The mountain breeze brushed against her cheeks, carrying the warmth of early summer.
Ken's words echoed in Keqing's ears, leaving her red lips slightly parted in disbelief.
Learn to meow like a cat twice?
Ken actually wanted her to meow like a cat?
Keqing's pink eyes misted over with shame and anger as she glared at Ken.
She never expected this guy, who usually appeared as a graceful gentleman, to be putting on a facade. Deep down, he was truly wicked, coming up with such a detestable request.
"You... what kind of hobby is this? I'm being serious with you, you..." Keqing gripped her sword, her delicate body trembling slightly, her words stumbling incoherently. She wanted nothing more than to thrust her sword at him.
But considering she might not be a match for Ken, she bit her lip and held back.
If Ken captured her, who knows what even worse things he might do.
"I'm just joking, Miss Keqing. You don't have to actually do it."
Seeing Keqing's embarrassed and furious expression, Ken explained. He had just been channeling Hu Tao's playful spirit to tease the serious Keqing. After all, the Yuheng was always so prim and proper—it made one want to poke fun at her.
"Hmph... at least you're somewhat gentlemanly." Keqing huffed, her face stern as she said, "Actually, speaking of which, there's something I need your help with. If Ningguang..."
"Wait, wait..." Ken raised his hand, interrupting Keqing. "Miss Keqing, I didn't actually make you meow like a cat, but that doesn't mean you can keep asking for my help. I'm not a charity."
"I..." Keqing glared at Ken, looking at his flawlessly handsome face. Suddenly, she felt there was more to his words, and the implication was quite clear.
If she hadn't guessed wrong, Ken meant... if she wanted his help, she needed to show the appropriate sincerity.
Like the cat meowing he had mentioned earlier.
Thinking of this possibility, Keqing gripped her sword tighter but then loosened it, seemingly struggling. But considering the importance of the matter, she finally exhaled slowly, putting on a businesslike expression, sheathed her sword, and bit her lip to demonstrate her sincerity.
Her petite and slender body leaned forward slightly, her perky hips raised a bit, her delicate fingers curled into cat-like paws. Overwhelmed by shame, her beautiful face flushed with pink clouds, and her cherry lips parted softly.
"Nyaa~"
A soft, adorable cat meow escaped from Keqing's mouth.
The pose and the sound made Keqing's body stiffen slightly, feeling utterly humiliated.
After finishing the meow, she quickly straightened up, trying to maintain her composure. "Now, can I continue?"
"Miss Keqing has shown ample sincerity." Ken praised sincerely.
Keqing's expression and pose while meowing had perfectly captured the essence of "Cat Keqing," even more alluring than the real cat-girl Diona. Compared to her usual serious demeanor, that special contrast of purity and desire was the highlight.
Keqing's face was flushed red. "Hmph, I never expected the gentlemanly Mr. Ken to have such wicked tastes."
Thinking back to their interactions a couple of days ago, Ken had seemed like a perfect gentleman.
Who knew his gentlemanly facade wouldn't last two days before revealing his playful side.
If the matter she needed to discuss wasn't so important, she wouldn't have humiliated herself by meowing, even if it was just once.
"You're mistaken. It was Miss Keqing who meowed on her own initiative." Ken smiled and rebutted, though he was a bit caught off guard himself. He had only interrupted Keqing because he didn't want to get involved in the Qixing's affairs.
He never expected the upright Keqing to actually meow for the sake of this.
But precisely because of that...
Ken became somewhat interested in what Keqing had to say. Something that could make her compromise like this must be very important.
Seeing Keqing on the verge of exploding in shame and anger, Ken quickly interrupted her rising fury. "Alright, get to the point. I don't have much time."
"Hmph..." Keqing snorted coldly, then said seriously, "Here's the situation: Because you know the Great Prophecy Technique, Ningguang really wants to use you to investigate this matter... I want you to promise me that if Ningguang comes to you asking for help to prophesy and look back on the truth of this incident, you absolutely must not agree, no matter what bargaining chips she offers."
Having worked with Ningguang for so many years, Keqing knew her all too well.
Although she had stopped Ningguang that day, Ningguang would definitely find another opportunity to secretly meet Ken and inquire about the truth of the Archon's assassination and Liyue's future.
After all.
For Ningguang, if there's a simpler solution, she naturally wouldn't go through unnecessary trouble.
"If Lady Ningguang offers me very tempting chips, I might not be able to resist." Ken said honestly.
"You..." Keqing gripped her sword. "I already did that just now!"
"It was just one meow." Ken said lightly, seeing Cat Keqing about to explode again, he added, "But Miss Keqing's meow was very pleasant. Just meow for me more often in the future."
Keqing's face flushed with embarrassment. "We'll talk about the future later."
"But your thinking is quite unique." Ken said sincerely.
If it were anyone else, they would probably be eager to have him prophesy the truth. Keqing's insistence on investigating and handling it herself was truly unexpected.
Keqing gazed ahead, her pink eyes filled with determination, her voice drifting far with the wind. "Actually, all these years, I've been thinking about how Liyue can break free from the Archon's protection and be ruled by humans in this prosperous nation."
"The Archon's assassination, while seemingly beneficial to my ideal nation, also worries me. The people of Liyue have been under the Archon's protection for so long; I fear they've lost the ability to face things on their own."
"This incident not only tests the Liyue Qixing's abilities but also tests all the people of Liyue—whether they can face sudden disasters and an unknown future without the Archon."
"The people of Liyue need to progress, to step out of their comfort zone, and the Liyue Qixing need to face the test, proving their abilities to the people of Liyue and to themselves... No matter what, this matter must be handled by us ourselves."
"If Ningguang learns the full context and gains an advantage, it loses all meaning. After all, the future is full of storms—who can guarantee foresight every time? In my view, rather than relying on external forces for shortcuts, facing dangers and honing ourselves is the right way."
The mountain wind blew, Keqing's slender figure firm, her gaze resolute. Her skirt swayed with the breeze, the earlier shame gone, replaced by the serious Keqing, the Yuheng Qixing of Liyue.
Ken raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Alright, I agree to this."
"Thank you." Keqing turned and said.
Ken turned to leave, his voice carried by the wind. "No need to thank me. Just meow a few more times in the future."
"You!" Keqing's newly calmed mood surged again, stamping her foot as she watched Ken's back.
Asking Ken for this favor hadn't cost her anything substantial, but meowing like a cat was already a huge price for the Yuheng Qixing.
She wasn't Ningguang... If it were Ningguang, hearing that just a meow would fulfill the wish, she'd probably think it was a great deal and wouldn't feel as ashamed and conflicted as her.
"Ningguang..."
Keqing gritted her teeth, squeezing out the name through clenched teeth.
She had done something so humiliating, all because of that woman Ningguang.
This deepened Keqing's resentment toward Ningguang even more.
But looking at the battered Treasure Hoarders and Fatui, Keqing turned to leave. Now that the Fatui's conspiracy was confirmed, she needed to head back and prepare contingencies.
...
In the lush garden courtyard filled with blooming flowers and shady trees.
Upon returning, Ken released the over a hundred Treasure Hoarder Weasels he had acquired for free and trained them using the previous method. Since the Treasure Hoarders had already trained them, he didn't need to expend much effort now.
"Guess who I am?"
A familiar floral scent wafted with the gentle breeze. Ken's eyes were suddenly covered from behind, and a flat sensation pressed against his back. Long hair swept across his cheek, and the plum blossom fragrance lingered at his nose.
The girl deliberately lowered her voice, making it sound a bit strange.
Ken was already used to the girl's quirky antics and calmly said, "Hu Tao."
"Eh? How did you know it was me?" Hu Tao released Ken's eyes, pouting in disappointment as she casually sat beside him, her long white legs particularly eye-catching. "Why couldn't it be Qiqi or Xiangling? How did you guess it was me right away? I just arrived today."
For the past couple of days, she had been personally minding the shop, but for the whimsical Hu Tao, being confined there for days was pure torture.
After wandering, she saw Ken sitting in the courtyard playing with the Treasure Hoarder Weasels and wanted to tease him, but he guessed immediately.
Ken's gaze swept over Hu Tao's flat chest and said leisurely, "I almost thought it was Mr. Meng just now."
Hu Tao: "???"
After a brief moment of shock, Hu Tao followed Ken's gaze down to her flat chest. Her eyes shifted from curiosity to anger, her fair face instantly turning red.
Damn it!
This guy was subtly mocking her for being flat-chested.
Was it her fault she was flat-chested?
Who doesn't dream of having peaks like snowy mountains?
"Damn... it's all because I didn't eat properly as a kid. If I had eaten well, I'd definitely stun your eyes!" Hu Tao gritted her teeth.
"Yeah, yeah, sure." Ken echoed, "Right, right."
His sarcastic tone made Hu Tao even more furious. She turned to grab her spear, ready to give Ken a poke.
But as soon as she ran into the shop, Hu Tao saw her employee Ferrylady hugging her spear and refusing to let go.
Ferrylady dodged while hugging the spear, sincerely advising, "Director, fighting is bad. And... and Mr. Ken is just telling the truth!"
What a joke?
With their Director's temperament, she'd go all out without holding back.
If she accidentally burned down the shop, where would the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor find such a good spot for advertising?
Hu Tao: "..."
Hu Tao gnashed her teeth, especially seeing Ferrylady's substantial bossom, which made her even more furious.
But in the end, she had to swallow her anger.
Who could argue when what they said was indeed the truth?!
Returning to Ken's side, looking at the elegant man like flowing clouds, she pursed her lips and huffed, "Hmph, just you wait. I'll stun your eyes one day."
"No need. You're fine just the way you are." Ken stopped teasing her and said, "Mountains have their scenic beauty, plains have their vast openness. Every landscape has its unique charm; no need to change deliberately."
These light words instantly dissipated Hu Tao's displeasure, turning it sweet.
"Really?" Hu Tao asked expectantly.
Ken raised an eyebrow. "Of course. If all the world's scenery were the same, it would lose so much beauty. Director Hu is already quite perfect, with her own unique style."
"Hehe..." Hu Tao sat beside Ken, her mood suddenly brightening. "Do you need my help? With so many Treasure Hoarder Weasels, what are you planning to do with them?"
"Put them in the Northland Bank." Ken said.
Hu Tao's eyes widened. "Aha? Put them in the Northland Bank? As expected of you... The Director fully approves of your idea!"
Stealing the Northland Bank's money to prevent the Fatui from monopolizing Liyue's banking market—very reasonable!
"Then go find some food for these little guys." Ken said.
Hu Tao clapped her hands. "Leave it to me! This little task is on the Director!"
With that, Hu Tao jumped up and bounced off to prepare the food.
Not far away, Ferrylady, holding the spear, watched Hu Tao's bouncy figure and belatedly realized that Ken's words were just coaxing their Director.
Seeing their Director go from fuming to overjoyed, Ferrylady shook her head with a smile. "Mr. Ken sure knows how to talk—one word makes the Director jump in anger, another makes her happy."
Meng, busy at work, raised an eyebrow. "A grown daughter can't be kept at home."
Though his words were teasing, there was a hint of relief in Meng's eyes.
Though their Director usually seemed carefree and without worries, she carried a heavy burden on her shoulders. Just a teenage girl, bearing the responsibility of a millennia-old family legacy.
If someone could accompany the Director and understand her whimsical ideas, that would be the best.
Watching Hu Tao return with piles of fodder and feed the Treasure Hoarder Weasels alongside Ken, the harmonious scene made Meng smile involuntarily.
"It's the first time I've seen the Director so obedient." Ferrylady watched Hu Tao running around, smiling.
Meng said meaningfully, "One thing subdues another."
...