Genshin Impact: This fireplace house is your graveyard.

Chapter 228 Heartwarming Love and Unmelting Ice

Looking at the red plum blossom wreath on her head, the woman glanced at it a few times, then smiled gently. Seeing the smile on the woman's face...

Qiu Shanshan's face also revealed a charming joy. "Ever since the lady left last time, Chunqing has been thinking about her. Every time the lady comes to visit everyone..."

You've been preparing all these gifts for us, and we've only been taking them. Even though we're children, we shouldn't take your kindness for granted.

"A simple 'I like you' proves nothing." As Qiu Shanshan spoke, Lily began to sway unsteadily.

Feeling Lily swaying, Qiu Shanshan's voice trembled slightly. "So...so after that time...I...I just wanted to think about it!"

Lily, unable to stand any longer, fell straight backward. Everyone quickly stood up and rushed to support her and the other woman, but just as they got up...

The woman immediately reached out and put her arms around Qiu Shanshan's armpits to stabilize their balance, then lifted Qiu Shanshan up and pulled her into her arms.

"Hmm, so, after Xiaochunqing, what came to mind?" Qiu Shanshan, nestled in the woman's lap, gazed at the woman's elegant and charming smile.

A slight blush crept onto her face. "Um... I thought of a lot of return gifts for the lady, but I didn't know what to give her."

But one day when I went out, I saw a small red plum blossom tree. After that, I planted that tree in the back garden. I thought of...

The red plum blossom symbolizes strength, loyalty, and elegance—qualities that perfectly suit you, sir. "At this point," Qiu Shanshan said, gently pursing her lips.

Finally, he gently kissed the lady on the cheek. "So, I was thinking of giving this red plum blossom wreath to you next time you come, ma'am."

This red plum blossom is a gift of love from me, on behalf of everyone, to the lady. Does she like it? Hearing this gentle and charming voice…

It seemed to contain a magical power capable of melting the icebergs of winter. However, it could only cause a slight melting of the demonic fire sealed within and the ice of the past.

Until the cold, solid ice covered her again, and feeling the strange sensation within her body, the woman paused for a few seconds before gently raising her hand.

Stroking Qiu Shanshan's soft hair, the woman said with a smile, "Yes. I really like it, I really like Xiaochunqing's thoughtfulness."

He slowly moved closer to Qiu Shanshan's cheek, and finally, just as Qiu Shanshan had done before, he gently kissed her slightly flushed cheek.

"Alright, let the other little ones take a nap here. Those still awake, hurry up and catch up. Otherwise, the food will get cold, and it won't taste good!"

Finally, the woman carried Qiu Shanshan and the remaining two teams of children to the restaurant. After the meal, Qiuhe returned to his room with the others.

She then told everyone that she was going back to Mondstadt, and everyone was a little surprised to hear this: "But Lei, it's been so long since you last came back from Mondstadt..."

"It's only been a week." Hearing Tian Yaochen's confused question, everyone shared the same thought; it had only been a few days since Qiu He returned from Mondstadt.

The others didn't understand why he wanted to go back again. "Oh, I went back to see my father last time. I'm going back this time."

Qiuhe then feigned a sad expression, "It's because my mother's death anniversary is the day after tomorrow." Hearing Qiuhe say this...

The scene fell silent instantly. Tian Yaochen then clapped his hands together and said, "Sorry, I spoke up. I didn't mean to."

Seeing this, Qiuhe smiled awkwardly. "Ah, haha, it's nothing, it's nothing. It's all in the past. I've already let it go, it's nothing, it's nothing."

"Brother." At this moment, Si Naqi, who was sitting next to Qiuhe, suddenly tugged at Qiuhe's arm. Qiuhe turned his head to look and found that Si Naqi's expression was unusually lonely.

"What's wrong, Sinaqi?" Sinaqi was silent for a few seconds, feeling sad. "Brother. Why... why doesn't Sinaqi remember Mom and Dad?"

"Why is it only my brother who remembers? Why don't I even remember who my parents are?" As Sinaqi said this, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why...why can't I even remember my own parents...and...don't even know that they are no longer alive?"

"I...Is it...?" Seeing that Sinaqi was getting more and more upset as she spoke, with a look of great self-blame on her face, and looking like she was about to cry, she realized that Sinaqi was about to cry.

Qiuhe hugged Sinaqi tightly and gently buried his head in his chest. "Sinaqi, this isn't your fault. If anyone's to blame, blame me."

Finally, Qiuhe made up a story about having someone erase Si Naqi's memories to prevent her from remembering everything from the past and being sad.

After listening to Qiuhe's account, Si Naqi no longer felt the same endless self-blame as before, but she was still very saddened by the thought of her biological parents' passing.

Qiuhe gently comforted Sinaqi. "Sinaqi, although Mom and Dad are no longer here, your brother will always be by your side."

I will protect you. I won't let you get hurt. Of course, if you want to cry now, then cry it out; maybe you'll feel better afterward.

Feeling Qiuhe's warm embrace and the unique sense of security that her brother brought her, a tear slid down her cheek and landed on Qiuhe's chest.

Finally, Sinagi burst into tears in Qiuhe's arms, while Peruvier, who was quietly watching this scene, was filled with complex emotions.

After Sina stopped crying, Qiuhe took her hand. "Sina, everything's alright now. Tomorrow at the Hearth House..."

There will be a drill test for the children, so let's go to the training ground with your brother while we still have time. Show him how good your swordsmanship is now!

Sinaqi smiled and agreed. But the others were puzzled. "Lei, the sparring at the Hearth House is decided by Mother."

Mother would usually give the battle roster to the captain of each group the day before sparring, but now Mother is no longer at Hearth House.

Even if the battle roster might be handled by the lady, we haven't been notified yet. How did you know there's a battle tomorrow?

Akikawa responded casually, "Oh, didn't I tell that pretty lady I wanted to go back to Mondstadt to visit my mother?"

The pretty lady asked me when I planned to leave and mentioned that there would be a practice match for the children tomorrow. Everyone nodded in understanding.

When the group arrived at the armory, Qiuhe walked in, took out a greatsword, and said, "Sinaqi, try to lift this greatsword."

Hearing this, Sinaqi looked puzzled, and the others didn't understand what Qiuhe meant either. "Leyi, didn't we tell you before?"

"Can Sinaqi use a greatsword? Why did you make her try to lift it?" Hearing Kailer's question and everyone else's puzzled expressions...

Qiuhe calmly replied, "It's nothing, just testing my suspicions. Come, Sinagi." (Seeing Qiuhe standing on the ground with his greatsword...)

Sinaqi reached out and grasped the sword hilt. Seeing that Sinaqi had already gripped the hilt, Qiuhe slowly loosened his grip, but just as Qiuhe's hand loosened a little...

The greatsword slowly tilted forward. Sinaqi was stunned; she realized that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hold onto the sword.

Just as the greatsword was about to fall and Sinagi was about to stumble forward, Qiuhe quickly caught both the greatsword and Sinagi.

The people around were also surprised and puzzled by this scene, and they all came forward to check on Sinaqi. "Sinaqi, are you alright?"

"Hey, Sina, what's wrong with you? You can't even hold your greatsword anymore?" Seeing the concern and confusion of those around her, Sina...

He looked completely bewildered, staring blankly at the greatsword he and Qiuhe were holding together. "I...I don't know either."

I felt the greatsword suddenly become incredibly heavy, several times heavier than before. I... I couldn't hold it at all. What... what's going on?

Just then, Qiuhe gently placed his hand on Snachi's hand. "Snaqi, it's alright, don't panic." After Qiuhe finished speaking, he held Snachi's hand.

Suddenly, it began to emit a dark purple energy light. Everyone was confused about what Qiuhe was doing, but Si Naqi suddenly sensed something.

A strange feeling washed over her body, as if she felt more energetic and powerful than before. At that moment, Qiuhe slowly released her grip on the back of Sina's hand.

"Alright, Sinaqi, try again now and see if you can lift this sword." Although Sinaqi didn't know what the feeling was just now, she listened to Qiuhe's suggestion to try again.

He nodded slightly, and finally, Qiuhe slowly loosened his grip on the sword hilt. This time, the situation was completely different from before.

Sinaqi effortlessly lifted the greatsword, as if it were a very light wooden stick.