" Daddy! Klee wants a hug!
"
Klee, who had been held in Alice's arms, was the first to reach out her little hands toward Lin Mo.
" Klee, be good. Come, sit on Daddy's arm~"
Lin Mo immediately took Klee into his arms.
Although Klee was perched on Lin Mo's arm, one of her little hands still held onto Alice's.
From the way Klee's eyes narrowed into crescent moons, it was clear that this long-awaited reunion of their family of three was probably the happiest moment she'd had in over a decade.
" Ahem... "
Just then, Rhinedottir, standing nearby, coughed lightly.
Lin Mo turned his head at the sound.
He saw Rhinedottir glaring at him with a look of grievance.
Only then did Lin Mo notice that Xina, who was standing beside Rhinedottir, was looking at him with hopeful anticipation.
Or rather, she was gazing with envy at little Klee, who was being held in Lin Mo's arms.
" Xina, you've grown up. Do you want a hug too?
" Lin Mo asked, a little puzzled.
" Xina was only just born today... "
Xina replied timidly, her face turning red.
Just then, Rhinedottir spoke up, her tone tinged with reproach: " Lin Mo, from the moment Xina was born until now, have you held her even once? "
" Uh... ahem. "
Lin Mo felt a bit awkward.
Although Xina was technically only a day old, looking at her youthful, girl-next-door beauty, he simply couldn't bring himself to cradle her in his arms the way he did with Klee.
But still, they were both his daughters.
He couldn't play favorites, could he?
So, Lin Mo smiled and reached out his hand toward Xina.
Seeing Lin Mo's outstretched hand, a flash of joy lit up Xina's eyes. She let him take her hand and led her to the very edge of the viewing platform.
" Hmph, you know what's good for you~"
Rhinedottir muttered under her breath.
But judging by the slightly envious look on her face, she seemed to be longing for the family dynamic Lin Mo, Alice, and Klee shared.
The next moment, Rhinedottir turned to Lin Mo.
The determined look in her eyes made it clear that she had made a decision.
" I've decided... "
" I want to have a baby with you too. "
" This baby will be one I give birth to for you, not one we created together through alchemy. "
Rhinedottir thought to herself, and as if imagining some beautiful scene, her pretty face grew even redder.
Just as Lin Mo was holding Klee in one arm and leading Xina by the other hand, looking up to enjoy the brilliant fireworks filling the sky, a gust of sand suddenly gathered in front of him.
It startled him so much that he took a few steps back.
" Hehe~"
Guizhong, leaning against the railing of the viewing platform, looked at Lin Mo with a playful expression.
" Guizhong, you scared me... "
Lin Mo said with a wry smile. " Why did you have to appear like that?
"
" Who told you there's no room left beside you~" Guizhong replied matter-of-factly.
" Alright, alright, I'll give you this spot in front of me, okay? "
" Hmph, I'm not interested~"
Guizhong wrinkled her nose. " I came to remind you that you can't play favorites~"
" What do you mean, 'play favorites'? "
Lin Mo frowned in confusion.
" See~" Guizhong glanced behind Lin Mo.
" Our little Azhdaha is feeling lonely~"
" You held Alice's child~"
" You held Rhinedottir's child too~"
" Now our child... can't just stand by and watch Daddy play with the other little siblings, can he~"
Kun Jun quickly tried to explain with a wry smile: " Father, I really don't need... "
" When adults are talking, kids don't interrupt~! "
Guizhong cut him off immediately.
Then, she tilted her delicate chin up, looking as if she expected Lin Mo to give her an explanation.
" Guizhong, Azhdaha is thousands of years old... he doesn't need a hug from his dad anymore... "
Lin Mo said with a helpless smile.
Guizhong seemed to have anticipated this answer.
The next moment, she replied as if it were only natural: " I don't care about that. If you're going to play favorites, then... unless~"
" Unless what? "
Lin Mo asked with a smile.
" Unless we have a baby too, to properly make up for the fatherly love our child has missed out on. "
Silence.
The entire viewing platform fell silent in an instant.
Most people hadn't expected that Guizhong, the noble Dust Archon, would make such a bold statement at a time like this.
But then, the people of Liyue thought about it. Guizhong had always been bold and free-spirited back in the day, so it actually made sense.
Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Lin Mo frantically signaled Guizhong with his eyes.
His expression clearly said: Shouldn't this be a private conversation? Can't we talk about this when we get home?
" Alright, alright~" Guizhong waved her hand.
" Seeing how nervous you are, I won't ruin the mood for now~"
Lin Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, Klee asked with a curious look: " Daddy, Daddy, would a baby born from two Archons be really strong... stronger than Brother Kun Jun? "
" Ah... well... "
Lin Mo was completely at a loss.
How was he supposed to know that?
There was no precedent in Teyvat's history of two Archons having a child, was there?
When Ei heard this topic, she couldn't help but chime in: " I'm actually curious about that too. "
" Would a child born of two Archons be stronger than Scaramouche and the Shogun? "
" Hmm... if there's a chance, we could put it into practice~"
With Ei's words, the people of Inazuma couldn't help but turn their gazes toward Lin Mo.
If Ei wanted to put it into practice, who else could be the subject of that practice but Lin Mo?
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Lin Mo was utterly speechless.
He felt like shouting out loud at that moment.
Hey! How did the conversation get so off track?
Today is the grand Lantern Rite Festival!
Can't you all just enjoy the fireworks properly?
--------
T/N:
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