On a rooftop somewhere in Liyue...
"No, I really can't." Ganyu retreated, shaking her head frantically, as if the meat skewer before her was some primordial beast.
Seeing Ganyu's frightened and vulnerable appearance, Bonanus couldn't help but feel even more mischievous. Mr. Lu Xun once said: Such a woman makes one want to tease her!
Lu Xun: I said no such thing!
(T/N: Lu Xun is a historical Chinese writer.)
"Come on, just one bite!"
Bonanus leaned closer and closer. If the person before her were an enemy, Ganyu would have surely already drawn her signature weapon and attacked by now!
"Truly, I cannot! The Qilin lineage must be very disciplined regarding such things! We are strict vegetarians!"
Ganyu shook her head vigorously. Although the skewer did smell incredibly fragrant, no matter what, she must resist!
But... it really did smell so good...
Bonanus smiled faintly. She slowly retracted the hand holding the meat skewer and offered another box containing vegetable dishes instead.
"I'm just teasing. This has some vegetarian food. I knew you don't eat meat, so I brought this for you."
Bonanus spoke with a hint of a mischievous smile. Judging by Ganyu's reaction, she likely knew the Bonanus from before. That made things easier.
Though it was normal to think so. After all, they were both comrades who had participated in the Archon War! They must have met at least a few times.
"Although it's vegetarian... now isn't really the time for tasting food either..."
"Your Qilin clan is truly particular..."
Seeing Bonanus withdraw her hand, Ganyu silently breathed a sigh of relief. That moment had genuinely startled her!
"Back to the main topic. I merely came to check on the situation of you all. Now that I see you have returned, I am truly delighted."
Ganyu gently placed a hand over her chest, offering a gentle smile as she changed the subject. Her speech was slow, yet it sounded very pleasant to the ear.
"Did Ganyu bring any little gifts?" Bonanus asked casually, chewing on the meat skewer in her hand.
"Ah? My apologies! As I came in a hurry, I did not make any preparations..."
Ganyu clasped her hands behind her back, fidgeting somewhat awkwardly. Her expression was as if she had done something wrong, making one's heart ache just looking at her.
"It's nothing! I was just speaking offhand, don't take it to heart!" Bonanus quickly stepped forward to grasp Ganyu's soft, slender little hands. It must be said, Ganyu's hands felt really nice!
Ganyu did not refuse. For these former comrades she had fought alongside, as long as they didn't cross the line, she wouldn't make any gestures of resistance.
Moreover, she understood that Bonanus was comforting her.
"Thank you for understanding..."
"In that case, I should return to continue my work. There is still a great deal of work awaiting me. I'm afraid I must take my leave..."
Ganyu's assigned task had originally been to check on the situation of the two adepti who had returned. Now that she had seen them, her task could be considered complete.
Once the task was complete, she must return to work. Otherwise, the work might never get finished!
"Does Ganyu have a lot of work? Do you need my help?" Bonanus asked knowingly. Though her words said one thing, her eyes were somewhat unsteady.
Looking at the two enormous "slimes" before her... Goodness, Bonanus really wanted to give them a squeeze. Then, looking at the two pairs of Qilin horns on Ganyu's head, it really made one want to reach out.
Bonanus thought this, and even acted on it. It was a subconscious movement; after all, those horns were quite beautiful.
Seeing Bonanus's movement, Ganyu took another step back. She protectively covered her "armor" and said somewhat bashfully, "Please... please do not touch my horns..."
Seeing this, Bonanus somewhat awkwardly withdrew her hand, forming a fist and coughing twice in front of her mouth in embarrassment.
"My apologies, my hand moved on its own."
"It's alright. The Bonanus from hundreds of years ago was also like this the first time she saw me..." Ganyu offered a small, understanding smile.
"Also, regarding the work, I can handle it myself. You have just returned and need more time to familiarize yourselves with the current changes in Liyue Harbor."
"Moreover, the work is my duty, a contract I must uphold."
Hearing this, Bonanus roughly understood the meaning. Ganyu's words, in short: handle your own affairs.
Furthermore, Bonanus's offer of help was merely lip service. After all, the work Ganyu handled was extremely complex; Bonanus wouldn't be able to make sense of it.
"I understand. You've worked hard."
"Not at all. I am happy to serve Rex Lapis. I wish you a pleasant time in Liyue. If there is time, tomorrow is the Lantern Rite. We could gather together."
"Where specifically?" Bonanus's eyes lit up slightly at these words. She could call her big brother and Xiao to go together then.
But before that, they needed to patrol the areas around Liyue Harbor, constantly eliminating monsters and evil beings. After all, this was the contract set by Rex Lapis.
"We shall meet at the Yujing Terrace. Granny Ping will also be there, though she currently walks the mortal world in the form of an elderly lady."
"Understood, I know where that is!"
And so, the two chatted casually for a while longer before Ganyu, in a flash, left the rooftop. Her speed was immense, nearly impossible to catch with the naked eye.
Bonanus was in excellent spirits. These were living, breathing people! Not game characters who only repeated the same lines!
They were all flesh and blood, with emotions. This feeling was truly wonderful. When she first came to this world, she had worried it might be similar to the game.
Not just monotonously doing quests or pointlessly opening chests. But now it seemed completely different. She hadn't seen any chests or waypoints.
Although, if she went adventuring outside, she would probably still come across certain people's remains and treasures, right?
"Where should I go now?" Bonanus murmured to herself, looking around. Liyue was truly vast, leaving her unsure where to go.
After a moment's thought, she suddenly grew very curious about what the real-world Granny Ping was like. And Granny Ping should have Yanfei with her, right?!
Thinking this, Bonanus began leaping from rooftop to rooftop across Liyue's residential districts, heading towards the Yujing Terrace.
Granny Ping spent her years on the Yujing Terrace admiring the Glaze Lilies. In the eyes of ordinary people, she was just an elderly lady, unsure what to do, simply enjoying life.
Before long Bonanus arrived near the Yujing Terrace. There were many people here, but most were prominent figures or wealthy merchants.
Unfortunately, she wasn't concerned with them. After all, she herself was a prominent figure. Could your wealth compare to the might of an adeptus?
Moreover, the wealthy people here didn't seem as impressive as Ningguang, so Bonanus wasn't particularly interested either.
The Yujing Terrace was heavily guarded by the Millelith. Everywhere one looked, Millelith soldiers were patrolling or standing guard, each appearing extremely solemn.
However, there were still a few lazy slackers sneaking off to shirk duty. This was probably why these individuals never got promoted and remained common soldiers!
Bonanus stood in an unnoticed area, looking left and right, searching for Granny Ping's figure.
The Yujing Terrace's appearance had also changed greatly. It was larger, with many more buildings. One could even see small gardens in some of the houses nearby.
After searching for a while, Bonanus's attention was suddenly captured by an elderly lady of very ordinary appearance. The old woman sat on a chair, quietly sipping tea while gazing at the Glaze Lilies before her.
Her attire was practically identical to Granny Ping's from the game. She looked very kind, always with a gentle smile on her lips.
Beside Granny Ping was a girl adorned with a Pyro Vision. However, that girl was not Yanfei, but Hu Tao...
This couldn't help but spark a thread of curiosity in Bonanus. She lightly leaped onto the rooftop corresponding to Granny Ping's garden and sat down, quietly listening.
---
Hu Tao and Granny Ping's conversation
"Granny Ping, please consider our business! I can give you a 40% discount!"
"Granny Ping, Granny Ping! You know Mr. Zhongli, right? I've often heard him mention you before!"
Facing Hu Tao's enthusiastic sales pitch, Granny Ping showed no anger, merely smiling faintly.
"The discount coupon your previous generation Director gave me, I haven't used it yet," Granny Ping chuckled softly. She was very fond of this lively, adorable little girl.
It should be said she liked all lively, adorable children.
"Granny Ping, you jest... Oh, right, when is that lawyer coming back? I need to make myself scarce before she returns!"
"Hehe, Yanfei has already returned."