At some point, unnoticed by anyone,
the sound of kissing had already stopped.
Around them, there was nothing but the soft rustling of the wind, and the sound of another girl crying.
Keqing lifted her head to see Gongqu standing right in front of her, while Ying leaned against a nearby tree.
She turned to flee,
but Gongqu grabbed her arm.
Ying raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm: "Heh, men! You didn't bother to stop me when I was leaving just now."
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt you two, I guess I came at the wrong time."
Keqing didn't want to look at Gongqu's face, nor did she want him to see hers.
"No! You came at just the right time."
With a forceful tug, Gongqu pulled Keqing into his arms. Then he turned to introduce her to Ying.
"Let me reintroduce you. This is Keqing, my...partner."
"Eh?"
Keqing's eyes, red from tears, widened in shock. She looked at Gongqu, then quickly turned to Ying.
She had imagined countless possibilities,
like Gongqu choosing Ying, whose bond with him was stronger. But she had never imagined that she would be the one to win this emotional duel.
On the other hand, Ying looked anything but pleased. She was baring her teeth like she was about to bite a chunk out of Gongqu's shoulder.
"Hmph! What's that got to do with me?"
"I was saying it for Keqing to hear."
Gongqu gently comforted the anxious Keqing, explaining, "From the start, I was puzzled by why Ying was doing things so unlike her usual self."
"It wasn't until I used Dendro to break through her interference and sensed your presence, Keqing, that I realized what was going on."
"With her elemental mastery surpassing even mine, Ying must have noticed you long ago. Maybe it's because she's sick right now that she's been acting so irrationally. If this made you uncomfortable, Keqing, then punish me, I bear responsibility for not stopping her."
"Tch, clever man. But you got one thing wrong."
Ying glanced at Keqing, who was nestled in Gongqu's embrace, her expression a mix of envy and frustration.
"I'm perfectly clear-headed! Even if I like to fool around, I'd never degrade myself like that… Fine, if there's nothing else, let's head back to Mondstadt. Paimon hasn't eaten in two days, she must be starving."
With that, Ying turned to leave
but didn't actually go anywhere.
The three of them were left in an awkward silence.
Keqing bit her lip, and as if she'd made up her mind, she shoved Gongqu's other hand away and looked directly at Ying. In a tone of reckless abandon, she said, "Want to come over? There's still a spot here."
Gongqu opened his mouth to protest, but Keqing silenced him with a sharp glare.
Ying stood frozen, feeling like her green tea act had turned her into a complete fool.
But seeing Keqing's encouraging gaze, her feet betrayed her, carrying her closer.
So she just muttered softly, and then melted into the embrace she'd grown so fond of.
"Lucky you, idiot."
The two girls exchanged a look, and instantly they were in sync—four small hands reached out together and each pinched one of the softest spots on Gongqu's waist.
"Hiss"
Gongqu let out a pained, yet oddly delighted, yelp.
...
By dusk.
Eula had just finished dispatching several high-level monsters and was trudging back to the boundary marker, covered in dust and grime.
She had just pulled out her water flask to take a drink when she caught sight of an utterly shocking scene by the roadside.
Keqing and Ying were each leaning against one side of Gongqu's chest.
The two girls were chatting and laughing like sisters,
while the man caught between them wore an exasperated expression, one hand draped over each of their delicate shoulders.
Where did this young noble scion come from?!
"Oh, Eula, there you are."
Gongqu looked at her with an expression of pure relief, as if she were his savior.
He pulled the two girls along as he walked over.
"You… What on earth is going on here?!"
"Exactly what it looks like. I found Ying, so let's head back!"
"You're skipping over so many steps in this story! But… never mind. As long as you found her. Let's put that aside. Don't you think it's shameful, cuddling up by the roadside, three people together, no less?"
"As long as I'm not embarrassed, the only ones feeling awkward are the bystanders. Besides, both Keqing and Ying are absolute beauties. Anyone who sees us will just be envious."
Eula was momentarily speechless, unable to argue.
Ying clapped her fist into her palm.
"Got it, Eula wants to join us too, right? I'm fine with that~"
She raised an eyebrow at Keqing, the "first wife."
"Uh…"
Keqing looked a bit troubled.
From her perspective, she didn't want to bring in a fourth person. But of course, she had to consider Gongqu's opinion first. So she turned to him and cautiously suggested,
"Gongqu, our bed's only so big, and you only have two sides. If we bring in another person… what, is she supposed to lie on top of you? That'd make it hard to sleep."
"What are you two even talking about?! How did this go from hugging to beds and sleeping all of a sudden?!"
Eula couldn't help but imagine it, Ying on the left, Keqing on the right, and herself sprawled across Gongqu's chest. Her face turned as red as a boiled crab.
Three girls playing push-and-pull with a man was simply too much for a conservative noble like Eula.
"Caught your interest, didn't it?" Ying teased.
"Like hell it did!" Eula practically roared. "Fine! I'll remember this humiliation for the rest of my life!"
Leaving behind a thoroughly unladylike image, Eula stormed off in a huff toward Mondstadt.
She didn't want to see these shameless three ever again!
Keqing turned to Gongqu, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"
Gongqu flicked Ying's forehead lightly.
Ying puffed out her cheeks.
"It's fine, Keqing. You're just a bit too straightforward sometimes, so you end up getting taken advantage of by a certain someone's antics."
Is that so?
Keqing watched Eula's retreating figure.
Why did it seem to her that this blue-haired lady actually liked Gongqu?
...
Mondstadt City.
Adventurers' Guild.
Paimon was floating anxiously above the bar counter, eyes constantly darting to the door.
Clang!
The door to the Adventurers' Guild swung open once again, and Paimon immediately turned to look.
In front of her stood a blue-haired knight.
"Eula, you're back! Did you find Ying?"
"I found her! Hmph, not only that, they're shamelessly hugging and clinging to each other in broad daylight!"
Eula sounded downright sour.
"Hugging and clinging? What do you mean?"
"You'll see for yourself. They should be here any second."
Paimon peeked around Eula and saw them: the three of them, practically walking in sync like a three legged race.
"Yo! Paimon, sorry to keep you waiting. Mission accomplished."
"Ying!"
Paimon launched herself at Ying's chest like a rocket.
Ying laughed and caught her, saying, "Careful, or you'll flatten my chest! If that happens and Gongqu doesn't want me anymore, you and I will be forced to beg on the streets."
"Wha, No way! Paimon's not gonna beg on the streets! Besides, Gongqu promised to take care of me for life!"
"Oh? He really said that to you?"
"Yeah, yeah! We even did a pinky swear!"
Paimon proudly held up her tiny hand to demonstrate.
At that, Gongqu suddenly felt two pairs of eyes on him, both full of suspicion.
Keqing: "Ahem, Gongqu, I don't mind you seeing other girls, but… Paimon's just a bit…"
Ying: "My, my, hubby, no preferences at all, huh? Next time you're eyeing Klee, let me know so I can keep Alice busy for you!"