Although she wanted to drag Bad Jiang Qiao off to play, deciding exactly where to play and how to play posed a bit of a challenge for Elysia.
It wasn't that she didn't have places in mind—quite the contrary, it was because there were far too many.... For example, Teyvat, that nation of water called Fontaine, and also Sumeru and Liyue. Back then, she really wanted to catch this rascal and tour all the scenery across the universe.
The outcome, needless to say, was that while she didn't get to see all of Teyvat's sights, she did fully experience Teyvat's local customs, especially the atmosphere of its prisons.
The same went for Qingque's Star Rail world, naturally.
The Xianzhou Alliance cruising the starry seas, Penacony the City of Dreams, and the Interastral Peace Corporation with its business spanning the cosmos....
No longer in her Flame-Chaser attire but dressed in casual summer clothes, her fair skin radiating youthful vitality, Elysia looked conflicted and troubled. Finally, inspiration struck, and she tossed the choice to Bad Jiang Qiao:
"Oh dear, there are just too, too many places I want to go.... I'm getting overwhelmed.... Bad Jiang Qiao, where do you think would be better?"
She had already made up her mind—if this rascal's answer didn't suit her fancy, she'd use it as an excuse to get 'angry,' then start making Elysia-sized demands, super-sizing this trip.
Of course, no matter what Bad Jiang Qiao says, it definitely won't align with Elysia's wishes, hehe~
The pink elf, harboring mischievous thoughts, looked at Bad Jiang Qiao with sparkling, expectant eyes.
The latter seemed oblivious to this hidden motive, or perhaps—even if he saw through it, what did it matter?
He simply pondered the question.
Honestly, from Jiang Qiao's perspective, his thoughts on these places were pretty much settled.
After all, he had visited many of them already, in various capacities.
However....
Come to think of it, during those times, he seemed to have never truly appreciated the scenery in detail—thinking of this, Jiang Qiao felt a stir in his heart, a few ideas forming. He glanced at the girl beside him, smilingly awaiting his answer, contemplated for a long while, and finally, just as Elysia was about to lose patience, he spoke:
"If you're really looking forward to it, why not go to all of them?"
"After all, I wouldn't want to see you leave with regrets."
"As for me—Elysia, for me, as long as you're by my side, it doesn't matter where we go." The magnetic male voice held no trace of pretense, only undisguised sincerity.
Facing those bright, calmly shining eyes, with those heart-fluttering words echoing in her ears, the pink elf, who had been harboring ill intentions, felt her pupils tremble slightly within her azure eyes.
"Goodness.... what are you saying...." Her gaze flickered away, her voice carrying a hint of playful reproach and shy anger, but mostly, an undeniable joy and sweetness. Elysia hummed with 'dissatisfaction':
"I was just asking for your opinion.... saying such things to a beautiful girl like me, hmph...."
"You know I don't like to hide things."
A faint blush dusted her cheeks as the pink elf pouted.
"Yes, but~ that's very greedy, you know."
"Of course, since that's what you're thinking, then Elysia...." Her tone became light and airy, trying to position herself advantageously—This wasn't Elysia's idea, okay! Bad Jiang Qiao proposed it himself!
Elysia, being too kind and unable to refuse, only agreed to this rascal's suggestion!
"If you're unwilling, that's fine too."
"What do you mean, fine!" The pink elf's almond eyes widened slightly, looking fierce—as if she was getting genuinely upset.
Did I say I was unwilling?
"Let's go, right now!"
To prevent any further delays or complications, Miss Elysia clung onto someone's arm, her attitude extremely firm.
However, before she could forcefully drag him away, a voice sounded beside her ear:
"Please wait a moment."
"Hm?"
Elysia looked displeased—Who dares interrupt Elysia's fun?
Turning her head, she saw Eden, matching the lazy voice, a faint smile on her face.
Ah, it was Eden!
Seeing the newcomer, the pink elf instantly relaxed, her expression brightening considerably—after all, they were best sisters!
However, it seemed Eden wasn't alone; someone else was with her.
"....Aponia? Why are you with Eden?"
Spotting the blindingly sinful figure immediately, Elysia was somewhat puzzled.
For various reasons, her relationship with Aponia was also quite good.
But Aponia, due to her personality, usually stayed cooped up in her own little corner, only appearing when needed. Her path shouldn't intersect with Eden's at all. How did these two end up together?
Regarding this curiosity, Eden smiled:
"It's like this...."
She briefly explained about Aponia—quite concisely. They met by chance, happened to hit it off personality-wise, and as for Eden's style... well, everyone knew.
This generous and enthusiastic superstar, when it came to making friends, always followed the principle of like attracts like—if they clicked, they stuck together. There was no feeling that couldn't be conquered by a round of drinks; if one wasn't enough, then have another.
Thus, needless to say, although Aponia was extremely unique, the nun, finding it hard to refuse sincere affection, quickly became Eden's good buddy. And now, while chatting together, they happened to pass by and bump into them.
Elysia nodded, seemingly understanding but perhaps not entirely.
"Then.... Eden, why did you stop me and Bad Jiang Qiao?"
"Mm.... it's actually quite simple.... Sorry, Ely, if you're planning to go play in other worlds with Qiao, while this request might be a bit bold.... but, could you please take us along?" Eden sounded utterly sincere, her tone tinged with helplessness yet filled with longing.
Although the many fine wines gifted by someone had satisfied her curiosity to some extent, for an artist, the pursuit of beauty is clearly endless.
Witnessing the scenery of other worlds firsthand was undoubtedly a rare opportunity—but before this, she had never asked Jiang Qiao to take her along, as Eden didn't want to trouble him or delay Qiao's matters for her own selfish desire.
But now, with Elysia traveling with Qiao, this was undoubtedly an excellent chance. Just tagging along would suffice. How could she possibly let this opportunity slip by?
"Eh?! This...."
Hearing this, Elysia's expression instantly froze, somewhat flustered.
She was preparing to drag Bad Jiang Qiao off for a romantic two-person trip! If another person joined, wouldn't it become weird? Wouldn't many bold things become impossible?!
She wanted to refuse, but this was Eden, her best sister!
Besides, her request wasn't excessive, just wanting to hitch a ride, not interfere.
If she refused, Elysia felt her conscience wouldn't allow it.
Unwilling to take your best sister on a trip? What kind of best friend are you!
"....Sorry, this request seems to have put you in a difficult spot.... In that case, just pretend I never said anything." Eden's apologetic look made the pink elf even more unsettled, the guilt intensifying in her heart.
She quickly waved her hands, yet still felt conflicted:
"No, no.... it's just...."
A mischievous little devil Ely popped up.
"What are you thinking? If you bring Eden and that big-breasted nun along, won't the wonderful trip be completely ruined? Is that really okay?"
"Devil be gone! That's Eden! Your best sister! Can you bear to see her disappointed look? That's not Elysia-like at all!" A holy angel Ely appeared.
"It's alright~ Elysia, do you think you'd lose to Eden? So what if you bring Eden along? You can still easily do whatever you want. Face your heart directly."
Listening to this gentle, somewhat sincere, sweet, and young voice, the devil, the angel, and even Elysia herself nodded in deep agreement. But the next moment, the first two Elys turned to glare at the third Elys who spoke—*"Where did you come from, trying to steal our job?!"*
Wait.... this is....
"Jiang Qiao Ely?!" Looking at the small, smiling, beaming Ely, her identity was instantly clear.
"You fake! We are the real ones!"
"Does real or fake even matter?!"
"How dare the fake jump out, hmph! Let's pin him down together! Teach this guy a good lesson. I'll go first, you second!"
"Why am I second...."
As the two Elys in her mind seemed about to erupt into fierce conflict with the third Elys, 'Jiang Qiao Ely,' the pink elf, feeling dizzy, angrily kicked away the two self-Elys who were pinning down the latter from left and right, their actions somewhat 'rough,' seemingly with 'ill intentions,' and squabbling over the spoils.
"Honestly, stop arguing!"
"That's right, I must face my true heart! I am Elysia, how can I let Eden be disappointed? So what if there are a few more people on the trip?" The pink elf, after swallowing 'Jiang Qiao Ely' whole, kept self-hypnotizing—no, this was called believing in oneself, discerning one's true heart.
"Of course, it's no problem!"
Miss Elysia, her thoughts clear, instantly beamed, taking the initiative.
"Not only is it no problem, it's great!"
She proactively took Eden's hand.
Elysia is definitely going to win anyway, so even if Eden comes along, having such a good sister around, isn't that a good thing too?
When I get bored of Bad Jiang Qiao, I can chat with my best sister. More importantly—I can use this opportunity to show a certain rascal the fruits of my efforts during this time.
She had been plotting to 'humiliate' a certain Mr. Jiang through the 'Good Friend Plan' for a while but lacked a suitable opportunity. Now, this seemed like the perfect chance!
Even better, it was buy-one-get-one-free, throwing in a big-titted nun.
Elysia happily planned to eat this candy and stuff the wrapper into Bad Jiang Qiao, her personal 'venting bucket'.
To emphasize this, she even shot a provocative glance at someone.
"You don't have any objections, right, Bad Jiang Qiao?"
"I'll listen to you."
This response didn't make Elysia happy; instead, it slightly annoyed her.
You rascal, Bad Jiang Qiao, so good at passing the buck, kicking the ball right back to Elysia.
If I refused now, wouldn't Eden think it was Elysia's fault?
Understood, Elysia understands now. This rascal definitely wants to use this opportunity to usurp Elysia's position in Eden's heart.
You really have malicious intentions! Bad Jiang Qiao!
Too bad, too bad, Elysia has already seen through your schemes!
Thinking this, Elysia felt smug while also finding the decision to bring Eden along incredibly wise—after all, this guy was so bad, actually trying to shake her position in Eden's heart. If she had really been foolishly tricked like before, wouldn't she have been tricked into bed by this rascal twenty times without even knowing?
Seen this way, the plan to use Eden to retaliate against Bad Jiang Qiao must remain ████ unshaken!
"Hmph, Eden and I are best sisters, you know. I couldn't be happier to travel together, how could I possibly dislike you? I was worried about Bad Jiang Qiao just now.... after all, this rascal is so bad!"
Facing Elysia's accusation, Mr. Jiang looked blank and innocent.
How am I bad?
Forget it.... it's not important anyway.
A curve appeared on the pink elf's lips.
Hmph hmph, watch Elysia use a little trick—to further widen the gap between myself and Bad Jiang Qiao in Eden's heart!
Now, my position in Eden's heart must have become even higher!
Unexpectedly.
Eden looked grateful:
"Is that so.... Thank you, Qiao."
"?"
You're thanking the wrong person! It was Elysia! Elysia agreed to let you travel with Elysia and Bad Jiang Qiao! You should be thanking Elysia!
The subtle deviation in the situation left the pink elf bewildered.
Yet she couldn't say anything.
After all, if she showed she cared about this, wouldn't it make her seem like a scheming pretty girl?
Miss Elysia, who prided herself on being all-natural, certainly didn't want such an impression or label.
Of course, what made her even more constipated was yet to come.
Just as Elysia, feeling disgruntled, was about to set off.
Another voice sounded:
"Hold on."
Looking over, it was Dr. Mobius, with Vill-V beside her.
She beamed at Elysia, saying in that sickeningly sweet tone:
"Since Eden and Aponia are both going, then surely, you wouldn't mind bringing us along too, would you, Elysia~"