Chapter 219: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [219]
After returning to Sumeru City with Layla, Luo Qing reluctantly turned down her invitation to dinner and went back to his own home.
Primarily because Theresa had already returned, and if he stayed out all night, she'd likely banish him from the bed for days.
With Rosalyne and the others still in the desert, the house was as it had been—occupied only by Theresa and Makoto.
When Luo Qing opened the door, he found the two women sitting in the living room, knitting.
"Welcome back," Makoto said, glancing up briefly before returning to her task.
"Dinner's ready. Go wash up, and let's eat."
With that, Makoto placed her ball of yarn down, set indoor shoes by Luo Qing's feet, and moved behind him to help him take off his coat.
The entire routine was fluid, practiced, and incredibly natural.
"Uh…"
Luo Qing glanced at the food on the table, then at Makoto.
Say what you want, but this woman...
She's really good at this.
So domestic. So perfect.
---
At the dinner table, Theresa was in high spirits. Having been "conquered" not long ago, she couldn't contain her happiness, constantly serving food onto Luo Qing's plate.
Makoto, sitting nearby, took it all in with a knowing smile, though she said nothing.
As an Inazuman, Makoto was pragmatic by nature. If Luo Qing said he wanted five wives, she wouldn't agree outright.
But if he bumped the number to ten, she might entertain the idea of settling for five.
Of course, one thing was non-negotiable: the position of primary wife belonged to her.
No debate.
Mid-meal, Makoto suddenly turned to Luo Qing.
"How's the progress on Bu'er?"
"Huh?" Luo Qing blinked, confused.
Progress? What progress?
"What do you mean by progress?"
"Wait, you haven't started yet?" Makoto frowned, seemingly puzzled. "That doesn't add up…"
"You haven't even explained what you're talking about," Luo Qing said, his expression darkening.
If there's one thing he hated, it was people being cryptic—unless that person was him.
"Ah... never mind," Makoto waved it off, trying to deflect. "Just eat."
She had merely wanted to gauge how much longer it would be before Bu'er arrived so she could prepare accordingly. But if Luo Qing hadn't even thought about it, then there wasn't much to discuss.
However, Luo Qing wasn't going to let her off the hook so easily. He feigned a serious expression and said firmly, "Talk."
"..."
"It's nothing, really," Makoto admitted, her cheeks reddening slightly. "I just wanted to know when you're bringing Bu'er back so I can plan a proper welcome."
"..."
Luo Qing froze for a moment.
"Bu'er, as she once existed, is long gone. The current Bu'er is just a five-hundred-year-old loli," he said.
"I know that," Makoto replied with confidence, straightening her posture. Her movements caused a certain pair of snowy white assets to jiggle slightly.
"But don't think I don't know what you're planning," she said with a huff.
"You're going to use that resurrection artifact on her, aren't you? To bring her back and add her to your collection."
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Luo Qing.]
Why'd she have to say that out loud?
Was it wrong to be curious about what a white-haired, green-eyed beauty might look like in person?
Huh? A scumbag?
Didn't we establish ages ago that I'm a scumbag?
"It's not like I've had the chance yet…" Luo Qing mumbled, his voice weakening.
"Hmph, I knew it!" Makoto declared triumphantly.
She was just about to lecture him from her moral high ground when Luo Qing's expression suddenly shifted.
He turned toward the window, his golden eyes gleaming faintly.
"Who's there?!"
In a flash, he was at the window, peering out into the gap in the curtains.
But to his surprise, there was no one outside—only an empty Void Terminal left on the windowsill.
"What's wrong, my lord?" Makoto, preferring to stay out of sight, sent Theresa to check on him.
"I thought I saw someone spying on us," Luo Qing said, his brow furrowed.
He trusted his instincts—someone had definitely been there.
But how had they escaped, even after he used Time Zero?
If anyone had seen Makoto without her simulation mask, it could have catastrophic consequences.
As the current and former Archon of Inazuma, her identity would send shockwaves through all of Sumeru, especially to certain ambitious individuals.
Someone like the Doctor at the Pureglass Workshop would be utterly terrified.
With a thought, Luo Qing pulled a random Emotion Tool Card from his system inventory.
In an instant, the names of everyone within a several-dozen-meter radius appeared in his system backend.
[Please select a target for the Cat Song Card: Theresa, Raiden Makoto, Azar, Gil Daan... Alhaitham...]
Thanks to his enhanced abilities, Luo Qing's mental power allowed him to scan a wide area.
Seeing a certain familiar name, Luo Qing didn't need to think twice.
It was definitely him.
"I'll give you three seconds to come out. If you don't, don't blame me for being rude," Luo Qing called out, his voice sharp.
"Three... two... one."
Three seconds passed quickly, but the only response was the gentle nighttime breeze.
"Fine. Have it your way," Luo Qing said with a smirk, activating the Meow Song Card.
---
Meanwhile, on a branch of the sacred tree above Luo Qing's residence, Alhaitham lay calmly, watching the scene below through his Void Terminal.
He had originally been investigating Grand Sage Azar but had stumbled upon the curious enigma that was Luo Qing.
Deciding to change his focus, he began discreetly observing Luo Qing's activities, hoping to uncover some useful clues.
Finding Luo Qing's residence through the Void System was easy enough since it was assigned by the Akademiya.
After being spotted during a previous encounter, Alhaitham had learned his lesson.
This time, he used the Void Terminal to observe remotely, confident it would keep him undetected.
As Luo Qing shouted, demanding he come out, Alhaitham couldn't help but smirk.
What is he, a child? Does he really think I'll just show myself because he said so?
His disdainful thoughts were short-lived.
Moments later, an inexplicable urge welled up inside him.
He felt an overwhelming compulsion... to sing.
To sing "meow, meow, meow."
"We'll learn to meow together—"
Before he could stop himself, the words spilled from his lips.
In the quiet of the night, his voice rang out like a beacon, unmistakable and impossible to ignore.
"Damn it…" Alhaitham's brow furrowed as he realized this was Luo Qing's way of flushing him out.
Suppressing the urge to burst into a full song, he leapt up, preparing to retreat along his pre-planned escape route.
But before he could take more than a few steps, a voice rang out behind him.
"Gotcha, little darling~"
---
T/N: Darling? Luo Qing confirmed bi?
Greetings, esteemed reader.
Your presence throughout this chapter's journey is deeply appreciated. In Liyue, we hold that every tale, much like the enduring stone, gains strength through the appreciation of those who encounter it.
Should you wish to support WiseTL's dedicated endeavors in bringing these narratives to you, you may consider visiting:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Even the most modest contribution serves as a cornerstone, fortifying the foundation upon which future stories are built.
With sincere regards,
Zhongli
Chapter 220: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [220]
It was well into the night. Other than the bustling Grand Bazaar, the streets were nearly empty. Passersby who ventured near Luo Qing's home were greeted with an odd, melodic sound drifting from within.
"Let's... learn to meow together... meow, meow, meow, meow, meow..."
Alhaitham sat bound on a branch of the sacred tree, his expression colder than the Snezhnayan tundra. His body refused to obey his will, forcing him to belt out the bizarre song.
What on Teyvat is this nonsense?
As the song ended, Alhaitham let out a heavy sigh of relief, regaining control over himself.
But his current predicament was far from dignified—his wrists bound by strange cuffs, his body tightly secured with ropes, leaving him no choice but to sit helplessly on the branch. Moving was out of the question, let alone defending himself.
"Done singing?"
Luo Qing finally turned his gaze toward him.
The serene beauty of Sumeru's night was enhanced by the faint glow of starlight filtering through the sacred tree's canopy. Enjoying the view while listening to Alhaitham sing had been unexpectedly pleasant.
Though, Luo Qing mused, this setup sounded oddly reminiscent of a southern folk comedy.
"Why the long face?" Luo Qing teased, smirking as he sat cross-legged in front of his captive. "You sang beautifully. Why the sour expression?"
Alhaitham glared silently at Luo Qing, his sharp gaze as cutting as a blade.
Inwardly, however, he felt puzzled.
According to the Akademiya's records, the man before him wasn't named Luo Qing at all. His name was Brighella, clearly of Snezhnayan origin.
Had he targeted the wrong person?
"Hmph, the silent, brooding type, huh?" Luo Qing snorted.
"I know who you are, Alhaitham. The Akademiya's Grand Scribe."
He leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes glinting mischievously.
"I'll give you three seconds to explain why you were spying on my home. If you don't, I'll toss you into the Akademiya plaza and make you sing that lovely tune for a full day and night."
Alhaitham's eye twitched, but he remained silent.
Luo Qing's tone turned teasing, almost conspiratorial. "You wouldn't want the other scholars at the Akademiya to witness such an embarrassing moment, would you?"
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Alhaitham.]
Alhaitham had encountered many powerful individuals during his tenure, but this was the first time he'd faced someone with such a maddening ability to toy with one's mind.
Even his exceptional willpower couldn't resist Luo Qing's strange, compulsive technique.
Seeing Alhaitham's stoic defiance, Luo Qing raised three fingers and began to count.
"Three..."
"One!"
"So, you're one of the stubborn ones, huh? Fine. Off to the plaza you go!"
"Wait!" Alhaitham's composed demeanor cracked, his face betraying a flicker of confusion.
What happened to two?
Luo Qing hefted Alhaitham onto his shoulder with ease and began striding toward the Akademiya.
"Fine, I'll talk!" Alhaitham blurted, his voice laced with frustration. "I'm investigating Azar. The trail led me to you, so I came to observe."
"Oh?" Luo Qing paused, dropping Alhaitham back onto the branch.
"And that's why you were spying on my wives?" Luo Qing demanded, his voice sharp. "How long were you watching?!"
Alhaitham furrowed his brow.
Wives? Plural? Did he just say 'wives'?
Makoto was typically carefree about her attire at home. Unless she had visitors or work-related matters, she usually draped her kimono lazily over herself, exposing far more than she covered.
While this "convenience" had its perks, it also made her prone to accidental wardrobe malfunctions.
If Alhaitham had caught even a glimpse of what he shouldn't have, Luo Qing would have no choice but to use his ancestral memory-altering technique to "adjust" the man's recollections.
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Alhaitham.]
"I used a Void Terminal for the surveillance," Alhaitham explained, gesturing toward the confiscated device in Luo Qing's hand. "Whatever it recorded is exactly what I saw."
Luo Qing raised an eyebrow, inspecting the device.
He accessed the contents, quickly finding the surveillance footage. The recording was just over a minute long, capturing the moment Luo Qing and his family were having dinner.
Due to the limited angle, only Makoto's back was visible, her face obscured.
Relieved that nothing compromising had been captured, Luo Qing's tension eased slightly.
But his irritation returned as he looked down at Alhaitham.
"Why were you spying on a man's wife?!" Luo Qing demanded, jabbing a finger at his captive's forehead.
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Alhaitham.]
Alhaitham felt an overwhelming urge to groan aloud.
Why would I spy on your wife? Who even is she? I was here to investigate you!
Kneeling before Alhaitham, Luo Qing's tone turned icy.
"Let's clarify. Are you sure you didn't see anything inappropriate?"
"All the footage is on that Void Terminal," Alhaitham replied flatly. "What it captured is exactly what I saw."
"I don't believe you. Say 'erhuo.'"
"...What?"
"Say it. If you lie, it means you're my son."
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Alhaitham.]
What had he done in his past life to deserve this?
What kind of childish nonsense is this?!
"Not talking, huh?" Luo Qing's voice turned cold. "If you don't confess, I'll drag you to the plaza, strip you down to your underwear, and leave you there."
"..."
Alhaitham gritted his teeth.
Seeing Luo Qing prepare to lift him again, he let out a long sigh of resignation.
"Fine. Erhuo."
"Good. That wasn't so hard, was it?" Luo Qing's mood lightened instantly.
Satisfied, he plopped Alhaitham back onto the branch.
"Now that we've cleared that up, it's your turn to explain why you're investigating me," Luo Qing said, crossing his arms. "If you're sincere, who knows? We might even become partners."
---
T/N: im actually so tilted rn, i made an alt account on marvel rivals and holy shit are people in lower ranks so fucking stupid
Greetings, esteemed reader.
Your presence throughout this chapter's journey is deeply appreciated. In Liyue, we hold that every tale, much like the enduring stone, gains strength through the appreciation of those who encounter it.
Should you wish to support WiseTL's dedicated endeavors in bringing these narratives to you, you may consider visiting:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Even the most modest contribution serves as a cornerstone, fortifying the foundation upon which future stories are built.
With sincere regards,
Zhongli
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