"Divine Sovereign, let's make a deal!" Seeing Yun Fan remain silent, Nahida couldn't hold back any longer. She gritted her teeth and spoke with determination.
"A deal?" Yun Fan was speechless. Why do all you gods, regardless of age or gender, love making deals so much? There's Venti the slacker, Zhongli the retired old man, the rebellious Tsaritsa, and now this little shuttlecock.
"Go on, let's hear what kind of deal you want to make," Yun Fan crossed his arms, looking at the 500-year-old little girl with interest.
"I want you to spare the people of Sumeru. In exchange, I'm willing to pay any price!" Nahida placed a hand over her chest, her voice filled with resolve.
"Any price?" Yun Fan's gaze wandered over Nahida, from her face to her feet, then from her arms to her chest. Finally, he pursed his lips. Even after living for hundreds of years, she still looked like a little girl. When would she grow into a god like the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, with a heart for the world?
"Your gaze seems rather impolite, God of Liyue," Nahida noticed his inappropriate look but didn't pay it much mind—until Yun Fan's eyes lingered on her chest and he showed a disappointed expression. That's when she truly felt offended.
"Haha, don't take it too seriously," Yun Fan chuckled, shaking his head. It seemed that no matter the age, girls were always sensitive about their figures.
"Although you said you're willing to pay any price, as a good person, I can't be too harsh. Let me think..." Yun Fan scratched his silver hair, looking troubled.
Do you even understand what 'good person' means? Nahida silently complained, but her face remained the same, looking like an obedient child listening intently.
"How about this? I'll be going on a trip soon, and before that, I need to find a playmate for my sister. I think you'd be perfect. Just keep my sister company until I return, and then I'll let you go. How's that for a deal?"
"That's it?" Nahida was stunned. She never expected Yun Fan's condition to be so simple. When she felt his gaze lingering on her earlier, she had even prepared herself to offer her body. But in the end, it was just this?
"What? You seem a bit unsatisfied. Should I add more?" Yun Fan raised an eyebrow, pretending to consider adding more conditions.
"No, Divine Sovereign, thank you for your generosity. Let's make the contract."
———
"Griseo, let me introduce you. This is Nahida, the playmate I found for you," in the backyard of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Yun Fan led the shy Nahida to Griseo and introduced her in a cheerful tone.
"...?" Hearing Yun Fan's words, Griseo paused her painting, tilting her head cutely. With a slightly confused tone, she asked, "Is this Yun Fan's new sister? Is Yun Fan abandoning Griseo now?"
Abandoning Griseo... The words echoed in Yun Fan's ears. His smile faded, and his lips twitched slightly. Finally, he chuckled helplessly, "My dear Griseo, how did you come to that conclusion? How could I ever abandon you?"
"Really?"
"As true as gold!" Yun Fan declared confidently.
"Okay, Griseo believes brother Yun Fan," seeing Yun Fan's reaction, a faint glimmer of amusement flashed in Griseo's light purple eyes.
"Hello, Nahida. I'm Griseo, Yun Fan's sister," Griseo walked gracefully to Nahida and extended her paint-stained hand.
"Hello, Griseo. I'm Nahida," after some thought, Nahida decided to address Griseo as "sister." First, Griseo was taller than her. Second, as the Divine Sovereign's sister, she was probably older, right?
With this thought, Nahida curiously used a bit of her Dendro Archon authority, hoping to glean some information about Yun Fan from Griseo. However, as expected, her power had no effect on Griseo.
"Nahida, it's very impolite to use your powers to probe others' thoughts," just as Nahida was feeling a bit disappointed, Griseo suddenly spoke, her tone carrying a hint of something unspoken.
"Understood!" Feeling the pressure emanating from Griseo, Nahida's small mouth opened slightly. Another Archon-level powerhouse... No wonder Liyue is so prosperous. If I were that strong, could I become a true god...?
Seeing Griseo and Nahida getting along so well, Yun Fan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to leave, giving the two some space.
"Yun Fan, so this is where you've been!" Just as Yun Fan left Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, planning to visit Heyu Tea House to experience the life of "Uncle Zhongli," a voice suddenly called out to him.
"Hmm? Lumine and Paimon! Want to join me at Heyu Tea House for some relaxation? My treat," Yun Fan waved at them, smiling warmly.
"Sure!... Sure, my foot!" Paimon instinctively wanted to agree, but she quickly remembered. They were here to confront Yun Fan, and she almost got sidetracked.
"Yun Fan, I..." Lumine looked at Yun Fan with a complicated expression, unsure of what to say. Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions.
"Shh!" Yun Fan smiled, placing a finger on his lips in a "shush" gesture.
"We've always been friends, haven't we? So, until this journey ends, I'll always be your travel companion, no matter my identity," seeing Yun Fan's sunny smile, Lumine felt her heart flutter slightly.
"Okay, I believe you."
"Hey, hey! Traveler, wake up! We're here to confront him!" Seeing Lumine about to "betray" her, Paimon grabbed her arm and shook it vigorously.
Traveler, Traveler, you can't be so easily swayed!
But after a few attempts, her efforts had no effect.
"Oh no, the Traveler's been fooled again..."