Jiang Chen looked helplessly at Lumine in his arms.
Lumine also raised her head and met his gaze.
"It touched you because you were squirming."
"Stop moving!"
As Jiang Chen spoke, his breath brushed against Lumine's face.
This made her cheeks flush even redder.
She hurriedly turned her head away.
Her reaction amused Jiang Chen.
To think she could get shy too.
How rare.
But... Lumine did have some nice curves.
Not bad.
Jiang Chen continued flying toward Guili Plains while holding Lumine.
But he didn't stop there.
Instead, he decided to push forward and fly all the way to Liyue Harbor.
Looking down from high above, Lumine couldn't help but complain:
"Why didn't you fly us here earlier?"
"Instead of walking so slowly."
Only now did you think to use flying?
Did you completely forget before?
"Would you have let me hold you like this and fly earlier?"
"You probably would've slapped me."
Hearing Lumine's words, Jiang Chen retorted.
Was the situation then the same as now?
Completely different.
They hadn't been close back then.
Hearing this, Lumine frowned.
"So it's okay now?"
"I didn't even agree, and you just grabbed me!!"
Speaking of this, she felt deeply dissatisfied.
At the very least, he should have given her time to react!
"You're not objecting now, are you?"
Lumine was speechless.
She wanted to say, "I do object!"
But after thinking about it, she decided to drop it.
After spending this time with Jiang Chen, she didn't dislike him.
It actually felt... nice?
Even though he took liberties, she didn't hate it?
Thinking of this, Lumine blinked.
She decided not to dwell on it.
Instead, she began enjoying the scenery.
The view from high above was spectacular.
Paimon and Lumine started chatting.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen focused on flying at full speed.
Soon, Jiang Chen arrived outside Liyue Harbor.
However, he didn't fly directly into the city.
If he did that, Jiang Chen and Lumine would instantly become famous—which wasn't what either of them wanted.
So they landed in an unpopulated area outside the harbor.
Walking a short distance would reveal the full view of Liyue Harbor.
This was the perfect spot to land.
After landing, Lumine stretched her limbs.
Then she began walking forward.
As she moved, she glanced at Jiang Chen, a faint smile curling her lips.
Her mood was surprisingly good.
Though she wasn't sure why she felt so pleased.
The group reached the edge of a mountain peak overlooking Liyue Harbor in the distance.
"So beautiful!"
"It looks amazing from here."
The scenery of Liyue Harbor was fully visible from this vantage point.
It truly felt breathtaking.
Especially for Jiang Chen, who gazed at the familiar yet foreign architecture.
A sense of familiarity welled up in him.
"Gorgeous!"
"What a wonderful nation."
Lumine couldn't help but praise the distant view.
She had visited many worlds and nations.
She had seen similar architectures before.
But no matter how many times she saw it, she still found such countries beautiful.
"Yeah!"
"Absolutely stunning."
Jiang Chen also couldn't resist giving a thumbs-up.
"Let's hurry to Liyue Harbor."
"We need to get in before dark."
"Then we'll find a place to stay."
Paimon was already getting restless.
She was eagerly anticipating the delicious food inside the city.
So she wanted to hurry in.
"Can't get in? How is that possible?"
"Paimon, don't rush."
"We'll enter slowly."
"No need to panic."
Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Paimon was baffled.
What nonsense was Jiang Chen spouting?
Meanwhile, Lumine's face darkened.
Did a wheel just roll over her face?
Was this an illusion?
"What are you talking about?"
"Let's go faster!"
"There's still a long way."
Paimon didn't understand, so she could only urge them onward.
Jiang Chen chuckled and said nothing more.
They began descending toward Liyue Harbor.
After coming down the mountain, they saw the road leading into Liyue Harbor.
Unlike in the game, the path wasn't a narrow staircase but a wide stone road.
This was specifically built for merchant caravans.
Only by truly arriving in Teyvat did one realize how little the game showed.
Things like teleport waypoints didn't exist here.
The ley lines might exist, but they weren't so easily accessible.
If it were that simple, the Heavenly Principles would've come after you.
The three entered Liyue Harbor before sunset.
Even during off-hours, the harbor buzzed with activity.
Plenty of people were working overtime.
Liyue was ridiculously overworked.
It must've been started by Keqing and Ganyu.
Thinking of this, Jiang Chen felt certain.
Definitely those two.
Only they could be so hardworking and dedicated!
Upon arriving in Liyue Harbor, the group first looked for a place to eat.
Being newcomers, they weren't familiar with the area.
They randomly picked a restaurant for dinner.
After eating their fill, they found lodging.
News of Jiang Chen and Lumine's arrival quickly reached Ningguang.
Seeing the report, Ningguang's eyes lit up.
So fast?
She would need to speak with Jiang Chen later.
Currently, she was busy preparing for the Rite of Descension, so she had no time.
She'd approach them after things settled down.
...
Unaware of Ningguang's attention, Jiang Chen and Lumine rested at an inn after dinner.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, the trio began exploring Liyue Harbor.
The morning in the harbor was lively.
As soon as they stepped outside, they heard all kinds of vendor calls:
"Mora Meat! Delicious Mora Meat! Only 5 Mora per serving!"
"Buns! Freshly steamed buns!"
"Steamed buns! One Mora each!"
...
Jiang Chen couldn't suppress his smile upon hearing the bustling atmosphere.
"This feels wonderful!"
He was genuinely happy.
He couldn't be more satisfied with the environment here.
This was exactly the vibe he loved.
"Mm-hmm."
"Absolutely."
"So much life here!"
Lumine also looked around in delight.
She loved this atmosphere too.
It felt incredibly welcoming.
"Let's go eat breakfast first."
"Then we'll ask around about where to buy land."
After saying this, Jiang Chen strode forward.
Paimon immediately followed.
"Jiang Chen, what do you want to eat?"
"I want to try that Mora Meat."
"And I want buns too!"
Following Jiang Chen meant good food—that was Paimon's current mindset.
If not for her attachment to Lumine, she might've switched allegiances.
After all, Jiang Chen would buy her anything.
Watching Paimon, Lumine sighed in exasperation.
This little traitor—would she sell her soul for food?
Had she completely forgotten about her?