The family war council didn't run too late.
With two children present, their bedtime had to be respected—and besides, everyone needed to conserve energy for tomorrow.
After dinner.
In the bathhouse of the forest cabin.
Gong Qu, the last to bathe, reclined lazily in a tub nearly the size of a small swimming pool, eyes closed, letting the warmth soothe him.
So much had happened over the past two days.
Searching for the missing Lumine. Visiting the Anemo Archon. Rescuing the Knights of Favonius. The explosive showdown at the Crystal Palace. Negotiating an alliance with the Knights. Preparing for the battle against the fire dragon.
Ever since the portal to Teyvat opened yesterday, events had rushed forward, one after another, like someone hit the fast-forward button on the plot of his life.
It already felt like ages had passed since those peaceful countryside days with Ah Qing.
And truth be told, it had been quite a few days since they'd last... shared intimacy.
Click.
The bathhouse door creaked open.
A girl with violet hair, wrapped in a bath towel, stepped inside barefoot, her footsteps crisp on the warm tiles.
"Ah Qu, you in here?"
Gong Qu raised a hand. The gentle splash of water was answer enough for Keqing.
She smiled softly, untying her robe before stepping lightly into the tub, her figure slipping beneath the surface like a dragonfly touching water.
They exchanged a knowing smile. This wasn't the first time.
Keqing leaned toward him, crawling across the water. Her movements sent gentle waves crashing against the sides of the tub, the warm water sloshing and retreating like the tide.
When she reached him, she turned slightly and nestled into his arms.
"Eee~"
A soft whimper escaped her lips as she glanced reproachfully at his mischievous hand.
"Sorry, did I hurt you?"
"It tickles~"
Her eyes, bright and dewy, locked on his, as if silently pleading.
Gong Qu gave her head a light pat.
"Be good. We've got a tough fight ahead tomorrow. Tonight's not the time."
"But... it's been so long…"
She unconsciously brushed her fingers across her belly, a hint of sadness flickering across her face.
"Is it because you saw Klee today? Got you thinking you'd like a daughter?" Gong Qu teased.
"Mhm."
She admitted it.
He chuckled, then gently reassured her. "There's plenty of time. Having a kid isn't something to rush—let's take it slow."
"…Lisa—how did you even convince her to join your harem?"
"That's a hell of a jump in topics… Fine, your boobs are bigger, you win."
Seeing Keqing's expression morph into one of impending violence, Gong Qu quickly waved the white flag.
He then recounted the day's events to his 'chief wife.'
Even Keqing, usually composed, couldn't hold back. Her hand reached for his waist.
And twisted hard.
"Hisss—!"
"Well done, Young Master Qu! Four girls in one go? Tell me honestly, how many girls had you maxed out Affection Level 10 with back when you were still playing Genshin?"
Images flooded Gong Qu's mind, but self-preservation kicked in. Provoking Keqing right now would mean turning their relaxing bath into a nerve-tingling torture chamber.
"That was ages ago. I don't even remember—just a few that really left an impression."
"Great. Then tell me exactly who those 'impressive' few are—besides those four."
"Uhh… Ah Qing, maybe we should circle back to the baby-making topic?"
She wavered—but only for a second. Realizing it was just a diversion, she shot him a death glare.
"Nice try. Out with it! Besides Kamisato Ayaka, Yoimiya, and Nilou, who else?!"
"Barbara, Noelle, Mona, Ningguang, Yelan, Qiqi, Yaoyao, Kokomi, Yae Miko, Raiden Shogun, Nahida, Dehya…"
Just as Gong Qu rattled off the names, another girl in a towel—this time blonde—walked in.
"Seriously? You two are having your steamy rendezvous out here without me? Come on, this kind of game's not complete unless I join in."
"Lumine! That's not even your line! And can't you read the room?!"
"Oh no, it's fine. Go on, Lumine. Who else is on the list?"
Keqing turned her head slowly. Her eyes, now devoid of any warmth, made even the carefree Lumine flinch.
She stammered for a moment, catching Gong Qu's increasingly frantic winks, and quickly amended:
"Ahaha! I'm just a silent protagonist, you know? I don't keep track of anyone's affection levels. All those names—we just met them on our journey. As for whether their affection is maxed… that's something he would know!"
Keqing's gaze darkened further, releasing a death-stare straight at Gong Qu.
He broke into a cold sweat, frozen stiff.
"Hmph! Not worth my energy."
She leaned in close and bit down on his neck—leaving a very visible love mark—before moving back to her spot.
Lumine giggled sheepishly, using the steam to hide her flushed face as she crawled into the water from the other side.
And so, the bath turned into a rather... suggestive scene.
Truth be told…
Once Keqing accepted the idea of sharing her man, the illicit thrill of it all somehow made the experience even more intense than when it was just the two of them.
Gradually…
The water churned more and more as movements grew larger.
And soon, with a splash—
All three disappeared below the surface, carving out a new battlefield beneath the waves.
Scandalous! Absolutely scandalous! How could they?!
Lisa stood just outside the changing room, hesitating between stepping in or tactfully backing out.
Even dressed in a swimsuit, she now felt ridiculously conservative.
The sounds of splashing nearly drowned out the moans and gasps, but the heavy scent of hormones hung unmistakably in the air.
"…Maybe I shouldn't go in after all."
In the end, Lisa couldn't bring herself to add to Gong Qu's already heavy workload.
Though, judging from the sounds alone, those two girls were clearly being thoroughly defeated and could use some backup.
Sigh... I'll just... take care of it here.
An hour later.
Gong Qu emerged from the bathhouse, carrying Lumine in his arms like a bundle of jelly.
Behind them trailed Keqing, already recovered.
"Now you know who's boss, huh, Lumine?"
"I'm sorry, hubby~ I'll never call you a 'side character' again~"
Lumine buried her flushed face in Gong Qu's godlike chest, murmuring her apology weakly.
She'd lost count of how many times she'd reached heaven.
Only remembered how Keqing had heroically shielded her during the fiercest "attacks," her silhouette like a distant echo of maternal love long forgotten.
"…Wait, what's this puddle?"
Gong Qu glanced toward the wardrobe.
Near the wall, a sticky, shimmering puddle caught his eye.
He sniffed the lingering fragrance of roses in the air, and his mouth twitched.
What kind of doujin scene is this?!
Lisa, are you some sort of tragic heroine from another story arc?!