"You're asking if Qin Yu has been troubled by something lately..."
On Monday, while receiving her work assignment from Ganyu, Shenhe casually inquired about the matter that had been weighing on her mind since the previous day.
Ganyu paused in thought before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I have no idea."
"I see."
"Mm-hmm. If Qin Yu had shown any unusual behavior, I would have noticed. But she's been her usual self these past few days," Ganyu said, scratching her head.
After all, I've been watching her closely the whole time, Ganyu thought.
Shenhe pondered, "But it seems my suspicions were justified."
"Is that so? Still, if even you, who lives with her, didn't know, how could anyone else? You went to the Adepti for a re-examination yesterday, right? Did Cloud Retainer say anything?"
As Shenhe was about to answer Ganyu's question, a voice drifted down from above.
"I suspect she's troubled by matters of the heart."
Ganyu and Shenhe looked up to see Cloud Retainer standing on the roof, gazing down at them.
Ganyu was startled to see Cloud Retainer here. "Retainer, what are you doing here...?"
"This Adeptus merely came to observe the current state of Liyue Harbor. Some time has passed since the incident at the Rite of Descension, and I felt a sudden urge to visit. I thought I'd check on Yao Yao and Qin Yu while I was here."
Shenhe nodded slightly. "I see... Master, you're quite concerned about Qin Yu, aren't you?"
"Hmm, you could say that. As for her aptitude for becoming an Adeptus, she does possess some affinity, though it's not a particularly pleasant connection."
Cloud Retainer descended to join them. "Moreover," she added, "her unique constitution allows her to resist demonic forces without relying on elemental power."
"If she weren't already so deeply rooted in the mortal realm, she might not have been able to endure the Adeptus' rigorous training. Otherwise, I would have truly liked to have her as your junior sister," Cloud Retainer said, shaking her head.
Cloud Retainer seems to really admire Qin Yu, Ganyu thought, feeling pleased that Qin Yu had earned her approval. At the same time, she couldn't help but imagine the scenario Cloud Retainer had described.
"Sister, Sister! Come practice with me!"—The mere thought of Qin Yu with a "junior sister" attribute made Ganyu yearn for it, certain she would be incredibly adorable.
Alas, this is merely hypothetical, Ganyu sighed regretfully.
Shenhe asked, "Does being rooted in the mortal realm truly prevent one from cultivating?"
"It depends on the individual," Cloud Retainer replied. "She doesn't strike me as the type who could sit still for long. Unless she had a compelling reason to cultivate, she likely wouldn't be able to restrain herself. If only she had started when she was younger..."
"Never mind. Ifs are just ifs. Qin Yu is someone close to you both, so I will naturally pay extra attention to her," Cloud Retainer said.
Shenhe nodded in understanding. "I see."
"Exactly. That's all there is to it," Cloud Retainer emphasized again, for some inexplicable reason.
It's certainly not because she's so endearing.
Ganyu asked curiously, "Why does Cloud Retainer believe she's troubled by love? And by 'troubled by love,' could it be that...?"
Could Qin Yu be in love?
Ganyu found it hard to stay calm. Cloud Retainer, however, remained evasive:
"Perhaps, perhaps not."
"That's so vague," Ganyu remarked.
"There are many kinds of love—familial, platonic, romantic. How could I possibly know which one is the cause? As far as I know, the things that trouble mortals boil down to two things: survival and emotions."
Cloud Retainer analyzed, "Qin Yu lacks for nothing—food, clothing, shelter, travel. She's perfectly healthy right now, so survival isn't her immediate concern. That leaves only emotional matters."
"As expected of Master," Shenhe genuinely praised.
Ganyu acknowledged the logic in Cloud Retainer's analysis, but this only complicated matters further.
If Qin Yu was troubled by love, then what kind of love could it be?
Both Ganyu and Shenhe fell into deep thought.
Cloud Retainer watched them intently, thinking, They really care about Qin Yu.
As their elder, I should offer some guidance.
"Exactly! That's exactly what we should do!"
Having made up her mind, Cloud Retainer pondered briefly before suggesting:
"Since you care so much, why not ask her directly?"
"True, but... would Qin Yu answer? She seems to like keeping things to herself," Ganyu said, recalling how Qin Yu had resolved her own mark issue in secret.
"A more forceful approach might be necessary," Cloud Retainer replied.
Shenhe looked puzzled. "Just being forceful will work?"
"Why wouldn't it? You're already so close. There's no need for hesitation. As long as she knows you're concerned for her, I believe she'll understand," Cloud Retainer said calmly.
Could it really work? Ganyu wondered, still doubtful.
Cloud Retainer's words made sense, but what if this was a question Qin Yu simply couldn't bring herself to answer? A rash, forceful approach might backfire...
"Understood," Shenhe said, instantly trusting her master. "No time to waste. I'll go ask her now."
By the time Ganyu snapped out of her thoughts, Shenhe had already vanished.
She blinked in surprise, marveling at Shenhe's swift action while feeling a twinge of unease.
Could it really work?
"Don't worry, there won't be any problems," Cloud Retainer declared confidently.
After some time, Shenhe returned.
"How did it go?" Ganyu asked anxiously.
Shenhe's brow furrowed slightly, a rare display of dejection. "She ran away."
"Who ran away?" Ganyu asked.
"Qin Yu."
Ganyu glanced at Cloud Retainer, who, noticing her gaze, cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Ahem, such unexpected events do occasionally occur. Shenhe, what exactly did you say to her?"
"I asked if she was troubled by anything, but Qin Yu said no. I told her she didn't need to hesitate to tell me, but she still denied it."
"Then I remembered Master's instructions—to be firm. So I hugged her and insisted she tell me, but Qin Yu panicked and said there really wasn't anything wrong before fleeing."
Hugged her?! Ganyu was astonished.
No wonder she ran away... she thought, a strange mix of emotions churning within her. The other two remained oblivious to her inner turmoil.
Cloud Retainer pressed for clarification: "In public?"
"It seemed like many people were watching."
"Of course she'd run away," Cloud Retainer said.
Shenhe fell silent for a moment before asking, "What should we do next?"
"In my opinion—"
Ganyu, fearing Cloud Retainer would devise another plan that Shenhe might execute, startling Qin Yu again, quickly interjected with her own suggestion:
"Let's observe quietly for now," Ganyu suggested. "If Qin Yu is truly troubled by something, there will surely be clues. Then it will be easier to ask her about it."
Cloud Retainer paused, then nodded in agreement. "Ganyu's words hold merit."
"Alright, I understand," Shenhe replied.
Ganyu breathed a sigh of relief. Let's just wait and see what happens first.
"I'll keep a close eye on things as well," Ganyu said with a gentle smile. "If I notice anything, I'll tell you right away, Shenhe."
"Me too."
"Ah, okay..."
Since a direct approach didn't work, Ganyu mused, perhaps a softer approach would be more effective? But how exactly should I go about that...? She continued to ponder the matter.
Meanwhile, Cloud Retainer muttered to herself, "I considered suggesting a more forceful approach in private, but I'll refrain for now."
At that moment, Qin Yu let out a deep sigh.
What was Shenhe doing just now? I don't mind if it's in private, but hugging me in such a public place... Qin Yu grumbled to herself, recalling Shenhe's words:
If you have any worries, tell me. I'll help you bear the burden.
Qin Yu didn't dislike Shenhe's concern; in fact, she cherished it.
However, the worry that plagued her couldn't be easily explained to Shenhe.
Even when the work week began, Qin Yu remained confused about her relationship with Keqing, unsure how to proceed.
It was true that she had agreed, but should she really be entering a romantic relationship this way?
Now that things had gone this far, there was no turning back. She might as well adopt a "marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog" attitude. After all, Keqing wasn't bad at all—quite the opposite, she was wonderful.
Qin Yu abandoned her thoughts.
A moment later, she picked them up again.
Then she abandoned them again.
After tormenting her mind in this cycle for a while, Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi approached her.
"Ayu, you seem a bit down today," Baiwen said worriedly.
"Eh? Oh, it's nothing, really..."
Baixiao looked thoughtful. "No, we've worked together long enough to notice. Is something troubling you?"
Baishi put her hands on her hips. "Let me guess—are you being pressured to get married? After all, Ayu, you're quite a catch!"
"Not exactly..."
Qin Yu was feeling deeply frustrated, and she found it hard to process these emotions alone.
By chance, her three seniors had come along, and she felt the urge to confide in them. Even if they couldn't solve her problem, it would be better than stewing in her thoughts alone.
The three seniors maintained a perfect distance from her—not as close as Shenhe and the others, but not as distant as mere acquaintances. They fell squarely into the "good friends" category, so Qin Yu felt less guarded around them than she would with Shenhe and the others.
"Actually, it's—"
After hearing Qin Yu's explanation, the three women exchanged glances, falling into an awkward silence.
"You mean someone confessed to you?"
"Not just any childhood friend, but one you're still close to now?"
"And it's a woman?"
Qin Yu nodded with a sigh. "We're very close, and she's special to me, but becoming lovers... I'm not sure."
"Anxious?"
"Scared?"
"Confused?"
Qin Yu murmured, "A bit of all three. I just wanted us to stay close forever, but I never expected her to confess. If we become lovers, things will definitely change, right?"
Baishi crossed her arms and said, "Mm~ Definitely."
"Especially since it's a woman who confessed."
Qin Yu tilted her head, puzzled. "Why do you say that?"
Baixiao explained, "Because if you get close to other women, she'll get jealous, right? She might even try to stop you from seeing or talking to other women."
Oh, that does make sense.
But Keqing wouldn't do that, would she? Would she? Qin Yu pondered.
"Still, if you reject her after being so close, things could get awkward for a long time. You might even drift apart..." Baishi shook her head with a sigh.
Qin Yu touched her bracelet. Drifting apart seems unlikely.
Baiwen rubbed her forehead. "Sorry, we can't offer any solid advice. If it were about marriage pressure, we could give you a few pointers..."
"Ahaha, it's okay! I'm just glad my Seniors listened to my rant," Qin Yu said with a smile.
"Qin Yu, you're not interested in romance, are you?" Baishi asked.
"Hmm... I guess so," Qin Yu replied.
Baishi chuckled. "I knew it! You always seem so uninterested whenever this topic comes up. Can I ask why? Oh, just curious!"
Why am I not interested?
Qin Yu hadn't really thought about it before. She hadn't considered dating men, nor women for that matter.
She enjoyed reading romantic stories—those with a hint of spice, subtle yet brimming with a warmth that could melt hearts. But if she were to imagine herself as the protagonist of such a story, she would likely feel utterly lost.
After a moment of contemplation, Qin Yu slowly said, "Because..."
"...I don't have the qualifications for it? Ahaha, even I'm not entirely sure."
If it were simply about earning Shenhe and the others' affection, Qin Yu felt she might have at least a shred of worthiness. Even if she didn't, she wanted it now.
But romance was different.
Romance. Love and affection.
Do I deserve to be loved? Do I deserve someone's affection? Someone like me? In the end, what is it about me that makes Keqing feel this way?
It's incomprehensible.
The more Qin Yu pondered, the more agitated she became. She abruptly stood up. "Alright, I need to go handle the work Lady Ningguang assigned me."
Back to work it is.
Ningguang sat in her office, listening to Qin Yu's report, and nodded slightly.
"Well done. I'm quite satisfied," Ningguang said.
She continued, "Once the Jade Chamber is rebuilt and ascends, the new 'Shattered Snow' will be ready to descend. That will trigger another major upheaval in the business world... Hmph, truly something to look forward to."
Qin Yu replied absently, "Mm-hmm."
"What's wrong? You seem out of sorts," Ningguang said, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Eh? Ah, no! Lady Ningguang, is there anything else you need me to do?" Qin Yu immediately plastered on her standard smile and asked.
She desperately needed something to distract her.
Only by diverting her attention could she stop her mind from spiraling into dark thoughts.
Ningguang studied her quietly.
"No, you've done enough for today. Go home and rest," Ningguang finally said.
Qin Yu grew anxious. "Please don't worry about me. I'm not tired, it's just—"
"This isn't a request, it's an order."
Qin Yu fell silent.
Ningguang smiled gently. "I'm not criticizing you. I'm delighted by your dedication to me, but you're clearly not yourself today. Get some rest."
"...No."
Ningguang paused, momentarily surprised.
No?
She hadn't expected Qin Yu to refuse her at a time like this.
"Please let me do something, Lady Ningguang," Qin Yu pleaded.
Shenhe was still working with Ganyu, and there would be no one at home even if Qin Yu returned. Going to the streets would offer nothing to do, and being alone might lead to overthinking.
More importantly, she might run into Keqing, and she wasn't mentally prepared for that.
Even a trivial task was something Qin Yu wanted to do.
Ningguang remained silent, neither displeased by Qin Yu's reluctance nor able to suppress her growing suspicion. Qin Yu's behavior was undeniably out of character.
"...Then brew me a cup of tea," Ningguang finally said.
Having Qin Yu remain by her side would also benefit Ningguang, so she agreed to the request.
"Yes!" Qin Yu replied, feeling relieved.
Since the tea leaves and water in the teapot needed replacing, Qin Yu temporarily left the office.
Ningguang twirled her pipe, murmuring, "She's truly a worry."
After diverting Qin Yu with other minor tasks, Ningguang summoned Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao, asking if they knew of any troubles or difficulties Qin Yu might be facing.
The three women exchanged hesitant glances, their hesitation confirming Ningguang's suspicions.
"It seems you know something. Speak."
"Very well. Actually, it's like this..."
Under orders, the three briefly explained the situation.
Moments later, Ningguang stood by the window, inwardly stunned.
Someone had confessed their feelings to Qin Yu?
Someone who fits all three criteria—close relationship, childhood friend, and female—could only be one person.
"...So that's how it is."
This was truly unexpected. But it perfectly explained Qin Yu's absent-mindedness.
Keqing had confessed her feelings to Qin Yu.
When had she made up her mind? No, more importantly, what was Qin Yu's response?
Since Qin Yu still seemed so confused and uncertain, she likely hadn't responded to Keqing yet.
Thinking this, Ningguang let out a breath, marveling, "Her decisiveness remains unparalleled. Truly befitting Yuheng Keqing, the swift and decisive."
"But I have no intention of handing over victory so easily."
Originally, Ningguang had planned to take things slowly, matching Qin Yu's cautious nature. She'd planned to use subtle hints and gradual approaches to lower Qin Yu's guard, allowing her to slowly accept her and claim a place in her heart.
But Keqing had barged in unexpectedly, disrupting everything with astonishing speed.
Well, the time was nearly ripe anyway.
It was time to reap the rewards... As Ningguang thought this, a faint smile played on her lips, radiating confidence.
Even this unexpected turn of events held no sway over her.
It simply meant things were moving slightly ahead of schedule.
"Lady Ningguang, the task you assigned me has been completed," Qin Yu announced as she returned to the office.
"Hmm, I see. By the way, are you free tonight?"
"I believe so. May I ask what you have in mind?"
Going to a play? Or maybe out for dinner? If so, should I invite Ganyu and Shenhe along...? Qin Yu's anticipation grew.
Ningguang turned around, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I merely wish to challenge you to a game of chess—it's been too long."
Not dinner, then. Qin Yu felt a flicker of disappointment.
But chess wasn't bad either. She had been improving her skills recently, so maybe she could even surprise Ningguang!
"Your chess skills have improved remarkably, deserving commendation," she imagined Ningguang saying.
Perfect.
"Shall we play here?" Qin Yu asked, her interest piqued.
"Not here. In my room."
Her room...?Could this be leading to something... strange?
Qin Yu grew wary, but then she remembered that ever since agreeing to meet Ningguang once a week, Ningguang had never crossed any boundaries.
So, maybe it's fine?
After a moment's thought, Qin Yu agreed. "Alright, I understand. I'll also prepare some snacks and drinks!"
"An excellent suggestion. Let's do that. As for anything else, it's entirely up to you. It's rare for us to have time to play chess again, so we should make the most of it."
"And I believe it will be a thoroughly enjoyable night," Ningguang murmured softly, gently stroking Qin Yu's cheek.
Qin Yu's face flushed slightly.
Don't say it like that! It sounds like something else is going to happen!
Evaluation: D