Ningguang smiled serenely, a few sly glints flashing in those beautiful eyes, making it impossible to read her true thoughts.
"If we botch this, the Tianquan will have to compensate."
Ken didn't like circling around endlessly. He glanced at the dignified Tianquan, as noble as a peony in full bloom, and left the Jade Chamber without a ripple in his heart.
Since arriving in Teyvat, he'd met far too many beautiful women, each with her own unique charm.
He had no shortage of women now, so with Ningguang and Keqing, he naturally wasn't going to be impatient. Matters of the heart are best left to develop naturally.
"If we botch this, having me compensate you is fine too."
Ningguang's soft laugh drifted from behind.
Ken made no comment. His figure vanished into the Jade Chamber. He didn't return to Blue Star, instead heading toward Liyue Specialty.
Once Ken's figure had disappeared, Ningguang stepped out of the Jade Chamber barefoot. She gazed at the thunderous, rain-lashed night and asked with curiosity, "What expression did Keqing have when she left just now?"
"When Lady Keqing left, she was blushing to the ears and grinding her teeth," Baishi recalled Keqing's look and answered with a smile.
Ningguang tugged the cloak draped over her shoulders, looking a bit languid. "I fear the Yuheng won't sleep a wink tonight."
Leaving that remark behind, Ningguang turned back into the Jade Chamber. Thinking of that purple cat-eared head grinding her teeth, she couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
The Yuheng is just too tsundere and stiff—sometimes you have to go hard to get results.
If they let Ken simply leave Liyue, that would be Liyue's greatest loss.
A helper like that must be drawn in at all costs.
Seeing the spirited lift of Ningguang's brows, Baishi smiled. "Congratulations to my lady on getting exactly what you wished for."
"Exactly what I wished for?" Ningguang's fair foot paused slightly, pressing into the soft carpet. "Mm… tonight did turn out just the way I wanted. Go to Yuehai Pavilion to assist Ganyu. The two of you get ready—starting tomorrow, we'll implement my plan."
In a sense, they were about to uproot the Northland Bank—wasn't that a wish come true?
But to her two confidential secretaries, those words were misunderstood. The two exchanged knowing smiles, assuming Ningguang and Ken had already taken that step—naturally, wish fulfilled.
Watching the constant lightning across the sky, the two secretaries silently did the math.
In and out—about half an hour.
Mr. Ken… lasts quite a while; Lady Ningguang is in for a blessing.
As for their misunderstanding, Ningguang noticed it but didn't explain. When a little misunderstanding benefits her, she never minds.
Though thinking of Keqing…
Ningguang laughed until her body trembled like swaying blossoms; no doubt the Yuheng would be sleepless tonight.
…
Yujing Terrace.
Keqing didn't go home. She went to her office instead, sitting behind a mountain of documents, her catty mood dejected.
Despite all her disbelief, Keqing ultimately had to accept the facts.
Ningguang's delicate voice kept echoing in her mind, like a devil's murmur drilling into her ears.
Who'd have thought that while thunder roared and rain lashed outside, there'd be storms overturning the clouds within the Jade Chamber as well?
And who'd have thought the exalted Ningguang would actually do such a thing—so out of step with the Tianquan's status?
But thinking carefully of that woman's slick, eight-sided savvy in business, seduction wasn't impossible if it meant keeping Ken's support.
After all, in Ningguang's heart, anything in this world is business.
And in the business concerning Ken, Ningguang herself was the best bargaining chip.
Hugging her knees, Keqing's thoughts spiraled out of control… If Ningguang and Ken had a moment of spring breeze, and she got pregnant, the child would probably be very beautiful and handsome, right?
Likely the richest second-generation across the Seven Nations.
Always dependable and steadfast, Keqing showed a pained expression as her mind ran wild. Her pink eyes went blank, a sour ache spreading in her chest.
"How strange… We've only just met."
Snapping out of that odd mood, Keqing muttered blankly to herself.
She'd only known Ken for a short time; she'd only been attracted for a short time. So why did she feel so uncomfortable?
Why did her heart feel so sour about Ningguang and Ken?
Ningguang was clearly her colleague; though they didn't get along all that well, they were still coworkers… She should give her blessings… Blessings, my foot.
The moment she pictured Ningguang with Ken… that soft, coy voice, Keqing couldn't be happy.
Her pink eyes even stung a little.
"Can't cry, or I'll get electrocuted."
Keqing took a deep breath, feeling she was losing it… Even if she'd developed a bit of a crush on Ken, nothing tangible had happened between them. How could she be waxing all tragic over him?
This wasn't like her at all.
Looking at the long table piled high with documents, Keqing cheered herself on: "I'm still not busy enough. I need to work… Work is what matters most."
With enough self-suggestion, Keqing quickly threw herself into work.
But that little cat face had none of its former bold brightness; loneliness quietly spread through the night.
Time flew, and the eastern sky turned pale.
The purple cat-eared head finally lifted from the paperwork, eyes full of resolve. "Ningguang, I won't yield to you."
After a night of hard work, Keqing suddenly figured it out.
Sighing over love wasn't her style. Since she liked Ken, she couldn't keep retreating.
A pity Ken hadn't invited her to visit Blue Star.
If he had, their relationship might have taken a step forward.
…
Feiyun Slope.
After a night of heavy rain, fallen blossoms covered the ground, and the air was full of fresh earth.
Ken yawned lazily and got up from bed.
Stepping outside, he saw Hu Tao in the courtyard holding a wooden placard, discussing something with Shenhe. Beside them stood Yaoyao, Lumine, and Paimon.
After spending several days on Blue Star, they'd all come back to Liyue. The situation in Liyue hadn't fully settled, and everyone wanted to see the excitement.
Yaoyao still had homework unfinished, so of course she had to return to do it. But after she got back and saw Shenhe at Specialty, Yaoyao decided to follow Hu Tao and help Shenhe integrate into Liyue Harbor.
They were both disciples of adepti from Jueyun Karst, and Yaoyao was enthusiastic toward Shenhe, even though Shenhe was cold.
"What are you doing, Hu Tao?"
Seeing the huge wooden placard in the girl's hands, Ken called out from the second floor.
Hu Tao flinched all over, then turned with a cheeky grin. "Uh… This Director is teaching Shenhe how to integrate into Liyue. The first rule of integration is you need a very thick skin."
"So this Director plans to take Shenhe to stand with an advertising board in front of Bubu Pharmacy. Patients Bubu can't cure, we'll redirect them straight to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
The girl's mischievous smile framed by a blossom-red plum at her temple was dazzling—elfin and lively like a bird in the woods.
To Hu Tao, standing with a sign in front of Bubu Pharmacy was prime advertisement.
If they can't be cured, they'll need a peaceful passing sooner or later. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can handle it all in one go.
But Baizhu never let her put the sign there, nor would he cooperate, which distressed Hu Tao—she thought Baizhu was stubborn.
Still, Hu Tao only gets braver with setbacks, so she wasn't going to care about Baizhu's thoughts. Seeing Shenhe today, she decided to take her to set up the sign.
Ken didn't comment on Hu Tao's philosophy. His gaze fell instead on those suddenly perky front, and he teased, "If you've got time for that, better study how to make hills rise on flat ground without faking it."
Hu Tao's face flushed at once.
Not out of shyness, but from being called out.
Just now she'd been looking at Lumine's flat surface, proudly puffing out her chest and showing off—and in the blink of an eye Ken had exposed her.
"'Hills on flat ground'?" Lumine was briefly stunned, then got the meaning. Her eyes fell at once on a certain part of Hu Tao. After getting on such good terms with Ken, she'd learned a lot of phrases; her comprehension had improved a lot.
"Well, well… Hu Tao's been faking it!"
Lumine curled her lip, full of disdain.
She'd just been feeling sour with jealousy. They'd all started with the same flat surface, so why did Hu Tao grow so fast?
Even with Ken's help, she wasn't growing as fast as Hu Tao.
Turns out it was fake…
"Ahem… Don't talk nonsense. This Director can't be bothered to explain!"
Clutching her signboard, Hu Tao bolted away. If she stayed, all her secrets would be laid bare.
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Ken chuckled.
As expected, anywhere Hu Tao is, it's never lonely.
"Lumine, take Shenhe around Liyue Harbor. You might run into something interesting."
In the game, if Ken remembered correctly, what really changed Shenhe was that stretch of time with Lumine, and later the Beisht incident.
In that incident, Shenhe came to understand friendship and greater duty—an essential turning point for her.
Now, although Ningguang's Jade Chamber still stood, with no need to rebuild it, she was preparing to establish the Liyue Bank. If Lumine took Shenhe around, perhaps it would trigger different encounters.
"I understand."
Lumine had seen Shenhe's story and naturally knew the Beisht incident.
She immediately caught Ken's meaning and left Specialty with Paimon and Shenhe.
Although the plot differed from the game, Lumine truly wanted to help Shenhe integrate into Liyue Harbor.
Granted, two days ago she'd viewed Shenhe as a potential romantic rival, but she'd been glued to Ken plenty recently and couldn't hog him forever.
Since Ken wanted to help Shenhe integrate, as Ken's woman, she was more than willing.
"Um… What about me?"
With everyone gone in a blink, Yaoyao scratched her head, unsure what to do.
Ken gently reminded her, "Yaoyao, finished your homework?"
That feather-light question shattered Yaoyao's defenses. The little loli hurriedly said, "Yaoyao… Yaoyao's going to find Qiqi to play. Homework… I'll do it when I get back. Master won't know anyway, hehe."
"Wait." Ken vaulted downstairs and dug out some Blue Star specialty coconut milk. "Bring these to Qiqi. But no more than two bottles at a time—don't overdo it."
"Mm-hmm, Yaoyao will remember!" Yaoyao tucked the coconut milk into her basket and grinned. "Qiqi will be so happy."
Yaoyao and Qiqi were very close; she knew Qiqi loved cold, icy coconut milk.
Putting the bottles away, Yaoyao said goodbye to Ken and headed to Bubu Pharmacy to find Qiqi.
The courtyard fell quiet in an instant.
Ken didn't feel lonely. After getting used to the bustle and constant busyness, a little quiet now and then was relaxing.
Washed up, he sat on the rocker beneath the plum tree and leisurely took out the two bottles of coconut milk he'd drawn earlier.
He hadn't had a chance to drink them yet—today they'd do for breakfast.
…
Meanwhile.
Liyue's main street.
Dawn paled the east, rosy light gilding the vast ocean and setting the waves sparkling.
Common folk got up early. Some hurried to tend their fields; others headed to work. A new day had begun.
Amid the busy crowd striving for life, there was a figure of ethereal grace.
Ganyu, starting her new life, no longer needed to spend all day with her work, but she kept her habit of rising early.
Baixiao had recently been helping with matters at Yuehai Pavilion, and with several newly reassigned assistants, they were sharing the workload of Liyue Harbor's affairs, leaving her much freer.
Since it wasn't time to clock in yet, Ganyu walked toward Liyue Specialty. She'd just run into Lumine and Shenhe, and heard that Ken was in Liyue Harbor.
Ganyu wanted to pay a visit.
After two trips to Blue Star, Ganyu already considered Ken a good friend.
Or rather… Ken was one of Ganyu's few friends in Liyue Harbor. When she was with him, she didn't feel the distance of different statuses and races, nor any loneliness.
She cherished that feeling dearly. She felt she found in Ken the atmosphere she had always wanted, so when she had time, she liked spending it with a friend.
"Miss Ganyu, please come in."
Ferrylady saw Ganyu, and after hearing her purpose, didn't stop her, inviting her straight into the back courtyard.
Ganyu dipped her head slightly in thanks, her slender figure soft and airy, and made her way inside.
But when Ganyu reached the inner courtyard, she froze.
In the courtyard,
Ken, in a white robe, reclined half-lying on the rocker. The crimson plum blossoms and emerald bamboo framed his white-robed elegance.
What stunned Ganyu, however, wasn't Ken's peerless looks, but what was in his hand.
He was holding a half-empty bottle of coconut milk. Perhaps because he'd just taken a sip, there were traces left on his lips.
Sensing the familiar energy signature of the coconut milk, Ganyu's delicate body trembled, and she went rigid on the spot.