"Why don't you two stay in my tent? I can share with Ningguang. Your tent is so small, how can you possibly fit?" Keqing couldn't bear to watch. Their tent was truly tiny, looking utterly unlivable.
"No need. You probably haven't used one before, so you think this tent is small. But it's actually quite spacious inside. It's just enough for me and Seele. Don't worry about us." Hearing this, Keqing could only drop the matter. After all, she couldn't force them to stay in her tent; that would be impolite.
"Seele, what do you want to eat? I have some instant noodles and vegetarian meals. If you're hungry, you can have more." As she spoke, Lu Ze built a fire, placed a pot over the flames, poured in some water, and prepared to cook some instant food. After all, those things only needed hot water to be ready.
"Mhm, Seele is fine with anything." They casually cooked two cups of instant noodles and opened a few cans of food. They began their dinner, the fragrant aroma immediately drawing a displeased reaction from Keqing nearby.
"What's going on? What smells so good?" Keqing held two cold mooncakes in her hand. The contrast was stark. She also wanted something warm to eat, but outside, food was difficult to preserve, especially when on campaign. They only brought dry rations, and for main meals, they could only cook some porridge.
"Instant noodles and canned food. Do you want some? I have more. If you want some, I can make you a cup." Hearing that there was food, Keqing immediately moved closer, feeling fortunate that she hadn't annoyed Lu Ze. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gotten such delicious food today.
Soon, she was also eating hot instant noodles. Ningguang looked at the roujiamo in her hand, then at the steaming instant noodles of the others, and for some reason, felt a sense of… coldness.
"Lu Ze, can you make a cup for Ningguang too? After all..." Lu Ze nodded and took a cup from his system space.
"You over there, if you want to eat, come over too. I, Lu Ze, am a vengeful person, but a friend's friend is my friend." The unspoken meaning was that, for Keqing's sake, he wouldn't hold a grudge today. Ningguang knew she was benefiting from Keqing's kindness this time. She sighed, not knowing what she was thinking, and walked over, sitting next to Keqing.
Perhaps, for them, it was impossible in this lifetime? Perhaps, she had really gone too far?
"Thank you... And about what happened last time, I know it can't be undone, but I still want to say I'm sorry. I did something that repulsed you. I'm sorry... I'm truly sorry." Looking at the steaming instant noodles, Ningguang's eyes welled up for some reason. Memories of her past poverty resurfaced. Back then, she naively believed that with effort, anything could be obtained, anything was possible. But the harsh reality of society struck her. Her mother's death was the final straw that broke her spirit. From then on, her heart never warmed again. The innocent little Ningguang, who once held a bowl of hot soup, was gone. All that remained was the scheming Ningguang, who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. It was precisely because of this that she successfully ascended to the position of Tianquan, using the cunning, methods, and means of a merchant. But now, she was tired... incredibly tired. Ever since becoming the Tianquan Star, she not only toiled day and night but also had to guard against the schemes of various people, even betrayals... Perhaps she could really retire... Like Lu Ze, to be a free person, traveling the world with her vast fortune would be a good choice. Or maybe open a shop... Do something she liked, earn Mora she liked, that wouldn't be a bad enjoyment either. As she thought, tears streamed down her face. The once arrogant Ningguang was actually crying... Even Keqing was at a loss when she saw this, not knowing what to say. She extended her hands, hesitant to touch, unsure whether to hug her.
"Sigh... If only I had known earlier, why make the same mistake again? Never mind, I forgive you. However, if you want me to trust you again, it might be difficult. It depends on your actions." From her perspective, Lu Ze could understand Ningguang, but he disliked that kind of behavior. Perhaps it was too forceful?
"Thank you... Thank you for your forgiveness..." After speaking, Ningguang silently began to eat her instant noodles, the steaming heat rising into the sky. The dinner's commotion ended. After a simple wash, Lu Ze returned to the tent, with Seele following closely. They faced each other inside the tent, a hint of awkwardness between them.
"Ahem, let's go to sleep early. We have to get up early tomorrow. Um... if you want a bit..." Before he could finish, Seele leaned in directly and bit Lu Ze, then clung to him, pulling him even closer.
"???" His pupils hadn't changed color. Why was Seele acting like a different person? But the situation was not optimistic. He couldn't just talk to her and expect her memories to return, could he?
"Mmph... Suck... The taste is alright, Brother Lu Ze... Long time no see." A wicked smile appeared on Seele's face. Her pupils were still blue, not red, but her personality seemed different?
"What are you talking about, Seele? You... you don't mean?"
"It's exactly what you think. Actually, after Hei See's verification, my memories have been unsealed. Brother Lu Ze, I don't know how you left back then, but I missed you so much... Damn it! Hei See got ahead of me again. I guess I can't let her out so easily in the future." Hearing this, Lu Ze's expression faltered. He quietly took two steps back, only to hit the tent's plastic fabric. In such a confined space, he couldn't escape tonight...
"Hehe, don't run, Brother Lu Ze... It's been so long, haven't you thought of me? I've missed you terribly... Tonight, let me... come..."
An hour later, Keqing came out for some fresh air but heard faint sounds. Feeling curious, she followed the sounds to Lu Ze's tent. Listening to the sounds, her face flushed slightly, and she felt utterly flustered.
"I'm so embarrassed for you..." As if sensing her presence, the sounds suddenly stopped. Someone silently used Honkai energy to isolate the sound.