Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

The traveler angrily stuffed the talisman back into her pocket, then slumped back onto her sleeping bag with a dull thud. The soft sleeping bag did little to alleviate the suffocation in her heart.

Jin Moli, who was beside her, seemed to be disturbed again. She let out a soft, uncomfortable whimper in her sleep and turned over.

Sigh, really...

The traveler sighed, completely abandoning the idea of ​​sleeping and "escaping".

Go outside for some fresh air! It's better than lying here brooding.

Wrapped tightly in a thick wool blanket, the traveler tiptoed out of the tent. The campfire at the camp was still burning, its flames flickering in the night wind, radiating the last vestiges of warmth.

A little distance from the camp, a mercenary on night duty, carrying his weapon, silently patrolled atop a sand dune not far away. He glanced in her direction, recognized her as a traveler, and did not approach to disturb her.

The traveler simply sat down on the still-warm sand, wrapped the blanket tighter around himself, and looked up at the night sky.

I was deeply moved at first glance.

Under the vast, unobstructed desert sky, free from the intrusion of city lights and the obstruction of air pollution, the starry sky presents an almost luxurious brilliance and clarity.

Countless stars, like gems crushed by a giant hand, were evenly scattered across the velvety deep blue-black dome, densely packed, stretching all the way to the horizon at the edge of the field of vision.

Upon closer inspection, one can even vaguely see the hazy silver band of light formed by the convergence of billions of stars. It is the trajectory of the Milky Way, a miracle that is rarely seen in bustling cities.

The starlight, cool and pure, spilled across the rolling sand dunes, casting a faint blue glow on the cold, silvery-gray sand sea. It was breathtakingly beautiful, yet also so desolate that it left one feeling empty inside.

Under this vast starry sky, the daytime heat, the rush of life, and the slight annoyance that arose from the spell's failure all seemed to be diluted and cooled by this boundless tranquility.

The traveler hugged his knees, rested his chin on them, and stared blankly at the starry sky.

Thinking about it calmly, it seems that I wasn't entirely angry that Zhongli might have taken back the spell (if he really did). More so, I was probably angry that he left without saying goodbye, and that he withdrew so decisively and cleanly.

She was angry because... because of something from long ago, something that had always stood between them, something she didn't know how to resolve, or even how to truly face and talk about.

It was an old story that she thought had been forgotten or covered up with time, with each cycle of reincarnation and adventure, but in reality, it had always been buried deep in her heart and would occasionally surface to prick her.

"Vice Hall Master...aren't you cold outside?" A gentle voice came from behind.

The traveler turned around and saw that Jin Moli had also come out of the tent at some point. She was only wearing a thin outer garment, her arms were crossed, and her body was shivering slightly in the cool night wind. She was looking at her through the tent flap.

The moonlight shone on her face, outlining her soft features. Her eyes, still slightly sleepy, reflected the starlight and appeared exceptionally clear.

"Sit closer, I'll share some of the blanket with you." The traveler shifted his position, lifted a corner of the blanket, and extended an invitation.

The blanket is large enough to accommodate two people, though it might be a bit cramped, but it should be enough to keep warm.

“Okay.” Jin Moli did not refuse. She smiled gently, obediently walked over, sat down next to the traveler, took a corner of the blanket that was handed to her, and wrapped herself in it as well.

The two sat side by side, with a small gap between them, and the night breeze slipped in through the gap, bringing a slight chill.

The traveler subconsciously leaned closer to Jin Moli, their shoulders gently touching, and the warmth and delicate fragrance of the other became much clearer.

"The starry sky in the desert is a rare sight; it would be a shame to miss it," the traveler murmured, turning his gaze back to the dazzling sky.

“Indeed, that’s true.” Jin Moli also looked up at the starry sky, the Milky Way’s brilliance reflected in her clear eyes. She murmured, “Gazing at the Milky Way, I think of my loved ones.”

The traveler's mind stirred slightly, and almost blurted out, he continued, "Leaning against the sand and stones to express my longing."

"Hehe... What a fine poem. The Vice Hall Master is truly gifted." Jin Moli turned her head to look at the traveler, a faint smile playing on her lips, her eyes sparkling: "Is it also because of the scenery before you that you have feelings in your heart, and are you thinking of someone?"

"Hmm...it was just something I made up on the spot, it doesn't really count as poetry. It's just...the mood struck me, and it just flowed naturally." The traveler shook his head somewhat embarrassedly, then answered her next question: "Missing someone? Of course not! I'm holding a grudge right now!"

"Holding a grudge? Why is that?" Jin Moli blinked curiously, turning slightly towards the traveler, seemingly drawn to the topic.

"Because..." The traveler was about to make up a reason when he was suddenly drawn to something else.

She didn't know when it started, but perhaps it was the natural physical closeness that came with the two of them sitting and talking, but she found herself almost completely leaning against Jin Moli's chest, her head even resting on her shoulder. This position allowed her to clearly feel the outline of the other's body.

"...Your shoulders seem a bit broader than the average girl's." She subconsciously raised her hand and gently touched Jin Moli's shoulder and arm through her clothes.

Jin Moli's body paused almost imperceptibly.

The traveler didn't pay much attention and continued muttering, "No wonder he's so tall, his frame seems to be a little... big too."

"Hehe..." Jin Moli raised her hand, covering her lips with her wide sleeve, and chuckled softly, her shoulders trembling slightly: "It's probably because... I've practiced martial arts with my elders since childhood, which has strengthened my muscles and bones..."

"Martial arts? This broad-shouldered frame must be natural, right? It's mostly related to genetics, isn't it?" The traveler offered another, more "scientific" explanation, tilting his head as he looked at her.

Taking advantage of this quiet opportunity to gaze at the stars together and lean against each other under the blanket, the traveler casually asked her many questions about recent happenings in Liyue Harbor, local rumors, the current situation of the Hall of Rebirth, and so on.

Jin Moli answered each question in a calm and reasonable manner.

As the traveler listened, she subtly took a few deep breaths, trying to catch the strange, reassuring yet enigmatic fragrance emanating from her. The scent seemed to have a calming effect, gradually settling her chaotic thoughts, and her eyelids began to grow heavy.

*

Back in the tent...

"Is this really okay? Won't your arm go numb from being pressed?" the traveler asked in a muffled voice.

At this moment, she had completely followed Jin Moli's suggestion and adjusted her posture, almost half-lying and half-leaning in the other's arms. Jin Moli wrapped one arm around her to make her more comfortable, while using the other hand to pull the blanket over them completely.

As Jin Moli just mentioned, the fragrance on her body comes from a family-inherited calming incense. Wearing or being exposed to it over a long period of time does indeed have a calming and sleep-inducing effect. If you are troubled and have difficulty falling asleep, you might as well try getting closer to it.

"Probably not." Jin Moli's voice came from above, as gentle and calm as ever: "Having practiced martial arts for many years, carrying weights and maintaining fixed postures are common occurrences; I'm used to it."

"No wonder the muscles are so firm and hard," the traveler muttered to himself, shifting to a more comfortable position and burying his face in the warm and fragrant embrace. "Then... thank you for your help."

Amazingly, the annoying rustling of the wind, the worry of being buried by the sand dunes, and all the thoughts churning in my mind seemed to be shut out by this warm and secure embrace.

A heavy wave of sleepiness washed over her, and her eyelids became so heavy she could no longer keep them open. The faint fragrance lingering around her nose seemed to possess a truly hypnotic magic, gently pulling her into the darkness.

Just before her consciousness completely sank into sleep, she vaguely thought: It seems... I really don't have to worry about being buried by the sand.