Chapter 244

Tired.

Chill with us!

***

"Is that her? That Ningguang?"

"Yep that's her! Affluent, possessing a brilliant gaze and an exquisite face, knowledgeable and able to accomplish anything, this woman has it all! An exquisite beauty!"

Yomite cast a curious look in Hu Tao's direction before raising an eyebrow.

"Why do you appear like you're having so much fun talking about her when she came so close to ruining your funeral parlor? Shouldn't you be mad?" he inquired, genuinely curious as to the source of her joy.

"Because," Hu Tao flashed a knowing smile, "She is the most interesting person I have ever met. And she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen! Not to mention," she added in a more musing tone, "Haven't you ever thought about how interesting it would be to live the life of someone like her?"

Yomite thought that over, then shook his head, "Important people like her usually have no time of their lives to themselves without existing for someone or something else. Just remember Jean Gunnhildr, she lives for Mondstadt. She does her utmost best to make sure Mondstadt is protected and everything she does is for that purpose."

The expression on Barbara's face became somewhat unpleasant the moment Yomite started talking about Jean.

"My sister...Grand Master Jean is doing her utmost best for the city of Mondstadt...I just wish she paid...more attention to me..." She suddenly crossed her arms, her face was drawn into a pout of sorts, "Mondstadt is not everything... What about...me? I should have a bigger value than just a city...right? I mean, come on...I am her sister you know! At the very least she could be a little more attentive to me...spare some time so we could stay together...After mom and papa separated...Family should be more important than anything else, right...?" She concluded whispering the last sentence.

Her outburst ended with a hiccup.

Yomite comforted her by placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gently running his fingers through her hair.

"Although I never had a sibling, I'm going to assume that you love your sister. If that is the case, might you perhaps make an effort to persuade her to make room in her schedule for you?"

In an effort to cheer her up, he questioned her.

She nodded in a slow, dejected manner. "Yeah...maybe..." she mumbled, sounding a bit unsure.

"Well," Yomite said with a gush of warmth and vigour, "I don't know much about the situation in your family, but I am sure that within time, Jean will have more free time for you, but...I am sure you already knew that, right? Hmm?"

Barbara was broken out of her trance and she blinked slowly at him, "Y-Yeah...of course I know...that...she will..." Her words drifted off, and she let out a muffled snort.

Barbara was well aware that it was possible that her hopes would never come true.

No, it was obvious in her mind.

Jean considered protecting Mondstadt to be far more essential than being with her younger sister.

On the other hand, Barbara didn't want to be a pessimistic or cynical person.

Therefore, she made the decision to exert a lot of effort in an attempt to persuade herself otherwise, which was easier said than done.

Still, she was glad Yomite was comforting her like this. It helped her calm down a little and prevent her from letting those negative thoughts take hold.

"You seem to be doing better now," he stated with a warm and kind smile.

"I am."

Barbara gave him a reassuring smile, then raised herself onto the tips of her toes and sneakily kissed him on the cheek.

Yomite cast a baffled glance in her direction and asked in bemusement, "...What was that for?" displaying some more bewilderment in his tone.

Barbara gave a shrug, turned her head away, and mumbled, "I...umm...just felt like doing that..." as her cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red.

She said this while wringing her hands nervously and twiddling her fingers.

Yomite's mouth began to twitch at the corners, but he maintained his composure and just ignored it, "...Very well then."

'At least she is not out to kill anyone...so far so good...'

"Hey! Bad Tattoo has ensnared another girl!" Paimon exclaimed as soon as the little fairy saw the kiss, "Paimon is in disbelief...Paimon is so shocked that she can't even say a word..." she muttered to herself.

Once more, Barbara's cheeks began to flush, but this time it was with embarrassment instead.

Yomite couldn't help chuckling at the sight. He turned back and addressed his flying companion, "You spoke just now though? Or does it not count?"

The flying emergency food scoffed, "Of course it doesn't count! Paimon is scared! Because Paimon is starting to feel like you will target Paimon next after luring Barbara into your hideout! Hu Tao, Fischl and now Barbara were ensnared already! Which is bad news, Paimon can feel it, Paimon will be next! Paimon is very worried!"

After Yomite had finished examining her from head to toe, he scoffed "I'm sorry... There's just no way... Never..." He stated in a voice that was decisive and unwavering.

Paimon was way too small for any sort of an act.

Maybe if he fed her enough she would grow up?

"Hey! What do you mean by that!? You are thinking Paimon doesn't have enough charm! Aren't you!?" she protested loudly while pointing at herself.

Yomite shrugged nonchalantly, "You said so yourself, I never said anything like that."

Paimon looked at Lumine with pleading eyes and puffed out her cheeks, "Please help! Traveler! Help me! Bad Tattoo is bullying me with words again!"

Lumine looked at Yomite, who simply gave her a look that indicated he had nothing to do with this.

*Sigh*

"Paimon...you sure love fighting battles you cannot win..." she trailed off, not wanting to partake in this 'battle' of some sorts...

"Now, now," Yomite interrupted the conversation by patting Paimon on the head and saying, "Don't worry; I promise that Paimon is very charming; however, not in 'that' kind of sense."

"Really?!" The question caused Paimon to perk up immediately. She then gave Yomite an expectant look, as if she were waiting for him to confirm it.

Yomite sighed, "Yes really...Paimon has special kind of charm..." he confirmed with a nod.

Paimon triumphantly pumped her fist and joyfully flew around, causing Yomite and Lumine to shake their heads in exasperation.

'Praising children is so simple...' they both thought to themselves, wryly smiling.

Of course, they had no way of knowing whether Paimon was a child or not, but she certainly acted like one.