Chapter 19: Yanfei

The evening skies painted the Stone Gate scarlet and I could smell the scent of pop's tea from a distance. I could not help but feel crystal flies in my stomach. Madame Ping told me that Yanfei wanted to talk to me today, but she could just call me herself. But maybe I am only thinking about this too much. I took a long deep breath until I arrived at the gate.

She slept with her arms on the table cushioning her head, holding the codex in her other hand. Her long pink hair covered her face, never have I seen her drop her defence like this. I sat right in front of her; I looked at Pops Zhou and raised two fingers, he nodded in understanding.

Yanfei, you do understand that this is no good right? Showing your vulnerable side made my heart throbbed. I want to touch your hair right now, but I refrained. I held my hands together and clenched my fist. Since when do I keep having this feeling? Pops Zhou delivered the teas and for a moment, I forgot all of my anxiety. A few minutes passed by, before she finally woke up. Surprised to see me, she jumped and almost fell off her chair.

"Since...since when did you get here Aether? Why didn't you wake me up?" she covered her face in embarrassment. I giggled and she finally put her hands down, still blushing red.

I asked her for the reason she called me here today, but she did not answer me. Instead, she grabbed a cup of the pop teas on the table and took a long sip. Is she okay?

She slammed the half-empty cup on top of the table and glared at me,

"For the past few days. I can't get a good night's sleep! This is all your fault Aether!" Huh, me? I gulped, did I do something wrong to her? I tried to remember what I did , but nothing came to mind. Am I going to jail?

"You keep chatting with me in my free time with absolutely no agenda, you take me to the night market and you keep paying attention to me." Her angry face dissolved, and her voice was gradually getting softer.

"You shouldn't do that, or I would get the wrong idea." She averted her eyes away from me

"Speaking of which, where is that little fairy that keeps following you around?" Wow, that was a smooth change of topic.

Yeah, where is Paimon? It is rare to see her gone like this. Pop Zhou refilled our tea and she took another sip. She finally decided to tell me the reason she had called me here today.

"I called you today as a part of a contract I made with my father." If I am not mistaken the contract is about...

"Yes, you are correct, my long life contract obliges me to live happily." She smirked. I raised my eyebrow, why would she call me for that? "I'll give you the right to interpret it." There was a long pause before she started to talk again. By this time, Pops Zhou continued to refill us without us ordering.

"Aether, as a legal expert in Liyue, I had resolved countless cases. But cases that involve emotions and relationships are the most bothersome. Divorces, inheritances, custody disputes. I always hope and pray that if only everyone meets the right person and is spared from grievances." She slowly grabbed and hold my hands on the table

"Are you the right person for me?" She looked at me with her bright eye reflecting the colour of the setting sun,

"Lately, I found one more reason to feel content with what I do. Being relied on by you and becoming useful to you." Yanfei still held my hand but now she looked down at the table, averting her eyes from me once more.

"Aether, you've become my source of happiness. I have not missed a single night without thinking about you." Yanfei kept smiling awkwardly but she continued after a sigh,"Father always said that one day, you will finally find somebody special to your heart. I finally understand what he means."

"Aether, I-I," She raised her head"love you."

My heart felt like it had stopped beating. Her words getting slower as she continued talking.

"Very, very, much!" she ended off before releasing my hand and the adrenaline rush is over. Our faces turned red and I could feel my legs shaking.

"Ahhh, this is so humiliating for me, that's why I tell granny I never want to do this." She covered her face once more.

"No, that's not what I mean Aether. Everything I say is only the truth but..." She looked at me as if she still could not believe what I just heard. Her hand is still shaking but she looked me at the eye once more.

"Do you feel the same as me?" She forced herself to smile.

She does know my circumstances right? I still need to find my sister and...

"I don't want to hear that, just tell me your answer."

I took a deep breath. My actions must have sold it a long time ago, I pleaded guilty as charged. Innocence in your smile and fearless in your eyes, I liked every part of you, and that you told me what you feel the same as I am, I was about to burst from happiness.

"Every contract begins with a seal. But I never thought that without it, us two could still be relevant. Would you at least sign this covenant and tell me your answer with a pact on my lips?"

She raised her head and moved her face forward.

Time slowed down as the last bit of the sun's light started to disappear, I caressed her soft face and pulled her chin forward.

"EHM!" Someone coughed hard. Yanfei opened her eyes and I pulled my hands away from her chin.

"Granny? Wha-wha what are you doing here?" I look behind and not only Madame Ping but also Pops Zhou pretended to look the other way. The other customers pretended to mind their own business as well.

Madame Ping covered her mouth, "Oh ho ho, don't mind this old granny. Continue whatever you children are doing," Madame Ping laughed as she took a sip from her cup of tea.

I almost passed out, but Yanfei completely drowned in shame. I tried to calm her down but she kept chanting "I'll sue you." A bit creepy but I understand.

I stand up and kneel before her. I held her hands once again and the people around us started cheering but I ignored them.

"Yanfei, I love you very, very much, will you spend your eternity with me?" I looked into her eyes deeply so that she would only be able to focus on me.

She took another deep breath and with a plain face she nodded, "Of course, I do Aether."

The crowds went wild.

She saw my worried face. "Of course, the legal vow will be made after you found your sister. Right now, I'm content with hearing your feelings."

"But do not ever think to cheat on me. You know my capabilities the best, Aether."

I would never think to do that, but her smile right now terrifies me enough that I would never forget her words.

She stood up. "We will talk again tomorrow." She covered up her face in embarrassment and ran away as fast as possible toward the Bishui Plain.

That was just how Yanfei is, laid back, gentle, the cheerful Adepti who is loved by all in Liyue Harbour, but with a snap and she is an unforgiving beast who burns everything in her path.

"Oh ho ho, be sure to make her happy won't you? She may look tough but she is a sweetheart." Madame Ping pat my back.

"I know" I answered confidently with a big smile on my face.