**Chapter 17: Why is Ganyu acting like a child, constantly burrowing into my arms?**
To be honest, Ganyu's feelings were quite complex at that moment.
She couldn't understand why Fang Xun, an outsider, possessed the Mountain and Marsh Kirin Trace skill.
Beyond this, Ganyu had countless other questions she wanted to ask Fang Xun, but the present situation wasn't suitable for such inquiries.
After a brief moment of distraction, Ganyu quickly remembered her duties.
She turned to Fang Xun and Ningguang, asking softly, "Are you both alright? Do you feel any discomfort?"
Ganyu was worried that Fang Xun and Ningguang might have been injured.
After all, the power of that lotus flower had been immense.
Even a well-equipped Fatui officer would have been instantly reduced to ashes.
"Miss Ganyu, thank you for your concern. I feel perfectly fine," Fang Xun replied easily.
Fang Xun wasn't just putting on a brave face.
While the Mountain and Marsh Kirin Trace dealt devastating damage to enemies, it granted complete immunity to harm for its user. Despite being close to the explosion, Fang Xun remained unharmed.
The innocent Xiao Ningguang shook her head, then earnestly declared in her sweet, childlike voice, "Ganyu-sama, Ningguang is fine too! Fang Xun-gege protected me very well."
"When the explosion happened, Fang Xun-gege held me tightly in his arms, so I wasn't in any danger."
As she spoke, Ningguang tilted her delicate face upward to look at Fang Xun, her beautiful eyes shining with admiration.
Fang Xun truly was a warmhearted big brother.
The moment danger struck, his first instinct had been to shield her without hesitation.
It was a completely unconscious reaction, a reflex born of genuine care.
Faced with a big brother who would risk his life to protect her, Xiao Ningguang felt deeply moved.
***
Seeing Ningguang so spirited and lively, Ganyu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
*Thank goodness this cheerful little girl wasn't hurt,* she thought. *Otherwise, I would have considered it a failure on my part.*
After confirming that both Ningguang and Fang Xun were safe, Ganyu turned her attention to the injured Millelith soldiers. Fortunately, their rigorous training and robust physiques meant none were in mortal danger; they simply needed time to recuperate.
Soon, the remaining Millelith troops arrived swiftly, securing the scene and detaining the Treasure Hoarders.
These tasks didn't require Ganyu's direct involvement. She lifted her beautiful eyes to meet Fang Xun's gaze, her lips pressed into a hesitant bite, her expression conflicted and hesitant.
Though the Rolling Down the Mountain True Monarch excelled at managing work, handling Liyue's affairs both large and small with meticulous precision, she truly struggled with interpersonal interactions. Ganyu was undeniably a textbook case of social anxiety.
In the end, it was Fang Xun who noticed Ganyu's unusual demeanor and took the initiative to ask, "Miss Ganyu, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
Ganyu froze for a moment, then nodded earnestly.
Perhaps she nodded too vigorously, as the stray strand of hair on her head bobbed up and down, making her look utterly adorable.
Fang Xun couldn't help but chuckle.
*Wang Xiaomei has been Liyue's secretary for over a thousand years, yet she still gets so nervous during conversations?*
Gathering her courage, Ganyu spoke, "Mr. Fang Xun, do you have time? I... I'd like to discuss the lotus matter with you."
"Of course," Fang Xun replied with a gentle smile, nodding.
He had initially thought Ganyu wanted to discuss something else, but it turned out she was here about the Mountain and Marsh Kirin Trace.
Fang Xun wasn't surprised that Ganyu had come to talk. After all, he had spent years honing his unique skills in secret, and no one else knew about them. To suddenly see someone else using them would naturally cause astonishment and confusion.
Anticipating this situation, Fang Xun had already prepared his explanation.
"Miss Ganyu, shall we talk while we walk?"
It was clear Ganyu was extremely nervous, her words stumbling over each other.
*This won't do for a proper conversation.*
Fang Xun noticed Xiao Ningguang's unwavering gaze fixed on the Neishang Flower Sea near Wangshu Inn. Though the little girl obediently held his hand, her thoughts had clearly drifted elsewhere.
Seeing this, Fang Xun suggested they walk and talk, hoping to ease Ganyu's nervousness while also letting Xiao Ningguang enjoy the flower sea—a win-win situation.
Ganyu, understanding Fang Xun's consideration for her feelings, nodded gently and replied softly, "Very well, Mr. Fang Xun."
As they strolled, Ganyu kept her head bowed, nervously wringing her hands, looking like she wanted to speak but couldn't bring herself to.
In contrast, Fang Xun and Ningguang seemed much more relaxed. Ningguang, especially, burst into the flower sea with unrestrained joy the moment she saw it. Having never had the money for pretty toys as a child, this sea of blossoms was her most cherished treasure.
However, Xiao Ningguang was still young. After playing for only a short while, she began yawning. The earlier fright from the Treasure Hoarders and Fatui had been too much for her; now that her tension eased, drowsiness washed over her like a tide.
Xiao Ningguang's eyelids were fighting a fierce battle, but she stubbornly forced them open, determined not to fall asleep.
Fang Xun couldn't help but chuckle at her stubbornness. He crouched down and scooped her into his arms, speaking softly, "Little one, if you're really tired, just sleep. I'll carry you back later."
His words seemed to possess a magical quality. Xiao Ningguang, who had been struggling against drowsiness just moments before, immediately felt an inexplicable sense of security. She nestled into Fang Xun's embrace, her eyes gradually closing. Soon, her breathing evened out, and her long eyelashes fluttered gently—a picture of serene loveliness.
After a while, Xiao Ningguang seemed to find her sleeping position uncomfortable. She burrowed deeper into Fang Xun's arms, instinctively rubbing her cheek against his chin.
Fang Xun felt a tickle, but he dared not move, afraid of waking her.
What made him laugh and cry at the same time was that even in her sleep, Ningguang clung tightly to him, as if terrified someone might snatch him away.
Where was the promised aloof and wealthy woman?
How had she turned into such a clingy little goofball?
Fang Xun held Ningguang in his arms and looked up at Ganyu, saying apologetically, "Sorry, the little one fell asleep. I'll take her to sit on that bench for a while. You don't mind, do you?"
As he spoke, Fang Xun deliberately lowered his voice, afraid of waking Ningguang in his arms.
Ganyu understood perfectly; young children often need naps, which is perfectly normal.
"Mr. Fang Xun, it's no problem at all. Let's go sit down."
Soon, Ganyu followed Fang Xun to the bench.
From a distance, they looked like a young couple taking their child for a stroll, creating a warm and harmonious scene.
"Miss Ganyu, what did you want to discuss with me?" Fang Xun asked, looking up at her.
Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a weight settle on his shoulder, followed by a faint, refreshing fragrance. He instinctively looked up and realized Ganyu had also fallen asleep.
Ganyu had always had the habit of taking afternoon naps.
Whenever lunchtime arrived, Ganyu would fall asleep regardless of the place or occasion.
Judging by the current situation, it must be her nap time.
Watching Ganyu curled up like a deer, sleeping peacefully, Fang Xun's gaze drifted to her pair of ram horns.
He had always been curious about what it felt like to touch them, after all, such horns were unique to mythical beasts.
More importantly, he had heard that Ganyu needed to touch her horns to fall asleep as a child, as if they were a special mechanism that influenced her.
Could they really be that magical?
Fang Xun reached out and gently grasped one of Ganyu's horns.
It was cool to the touch, not particularly hard, but rather smooth and slightly slippery.
He shouldn't have touched it.
As soon as he did, Ganyu let out a soft whimper, shifted from her curled-up position, and wrapped her arms around Fang Xun's arm.
For a moment, Fang Xun was both amused and exasperated.
His left arm was holding Ningguang, while his right arm was now pinned by Ganyu.
He was completely out of free hands.
Most importantly,
Why does Ganyu sleep like a child?
She keeps burrowing into my arms...
....................
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(End of Chapter)