Chapter 197

Afterwards, as the conversation opened up, the atmosphere at the wine table became even more harmonious.

Captain Beidou was completely the life of the party, pouring large bowls of wine for everyone.

Except for Luo Li, who accepted everything, the others couldn't quite handle it.

Eula and Raiden Makoto preferred sake or mint wine, and Noelle usually didn't drink at all; after several large jars, they were all struggling.

And Miss Keqing didn't like alcohol either; her eyes were slightly hazy, and her flushed cheeks were endearing.

At the same time, under Luo Li's intentional guidance, the topic gradually shifted from the customs of Mondstadt and Liyue to the systems and the pros and cons of the two countries.

Influenced by alcohol, Miss Keqing was already somewhat muddled and not as rational as usual.

"To say something disrespectful, does the Rex Lapis really know everything?"

Publicly questioning the Rex Lapis with such disrespectful words, in all of Liyue, perhaps only Miss Keqing could say it.

Hearing this, Luo Li agreed solemnly: "Indeed, Morax doesn't know a damn thing."

Speaking ill of an old friend behind his back, he felt no guilt at all.

Seeing Miss Keqing, emboldened by alcohol, actually speaking her true thoughts to a stranger she had only met once or twice, Captain Beidou was very surprised.

Everything was under Luo Li's control.

Influenced and affirmed, Miss Keqing couldn't help but develop a sense of intimacy toward Luo Li; after all, he might understand her better than she understood herself.

Every word he said seemed to strike a chord in Miss Keqing's heart, making the young lady's heart rejoice, not knowing that all of this was carefully planned by this despicable man.

For this reason, she asked with an expectation she hadn't even noticed herself.

"In your view, what is the most important thing that has supported Liyue through the millennia?"

Luo Li pondered for a moment, appearing to think: "Naturally, it is humanity itself. Humans are beings that must rely on effort to survive. The future must always be borne by humans themselves. Even if gods remain constant for millennia or centuries, they will eventually disappear one day. When that time comes, where will Liyue go?"

Although Luo Li was backstabbing an old friend, what he said was also the truth.

Gods cannot endure erosion forever and must eventually leave one day.

"Hmph, that's right. What must go on must ultimately rely on us humans, yet he, who is high above, insists on intervening in everything!"

Miss Keqing's emotions were somewhat agitated; perhaps encountering someone with the same thoughts for the first time, she couldn't help but feel a sense of mutual sympathy.

Ordinary people simply didn't possess such foresight, or rather, accustomed to the protection of the Rex Lapis, they were completely unwilling to think in this direction.

For this reason, Miss Keqing was worried all day long.

In her view, the opportunity for change had arrived, and the order maintained for millennia was about to be rewritten; she hoped to lead this historic moment herself!

"I support your thoughts. Facing the gods, not believing blindly, not following blindly, and always maintaining independent thinking—this is the correct attitude. After all, who can guarantee that a god won't make mistakes?"

Luo Li continued to stir the pot, and under his skillful guidance, it resonated with Miss Keqing, and her gaze toward him became soft.

To be honest, if Raiden Makoto weren't here, and Eula and Noelle weren't by his side.

If he really wanted to, he could completely trick Miss Keqing into bed in one night.

This young lady was still a bit too simple; even though she had experienced much, she was still immature and green compared to him.

"Sigh, I am truly too kind, blocking off the young lady's weaknesses in advance."

Sighing to himself, Luo Li inadvertently caught Raiden Makoto's half-smiling gaze.

"Do you want me to take Eula and Noelle to find a place to stay in advance, so you can do as you please with the young lady tonight?"

Hearing the gentle words whispered into his ear without the slightest strangeness, Luo Li coughed lightly and said: "No need for tonight; it's only our first meeting."

"Oh, so that means you'll do that next time. You really don't hold back with me at all."

Luo Li said in a low and gentle tone: "I will never lie to you."

"Then I have to thank you for your frankness."

With a hint of feigned anger and helplessness in her eyes, Raiden Makoto had long understood the nature of the person beside her.

After nearly a thousand years of being together, no matter how well someone hides, they can't pretend forever.

And those five hundred years of fighting in the Abyss made Raiden Makoto look past everything.

She could tolerate all of Luo Li's shortcomings; calling it love, perhaps there was also a trace of strange feelings like maternal instinct mixed in.

Of course, there were also the ethical values of Archons that differed from humans.

Just as Morax could change into ten thousand forms, being both male and female, and not minding switching between them at all.

Come to think of it, if Luo Li hadn't been picky back then, he could have easily tasted the flavor of the Geo Archon.

Luo Li squeezed the mature older sister's hand, feeling quite satisfied: "Because I know you won't be angry."

Rolling her eyes at him, Raiden Makoto pulled away and pretended to be angry as she approached Eula.

Luo Li didn't mind and continued to build a relationship with Miss Keqing on the common topic of Morax.

If the Rex Lapis heard that he had become a tool for an old friend to flirt with a girl, it's unclear what kind of expression he would show.

Hmm... he probably wouldn't be surprised either; he knew his old friend's temperament like the back of his hand.

Thus, until the moon hung on the branches, the banquet finally reached its end.

Captain Beidou drank the last drop of wine and wiped the wine from the corner of her mouth heartily.

"Haha, refreshing! It's truly a fortunate event to get to know new friends today!"