The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"See you tomorrow, Ying."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Kiana. Have a good night's sleep."

Kiana smiled, then slowly pushed open the door to the room and entered the simple inn, which had been converted from a residential house, to rest.

As soon as Kiana entered the room, she spotted a beautiful figure...

He was sitting in a chair with his legs crossed, looking 'kind' with a rather accusatory air about him.

Kiana, you're back?

Mei's voice was still soft and beautiful, but her tone was extremely stern at this moment.

Just listening, Kiana realized that she needed to explain things properly. Otherwise, Mei would misunderstand again.

"Where did you go with that girl named Ying?"

Just as Kiana was thinking about how to deal with Mei, Mei preemptively asked a question.

"Uh...we...just went to see a play?"

Upon hearing this, Kiana inwardly cursed herself for being too careless. It was one thing to want to conceal her conversation with Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun, but she had the audacity to reveal what she had overheard about the Goddess's Observation before leaving... as an excuse.

What should we do? How can we make this work?

Forget it, I'll just be honest!

"Oh~"

Mei didn't seem to intend to let Kiana off the hook, and continued to press, "So you went to see a play? Hmm... I could tell the local culture here is incredibly detailed, just like the Shenzhou region. So, opera is definitely a must. Now... what's the name of the play? Can you tell me?"

"Uh...it's that one..."

As Mei's gaze grew colder, Kiana felt increasingly panicked.

Just as Kiana was inwardly lamenting the impending doom, Mei finally spoke up: "Fine, fine, if you don't want to tell me, then forget it. You're not going to tell me anyway, so just leave it at that."

"Uh...cough cough! How could that be, Mei! The name of this play is 'Goddess Splits the Temple'."

Kiana was surprised that Mei didn't press her further, but instead, somewhat embarrassed, went along with the conversation and explained.

However, although Mei didn't press the matter further on the surface, Kiana knew that Mei definitely wouldn't let her off easily this time.

It seems tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

"Is that so? Was the play good?"

"Beautiful, exceptionally beautiful."

"is it?"

Mei smiled and stood up, then placed the knife she had been holding onto the small table in the room. She then slowly walked towards Kiana.

The sudden approach of a beloved person surprised the person involved.

"Mei?"

"Kiana, why didn't you close the door when you came in?" Mei brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and closed the door. Then, her previous coldness vanished, and she took Kiana's hand, leading her gracefully towards the bed where Kiana was resting.

Caught off guard, Kiana had no choice but to slowly follow Mei to the bedside and sit down.

For some reason, the sunlight, which was originally dazzling, seems a little dimmer at this moment...

Kiana wanted to say something, but Mei's beautiful expression was so adorable that she simply stayed quietly by her beloved's side without breaking the silence.

"Seriously, I've been waiting for you in my room for ages. Kiana, is your acting really that good?"

"Cough cough!"

Hearing Mei's complaint, Kiana coughed lightly, feigning composure, and then—chosen to be honest:

"Actually, Ying and I just met a special person, no... I should say an immortal."

"Fairy...a fairy? Huh? Why does this turn of events feel like...cough! Is she the class monitor's friend?"

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter Thirty-Five: Let's stay together like this, forever. Okay?

Kiana's confession left Mei somewhat bewildered.

Why would the concept of immortals be brought up out of nowhere?

Secondly, a sage... could it be someone like Fu Hua, the class monitor? If so, why did she come specifically to see Kiana? Or rather, what were her purposes and thoughts in coming here to visit Kiana?

Surely they couldn't have just come to say hello? After all, what's the difference between the immortals of this land and the immortals I know?

A host of questions arose in Mei's mind, causing her brain to freeze for a moment. She blushed with embarrassment and didn't know how to deal with the situation.

Seeing this, Kiana reached out and cupped Mei's face without saying a word.

"Mei? Are you alright?!"

"Hmm, I'm fine. You don't need to exert yourself so much. I'm really fine."

Mei was both annoyed and amused by Kiana's groping. To get her hands on Kiana, she could only awkwardly reply...

"Is it really that good? I saw it clearly just now, Mei. You must have been a little nervous. Let me tell you, there's no need to be nervous at all."

"why?"

"Because they are more or less similar to Squad Leader Fu Hua, they have all been protecting a promise for thousands of years. As long as we are not here to do bad things, they will not make things difficult for us. On the contrary, they will give us a lot of help, after all, Gan Yu is one of them."

"I see. That's good."

Kiana's explanation reassured Mei considerably, allowing her to relax a little.

"Speaking of which, Mei, we've known each other for quite a while now. I know very well what kind of person you are. And you know very well what kind of person I am."

“Yes, that’s right.” Mei nodded.

"So there's no barrier between us, and you don't need to worry about me. My heart will always be with you."

Kiana gently pressed her forehead against Mei's, her eyes closed and silent. At that moment, she appeared so sincere, almost divinely so...

"Uh-huh."

Feeling the warmth emanating from her forehead, Mei's expression gradually softened.

Ultimately, she was still afraid of losing her again...

"Mei."

Kiana.

They looked at each other quietly, their eyes filled with love and reluctance.

And so, the two of them gazed at each other with deep affection, and finally slowly opened their hands.

Kiana.

"Mei."

"I like you."

"I like you too, I like you a lot."

"Me too."

"So."

The two nestled together, embracing in the room, feeling each other's presence. The feeling was so sweet, so intoxicating...

"I want it to stay like this forever."

After a long while, Kiana slowly raised her head and looked at Mei, her eyes filled with anticipation and longing.

"I want that too..."

Mei looked at Kiana.

"I want it this way."

"Um..."

Upon hearing this, Kiana's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile.

"So, we're both willing to accept each other."

"Yes, that's right."

"So..."

"what?"

Seeing Kiana's expression, Mei's heart raced, and a strange feeling welled up inside her.

"The two of us, for a lifetime, will never be apart..."

"OK."

Mei nodded heavily, her eyes welling up with tears.

...

The two embraced tightly in the room until night deepened and the moon rose, before slowly dispersing.

The next day, the sun shone brightly.

inside the room.

Mei was packing her things, preparing to leave.

Kiana, meanwhile, was fast asleep, hugging her pillow. Even in her sleep, she mumbled something.

"Um, Mei. I'm hungry. Is breakfast ready yet...?"

Mei answered Kiana's questions while making the bed.

"Kiana, are you still asleep and talking in your sleep? We're staying at a hotel right now, and even breakfast is prepared by the hotel staff, right?"

"Huh? But I want to eat Mei's cooking! By the way, let's go to Wanmin Hall later. With Xiangling's skills combined with yours, you can definitely make a dish that will make Zhongli's mouth water!"

Uh, Xiangling? I don't know her, I've never seen her before.

Besides, who is Zhongli? Is she also a friend she met here?

Since Mei didn't know much about either of them, she was more curious than confused... Had Kiana fainted from hunger?