<h4>Chapter 12: Viin Simtor, Ch 12</h4>
The man''s appearance was identical to that of the viin who had appeared in Keqing''s dream not long ago!
There was no mistake—Keqing would never forget that man''s face.
Just as Lucas was about to turn and leave, Keqing suddenly spoke, "You... wait a moment."
Lucas was slightly startled but turned around and said, "Is there something else, Miss Keqing?"
Keqing gave him another nce, further confirming her suspicions. Trying her best to appear calm, she asked, "What... what''s your name?"
"Lucas."
Even the name was the same!
What was going on?
Countless questions flooded Keqing''s mind.
Why was the man from her dream appearing in reality? Was there some connection between him and the viin in her dream? Could it be... that he was that viin?
Naturally, Keqing couldn''t voice all the doubts racing through her mind. Instead, she rolled her eyes slightly and said, "Although my residence has no shortage of guards, I do need a servant to handle some chores. The jobes with room and board, full benefits, and a good sry. Are you interested?"
Although Lucas had no idea why Keqing''s attitude had suddenly changed, he was thrilled to gain a ce to stay and the chance to be near her. He quickly nodded and said, "I''m willing."
"But, Miss..." Chunxiang, Keqing''s maid, looked hesitant. "There have never been any men in your residence. Isn''t this a bit improper?"
"What''s improper about it?" Keqing tilted her head. "Don''t worry. If anyone dares to do anything inappropriate, I can end them with a single sword strike. You know my skills."
Keqing certainly had the right to say this.
Despite her youth, she was already one of the Liyue Qixing, and the youngest in her family to ever master the Cloud-Rise Sword Art to such a high level. With the Vision she possessed, her strength was among the best, even at the level of *Genshin*.
"Prepare some clothes for him, have him take a bath, and find him an empty room," Keqing ordered with a wave of her hand. "Tomorrow morning,e to my study to discuss your duties."
....
After arranging everything for Lucas, Keqing finally returned to her study.
On the clean and organized desky a sheet of rice paper, with a hastily sketched portrait on it—the likeness of the man she''d dreamed about. It was a rough sketch, drawn from memory during Keqing''s restless thoughts over the past few days.
"What is going on?" Keqing murmured to herself, confusion clouding her expression. "He looks exactly like the viin from my dream, but judging by his behavior earlier, he doesn''t seem like a bad person... But then again, do viins wear the word ''bad'' on their foreheads?"
People with Visions not only gained the ability to harness elemental power but also developed certain "traits" that set them apart from ordinary folk.
For example... they could have prophetic dreams.
These dreams couldn''t predict the future but could hint at certain "information" for the dreamer.
And regarding her dream about Lucas, the information it might be hinting at could be: "Lucas is a viin who must be brought to justice."
However, even though Keqing harbored a grudge against the viin in her dream, she couldn''t just conclude that the man she had just met, also named Lucas, was evil based on a dream. She certainly couldn''t cause him trouble over that.
Despite being a nobledy, Keqing was not unreasonable.
Everything... needed evidence.
Exactly!
No matter how well the man hid his true nature, as long as she could find evidence of his evil intentions, that would be enough.
At that moment, a knock came from the door of her study.
"Come in."
At Keqing''s words, the door opened, and Chunxiang entered with her head lowered. "Miss, I''ve done what you asked. His clothes and room have been arranged, but..."
"But what?" Keqing raised an eyebrow. "Speak freely, no need to hesitate."
"Although it''s not right to talk about others behind their backs..." Chunxiang said thoughtfully, "I can''t shake the feeling that this Lucas... seems suspicious."
"Oh?" Keqing''s interest was piqued. She quickly asked, "Suspicious in what way?"
"First of all, his strength is unfathomable. I may not be a top-tier fighter, nowhere near your level, Miss, but among my peers, I''m not weak. Yet I couldn''t even scratch him," Chunxiang, the head maid of the household, had a sharp eye for details. "With his skills, he could easily be an adventurer or hold a position at a martial arts school. So why... would he choose to be a mere servant here?"
True, even though the Keqing residence offered excellent benefits, being a servant wasn''t exactly a prestigious job.
"Good point," Keqing nodded and asked, "So why do you think he''s chosen to work as a servant here?"
"Hmph, if you ask me..." Chunxiang snorted, "I think he''s infatuated with your beauty, Miss, and that''s why he''s gone to such lengths to get close to you."
Most women would shy away from such praise, but Keqing''s personality was straightforward. She was well aware of her own beauty and confident in it.
After all, the number of young suitors who hade to propose to her over the years had practically worn down the threshold of her home.
"That''s usible, but..." Keqing shook her head. "How would you prove it?"
Even if Lucas was infatuated with her, as long as he didn''t act on it, she had no grounds to use him.
"That''s easy." Chunxiang smiled knowingly. "Just find an attractive woman to test him."
"Brilliant idea!" Keqing pped Chunxiang on the shoulder, smiling in approval. "Since it''s your idea, the task falls to you."
"Alright, I—" Chunxiang suddenly realized something was off and quickly protested, "Wait... me?"
"It can''t be me, can it? That would be too obvious," Keqing shrugged. "Don''t worry, when you test him tonight, I''ll be right outside. If he tries anything inappropriate, I''ll catch him red-handed!"
Keqing clenched her fists as she spoke, as if she already had the viin from her dream firmly in her grasp.
Though Chunxiang felt a bit apprehensive, she couldn''t argue once Keqing had guaranteed her protection. She sighed and said, "I... I understand."
"Eleven o''clock tonight, we''ll meet outside Lucas''s room." Keqing smirked coldly. "I refuse to believe I can''t catch you in the act!"
Seeing the unsettling smile on Keqing''s face, Chunxiang couldn''t help but shiver. It was the first time she had ever seen the usuallyposed youngdy look like this.
---
Later that night.
"Ah, a bath really hits the spot," Lucas sighed with contentment as he stepped out of the bath. "Finally, I can sleep in a real bed tonight."
Ever since he had crossed over into the world of Teyvat, Lucas had been either camping outdoors or bouncing along in carriages. He hadn''t had a good night''s sleep in ages.
Tonight, he intended to rest well and start his work for Keqing tomorrow.
In truth, with the system he possessed, Lucas had no shortage of money. The reason he stayed was to make up for the "sins" he hadmitted against Keqing in the Viin Simtor.
Just as Lucas was about to lie down and sleep, a knock came at the door.
Yawning, he asked, "Who is it?"
"It''s me, Chunxiang." A sweet voice came from outside the door. "Master Li... are you still awake?"
Outside, Chunxiang recited her rehearsed lines while gesturing toward the hiding Keqing.
Although Chunxiang wasn''t as beautiful as Keqing, she was still quite attractive. A man alone in his room, approached by such a beautyte at night—most men wouldn''t be able to resist.
However, from inside came Lucas''s response: "I''ve already gone to bed. Let''s talk tomorrow."
Both Keqing and Chunxiang froze.
Wait, what?
Why wasn''t he following the script?
This wasn''t because Lucas was particrly chaste; rather, in the Simtor, he had already spent countless "work exchanges" with Shenhe. Although what happened in the simtion didn''t affect his physical body, it had certainly satisfied him mentally.
As the saying goes, only the bull gets tired, thend remains. (AN: nope there''s no saying like that from what I searched.. If you know lmk I''ll fix this)
Right now, the bull needed a rest!
However, Chunxiang and Keqing were not about to give up so easily.
At Keqing''s nod of approval, Chunxiang continued, "I... I have something very important to discuss with you. Please... let me in."
Something important?
Hearing this, Lucas sighed in resignation and got up from his bed to open the door. At that moment, he wasn''t wearing a shirt, revealing the well-defined muscles from his regr exercise routine. His appearance was clean-cut, and his damp hair still had traces of water droplets, which made Chunxiang, who had almost never seen a man''s body, feel her heart race unexpectedly.
No, no, no!
Chunxiang quickly shook her head, reminding herself that she was here to help the youngdy test this man with suspicious intentions. How could she allow such thoughts to cross her mind?
Lucas didn''t seem to notice Chunxiang''s inner turmoil. He simply asked, "What''s the matter?"
"Are you just going to leave me standing outside?" Chunxiang gave him a yful nce and said, "Can''t we talk inside?"
"That... doesn''t seem proper," Lucas scratched his cheek, feeling a little awkward. "It''ste at night, and if a man and woman are alone in the same room, it could damage your reputation if word got out."
Hmph, what an act!
Perhaps due to her preconceived notions, Chunxiang had already convinced herself that Lucas was a bad guy. She assumed he was just ying hard to get, so she responded sweetly, "It''s fine. If you have nothing to hide, what''s there to worry about? You''re not a bad person, after all."
That''s right!
I''m not a bad person!
Chunxiang''s words hit a nerve with Lucas. After ying the viin twice in the Viin Simtor, he desperately needed someone to affirm that he wasn''t actually bad.
"Good point!" Lucas nodded. "Come in."
With that, he stepped back and allowed Chunxiang into the room.
First step:plete!
Feeling triumphant, Chunxiang couldn''t help but smile. She was convinced she was about to expose this man''s hypocrisy.
"So..." After Chunxiang entered the room, Lucas asked, "What''s this important matter you wanted to talk about?"
"No need to rush..." Chunxiang took a deep breath and slowly unbuttoned two buttons on her cor, revealing a glimpse of her fair neck. She fanned herself with her cor and said, "It''s so hot in here..."
[Based onmon sense, I think this woman is trying to seduce you.]
The system''s voice suddenly rang in Lucas''s head.
Stop talking nonsense!
Lucas silently replied in his mind, telling himself that Chunxiang was a proper youngdy from a noble family.
But despite his internal protest, his eyes couldn''t help but wander to Chunxiang''s exposed neck.
Noticing Lucas''s gaze, Chunxiang felt a bit shy, but more than that, she was pleased with herself. She teased, "Why... why are you staring at my neck?"
"Well..." Lucas said with a straight face, "Can I... touch your neck?"
"Wha... what?" Chunxiang hadn''t expected Lucas to be so direct. Although she felt a little embarrassed, she blushed and, determined to help Lady Keqing expose him, said, "Fine... okay."
After all, Keqing was hiding right outside. If Lucas dared toy a hand on her, Keqing woulde to her rescue.
---
Ten minutester.
"Achoo!"
A cool night breeze blew, causing Keqing, who was hiding outside, to sneeze adorably.
Strange...
Why had so much time passed, and yet there was no noise from inside?
Suddenly, Keqing''s face grew tense with worry.
Could it be that... Lucas had already subdued Chunxiang and was doing something unspeakable to her?
Although Keqing and Chunxiang were officially master and servant, they had grown up together, sharing a bond as close as sisters. The thought that Chunxiang might be in danger made Keqing unable to sit still. She crouched low and sneaked to the door of Lucas''s room, pressing her ear against the door to listen in.
Keqing had excellent hearing, and sure enough, she soon heard Chunxiang and Lucas''s voicesing from inside the room.
Chunxiang: "Will... will it hurt?"
Lucas: "For the first time, it might hurt a little, but I''ll be as gentle as I can."
Chunxiang: "Really? You''re not... lying to me, are you?"
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