Just as the two of them were enjoying their intimate moment together, the gates of the Kamisato residence suddenly swung open.
"Clan Head! Young Master!"
The soldiers standing guard at the entrance immediately lowered their heads respectfully upon seeing who had come out.
"Mhm. Where are the guests who were waiting outside earlier?"
The Kamisato Clan Head looked around in confusion when he failed to spot Jiang Yan nearby.
"Father, they're over there!"
Before the soldier could answer, little Ayato had already spotted the group standing on the mountain path not far away.
That white hair was simply too eye-catching.
Following the direction Ayato pointed toward, the Kamisato Clan Head finally saw Jiang Yan and immediately let out a sigh of relief.
Good, they hadn't left.
If Jiang Yan had actually been turned away at the gate and little Ayaka found out, she would definitely sulk at home for days.
He might even get scolded by their own Archon afterward.
Soon after, the Kamisato Clan Head brought little Ayato with him and hurried over to Jiang Yan's group.
"Lord Tianquan, my sincerest apologies for arriving late."
The Kamisato Clan Head spoke respectfully.
Jiang Yan turned around and smiled.
"It's fine, it's fine. We were just taking a look around anyway. There's no need to be so formal, Clan Head."
"You jest, Lord Tianquan. You crossed the ocean to come to Inazuma. I should have personally gone to Ritou Harbor to welcome and host you. Your sudden arrival left our household unprepared. I only hope you won't find our hospitality lacking."
The Kamisato Clan Head's tone was full of respect and impeccable courtesy.
Honestly, there wasn't a single flaw to pick apart.
This was way too official.
"Alright, alright, I already said there's no need to be so formal."
Jiang Yan waved his hand, signaling for him to relax a little.
"If we were here on official business, the Liyue Qixing would've sent word to you long before we arrived."
"This time, we simply came to Inazuma for sightseeing. We just happened to pass by and wanted to visit you and little Ayaka along the way."
Jiang Yan spoke cheerfully while Ganyu and the little girls gathered around as well.
"Ayato!"
Little Ningguang waved happily toward Ayato.
Back when the Kamisato family visited Liyue, Ayato had become friends with the three little ones through Ayaka's introduction.
Little Sara curiously looked at the calm and composed little Ayato standing before them.
The original trio already knew Ayato.
But Sara had only recently joined the little group, so she naturally found this first-time meeting rather unfamiliar.
Meanwhile, little Ayato smiled and nodded politely at them.
"Long time no see, Ningguang."
Jiang Yan also noticed how much Ayato resembled a little adult now and laughed while rubbing his neatly combed hair.
"Little Ayato, it's only been a year and you've grown this much taller."
He still remembered that a year ago, Ayato had barely reached his thigh. Now the boy was already up to his stomach.
Did children really grow this quickly?
"Don't mess up my hair—I just fixed it!"
The moment Jiang Yan ruffled his hair, Ayato instantly exploded, completely losing the mature demeanor he'd been maintaining.
"Oh ho ho, someone's angry!"
Jiang Yan burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, the Kamisato Clan Head glared at Ayato.
"How rude. Hurry up and apologize to Lord Tianquan."
"Eh! No need, no need!"
Jiang Yan waved his hand helplessly.
This Kamisato Clan Head really took etiquette far too seriously.
Though people in politics generally all had that habit to some degree.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Tianquan. In that case, please come inside and rest. I have already prepared some fine tea imported from Liyue."
The Kamisato Clan Head spoke respectfully.
"Tsk, I already said not to speak like that anymore. Just call me Jiang Yan."
Jiang Yan was beginning to get annoyed.
He truly disliked all these official formalities.
"If you keep talking like that, then you're not treating me as a friend."
Seeing the Kamisato Clan Head about to explain himself again, Jiang Yan immediately cut him off.
Only then did the Clan Head finally give up.
"Then Lo—ah, Mr. Jiang Yan, please follow me."
The Kamisato Clan Head did his best to adjust the way he addressed him, though the respectful tone in his voice still hadn't changed much.
This time, Jiang Yan didn't say anything further.
After all, getting the man to change even this much was already difficult enough.
"Let's go."
Jiang Yan smiled at Ganyu and the Ningguang Four Little Ones.
Ganyu nodded, and the group followed the Kamisato Clan Head and little Ayato into the Kamisato Estate.
The moment they entered, the four little girls were led away by servants of the Kamisato household to find little Ayaka.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan and Ganyu followed the Kamisato Clan Head and Ayato into the reception hall.
But before Jiang Yan could even sit down, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan!!"
The doors burst open as a petite figure rushed straight into Jiang Yan's arms.
"Little Ayaka, it's been a long time."
Jiang Yan smiled warmly while rubbing Ayaka's little head.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan... Ayaka missed you so much..."
Little Ayaka continuously rubbed her soft little head against Jiang Yan's chest as she spoke in a sweet voice.
Seeing how clingy his little sister was acting, Ayato instantly felt like he'd fallen into a vat of vinegar.
The jealousy was suffocating.
That's MY little sister, damn it!!!
"Ayaka, do not be rude to Mr. Jiang Yan!"
The Kamisato Clan Head lightly coughed and spoke sternly.
Hearing that, little Ayaka immediately stiffened and obediently stood up straight.
"It's fine, it's fine..."
Why are you scolding her?!
Jiang Yan kept smiling outwardly, but internally he was already roaring.
How could you bear to scold such an adorable little girl?!
"With me around, little Ayaka never needs to follow any so-called rules."
Jiang Yan's voice was calm, yet every person present heard it clearly.
The trace of grievance on Ayaka's face instantly transformed into delight.
That's right!
Big Brother Jiang Yan had told her that before!
Big Brother Jiang Yan was the best!
Little Ayaka desperately wanted to throw herself back into Jiang Yan's arms, but she still looked toward her father first.
The Kamisato Clan Head smiled helplessly.
This daughter of his...
Forget it. Since Jiang Yan had already spoken, there was no need to force Ayaka to maintain formal etiquette any longer.
He might as well indulge her.
Seeing that her father had agreed, little Ayaka could no longer hold back her longing and immediately dove back into Jiang Yan's embrace.
"Ayaka!!"
At that moment, little Ningguang and the others also ran inside.
"Ningguang! Beidou! Shenhe!"
Ayaka instantly lifted her head from Jiang Yan's chest and looked at them in surprise.
She never expected her little friends to have come to Inazuma together with Jiang Yan.
"Ayaka, so you were here with Master."
Little Ningguang walked over.
"We just went looking for you, but the auntie sweeping outside said you'd already come over here."
Jiang Yan gently patted Ayaka's back.
"Go play with Ningguang and the others. They've been talking about you constantly ever since you left."
Ayaka nodded happily, grabbed Ningguang's hand, and ran off to show everyone around her home.
After chatting for a while, the Kamisato Clan Head asked Jiang Yan:
"Mr. Jiang Yan, have you already arranged accommodations for your stay?"
"If you don't mind our humble residence, perhaps you could stay here tonight."
Hearing that, Jiang Yan's mouth twitched.
A humble residence?
Search your conscience first—is the Kamisato Estate humble?!
Still, Jiang Yan politely declined.
"No need."
"Our accommodations have already been arranged at Tenshukaku."
The moment the words "Tenshukaku" were spoken, the Kamisato Clan Head froze completely.
His first instinct was disbelief.
What kind of place was Tenshukaku?
That was the residence of Inazuma's most exalted deity—the Almighty Narukami Ogosho herself.
Just how close was this Tianquan from Liyue to the Shogun for him to stay there together with her?
But then he recalled how the Shogun and the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine had reacted when Jiang Yan sent that voice transmission earlier.
...Actually, maybe it did make sense.
Since Inazuma's own god had already arranged everything personally, the Kamisato Clan Head naturally stopped insisting.
After all, no matter how nice the Kamisato Estate was, could it possibly compare to Tenshukaku?
"Since Mr. Jiang Yan has already made arrangements, then I won't interfere further."
The Kamisato Clan Head took a sip of tea before continuing:
"However, you absolutely must stay for a meal."
"My wife has already begun preparing lunch. Since you've come all the way to Inazuma, I must properly show my hospitality."
This time, Jiang Yan didn't refuse.
After all, he truly had missed little Ayaka after being apart for so long.
Soon enough, lunchtime arrived.
By the time Jiang Yan's group had come over earlier, it had already been close to noon.
They hadn't chatted long before servants arrived to inform them that the meal was ready.
At the dining table, Kamisato Ayaka sat beside Jiang Yan, constantly telling him about everything that had happened recently.
Originally, little Ayaka had been visiting Liyue twice a month.
But ever since the start of the new year—
After the New Year festivities ended, preparations for Inazuma's Irodori Festival had begun.
As the Yashiro Commission family responsible for organizing the festival, the Kamisato Clan naturally became extremely busy.
Ayaka's studies and etiquette training had also increased significantly because both the Kamisato heir and daughter were expected to appear before the public during the festival.
As a result, she hadn't gone to Liyue at all since the New Year.
That was why she had constantly written letters asking Jiang Yan to come visit Inazuma during the Irodori Festival.
Little Ayaka also wanted her Big Brother Jiang Yan to see how much she'd grown lately.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan, are you staying here tonight?"
"Ayaka wants to hear Big Brother Jiang Yan tell stories."
Ayaka's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Back when she stayed at Jiang Yan's home, either Jiang Yan or Ganyu would tell stories to the little girls before bedtime.
"Mmm... Big Brother Jiang Yan already arranged a place to stay, so I won't be sleeping here at Ayaka's house."
Even though Jiang Yan hated disappointing her, he had already promised Ei and the others that he would return early, so he likely wouldn't stay until Ayaka's bedtime.
"Eh...? I see..."
Disappointment immediately appeared on Ayaka's face.
Jiang Yan gently stroked her soft snow-white hair before suddenly whispering quietly to her:
"But Big Brother Jiang Yan can still come over before little Ayaka goes to sleep and tell you a story before leaving."
"Don't tell anyone, okay?"
Ayaka's eyes instantly lit up with delight.
"Really?!"
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Since when has your Big Brother Jiang Yan ever lied to children?"
"Mhm! Big Brother Jiang Yan is the best!"
Ayaka immediately bloomed into a radiant smile.
Jiang Yan chuckled and rubbed her little head again.
"You little thing..."
Sitting on Jiang Yan's other side, Ganyu naturally heard the secret whisper between the two.
Helplessly, she poked Jiang Yan's forehead lightly.
"You really spoil her."
Jiang Yan grinned.
He couldn't help it.
Especially when faced with those hopeful little eyes—
And particularly from adorable little girls like Ayaka—
He simply couldn't bear seeing them disappointed.
Since he didn't want them sad...
Then all he could do was spoil them.
That was always how Jiang Yan treated little children—absolute indulgence.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan, hurry and try this dish."
"This is an Inazuman specialty. You can't eat it in Liyue, so try some."
Ayaka placed a piece of Sakura Tempura into Jiang Yan's bowl.
"Alright."
Jiang Yan accepted her kindness without hesitation and ate the entire piece in one bite.
"It's delicious."
After swallowing the food, Jiang Yan smiled warmly at Ayaka.
"Really? I'm glad Big Brother Jiang Yan likes it!"
Ayaka swayed her snow-white ponytail happily, looking absolutely delighted.
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