Full and satisfied, Qin Yu felt drowsiness creeping in.
She shook her head to dispel the sleepiness, surprised that Shenhe's new friend still hadn't arrived. It was already getting late.
But it's awkward to ask directly. I'll be with Shenhe all day anyway. I'll meet them eventually.
The thought left Qin Yu feeling inexplicably annoyed. A new friend... Who could it be? It certainly doesn't seem like anyone I know.
Oh well, I'll find out soon enough.
What should we do next? Yesterday's work schedule had left no time to plan how to grind Points. I'll just have to play it by ear.
"Shenhe, what would you like to do now?" Qin Yu asked.
"Meditate."
Oh, for heaven's sake. Qin Yu kept a polite smile fixed on her face, but inwardly she groaned in despair.
Why! Again! Meditation!
Qin Yu couldn't believe it. She had worked so hard yesterday just to spend today with Shenhe, and now Shenhe wanted her to meditate? Qin Yu found the idea unbearable; even spacing out would be more interesting.
She couldn't refuse outright. She needed another excuse to stall for time. Of course, if Shenhe still insisted on meditating later, Qin Yu would resign herself to it.
"M-meditation can wait, right?" Qin Yu suggested. "I was actually hoping to take a walk nearby. It would be nice if you came with me, Shenhe."
"A walk... Very well. But wild beasts and monsters occasionally roam these mountains. Don't stray too far from me."
Great, she agreed.
Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Meditating with Shenhe would be like being stuck in an endless FPS ranked match—best avoided.
"Thank you, Shenhe. You're so dependable. Let's go."
Leaving Shenhe's cottage, Qin Yu led her on a leisurely stroll through the mountain forest. The crisp air, birdsong, and blooming flowers filled Qin Yu with a sense of tranquility.
"I'm usually still cultivating at this hour," Shenhe remarked suddenly as they walked.
This time of day? Qin Yu thought. Even if it's easier than working, wouldn't it get incredibly boring? She tried to imagine living such a life herself and couldn't help but shudder.
For Qin Yu, this kind of life seemed utterly monotonous.
"Doesn't Shenhe find cultivation... tedious?" Qin Yu asked curiously.
"I've grown accustomed to it," Shenhe replied. "Once something becomes a habit, the question of whether it's tedious or not loses meaning. I simply follow the routine, and time slips away unnoticed. Before I know it, another cycle of cultivation is complete... It's the same every day."
Shenhe closed her eyes. "Moreover, cultivation requires purging all distractions. Boredom and tedium are themselves distractions that must be discarded. By returning to stillness, I allow no external disturbances to affect me."
"It's like waking from a deep dream. By the time I finish, the sky has already changed."
Qin Yu deeply empathized.
The same thing happened when she played games or read novels. Time would slip away in a daze, and before she knew it, the sky would be different.
So... haven't I been cultivating all along? Well, spare me the formal meditation, then.
"Did I interrupt your cultivation?" Qin Yu asked.
Shenhe opened her eyes and gently shook her head. "No. The purpose of meditation is to quiet the mind, but... being with you has the same effect."
Why does she always say things like that? Can't she be even slightly embarrassed?
"I-is that so?" Qin Yu stammered. "I can't seem to quiet my mind at all when I'm with Shenhe." Still, for the sake of earning Points, she forced herself to respond positively.
"Why?" Shenhe asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
A chance to get closer!
Qin Yu smiled. "Because being with you makes my heart flutter with joy. I can't possibly feel as calm as you do."
A perfect answer.
Shenhe hadn't expected Qin Yu to say something like that. Her gaze drifted downward. Whenever Qin Yu spoke to her in such a way, she felt as if her heart were being gently squeezed.
And as their relationship deepened, this feeling only intensified.
Though perplexing, it wasn't unpleasant—a strange contradiction.
If not for the red string, how would this feeling have evolved? Shenhe's thoughts drifted slowly.
Evaluation: B-
Hmph, nailed it! If only I could get an A+ today. As for S... if the timing's right, I might even try something a little bolder.
"Do you find my daily life monotonous?" Shenhe suddenly asked. "Please answer truthfully."
Ha? She wants an honest answer?
So, no matter what I say, you'll assume I'm telling the truth? Then of course I'll say, "Of course not!"—I wouldn't want to discourage you, you know.
Qin Yu had her doubts, but when she saw the sincerity in Shenhe's eyes, she quickly abandoned her playful thoughts.
Ha... asking a woman like me to be honest.
"A little, perhaps," Qin Yu replied. "But everyone's life is different. If you don't mind your life, Shenhe, then that's all that matters. The most important thing is whether you're satisfied yourself."
"So that's how you see it... I understand."
What exactly do you understand? Qin Yu wondered inwardly, sensing Shenhe had an ulterior motive, though she couldn't quite figure out what it was.
She deftly changed the subject. "If you ever get bored, Shenhe, feel free to come find me. I can't promise I'll fully satisfy you, but I'll do my best to keep you entertained!"
Shenhe remained silent for a moment before nodding. "Thank you... You've always been kind to me. I'm very grateful."
Evaluation: B
But mere words of gratitude aren't enough, Shenhe thought. At least, they don't ease my conscience. I wonder if she'll be satisfied with the gift I plan to give her later.
Just then, Qin Yu felt Shenhe's hand grasp hers.
Not again?!
Shenhe noticed the warmth of Qin Yu's hand and realized she had unconsciously gripped it. Has this become an instinct already?
It almost felt like she was relying on Qin Yu... but it wasn't unpleasant.
Why is she so quiet? Never mind, it's just holding hands anyway. Qin Yu took a breath and calmed herself slightly.
"Earlier... I mentioned something to you. Do you remember?"
"What was it?" Qin Yu asked, surprised.
"My way of repaying you."
This again? Qin Yu sighed inwardly.
Regardless, she didn't need Shenhe's repayment. All she needed was for Shenhe to continue seeing her in a positive light, allowing her to keep earning Points.
Qin Yu shook her head. "Really, you don't need to. I know how much you value our friendship, and the fact that you still want to be friends with me is enough."
Shenhe had anticipated Qin Yu's response, but her mind was made up. She wouldn't back down now. She had only brought up the topic again to confirm one thing.
"I just wanted to ask... what kind of gift would you like?"
Huh? Is that what this is about? Could it be...?
Qin Yu suddenly understood everything.
Shenhe must be planning to give a gift to that new friend of hers. She doesn't know what to get and doesn't want to ask me directly, so she's beating around the bush like this...
Is that really it?
No, it has to be. There's no other explanation. Qin Yu decisively abandoned further contemplation, ignoring the contradiction between Shenhe's personality and this line of thought. Instead, she focused on crafting an appropriate response.
Based on what she knew, the recipient was a young woman with a kind disposition and a fondness for beautiful things.
Simple gifts are perfectly fine; there's no need to make them overly special. The recipient's kind nature and understanding of your feelings will naturally bring them joy.
An overly extravagant gift might even startle her.
"A simple gift would be best," Qin Yu suggested. "Like a handkerchief or a nice piece of silk."
If it were for me... Qin Yu thought, pausing. A special gift would be better.
But I wouldn't let you give it to me.
"Simple..." Shenhe murmured, her gaze fixed on the ground. The gift she planned to give was anything but ordinary, and a flicker of doubt arose in her heart. Should I change it? Save it for another day?
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
No hesitation. I must trust Master's words.
"I understand," Shenhe nodded.
"Mm, but are you sure you don't need to give me anything?" Qin Yu asked, adopting a deliberately stern tone. "If you insist, it would imply our relationship is still a bit distant, requiring gifts to express ourselves. Even I would... be upset."
Shenhe remained silent.
Why isn't she answering?
"I understand," Shenhe repeated.
"That's all that matters," Qin Yu said, quickly changing the subject. She chatted with Shenhe as they strolled, returning to the cabin about an hour later.
Phew... I'm so tired and sleepy. I just want to sleep and sleep, Qin Yu thought, suppressing the urge to yawn. It was almost noon, and soon she would need to prepare lunch for Shenhe.
But how to pass the time until then?
"What should I do next..." Qin Yu murmured.
"Meditate."
Qin Yu glanced at Shenhe. Confirming she wasn't joking, she resignedly said, "Alright."
But I feel like I'll doze off the moment I close my eyes... No, no, I need to stay awake. I doubt I can quiet my mind and dispel distracting thoughts during meditation.
If I manage to calm my mind, I'll probably drift off instantly.
So, instead, I need to let those stray thoughts drift freely, keeping myself awake. Qin Yu slapped her cheeks, steeling her resolve.
"Let's do this!"
Shenhe, puzzled by Qin Yu's sudden burst of enthusiasm, said, "Meditation requires focus. Don't be impatient."
"Ah... I-I know," Qin Yu stammered.
I absolutely can't fall asleep. I can't let Shenhe see my sleeping face! If she does, I'd rather jump into the sea.