Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable

It finally dawned on Shenhe.

The whole "seeing her off" thing was just a cover—Luo Qing had no intention of returning to Ganyu's house.

"Did Senior Sister… really say that?"

Shenhe narrowed her eyes, staring straight at Luo Qing's face.

If he showed even a sliver of hesitation, she wouldn't hesitate to kick him right back out the door.

"Of course! Your Senior Sister threw me out—with my clothes, too—and told me to take care of you since you had such a long journey down the mountain."

Luo Qing's tone was utterly sincere, and there wasn't the slightest flicker of guilt on his face.

"…?"

Shenhe scrutinized him carefully, searching for any signs of deception, but his expression was flawless.

But why would Senior Sister do something like that?

Shenhe's confusion mirrored Luo Qing's earlier bewilderment. Neither of them could quite understand Ganyu's logic.

"Well, it's already so late," Luo Qing said matter-of-factly, patting the spot next to him on the bed.

"If you don't go to sleep now, the sun will be up before you know it."

"…This bed is only big enough for one person," Shenhe replied flatly.

"It's fine! We can squeeze," Luo Qing said with a grin, entirely unbothered.

"…?"

Shenhe was speechless, her gaze flickering toward the empty space beside him.

Is this… a test?

She had come down the mountain with the intent of "testing her will" alongside Luo Qing.

Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity.

It wasn't like she minded sharing a bed with him. In Sumeru, she'd already had those… dreams. Dreams vivid enough to feel almost real—some of them even came in episodes.

"I'll just… go wash up first," Shenhe murmured, turning on her heel and leaving the room.

She still wasn't quite comfortable bathing in front of Luo Qing, so she went to the adjacent room to clean herself up.

"Alright, I'll wait for you~," Luo Qing called out, chuckling softly.

"…!"

Shenhe paused for a moment, turning back to glare at him before continuing on her way.

A short while later, the soft glow of light appeared from the neighboring room, accompanied by the sound of running water.

Luo Qing leaned back against the bed frame, listening idly. The sounds of water cascading only made the silence more tantalizing.

Eventually, the light went out, and the soft patter of footsteps returned.

The door creaked open. Shenhe stepped inside, her long silver hair slightly damp, and her form cloaked in a loose sleeping robe. Despite the robe, the red ropes she always wore were still tied around her body.

"You're still awake…"

Shenhe's voice held a trace of hesitation as she looked at Luo Qing.

There he was, sprawled across the bed in nothing but his bright red shorts, grinning smugly as he patted the spot beside him.

"I was waiting for you," he replied, lifting the corner of the blanket invitingly. "Come on, I even warmed up your spot."

"…?"

Shenhe hesitated at the edge of the bed, the faintest trace of uncertainty crossing her face.

She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself, then stepped forward.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she was caught off guard when Luo Qing's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her gently toward him.

"By the way, do you always sleep with those red ropes on?" Luo Qing asked, resting his chin on her shoulder.

The ropes were undeniably… appealing, but he had to admit they were a bit uncomfortable to the touch.

"Mm…"

Shenhe hesitated, her voice wavering.

Lately, she had been able to suppress her "temperament" for an entire night without the ropes. Technically, removing them shouldn't be a problem.

After a moment of contemplation, she reached behind her back and carefully loosened the red ropes.

With a faint rustling sound, the ropes fell away, leaving Shenhe's figure framed only by her soft robe.

"…Hah."

She let out a slow, steadying breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

But Luo Qing's hands were already on her again, pulling her down against his chest.

"Don't worry. I won't do anything," Luo Qing reassured her, stroking her hair as he lay back down. "Let's just get some sleep."

"…Alright."

Shenhe rested her head on his shoulder, her body pressed close to his.

The bed was small—too small for two adults—forcing her to lie snugly against him.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Shenhe could feel Luo Qing's steady breathing, his warmth radiating through her robe. The soft rhythm of his heartbeat echoed in her ears, stirring something within her.

Why is my heart beating so fast?

She tried to focus on her breathing, but the closer she was to Luo Qing, the harder it became to suppress the heat rising inside her.

This isn't good…

Shenhe closed her eyes, trying to stabilize her emotions.

But no matter how much she tried to calm herself, her mind kept drifting.

It's just… too close.

Two hours later.

Luo Qing awoke to a strange sensation. Something—or someone—was pressing down on him.

He rubbed his eyes groggily and blinked, only to find Shenhe straddling him.

Her face was flushed, her robe slightly disheveled, and her breath came in soft, shallow pants. Her gaze was unfocused, her usually calm eyes clouded with something he couldn't quite place.

"Uh…"

Luo Qing froze, still half-asleep.

"Shenhe, what are you…?"

"Luo Qing…" Shenhe whispered, her voice trembling as she leaned closer.

"I… I can't hold it back anymore…"

Can't hold what back?

Luo Qing's mind raced, trying to comprehend what was happening.

"I thought… I could suppress it," Shenhe continued, her breath hot against his neck. "But being this close to you… it's… too much…"

"Uh, should we… put the ropes back on?" Luo Qing suggested, his hand reaching toward the red ropes at the edge of the bed.

But before he could grab them, Shenhe slapped his hand away, sending the ropes tumbling to the floor.

"…Shenhe?"

"Forget the ropes," she said, her voice soft but firm.

Her hand cupped his face, her thumb tracing along his jaw as she leaned closer. Her lips brushed against his, her smile teasing and almost predatory.

"Luo Qing…"

Her fingers trailed slowly down his neck, over his chest, and toward his waist.

"We don't need them anymore… Do we?"

For the first time since he'd met her, Luo Qing saw Shenhe smile like that—like a woman who had just cornered her prey.

Her eyes glimmered with something dangerous, something wild, as her lips hovered just above his ear.

"Let's… do it, okay?"

"…?!"

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T/N: how turn tables yes