Kael spent the evening with Keqing, soaking in the festive atmosphere of Liyue.
After walking Keqing to her doorstep, he prepared to exit sensory mode.
"Kael, wait."
Seeing Kael about to leave, Keqing quickly spoke up.
She took a few steps forward, standing right in front of him.
Her face showed visible nervousness.
"From now on, can we spend every Moonchase Festival together?"
Kael was stunned.
Every year?
Did that mean...
"Kael, I like you. Not just the Moonchase Festival—I want to spend every holiday with you."
This was clearly a confession!
Kael had already sensed the ambiguous atmosphere between them.
But he never expected Keqing to be so straightforward and suddenly confess!
After waiting for a response and hearing none, Keqing slightly lowered her eyes.
From Kael's angle, he could see her trembling eyelashes.
"Sure."
Keqing, who thought she might be rejected, looked up in surprise and saw Kael smiling gently.
Kael had already figured out the system.
The deeper his connection with the Genshin characters, the higher the Tragedy Simulator score would be when it ended.
If Keqing wanted to take their relationship further, it was only beneficial for him.
Although the emotions of the characters in the Life Simulation would carry over to the real world, Kael had once been troubled by this.
But now, he had clarity.
Since they wouldn't remember the Life Simulation anyway, as long as he managed his relationships in the real world and kept things balanced, it wouldn't cause him too much trouble.
Even if it did, it wouldn't stop his desire to grow stronger.
Kael had already experienced the benefits of becoming stronger in the real world.
It was addictive—once you experienced it, you couldn't stop!
Besides, what man could resist the affection of these top-tier beauties, each with their own unique charm?
Kael gently stroked Keqing's hair and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"My feelings are the same as yours."
This kiss completely broke Keqing's composure.
Her usually calm and collected expression vanished, replaced by shyness and fluster.
"I... I..."
Keqing's heart was beating so fast and hard, it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
Only when she was with Kael did she lose her usual poise like this.
The girl's shy yet expectant expression seemed to urge Kael to do something more.
Following his instincts, Kael leaned in.
When their lips met, a faint scent of peach blossoms filled the air.
After their breaths mingled, Keqing leaned limply against Kael's chest.
Kael couldn't help but laugh.
He never expected this noble and dignified girl to have such a side to her.
Feeling the vibrations in Kael's chest, Keqing's face turned even redder.
She gently broke free from his embrace and ran into her house without looking back.
Watching Keqing flee in embarrassment, Kael cheerfully said to the system, "Switch mode."
[This Sensory Mode session lasted a total of 4 hours. 20 attribute points have been deducted from the host.]
[Switching to Text Mode.]
Kael's surroundings shifted, and he was back in his room, lying on his bed.
[You returned to Wanmin Restaurant in high spirits, not noticing a white figure flashing by at the intersection.]
A white figure?
Who was that?
During Life Simulation, the system usually didn't display unimportant characters.
Since it was specifically mentioned, it must be a Genshin character.
Among the people he knew, only Ningguang fit that description.
But Ningguang was 5 or 6 years older than him in this Life Simulation, more of an older sister figure.
If she saw something, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Kael didn't have time to figure it out. Not wanting to miss the next part of the story, he decided to set it aside for now.
[When you got home, you saw Xiangling sitting in the living room, waiting for you, even though she should have been in bed by now.]
[Xiangling looked at you with a gossipy expression. "Brother, how was your night with Keqing?"]
[You pretended to be calm. "The same as usual."]
[Xiangling was confused. "But Keqing told me..."]
[You pinched Xiangling's chubby cheeks. "What did Keqing tell you? Stay out of adult matters."]
[Xiangling rolled her eyes, her words muffled because you were pinching her face. "What adult matters? You're only three years older than me. I'm just looking out for you. Keqing is such a great girl—don't miss your chance."]
----
[Age 18: Shortly after you and Keqing confirmed your relationship, she told you some news.]
[She had been selected to become one of the Liyue Qixing—the Yuheng Star.]
[Upon hearing this, you were very happy for her. You knew how exceptional Keqing was, so her selection didn't surprise you.]
[After Keqing became the Yuheng Star, her work became extremely busy, and she could no longer visit Wanmin Restaurant as frequently as before.]
[Your dates were now limited to evenings, after both of you had finished your work.]
[Today, you had agreed to meet Keqing in Liyue Harbor for an evening date. As usual, you finished closing up the shop.]
[Just as you were about to leave, you saw Ningguang, whom you hadn't seen in a long time.]
[If you counted carefully, it had been over half a year since Ningguang last appeared.]
[You didn't think much of it. Someone like Ningguang, a strong and capable woman, must be very busy with work. It made sense she wouldn't have time to visit Wanmin often.]
[You greeted Ningguang as usual.]
[Ningguang told you that she had eaten Bamboo Shoot Soup at Liuli Pavilion today, but it was far inferior to the one you made. Tonight, she wanted to taste your Bamboo Shoot Soup again.]
[You were happy to fulfill Ningguang's request, but you already had a date with Keqing tonight.]
[You were in a dilemma.]
[At this moment, you chose to...]
[1. Agree to Ningguang and cancel the date with Keqing.]
[2. Reject Ningguang.]
"I choose 2."
Although Ningguang was a benefactor of Wanmin, Keqing was now his girlfriend.
How could he cancel a date with his girlfriend to cook for another woman?
[You told Ningguang that you had already made plans with someone and would have to wait until next time to cook for her.]
[Ningguang smiled and said, "Of course. I was the one who came uninvited and bothered you. Since you already have plans, please go ahead."]
[You hurriedly left, and Ningguang's smile disappeared the moment you turned around.]
[She watched your retreating figure with a hint of loneliness.]
Huh?
No way?
Ningguang must just be disappointed about not getting the Bamboo Shoot Soup, right?
It couldn't be what he was thinking...
[You and Keqing had a wonderful evening. When you parted, she shyly stood on her tiptoes.]
[A warm sensation brushed your lips.]
[As she tried to pull away, you held her waist and deepened the moment.]
[Age 19: Following your father's advice, you participated in the Liyue Culinary Championship. Your culinary skills were now masterful, and as expected, you won the competition.]
[A woman with a black crown-shaped mask and a long black-and-white dress, dressed in a striking manner, appeared at Wanmin Restaurant.]
This outfit... it must be La Signora.
The Fatui were already in Liyue?
Were they here to cause trouble?
[She said she had come specifically to try the cooking of the Liyue Culinary Champion.]
[You didn't pay much attention to this foreign-dressed guest. Ever since you won the championship, business at Wanmin had been booming, and this was just another guest who came to sample your cooking.]
[Ever since the night you rejected her, Ningguang had stopped visiting Wanmin.]
[However, she remained a regular customer, often sending her secretary to buy Bamboo Shoot Soup.]
[Your relationship with Keqing grew closer, and you even met each other's families. Although Keqing's father wasn't entirely satisfied with your profession as a chef, Keqing's insistence made him accept your relationship.]
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