Lumine didn't explain anything.
After saying a quick word to Jiang Chen, she dashed into the bathroom.
Watching her actions, Jiang Chen felt a little puzzled.
What's up with her today?
Something felt… off.
Was the tsundere side of Lumine acting up again?
Muttering to himself, Jiang Chen got up and started clearing the dishes.
Meanwhile, Lumine's heart was pounding uncontrollably.
Her face burned red.
This was the perfect opportunity!!
Paimon—that clingy little glutton—was finally gone.
Paimon was like a shadow, sticking to her 24/7.
But now? She wasn't here!!
With that thought, Lumine steeled her resolve.
Nothing and no one would stop her tonight. She, Lumine, had decreed it!
Firming her resolve, she began washing up.
By the time she stepped out, Jiang Chen had already finished cleaning.
Seeing this, Lumine immediately spoke up.
"You reek. Go take a shower!"
Jiang Chen's face scrunched in confusion.
He glanced down at himself, then raised an eyebrow.
"I'm wearing a Noble Phantasm."
Him, dirty?
Are you kidding?
The armor he wore was a divine weapon.
How could it possibly get dirty?
Jiang Chen almost wanted to curse.
"It's covered in food smells!"
"Can't you tell?"
Honestly, women were born actors.
Especially someone like Lumine, who had technically lived for centuries.
Jiang Chen couldn't detect any deception.
But since she insisted, he figured there was no harm in humoring her.
Fine, an early shower it is.
It wasn't like he had any nighttime entertainment planned anyway.
Meanwhile, Lumine quietly locked every door and window in the house.
No one was getting in tonight.
Now… it was her turn to take the lead.
When Jiang Chen stepped out of the shower, he was surprised to find the house dimly lit.
"Jiang Chen!"
"Let's do something fun."
"It's too boring just sitting around at night."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen agreed without hesitation.
"Sure, what do you want to do?"
It was true—this world lacked nighttime entertainment.
Jiang Chen usually just went to bed early and woke up at dawn for work.
The only ones who stayed up late were workaholics like Keqing.
Oh, and Ganyu.
Just as he was thinking this, Lumine smiled sweetly.
"Follow me!"
...
Before Jiang Chen knew it, he finally understood what Lumine meant by "fun."
Aether had officially become his brother-in-law.
No longer just a joke—this was real.
At the same time, Jiang Chen realized why Lumine had sent Paimon away.
If that little gremlin had stuck around, this never would've happened.
"You're something else."
"You totally tricked Paimon into leaving, didn't you?"
Lumine huffed proudly, not even bothering to deny it.
"Obviously."
"That little pest follows me everywhere—I have zero privacy."
"Plus, all she does is eat, eat, eat."
"If she loves food so much, she can go stuff herself tonight."
"Meanwhile, I get some alone time."
"Oh, and tomorrow, I'm heading to The Chasm."
"Then to Sumeru to get the Dendro element."
"After that, I'll return through The Chasm and head to Qiaoying Village."
"Then it's off to Fontaine for Hydro."
"The timing should work out."
"Once I'm back, there'll be a ship to Inazuma."
Lumine laid out her plans.
Originally, she had intended to wait until after collecting the elements before ditching Paimon.
But now? That glutton had voluntarily left for food.
What a blessing.
"Got it."
"Just contact me if you run into trouble."
"The other nations aren't exactly stable right now."
"Grab the elements and get out—don't get involved in local drama."
Lumine nodded.
"Right."
"If there's an Adventurers' Guild nearby, I'll post some missing person flyers."
"If not, I'll just come straight back."
At this, Lumine's lips twisted into a pout.
Then she continued grumbling.
"I swear my brother's avoiding me."
"I've plastered missing posters everywhere, but there's zero leads."
"Logically, someone should've seen something by now."
"But it's like he vanished off the face of Teyvat."
She was certain her brother hadn't left this world.
If he had, he would've taken her with him.
Plus, that white-haired nuisance was still blocking the exit.
So he couldn't have left.
And he definitely wasn't sealed away somewhere.
This was pure gut instinct.
They were twins, after all.
She'd have felt it if something was wrong.
Otherwise, she wouldn't still be searching so desperately.
Jiang Chen nodded sympathetically.
"He definitely is."
Because he was.
That trash brother of hers wasn't even worth finding.
While he feasted in the Abyss, his sister was out here roughing it.
If Lumine hadn't met Jiang Chen, she'd have ended up like in the game—
Scrounging for Mora by opening chests, just to feed a bottomless-pit fairy.
Without hard work, she'd never have kept Paimon fed.
"I've decided—when that jerk finally shows up, I'm stabbing him twice."
As she said this, she hugged Jiang Chen tightly.
Her gaze turned dangerous.
Anyone listening might've thought she was threatening Jiang Chen.
He could feel her resentment.
At this moment, he couldn't help but feel a little gleeful about Aether's future suffering.
Played yourself, didn't you?
Your sister's gone full yandere.
He couldn't wait to see their eventual reunion.
The two chatted for a long time.
Only when it grew late did Lumine finally return to her room.
After all, Paimon and the others would be back soon.
Havria and the girls had only said they wouldn't be home for dinner—not that they'd stay out all night.
Thanks to her superhuman stamina, Lumine recovered quickly, acting as if nothing had happened.
Sure, her powers were sealed, but her physical prowess remained.
No one would ever know.
When Paimon returned, she was grinning from ear to ear.
Clearly, she'd eaten very well tonight.
Though, to be fair… so had Jiang Chen.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Lumine set off for The Chasm with Paimon in tow.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen prepared to return to the Guili Plains.
The negotiations between Mondstadt and Liyue had gone smoothly.
Acting Grand Master Jean and Lisa didn't linger—Mondstadt had too much work waiting.
They left almost immediately after the talks concluded.
Before departing, Klee handed Jiang Chen a gift.
"Big Brother Jiang Chen!"
"This is a Dodoco plushie Klee made!"
"For you!"
Klee proudly presented the handmade doll—a palm-sized Dodoco, utterly adorable.
She'd spent the past few days crafting it.