has barely fallen, the sky is already darkened completely. 

MC: Feels like it’s gonna be pouring hard... 

MC: I don’t know if Li Zeyan’s flight has been affected. 

Just as I am about to look up the flight information, his call comes in. 

LZY: I’ve arrived. 

MC: That’s great! It looks like there’s gonna be a heavy downpour outside, so thank goodness you landed on time. 

MC: On the downside, though, I’m stuck in traffic... 

LZY: Given the weather, I could guess that already. 

LZY: Don’t rush, safety first. Turn on your headlights and take your time. 

MC: Don’t worry, I promise to follow the traffic rules~ So, I must apologize to CEO Li and ask him to wait for me a little longer~ 

LZY: No worries, I’ll just take this time to think about what to make for Pudding. 

The day Li Zeyan is returning from his business trip also happens to be Pudding’s birthday, and we’ve planned to have a small celebration at home. 

As I picture Li Zeyan making a birthday cake for the little kitten, the corners of my lips involuntarily curl upwards. 

MC: Pudding’s parents are so thoughtful! The little birthday boy is blessed with the luck of tasty treats today. 

MC: Rest assured, I’ll definitely get you to Pudding safely and in one piece. 

LZY: With a certain someone “braving the wind and waves” to come pick me up, I’m already luckier than those who can’t get a cab. 

MC: Hehe, this time it’s my turn to be the prince who cuts their way through thorns and thistles to rescue the sleeping princess! 

LZY: Well, it seems like I’ll have to wait a hundred years then.

MC: ...you just told me to take my time. 

A soft chuckle transmits from the other end of the phone, and carried by the car’s stereo, it spreads through the entire space, giving me the illusion as if he is right next to me. 

LZY: It’s not contradictory. 

LZY: Even if it takes you a hundred years, I’ll still wait.

–

──────

[Tidbits]:  This conversation here is a reference to one of Li Zeyan’s earliest ASMRs, “Sleeping Beauty,” where LZY said in response to MC’s question that if he were the prince, he wouldn’t let the girl he loves wait a hundred years. Whereas, in the reverse scenario here, he tells you that if he were the sleeping princess and you the prince, he would gladly wait a hundred years (இдஇ; ) though, for a man who literally did wait 17+10000(*n) years for you— a hundred years is, well, still unbearable to think about ahah (ﾉಥ益ಥ) 

–

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

【Chapter 2】

I park the car near the exit, and as soon as I look up, I see Li Zeyan walking towards me, dragging his suitcase. 

I immediately push open the car door and run up to him, throwing myself into his arms as hard as I can. Both his hands are occupied by luggage, and I collide against him so hard that he staggers back a few steps. 

His familiar scent wraps around me securely, instantly dispelling all the tension and fatigue from the road. I nuzzle against his chest contentedly, earning a soft chuckle from above my head. 

LZY: Why the lack of courtesy right off the bat?

MC: I haven’t seen you for days, and I’ve made our big busy person wait so long. I can’t afford to be polite anymore. 

Li Zeyan smiles, lets go of the luggage, and draws me into his arms, lowering himself to rest his head on my shoulder. 

A soft sigh sounds next to my ear, and I sense how exhausted he is. I put aside my playful thoughts and stroke the back of his head. 

MC: I hoped you could get some rest after getting off the plane, but I didn’t expect this weather… 

MC: I’ll head out earlier next time! 

LZY: You already got here much faster than I expected. 

LZY: Let’s go, there’s a birthday boy waiting at home. It’s raining hard outside; I’ll drive on the way back. 

┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✄ ┈┈┈┈┈┈

As we head home, rain begins pouring down in torrents. Even with the wipers operating at their highest speed, the visibility only clears for a fleeting moment. 

Through the impenetrable curtain of rain, the emergency lights of nearby vehicles flicker faintly. The water pooling on the ground reflects the surroundings like mirrors, and the streets have transformed into an utterly bizarre kaleidoscopic labyrinth. 

I hold up my phone to record the scene outside the window when suddenly, a blinding flash of lightning splits the sky not far away, followed by a rolling thunder approaching from the distance, pressing closer and closer. 

I can’t help but shrink my neck and set my phone down. 

MC: This weather is just ridiculous… I’m sure today’s Moments posts are gonna be flooded with candid shots of the rainstorm. 

LZY: A certain someone has made significant strides. 

LZY: A few years back, you would get so nervous in this kind of weather that you’d grab onto other people’s clothes. Now, you'd just make a fuss about it on Moments. 

MC: Huh? When did I grab onto your clothes? 

I turn my head to look at him with a puzzled expression. Li Zeyan glances at me, and before he can even speak, a smile creeps onto the corners of his lips. 

LZY: That time when you asked me if I dared to like you. 

I freeze for a second, the familiar feeling of nervousness and anticipation surging to the forefront of my mind. 

Memories flood back along with the warmth of my cheeks, as I’m reminded of a similar night in the past mirroring this raging storm. 

The pitch-black darkness that descended after the power outage was so thick that one wouldn’t even be able to make out their own hand in front of them. I felt like danger, and the unknown would swallow me whole at any moment. But he was there with me, accompanying me for what felt like an eternity on that apocalyptic night. 

Back then, I felt like I couldn’t handle it on my own, so I wanted to cling to a straw, to hold onto this steady and exceptionally gentle person beside me. 

Snapping out of the reminiscence, I clear my throat to dispel my embarrassment. 

MC: Y-You don’t need to remember such things so clearly! 

MC: But come to think of it, ever since I met you, I don’t seem to have gotten rained on much. 

MC: Even if I forget my umbrella or can’t catch a ride, you always manage to “scoop” me up right on time. 

LZY: So, as a result, a certain someone has developed the bad habit of not checking the weather forecast before going out? 

MC: …It clearly taught me the good habit of how to “scoop” people up in crucial moments! 

The car stops at the intersection, waiting for the traffic light. Li Zeyan casts a glance my way, his lips curving into a smile as he strokes my head. 

LZY: Given that the person “scooping” me up is also the one I want to see, it does feel pretty good. 

His warm palm rests on my head for a moment before sliding down to my cheek with yearning. A small sense of satisfaction leaps in my heart, and I smile, poking his cheek. 

MC: I think I can understand why the prince braves countless perils to reach the princess.

MC: For this moment right now, I’m willing to endure any hardship~

–

──────

[Tidbits]:  The call-back of the apocalyptic night is from one of Li Zeyan’s earliest dates, “Doomsday Date,” where MC asks him if he’d dare to like her and if he’d dare to be by her side even if doomsday arrived – and the rest, as they say, is history, quite literally in this case ahah~ (இдஇ; ) 

–

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

【Chapter 3】

“Bzzz!” 

As I step through the doorway and flip the switch for the pendant lamp, to my surprise, the light flickers and then abruptly goes out. 

The inside of the house is instantly taken over by the dimness from outside the windows. Pudding, who was originally crouching at the door to welcome us, lets out a yelp and scurries under the table. 

My mind automatically starts concocting a horror movie scenario, and I immediately step back a few paces. 

MC: What did the power suddenly go out? It was perfectly fine before I left... 

My words are barely out of my mouth when a series of extremely bright streaks of lightning flash outside the window. 

The howling gale rattles the window frames, while the water pipes exposed to the downpour on the side of the building, pelted by large raindrops, are making peculiar noises. 

The continuous flashes of lightning project the wildly swaying shadows of the trees onto the floor, making the storm outside seem even more terrifying. 

Li Zeyan sighs and steps forward, taking hold of my hand that is frozen in mid-air. 

LZY: Are there any spare lights or flashlights in the house? 

MC: Yes, there are, in my room... 

While saying this, I clutch Li Zeyan’s arm and carefully start walking towards my room. A hand reaches out and pulls me into a familiar embrace. 

LZY: Wasn’t a certain someone “scooping people up” pretty amazingly just now? Why are you so nervous now that we’re home? 

MC: ...I guess I’ve been overdoing it with the horror movies lately, and the after-effects are still a bit strong. 

I laugh awkwardly and, relying on the dim light of the flashlight, dig out a large, bulging bag from the storage box. 

MC: Rechargeable desk lamps, some decorative fairy lights, and lanterns. 

MC: They should work if we plug them into the power bank. 

LZY: ...That’s it? 

MC: They can provide light and serve as tools to set the ambiance. Isn’t that wonderful? 

Li Zeyan turns on a palm-sized rechargeable desk lamp and releases a small sigh. 

LZY: In that case, the gift I brought you can also be included to make up the difference. 

MC: Huh? What gift? 

Li Zeyan rummages through his suitcase, takes out an exquisitely wrapped box, and gestures for me to open it. 

I lean in closer and find a very charming candle holder with a glass cover nestled inside. 

MC: It’s so beautiful! As expected, CEO Li’s eye for things can never go wrong. 

LZY: Simultaneously doing the job of adding flowers to the brocade and delivering charcoal in snowy weather一 it definitely seems to be maximizing its value.  

LZY: Come on, let’s go and light up all the lamps that we can use first. 

┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✄ ┈┈┈┈┈┈

With me “lending a hand” by holding the flashlight through the entire process, dinner and Pudding’s salmon cake are soon prepared. 

Pudding, who had been hiding in the corner this entire time, also forgets his fear under the temptation of delectable food and begins prancing around again. 

After eating and drinking to our fill, I sit on the carpet with another small blanket, light a scented candle, and carefully set it in the candle holder Li Zeyan gifted me. 

Li Zeyan then casually plops down at the foot of the bed where I’m leaning, naturally stretching out his arm for me to use as a pillow. 

I look at Pudding grooming his fur not far away and can’t help but sigh with emotion. 

MC: Time sure flies! Pudding has grown another year older. I wonder what progress he’ll make this year. 

LZY: He wasn’t very brave when he was younger, but now he, too, looks after the house on his own and appears to be fairly calm and composed. 

MC: Why did you use “too“? I suspect you’re insinuating something about someone else. 

LZY: Just stating facts. 

LZY: The way a certain someone acted when she walked into the house earlier didn’t exactly resemble the “prince“ who came to pick me up. 

I glance again at the flashes of lightning and thunder rolling outside again, scratching my cheek awkwardly. 

MC: The house just went dark all of a sudden; I wasn’t mentally prepared. 

LZY: What about now? 

LZY: Are you still scared? 

I turned sideways to watch him. The dancing candlelight paints his side profile in a warm glow, and the subtle fragrance of the scented candle melds into his calm gaze, making me gradually relax. 

I hug his arm and pull him into my arms, beaming a wide smile at him. 

MC: I have my “fragrant princess“ in my arms now, and I fear neither getting swept by wind nor being battered by rain any longer. [3]

LZY: Are we sure about who’s in whose arms? 

MC: Does it really make a difference who’s in whose arms? 

Li Zeyan gives me a look that says “whatever you say,” and I smile victoriously at having my way before turning to glance at the pitch-black darkness outside the window.  

The small lights in the room are mirrored on the glass, reminiscent of stars, blurring into a cluster of halos by the unrelenting rain. 

Serenity and turmoil are separated by only a wall. I grasp his wrist and tilt my head, pillowing into his palm and nuzzling against it. 

MC: Luckily, you came back today. Otherwise, I would have definitely dragged you into “simmering a pot of telephone congee” with me all night long. [4]

LZY: That wouldn’t have been too bad either. 

MC: Well, that’s true, but it would have made me seem like I haven’t grown at all... 

I raise my head and look into his slightly puzzled gaze, feeling a little embarrassed as I lower my voice. 

MC: I’m clearly not a child anymore, and many of the things I used to fear shouldn’t be a big deal now. 

MC: Yet when running into situations where I’m not entirely confident, I can’t help feeling a little afraid. 

MC: For instance, a pitch-dark empty house, not being able to find the kitten, and a thunderstorm that I don’t know when will end. 

MC: I still can’t seem to be like you, to be able to keep myself from thinking the worst regardless of the kind of situation I’m confronted with... 

I soliloquize in a whispered tone, and the palm I’m resting my head on suddenly moves. I look up, and my fingers are immediately swept up in a reassuring warmth.

Li Zeyan is pillowing himself on my bolster, covered by a blanket that is clearly not big enough for him, creating for a rather comical scene. Yet, I find myself solely captivated by his extraordinarily serious gaze. 

He quietly watches me like this for some time before finally opening his mouth to respond. 

LZY: Then just be afraid. 

MC: ...Huh? 

LZY: Building courage doesn’t mean you should be absolutely fearless. 

LZY: If you have no reaction to the unknown and uncontrollable, that, on the contrary, is dangerous. 

LZY: For a dummy, knowing how to dodge in the right direction at a critical moment is also progress. 

He strokes the back of my hand meaningfully, and I clasp his fingers even more tightly in tacit understanding. 

In moments of fear and anxiety, I always want to hold onto something, to reassure myself that I’m not facing it alone. 

And this man in front of me, as fortune would have it, always happens to be within my reach, catching my insecurities and leading me along slowly. 

I think back to the first time I “grabbed onto” him, the gentleness in his tone that I had rarely seen, and I can’t help but laugh. 

MC: Well then, it seems I’ve been making progress since the first time I grabbed onto your clothes. 

LZY: Mm-hmm, it hasn’t been easy. 

MC: But I can only advance a little bit at a time. I’ve kept you waiting for so long. 

The corners of his lips curl up slightly, and his eyes, sparkling with a smile, gently embrace me. 

LZY: This isn’t work; nobody is asking anything from you. 

LZY: If you’re afraid, just light up a lamp.

–

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[Tidbits]

[3] LI ZEYAN WRITERS!!! CRIES AT THE SACRIFICE I HAD TO MAKE AND HOW THE BEAUTY OF THE WORDPLAY JUST GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION HERE 😭 anywho, as you might’ve already noticed, “rescuing the sleeping princess“ theme and the “seeming“ role reversal has been one of the running themes of this date. The term used here is 软香 (lit. meaning soft fragrance), which is usually used to refer to the delicate scent of a woman or a woman in general and, in the context of the times, a palace beauty. The full term MC uses here is 软香在怀 (lit. meaning having ‘soft fragrance’ in one’s arms), which also conveys a deep emotional closeness, a sense of security and comfort as scent is something very sensitive. What the writing does here is kill three birds with one stone— (i) conveying MC’s “prince and princess role reversal“ quip, while also delivering the emotions of the candlelight monologue two sentences prior, i.e., (ii) the fragrance melding into his calm gaze, the vivid imagery of her sensitivity to his presence itself, (iii) the reassuring effect of his being. 

[4] I’m gonna cry; this is such an adorable expression haha 😭 the term MC uses here is “煲电话粥,” which really does mean “simmering telephone congee.” The idea of it is to have a marathon phone call with sb, but it’s more intimate— similar to how simmering sth can take a long time and porridge essentially is a comfort food 😂 

–

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【Chapter 4】

The night is dark, and the rain seems to have weakened a bit. I hug the blanket and squeeze onto the small bed with Li Zeyan. No matter in which position we lay down, most of our bodies are pressed against each other. 

I watch the person beside me becoming a part of the scene I’ve been familiar with since my childhood days, and for a long time, I find myself unwilling to close my eyes. 

MC: It feels so surreal to have you and Pudding together at my place. 

MC: It’s like having guests at home, but at the same time, it feels like welcoming new members to the family. 

LZY: So, which one do you hope I am? 

MC: I’ve long regarded you as the latter in my heart, obviously. 

MC: However, this situation makes me seem like I’m not being a gracious host... 

MC: Having to deal with the bad weather is one thing, but who knew the electricity in the house would be unstable at a critical moment, and now my bed isn’t big enough either. 

I look up at the small pink pillow under Li Zeyan’s head and sigh softly. Li Zeyan, however, just smiles calmly and brushes aside the hair falling over my face. 

MC: Be careful when you roll over. If you’re afraid of falling off, just hug me a little tighter~ 

LZY: [i’m cRY at how he just plays along with you haha] It’s certainly something to be afraid of. 

Li Zeyan says this as he gets up to turn off the lights, and the room is plunged into darkness once again. 

I reach out my arms towards him and am immediately swept back into his arms. 

MC: Thank you, CEO Li~ How about I repay you with a goodnight kiss? 

LZY: That’s it? 

MC: Then what else do you want? 

I blink my eyes at him, and suddenly, he lifts his hand to cover my sight. 

A soft warmth captures my lips, swallowing my confusion. 

He holds me too tightly in the square of his arms, and his broad palm accidentally presses on my nose, causing my already erratic breathing to become even more difficult to maintain. 

I punch him indignantly, and Li Zeyan finally moves his hand away, his fingers cradling my face. 

LZY: Didn’t you say you wanted to repay me? 

MC: T-This isn’t what I had in mind! 

LZY: Is this not good? 

His warm finger pads caress the side of my face in a back-and-forth motion, leaving me with no refuge to escape but to gaze into his smiling eyes. 

LZY: Instead of letting your imagination run wild every time you’re scared, why not think about something that can put your mind at ease?  

LZY: For example, me. 

LZY: So, consider this as collecting a tip in advance to cover your memories.  

A soft chuckle drifts from above me, and he lifts my face again. With the last hint of light also overlaid, I close my eyes, welcoming this novel memory pertaining to the night’s darkness. 

┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✄ ┈┈┈┈┈┈

The next morning, the sky finally clears up. 

The entire city looks as if it has taken a bath. Under the early morning sunlight, there are glittering lights refracted by water droplets everywhere. 

I summon every bit of my self-control and more to extract myself from Li Zeyan’s warm embrace and rise early to make breakfast. 

Originally, I planned to have him take the day off and recover from jet lag, but as soon as he gets out of bed, he receives a call from LFG, saying there is an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with in person. 

I watch as a certain someone at the dining table finishes his breakfast with a sullen look on his face and can’t help but burst into laughter. 

MC: Who knew even CEO Li could show such a “rebellious” expression about having to work overtime. 

LZY: ...It’s just that I haven’t gotten over the jet lag yet.  

MC: Who told you not to sleep obediently last night? 

I stand up with a laugh before he can glare at me and push his suitcase to the door for him. Li Zeyan dons his coat, seems to hesitate for a moment, and then turns back to look at me. 

MC: What’s wrong? 

LZY: Nothing. 

MC: It doesn’t seem like you’ve left anything behind, have you? 

I look around to check while speaking, but I realize that Li Zeyan has kept his gaze trained on me, with no intention of searching for anything. 

I blink my eyes, and an adorable guess bubbles up in my heart. 

MC: Could it be that... CEO Li is unwilling to leave? 

Li Zeyan grips the handle of the suitcase, averts his eyes, and smiles. 

LZY: Let Pudding stay at your place for one more day. 

MC: No worries, we’ll get along perfectly. 

He doesn’t give a direct answer to my question, so I take it as his tacit assent and continue along with his words. 

LZY: He ate quite a lot last night, so feed him less cat food today. 

MC: Understood~ 

LZY: Be careful with the electricity today, and if you run into any issues, reach out to me right away. 

MC: Uh-huh, anything else you want to remind me of? 

I stare at him, smiling giddily. Li Zeyan opens his mouth, but in the end, he just displays a helpless expression and says nothing. 

The rare instance of not being able to find the words to say, the rare moments of being dumbstruck and not knowing how to reply, the rare scenario of dragging his feet about going to work... 

All of this shows that he is really unwilling to leave. 

I smile even happier and tiptoe up to lock my arms around his neck.  

Li Zeyan seems a bit puzzled, but he promptly supports my waist and arches an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue. 

MC: Hehe, consider this as a tip you’re paying in advance. 

MC: This way, whenever you feel overwhelmed in the future, you will think of only me. 

I mimic his words from last night, and even reach up to muss his hair. 

LZY: Little copycat. 

Li Zeyan seems to want to resist this “childish” act subconsciously, but his arms betray his honest feelings and draw me in even tighter. 

He looks at me with a silly smile on my face, about to say something when I suddenly feel a tickle on my ankle, as if something furry is rubbing against it. 

Just as I’m about to look down, my face is pinched by someone. 

I’m compelled to raise my head and see the sunlight falling on Li Zeyan. 

The locks of hair hanging over his forehead and eyelashes are all bathed in dazzling, golden-bright luster. He reminds one of a big cat who has just woken up, making people irresistibly want to get closer to him. 

And he does exactly as I wished, taking the initiative to bring this warmth to me. 

The distance between us is reduced to zero, and I naturally close my eyes, welcoming this kiss infused with the warmth of the sunlight. 

Even if a person grows accustomed to the humidity of this city, they will still rejoice when the sky clears and the sunshine beams down. 

Even for those who can see the person they love every day and kiss them whenever they want, they will still find that any small separation feels too long. 

The meow of the kitten rises from our feet, as if it also wants to participate in this wordless goodbye. I gently bite Li Zeyan’s lips, and he, rather reluctantly, pulls back just a bit. 

MC: Mr. Customer, you’re being too generous with your tip. 

With his eyes cast down, he continues to gaze at me, his breath still lingering at the edge of my lips. 

LZY: Because I’ve already fulfilled the conditions you set. 

LZY: Now that I’ve paid double the tip, I’m asking for an upgrade on the terms. 

He raises an eyebrow, as if he is genuinely negotiating with me. 

At such proximity, my mind is already a muddled mess, yet I still manage to capture the answer he desires from the look of yearning in his eyes. 

I strive to muster my willpower, rise on tiptoe, and kiss his lips again.

MC: Then you must work diligently and clock out early... 

MC: And who knows, perhaps I’ll suddenly appear when you’re missing me?

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