Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

"My body... won't get warm... it's always cold as ice..."

Qiqi whispered, sounding wronged.

She had tried hard to warm herself up so she could sleep beside Elliot, but hadn't expected that he would already be awake.

Hearing her words, Elliot wanted to comfort her with, "Qiqi is a zombie, of course she won't get warm," but the sunlight shining on them made him freeze.

He...

seemed to understand Qiqi's true intent.

"Qiqi, how long have you been doing these stretches?"

"I don't remember..."

Elliot's eyes widened at her response. A wave of guilt surged through him.

He had avoided sleeping next to Qiqi so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

But in her eyes, it probably looked like he was avoiding her because her body was cold.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it through... and made you suffer."

Elliot pulled Qiqi into a hug, apologizing for his thoughtlessness.

He had only considered her physical comfort, never realizing his actions might hurt her emotionally.

He had just told her how much he liked her while picking Glaze Lilies, but then turned his back to her at bedtime.

Elliot cursed himself for being so foolish.

The sudden hug startled Qiqi, and she immediately began to struggle.

"My body... is very cold... if you hold me... you'll get sick..."

But her words only confirmed Elliot's thoughts.

Instead of letting go, he hugged her even tighter.

"No, Qiqi. No, your body isn't cold at all. I like Qiqi the most."

"I was wrong. I shouldn't have stayed away from you last night."

"My body is too warm. I was afraid holding you would make you uncomfortable. It's definitely not because your body is cold."

"I'm sorry, Qiqi. I won't do that again."

Elliot's words made Qiqi stop struggling. Her big eyes filled with disbelief.

She looked as though she wasn't sure she'd heard him right, her gaze flickering with uncertainty.

Qiqi couldn't believe what she was hearing.

—Elliot had stayed away because he didn't want to make her uncomfortable?

—Not because he disliked how cold she was?

—Was she dreaming? If so, she wished she could stay in this dream forever...

Her eyes welled up with tears.

"Really...?"

"Elliot... you're not lying to Qiqi, right...?"

She asked cautiously, her gaze unfocused, like a child afraid of being scolded.

Elliot saw the humility, the sadness, the fear, and the habit of always blaming herself.

Seeing her like that made his heart ache.

"It's true. I'm not lying to you, Qiqi. I swear, if I am..."

For a moment, he didn't know what to swear on, and his raised hand froze in midair.

"Then... no more coconut milk..." Qiqi added softly.

"Alright. If I lie to Qiqi, I'll never drink coconut milk again."

"Then... can Qiqi sleep with you...?"

"Mm, of course."

Qiqi beamed with joy, her previous sadness vanishing.

After clearing up the misunderstanding, she felt a happiness she'd never experienced before.

Elliot, too, smiled gently.

"Let's go, Qiqi. Let's go get more coconut milk."

"Okay~... Qiqi likes coconut milk..."

...

After a while, they returned to Liyue.

This time, both Elliot and Qiqi were extra cautious, afraid of running into that mischievous Hu Tao.

Although Elliot still really wanted to see her, for Qiqi's safety, it was better not to.

"So early? Did you find everything?"

As soon as they arrived at Wanmin Hall, the sharp-eyed Xiangling rushed over to greet them.

"Of course."

Elliot pulled out fifteen Glaze Lilies.

"Wow... that many? Thank you so much! Let me treat you to another meal as a bonus reward."

Xiangling hadn't expected him to gather that many—it was no easy task.

Overjoyed, she immediately offered to cook for them again.

There was no way Elliot would refuse. He hadn't even had breakfast yet.

"Sure, I'll eat a lot."

"You really don't hold back."

"Well, your cooking is delicious."

"You're sweet. Go sit down, the food will be ready soon."

After a brief chat, Xiangling brought out several dishes, all colorful and fragrant.

Naturally, coconut milk was among them.

Qiqi didn't care much about the food—she only liked coconut milk.

Why?

Maybe because it had no bones and was smooth to drink?

Elliot wasn't entirely sure either.

After the meal, he praised Xiangling's cooking—partly because he genuinely meant it, partly hoping to score another free meal someday.

"Done eating? Come with me, the coconut milk's inside."

"Okay."

Xiangling led them to the storage room, where Elliot picked up two big boxes of coconut milk.

"These should last Qiqi a while."

He carried the heavy boxes out with difficulty—only to find that Qiqi, who had just been sitting down, had vanished again.

Elliot panicked and looked around.

He finally spotted Qiqi standing in front of the counter, gazing up at the caged Finch with sparkling eyes, utterly captivated.

Xiangling noticed too.

"If you like it, you can take it with you. Just bring me some ingredients next time—anything edible is fine."

"This... really... can Qiqi have it?" she asked, astonished.

"Of course." Xiangling smiled, walked over, took the birdcage from the counter, and handed it to Qiqi. "Just remember to bring me some ingredients next time."

The little Finch hopped around inside the cage, mesmerizing Qiqi.

"No problem. Thank you," Elliot said gratefully.

"Thank you... you're... a very kind person..."

"Look at you, little one. Yesterday you were hiding behind Elliot, scared of me." Xiangling teased, smiling.

"Eh...? Really...?"

"Sorry... Qiqi... doesn't remember..."

Xiangling paused, then recalled Qiqi's memory issues and how Elliot had taken quite a few notebooks from her.

"It's okay. Qiqi is so cute, I forgive you." she said warmly.

"Thank you... Xiangling... Qiqi will remember you..."

"Then we won't bother you anymore. Let's head back, Qiqi." Elliot said as he bid farewell.

"Mm. Come again when you can, Wanmin Hall is always open to you." Xiangling waved with a smile.