"Ah~"
Waking up and seeing the high sun outside his window, Lu Li knew he had definitely overslept. But he couldn't help it. He had gone to bed so late, and his energy had been so drained, that sleeping in was only natural.
After a long stretch, he got out of bed, stretching his sore body, and prepared to head to the en-suite bathroom to wash up. The Hôtel Bouffes d'été might secretly be the headquarters of the House of the Hearth, but on the surface, it was still the Snezhnayan diplomatic mission in Fontaine. Naturally, the rooms were well-appointed.
Just as he was about to enter the bathroom, there was a crisp knock on the door. He went to open it and was visibly surprised to see Lynette standing there with a breakfast tray.
"You really did just wake up, didn't you?" Lynette said, her cat ears twitching as she looked him up and down, noting his wrinkled clothes and messy hair.
Lu Li felt a bit embarrassed. He stepped aside to let her in. "Sorry, I was just so tired yesterday. You can have a seat; I'll go wash up. Thanks for bringing me breakfast~"
"Mhm."
The cat-eared girl nodded. After watching him hurry into the bathroom, she placed the breakfast on the table. Her eyes quickly fell on something on the bedside table.
It was the Debt Collector uniform, the Delusion, and the matching weapons and tools that Lu Li had casually placed there last night.
Lynette's eyes widened. She walked over, her brow furrowed as she looked at the items. The burnt smell of Mist Flower from the Delusion was so familiar that she knew instantly what it all was.
(So, this is why Father kept Brother Lu Li behind last night? To give him a new identity and job? But... a Delusion and the identity of a Debt Collector...) The girl pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a complex emotion.
Just as Lu Li emerged from the bathroom, he saw her staring at his new equipment. Feeling a bit caught, he scratched his head and walked over. "Lynette, you found it?"
"Mm... so this is why Father kept you? You're going to be a Debt Collector from now on?"
Lu Li nodded. "More or less. An extra fixed position, you could say."
"But... overusing a Delusion will cause extreme harm and an irreversible burden on your body..."
Seeing Lynette's worried expression, Lu Li tried to reassure her. "Mm, Father told me about that too. If you can naturally channel elemental energy, then using a Delusion doesn't come at such a high price. Like Harbinger 'Childe,' Tartaglia. He has a Hydro Vision and an Electro Delusion, so he doesn't have to pay a huge price to wield it."
Lynette paused, lost in thought.
"Besides, Father wouldn't harm me," Lu Li added. "She not only has a Vision but also a Pyro Delusion. According to her, while this power comes at a price, it allows one to reach a higher level of strength. In short, Lynette, I know what I'm doing. You know me, I never push myself too hard."
Lynette looked at him for a long while. Finally, a helpless expression appeared on her cute, puffy face. "Just be careful... If you feel any discomfort, stop using it. You can control Pyro yourself, can't you? I don't want to see you lying pitifully in a sickbed later..."
Lu Li nodded warmly and reached out to gently pat her head. "I know. Thank you for caring about me, Lynette."
"...Isn't that natural? You and Lyney are the same sometimes, so careless with your bodies. You just make your family worry more," Lynette grumbled.
The boy didn't say much more. After patting her head for a bit, he asked, "By the way, have you had breakfast? Want to join me?"
"No, I ate a long time ago," Lynette shook her head. "Anyway, you should hurry and eat. Oh, and Father left early this morning to go back to Snezhnaya, so she won't be in Fontaine for a few days. But she did leave us a lot of homework. And she told me to make sure you don't procrastinate on the task she gave you. She wants to see results when she gets back."
Lu Li nodded helplessly. "I have some leads, but this case is a major mystery in Fontaine. Well, I'll handle it properly and try to get everything done before she returns."
"Don't be too reckless. If you need our help, just ask," Lynette reminded him. "Last time, even though your mission was ultimately a success, it was still considered a failure. It wasn't your fault, but intelligence gathering is very important. Don't make the same mistake again."
"Sigh..." Lu Li nodded. "I know. Are you leaving now, Lynette?"
"Mm, my brother and I have to prepare for today's magic show. We're heading to the venue now for one last rehearsal."
The boy's eyes flickered. Under Lynette's surprised gaze, he suddenly moved closer. The cat-eared girl froze, then seemed to realize something. She blushed and stammered, "What... what are you doing... I really have to go..."
"Mm, but Lynette is too cute. Since I see you, I want to collect some interest..."
"What interest? I don't owe you any money..."
Before she could finish, her words were completely silenced. As he easily parted her lips, Lu Li began to greedily take what he wanted.
A long moment later, he released her. Looking at Lynette's shy and embarrassed face, a smile played on his lips.
"You're such a great villain..." the great magician's assistant muttered with a huff. She gently pinched the muscle at his waist, straightened her clothes, and quickly left the room.
Lu Li was left standing there with a smile, his mood lifted. Ah, cats are so cute...
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