"Keqing, I know you did this."
Faced with Qin Yu's gentle accusation, Keqing's eyes darted nervously. "Is that so? I don't recall anything like that. I think you've got the wrong person."
"It was you, I'm sure of it," Qin Yu insisted, refusing to let go.
Keqing smiled faintly, crossing her arms with an air of confidence. "You suspect me so strongly, but do you have any evidence? Without proof, your claims have no basis."
"Evidence... no, I don't."
"Then let's drop the matter," Keqing said.
Qin Yu suddenly gripped Keqing's hand.
"Eh?"
Evaluation: D (Keqing)
Before Keqing could react, Qin Yu flashed a radiant smile. "But I know it was you. You've always been watching over me, secretly helping me, haven't you? I know exactly what kind of person my childhood friend is!"
Keqing blushed, averting her gaze.
"I-is that so...?"
Evaluation: C- (Keqing)
"Yes, that's exactly it! That's why I want to thank you. Thank you for always caring about me. I'm so happy. But I'd be even happier if you'd just admit it, Keqing," Qin Yu said.
Evaluation: C+ (Keqing)
Keqing couldn't resist Qin Yu's request; she had never been able to refuse her. Besides, the truth was already out, so there was no point in hiding it any longer. It was better to simply admit it.
"Ahem, since you've put it that way... Yes, I was the one who sent the letter asking Yanfei to look after you," Keqing confessed openly.
So I was right all along—it was from Keqing, Qin Yu thought.
Though Keqing's intervention wasn't necessary—Qin Yu neither needed nor wanted protection from others—the sentiment behind it still warmed his heart.
At the same time, this was also an opportunity.
Driven half by the desire for Points and half by genuine emotion, Qin Yu wrapped her arms around Keqing.
"I'm sorry for making you worry," Qin Yu murmured.
Feeling Qin Yu's warmth at such close proximity, Keqing's face flushed even deeper. Hearing his words, she couldn't help but recall their first meeting.
"It's nothing. That's all I could do back then," Keqing replied softly.
Evaluation: B (Keqing)
"And... someone's watching," Keqing whispered, glancing discreetly at Yanfei.
I know. I only did it because others were watching. Doing it privately would just make the atmosphere feel awkward, like when I brought you lunch before. We were chatting, and then...
Ah, stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it!
"I don't mind it at all," Qin Yu murmured, though her body subtly moved away. "It's perfectly normal."
Keqing exhaled in relief, yet deep down, she felt a pang of reluctance.
She realized her feelings for Qin Yu had grown increasingly nuanced and complex. In the moment she was embraced, her first instinct had been to return the hug fiercely.
The impulse was so strong that, had she acted on it, she feared even ten minutes wouldn't have felt long enough.
She wasn't averse to change, nor did she fear it.
But what was driving this shift? Keqing remained uncertain. While she personally held no negative views on change, she had no idea how Qin Yu felt about it.
The only certainty was her current sense of regret and reluctance.
"You two are really close," Yanfei remarked, feeling her heart sink a little further.
"Yanfei and I are close too, right?" Qin Yu asked, smoothly drawing Yanfei into a hug as well.
Evaluation: A+ (Yanfei)
"?!?" Yanfei shuddered involuntarily.
It's just a hug, nothing weird about that, Qin Yu thought, her feelings complex as she considered how accustomed she'd become to such gestures. If anyone finds it odd, it's their problem.
Keqing's feelings were even more complicated.
So this isn't a childhood friend's exclusive privilege after all? Keqing wondered, feeling dejected.
Yanfei, meanwhile, had completely frozen up.
"Yanfei?" Qin Yu called out. What's wrong all of a sudden? You're not moving at all. It's your turn to speak.
"Yanfei? Are you alright?"
"Ah... ahem, I'm perfectly fine! In fact, I'm feeling fantastic! I could work ten hours straight without a break!" Yanfei immediately regretted saying that. What am I even talking about?
Qin Yu chuckled awkwardly. "Ahaha, is that so? Well, it's your turn to speak."
"Oh, right! I almost forgot."
Yanfei quickly snapped back to her usual composed self and meticulously explained her intentions and proposal to Keqing.
Keqing listened intently, her eyes lighting up. "You're so upright! Not bad, not bad at all. I'd love to say yes—but you should still accept this."
"But I haven't earned it!"
"Then just earn it! Instead of dwelling on whether you deserve it, think about how you can deserve it," Keqing said with a smile.
Classic Keqing.
"Qin Yu, you agree too, right?" Keqing tossed the conversation over to her.
Don't ask me! I'm not the one getting the money.
"Hmm... I think Yanfei should just follow her own conscience!" Qin Yu offered a noncommittal reply.
"Me? I still think I can't accept it, at least not all of it. It's too much," Yanfei said, shaking her head.
"Steadfast resolve—excellent. But I don't want it back either. How about I give it to you, Qin Yu?"
Qin Yu sighed helplessly. "Keqing..."
"I know, I know. Just a passing thought. You'd never accept it, I get it. Fine. I won't give you any more in the future. But consider this money a grant for your law firm. From now on, just contribute even more to Liyue's order, and I'll be satisfied," Keqing declared.
"Contribution, you say..."
"Exactly. As you know, Liyue has entered a new era. Though there haven't been any obvious changes yet, problems will gradually increase."
Keqing pressed her hand confidently against her chest. "Naturally, I've already made thorough preparations. What the Geo Archon could accomplish, we humans can surely achieve too! But even so, there will inevitably be areas we overlook. That's why I hope everyone will strive to do even better."
Qin Yu smiled. "I believe in you, Keqing!"
Evaluation: A- (Keqing)
Those were exactly the words Keqing had longed to hear, especially coming from Qin Yu.
Feeling deeply satisfied, Keqing continued with a smile, "Is this arrangement acceptable to you?"
Yanfei pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I can accept it."
"Then it's settled."
After chatting with Keqing for a while longer, she excused herself to head out for work. The two women bid her farewell and returned to the streets.
Yanfei stretched languidly, letting out a soft exhale. Her smooth, delicate skin caught Qin Yu's gaze, and she felt an inexplicable urge to touch Yanfei's stomach.
But on second thought, I'll pass.
"Miss Yuheng is certainly full of energy," Yanfei remarked with a sigh.
"Mm, I think that's a good thing," Qin Yu replied.
Yanfei nodded. "Of course it's a good thing. Having energy is always better than lacking it. Besides, now that Rex Lapis is gone, it's truly the era of humanity."
"That's true, but being too driven can easily lead to disappointment. After all, drive itself stems from expectation," Yanfei added.
Qin Yu realized Yanfei had a point.
I should pay more attention to Keqing in the future. If I can help in any way, that would be ideal. But even if I can't, I should at least try to prevent her from becoming too discouraged.
Liyue now resembled a child who had just left its father's side, bound to face hardships and setbacks as it ventured forward. The challenges might not be immediately apparent, but they were inevitable.
As Qin Yu pondered these thoughts, Yanfei suddenly changed the subject:
"Oh, by the way, the thing you wanted to tell me a while ago..."
She asked tentatively, observing Qin Yu's reaction. As expected, her curiosity couldn't be contained any longer.
Qin Yu's heart tightened.
I haven't decided yet, she reflexively wanted to say, but now was the perfect opportunity. She had already thought of a reason, so she couldn't stall any longer.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu blurted out, "Actually, I recently accepted a friend's request to try acting, but I need to practice my acting skills. I was wondering if you could be my practice partner, Yanfei..."
Her words tumbled out at an astonishing speed!
Yanfei didn't quite catch everything. "Sorry, could you repeat that?" she said awkwardly.
Ugh, do I really have to say it again? I don't want to!
She had relied on her initial momentum the first time, but now that internal push was gone. Shame flushed Qin Yu's ears crimson and burning, but she had to go through with it.
Ah! Fine, if she doesn't hear me this time, that's it!
Adopting a desperate, what-the-heck attitude, Qin Yu repeated herself: "I recently accepted a friend's request..."
"Mm-hmm."
"...to try acting."
"Mm?"
What's with the "Mm?" Just be quiet!
Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, forcing herself to continue her difficult lie: "But it requires some acting skills, so I was wondering, Yanfei, could you be my practice partner?"
"—That's all," Qin Yu concluded.
She glanced at Yanfei.
Yanfei looked surprised at first, but a smile quickly spread across her face.
"Sure, no problem! It's nothing to worry about. I actually thought you wanted to talk about some big life decisions or something. Guess I was just scaring myself for no reason," she said, a little embarrassed.
Big life decisions? As if I'd ever tell her that!
Calling this a major life event is... debatable. But Yanfei can't find out about it, Qin Yu thought, feeling relieved by Yanfei's response.
A decent answer. I'll give you an 80 for now.
"Speaking of major life events, I wanted to ask... Qin Yu, do you have a boyfriend?" Yanfei asked cautiously.
"Nope!"
And probably never will.
"Why are you asking?" Qin Yu asked curiously.
"Just heard my friends talking about you. They said a lot of people are interested in you. Since you're a lovely young woman, I was wondering if you might have someone special."
"Definitely not," Qin Yu stated firmly.
"Want to find someone?"
"Ahaha, I haven't really thought about it yet. For me, having friends like you, Yanfei, is already wonderful!" Qin Yu smiled warmly.
Just having me is enough?! Yanfei subconsciously ignored the rest of her words, the phrase echoing in her mind. The more she savored it, the more satisfaction and sweetness welled up inside her, a light, floating sensation spreading through her body.
Evaluation: S
"I see! I understand. I'm so glad you said that... I feel the same way... *Ahem, let's get back on topic," Yanfei awkwardly changed the subject.
She's so easy to handle.
As Qin Yu thought this, Yanfei leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.
"You said you wanted to perform? What kind of performance?"
As expected, she'd ask that! Good thing I thought about an answer.
"It's a Liyue Opera."
"Ah, a Liyue Opera! Could it be the Yun-Han Opera Troupe?"
"No, no, and... um, it seems like they're still holding auditions. I'm just trying to fulfill a friend's request and see if I can even get in." Qin Yu stammered, making up the story as she went along.
Crap, I know nothing about Liyue Opera!
When I used to accompany Lady Ningguang to performances, I just nodded along and never really paid attention.
"I see! To portray a character in the opera so vividly, you'd definitely need strong acting skills!"
But Yanfei didn't seem suspicious at all.
Perfect.
"Should we start now? If so, let's head to my office. No clients will be visiting today," Yanfei suggested.
"Eh? Ah, okay..."
I really wanted to suggest we reschedule, but we're already here. Trying out a formal audition wouldn't hurt.
Still, I need to learn more about Liyue Opera soon. I can't let Yanfei ask me something I can't answer—that would be disastrous! I absolutely must avoid that!