This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [106]
Kamisato Ayato glanced at the slightly revealing tracksuit and couldn't understand.
What kind of trick did Luo Qing use to make his normally reserved and elegant sister wear something like this?
"I... I think I might like him a little..."
Ayaka lowered her head and whispered softly.
"Brother... I trust Luo Qing. He really isn't a bad person..."
"Hmm..."
Ayato responded thoughtfully, then slowly stood up, glancing at the clothing catalog on the table.
"Before Father passed, he told me that if you ever found someone you cared for, I should respect your feelings and not interfere too much...
So, Ayaka, the choice is entirely yours."
Ayato gently patted Ayaka's shoulder and spoke softly,
"No matter what, as your brother, I will respect your decision..."
"Brother..."
Ayaka lowered her head in guilt.
Her brother was always burdened with governmental duties, and as his sister, she should be helping ease his burdens.
But now, because of Luo Qing, she was adding to his worries.
Sigh, if only Luo Qing were from Inazuma...
...
Seeing Ayaka's silence, Ayato understood.
He needed to give his sister some space and time to think things over.
After giving a few brief instructions to Sayo, Ayato left the Komore Tea Room, heading back to the Yashiro Commission.
It wasn't that he was deliberately trying to prevent his sister from finding love. It was just that, with the Vision Hunt Decree in full swing and Luo Qing's identity being so sensitive, Ayato had to be cautious.
As the head of the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commissioner, the weight of responsibility on his shoulders forced him to tread carefully, ensuring that the Kamisato Clan wouldn't fall into decline again.
As soon as he stepped outside, he spotted Luo Qing standing not far away at a small stall, holding two cups of bubble tea. Luo Qing waved him over.
After a moment of thought, Ayato walked over to him.
"Care for a cup of grass jelly bubble tea, Ayato? This place makes excellent bubble tea~"
"..."
Ayato looked at the cup of grass jelly bubble tea Luo Qing was offering, and a suspicion arose in his mind.
Did Luo Qing know he would come out and was waiting here on purpose?
Did he even know about his favorite drink?
"Thank you, Mr. Luo Qing."
Ayato smiled faintly, accepted the tea, and skillfully inserted the straw, taking a sip.
After all, this was the Shogun's territory. He didn't think Luo Qing would try to harm him here.
Hmm... the bubbles are indeed quite tasty.
After taking a sip, Ayato noticed Luo Qing glancing at the tea room and casually asked,
"So, you finished your talk with Ayaka?"
Ayato smiled slightly and probed, "Is Mr. Luo Qing curious about what we discussed?"
"Just a little curious."
Luo Qing shook his head and continued, "But there is one thing I'm especially interested in. Would you be willing to enlighten me, Ayato?"
"What is it?"
Ayato was puzzled.
"I was wondering... what are the Kamisato Clan's typical bride price requirements?"
"?"
[+1 Frustration Value from Kamisato Ayato]
In all his life, Ayato had never met anyone as bold as this.
He had spent so much time exchanging pleasantries with politicians and officials from the Shogunate that he was momentarily at a loss for words.
After thinking for a bit, he decided to feign ignorance.
"Why is Mr. Luo Qing suddenly interested in that?"
"Well..."
Luo Qing smiled tactically and replied in a calm voice,
"Take a guess~"
"..."
[+1 Frustration Value from Kamisato Ayato]
Now, Ayato finally understood.
Luo Qing was also a master of playing dumb!
How on earth did my sister fall for someone like this?
Judging by his skills in pretending to be clueless, there was no telling how many women he had charmed on the side!
After some thought, Ayato responded calmly,
"The Kamisato Clan has always valued mutual affection above all, and we've never had any formal bride price requirements. So, I'm afraid I can't answer your question."
"Ah, I see."
Luo Qing let out a sigh of relief and then, smiling again, asked,
"So, Ayato, do you think I still have a chance?"
"..."
Ayato smiled slightly and asked,
"Mr. Luo Qing, do you like my sister?"
At this point, he realized that the usual diplomatic responses he used in the political arena wouldn't work on Luo Qing.
The man was just as adept at reading people and playing to the situation.
So, Ayato decided to be as straightforward as Luo Qing had been earlier.
"Ayaka is so adorable, who wouldn't like her?"
Luo Qing waved his hand and added,
"Alright, Ayato, I have some things to take care of, so I'll leave for now. We'll talk again sometime."
Without waiting for a response from Ayato, Luo Qing turned and waved at the second-floor window of the tea room, where Ayaka had been secretly watching. He said his goodbyes to her and walked off toward his own resting place.
He knew full well that dealing with someone as politically shrewd as Ayato meant he couldn't follow the usual playbook. Otherwise, he'd quickly fall into one of Ayato's traps.
But he had conveyed the message he wanted to deliver.
Now, he'd leave the rest to Ayato to figure out.
...
Ritou Port
A large fleet of ships had, after several days of navigating through storm clouds, finally broken through the blockade and arrived at the port of Ritou.
The traveler from another world and her floating companion finally set foot on the land of Inazuma.
Taking advantage of the docking time, the two stood on the deck, gazing at the beautiful islands of Ritou and chatting.
"Wow, we're finally in Inazuma! I wonder what delicious food they have here!"
"Why are you always thinking about food? Don't forget why we came here!"
"Hehe, filling your belly is part of the adventure! Besides, what's the point of visiting a new land if we don't try the local delicacies?"
Paimon rubbed her belly, her mind wandering back to the word "purpose."
"Speaking of which, you did bring that thing Ganyu asked us to deliver to Luo Qing, right?"
"You mean the red ribbon she and Shenhe asked us to bring? Why did you suddenly think of that?"
"Ah, I was just looking at the port and got this weird feeling, like that guy Luo Qing has been here before!"
"But didn't he return to Snezhnaya? We're in Inazuma now; we're not likely to run into him here, right?"
"Hmm... I guess you're right. Maybe it was just my imagination?"
Paimon scratched her head, looking a little puzzled.
"Alright, stop thinking about it. The ship's docking. Let's go."
"Yeah..."
As the Alcor docked, the two, under Beidou's guidance, finally set foot on the land of Ritou.
As soon as they disembarked, a young man with golden hair and dressed in red, who had seemingly been waiting for a while, hurried over to greet them.
"Finally! The big boss from Liyue, and two stowaways... oh no, I mean esteemed guests!"
---
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