Tomorrow, I start as a maid.
According to the contract, I have to work for at least a month. After that, I can quit or continue as I please.
Lady Ningguang herself assured me that excellent performance would be generously rewarded. It all sounds too good to be true.
But why did she declare me qualified the moment she saw me?
When I asked Ningguang, she merely smiled enigmatically.
"It's in the details people easily overlook that their true character shines," she said before departing.
Easily overlooked details? I don't get it.
Still, I suppose I passed the test. The naive version of myself from before... I've played that role quite convincingly.
If the opportunity arises, I'll definitely treat myself to something nice.
The first week is a trial period, so I need to work hard. Once I've earned enough money, I'll quit after a month, stabilize my life, and then get back to my grand "cuddle" mission.
I can't forget my original goal.
I need to become stronger so no one can hurt me, and then live a good life. Of course, I'll also have to continue being a "good friend" to Shenhe and the others.
"I'm such a bad woman, deceiving everyone like this," Qin Yu muttered self-deprecatingly as she packed her belongings.
The workplace has dedicated dormitories for the maids, each with its own private room. Apart from being a bit small, they're perfect, and definitely more comfortable than this rented apartment.
So I might as well move there right away.
Tch, rent increase? Fine, I'll just leave. This place wasn't that great anyway.
Still, so much has happened this past month. First, I regained memories of my past life, then this bizarre "cuddle" System appeared... Keqing... have we really never met before?
I couldn't help but ponder this question again.
Opening the bedside table drawer, Qin Yu packed everything into her suitcase.
"Hmm?"
Qin Yu's gaze fell upon a small, square box in the drawer, its craftsmanship surprisingly exquisite.
This was a treasure she had cherished since childhood, always bringing it with her whenever she moved.
But the box didn't contain any real treasure in the traditional sense.
Opening it, she found a ring—not a real one, but a crudely carved wooden toy ring. If she tried to sell it, it probably wouldn't even fetch enough for a steamed bun.
Yet treasures aren't always pearls, gemstones, or gold. Anything imbued with profound memories can become a treasure.
Sadly, Qin Yu couldn't recall when or from whom she had received this toy ring. Her memory was a complete blank, shrouded in the same mysterious darkness that fueled her fear of the dark.
All she knew was that it was important—nothing more.
"Who on earth gave this to me? My teacher... no, I would definitely remember if it were him. And it's so tiny!"
Qin Yu's fingers were slender, yet even she couldn't wear the toy ring. It was simply too small.
It could only fit a child.
Did I take it from someone when I was little?
Hmm... I don't remember at all. Could it have been a boy? And then it would be like those cliché manga stories, where we secretly promised to marry each other as kids... No, no, no, let's not go there.
This toy ring is crudely made, but every detail radiates thoughtfulness, and its design is surprisingly cute.
It must have been given by a girl...
Wouldn't that be even worse? I'm not that kind of woman.
Qin Yu shook her head, banishing the distracting thoughts.
Better keep the ring with me. If I have to move again someday and forget it, that would be terrible... Though I often have those embarrassing moments where I'm searching for my phone, only to realize I'm already holding it.
She threaded a thin string through the ring and wore it as a necklace.
It felt a little odd, but she could just tuck it under her collar. She wasn't exactly dressed to show off her cleavage anyway.
"Since it's a ring, it wouldn't be surprising if there were a matching pair... If I have one, does that mean the other person still has theirs?"
Maybe they've forgotten too. After all, it was a childhood thing.
"But wouldn't that make me look like a fool? Ugh... whatever. If they don't remember, and I don't either, isn't that perfect?"
Yet, what if they do remember, and I don't? That would be awkward...
No, no need to be so negative.
Liyue is vast. What were the chances of running into them by chance? Besides, so many years had passed; people's appearances change. How easy would it be to recognize them?
It's fine. No, it's more like there's no problem at all.
With that thought, Qin Yu closed her suitcase.
"All packed. Time to go."
Leaving the rental apartment she'd called home for a while stirred a pang of reluctance. Starting over in a new place meant navigating new neighborly relationships...
But it didn't matter. At least her social skills had been thoroughly honed.
As she stepped outside, Qin Yu found her landlord standing by the door.
"Moving out already?"
Yep! Finally saying goodbye to you. I couldn't be happier, Qin Yu thought, smiling. "Yes. Thank you for your kindness all this time. Goodbye."
"Mm-hmm, off you go. If you ever want to come back, just let me know. But the rent won't be any lower, understand? Come back when you have money."
Tch. Qin Yu suppressed her annoyance and forced a smile. "Understood. Though I think a friendlier attitude might help. People tend to treat you as you treat them."
"What does a little brat like you know? Money's all that matters... Hmph!"
Qin Yu's gaze turned icily indifferent, but the expression vanished in an instant, like a fleeting illusion, replaced by her usual soft, gentle eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Qin Yu asked, her voice filled with concern.
"No... If you're leaving, just go."
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine!"
Qin Yu's brow smoothed. "That's good to hear! Then I'll take my leave."
Qin Yu left, pulling her suitcase behind her.
The landlord exhaled in relief. "Finally gone! Now I can strike it rich."
He hadn't raised the rent arbitrarily. Ever since Qin Yu's fame had grown, he'd hatched a plan: first, drive her out, then subtly hint that "Qin Yu once lived here, and her lingering presence remains."
Some fool would surely want to live in such a place, and then he could jack up the rent...
Someone foolish enough to pay the price would definitely come along.
"In Liyue, money is everything, and fools' money is the easiest to take."
"This house..."
Had someone already taken the bait? They must have seen that little girl moving out. The landlord rubbed his hands together and turned around, rubbing his hands together.
"Would you like to rent this place—Huh?!"
"No, I want to buy it."
"Th-that's not very convenient..."
"Hmm, inconvenient? Even for someone like me?"
"N-no, not at all! I'll prepare the contract immediately..."