"Speaking of which, Ningguang, did you ever watch the rehearsals for the Iridescence Tour? How was it?" Qin Yu asked, touching her face, where the heat had begun to fade.
Ningguang replied with satisfaction, "The level of performance is exceptionally high. It's perfectly suitable as the grand finale."
If Ningguang said so, then there was definitely no problem.
Qin Yu felt completely relieved.
"You seem very concerned about this Iridescence Tour," Ningguang observed.
"Mm... This year, I want to create the best memories possible," Qin Yu replied slowly, her voice calm.
Ningguang nodded thoughtfully but didn't press the topic. Instead, she said, "There will be many more years to come, not just this one."
Evaluation: S
Ningguang's words meant... Qin Yu's heart warmed, and she smiled.
"I'll hold you to that."
"Mm," Ningguang replied with a slight smile.
After saying goodbye to Ningguang, Qin Yu returned to Ganyu's side to continue working.
After two busy days, Ganyu's work finally reached a lull.
It was time to fulfill their promise and set out to find the woman who had saved Dvorak's ancestor.
"Let's start by asking Cloud Retainer," Ganyu suggested. "She might have some clues."
"Mm, it's been a while since we last visited Master," Shenhe nodded.
Qin Yu, however, asked anxiously, "Should we bring a gift? The Lantern Rite is approaching, after all."
While Cloud Retainer wasn't the type to resent visitors without gifts, Qin Yu felt it was proper to show some sincerity when seeking her help.
As Qin Yu pondered this, Ganyu shook her head.
"There's no need," Ganyu said. "I've already prepared the Lantern Rite gifts. Besides... Cloud Retainer once mentioned that if you hadn't been so deeply rooted in the mortal world for so long, you could have become our junior sister."
"Me? A junior sister?" Qin Yu exclaimed in astonishment.
Shenhe calmly added, "Mm, it was just a hypothetical. Of course, joining the Adepti later wouldn't be impossible either."
"Master said that since you've lingered in the mortal realm for so long, even if you possess Adeptal affinity, you might struggle to endure the ascetic life. However, I believe simply joining the Adeptus clan to learn some Adeptal knowledge shouldn't be a problem."
That's true, Ganyu thought. Not all humans who received guidance from the Adepti in the past had pursued cultivation.
If Qin Yu could become our junior sister, that would be wonderful... Ganyu gazed at Qin Yu with fervent anticipation.
Whoa, wait, don't look at me like that!
Qin Yu shook her head. "I think I'll pass."
There's no need.
Besides, adding another layer of "senior-junior sisters" felt a bit awkward.
After all, I've already crossed that line with Shenhe, and who knows, maybe I'll cross it with Ganyu someday too...
"I see," Shenhe replied.
Ganyu felt a pang of disappointment but couldn't force Qin Yu. She quickly steered the conversation back on track.
"Getting back to the main topic, Cloud Retainer is actually quite fond of you. Given your connection to the Adeptus and your close relationship with us, even coming empty-handed wouldn't be a problem."
Ganyu sighed softly.
"But... there's still a slight complication."
A complication? Ah, I see.
Qin Yu deliberately asked, "Are you afraid Cloud Retainer might reveal stories from your past?"
"Umm, yes... sigh. I'd really appreciate it if you could help me out later, Shenhe. And of course, if Retainer mentions you, I'll definitely back you up!" Ganyu said earnestly.
Shenhe empathized, saying, "Mm."
"But I want to hear them," Qin Yu teased.
"No, no, absolutely not! It would be far too embarrassing!" Ganyu protested frantically.
Shenhe chimed in, "Mm, listening to them would be unpleasant. It would make me want to crawl under a rock and never come out."
This is exactly what I wanted to see.
To keep teasing them, Qin Yu deliberately pressed, "But I still want to hear them. I want to understand you both better."
Understand us better? If that's the case... Shenhe thought, and wanted to accept.
But Ganyu saw through Qin Yu's intentions and huffed indignantly, "Qin Yu, you're so mischievous!"
Before Qin Yu could reply, Ganyu took a few steps closer.
"If you really want to know... I'll go ask Keqing about what happened to you when you were little," Ganyu declared with desperate resolve, her face flushed red as she whispered.
How utterly despicable!
"I-I already know," Qin Yu stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I was just teasing you a little."
Anything but that!
Ganyu patted her chest, exhaled slowly, and said with relief, "Qin Yu, you really love teasing people! You remind me of the cats I used to encounter."
Who are you calling a cat?! Qin Yu bristled.
Shenhe tilted her head, puzzled. "Teasing?"
"Ah, um... sorry, just teasing," Qin Yu murmured.
"I see," Shenhe replied, finally understanding.
Shenhe's complete lack of suspicion both delighted and further embarrassed Qin Yu, who felt like her joke had been taken seriously.
Regaining her composure, Qin Yu led Ganyu and Shenhe forward.
As they gazed at the harbor stage in the distance, Shenhe murmured, "That massive Xiao Lantern is..."
"Yes, it's to commemorate Sea Gazer," Ganyu replied.
"It's beautiful," Shenhe said.
Qin Yu agreed wholeheartedly, nodding in approval.
Shenhe paused, then continued, "I recall you mentioning someone planning a grand musical celebration during the Lantern Rite, a so-called 'performance.'"
"Yes, what about it?" Qin Yu asked.
Shenhe turned, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Music... what is it?"
Does she really not know what music is? Qin Yu thought. She's been living in the mortal realm for quite some time now.
Perhaps she just doesn't understand the definition? She must have heard it before.
Just as Qin Yu was about to answer, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"Music is the performance of emotions, leading people's hearts to lose themselves, until they ultimately rediscover themselves and face the bitter realities of life anew! Your Director plays with her mouth, everyone gathers in the hall to lie down, beneath a layer of fire, after lying down, a shroud, after lying down, a new life! Woo-hoo!"
Hu Tao had materialized behind Qin Yu without anyone noticing, wrapping her arms around her from behind.
"Heh heh, caught the Fishy Treasure!"
Evaluation: D (Hu Tao)
Feeling the familiar weight and warmth on her back, Qin Yu remained unfazed. But replaying Hu Tao's rap in her mind, she couldn't resist a snarky remark:
"What were you singing just now?" Qin Yu asked.
Hu Tao grinned. "Why, that was my latest masterpiece, Lying Down! It's by Hu Tao, the Alleyway School's own rogue poet!"
"Lying Down? Just that?"
"Of course not! There's also Fire," Hu Tao added.
Qin Yu looked surprised. "Then why didn't you include Fire in the title?"
"Because—" Hu Tao whispered conspiratorially into her ear, "—it's all burned out. Whoosh."
Hu Tao's breath sent a shiver down Qin Yu's spine, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Evaluation: C- (Hu Tao)
"Fishy Treasure's ears are still as sensitive as ever, heh heh," Hu Tao purred, satisfied as she slid off Qin Yu's back.
Ganyu and Shenhe both felt a slight tightness in their chests, a pang of jealousy at Hu Tao's antics. But Hu Tao continued, "I overheard you discussing music and couldn't help but join in!"
"...Was that even music?" Shenhe asked, glancing at Qin Yu.
"It's... one type of music," Qin Yu replied.
Shenhe lowered her head, still perplexed.
"Rap is certainly one way to do it, but the craft goes much deeper than that! Even I, as Director, can't claim to have mastered it completely," Hu Tao said, arms crossed, with a smile.
Ganyu, deep in thought, ventured, "Director Hu Tao, are you planning to perform at the Iridescence Tour?"
Besides the Dvorak Team's headlining performance, the Iridescence Tour also publicly recruited musical talent to amplify the festive atmosphere.
It wouldn't be surprising if Hu Tao participated. After all, she loves lively and interesting events.
But were those lyrics she just sang really okay? Or did she just come up with them on the spot?
Hu Tao often improvised silly poems on a whim, so it wouldn't be unusual for her to suddenly come up with those lyrics.
"Just call me Hu Tao, okay? We're all just fish food in the Fishy Treasure Pond. No need for formalities!" Hu Tao winked playfully.
Qin Yu retorted, "What do you mean by 'fish food'?"
"Don't you want to devour us completely?" Hu Tao stroked her chin, raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with mock indignation.
"What's not to like about that?"
"I don't want to! Don't make it sound like I enjoy doing that. I'm not that kind of woman." Qin Yu retorted.
"Then—we're all good sisters who want to eat Fishy Treasure this fish, so no need to be polite!" Hu Tao teased, grinning mischievously.
This is even worse!
Hu Tao continued, "That's right, I, Hu Tao, am participating in the performance too! How could I miss out on something so fun? Of course, I'm signing up with friends, so don't worry."
"Friends..." Qin Yu murmured.
"Is Fishy Treasure getting jealous?"
"No way!"
At that moment, Shenhe spoke up. "I still don't quite understand what music is."
"Hmm, explaining that is a bit complicated—it's not very intuitive. But I have an idea!" Hu Tao declared excitedly, her eyes practically glowing.
Qin Yu suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
"We'll have Fishy Treasure sing! Once she sings, Shenhe, you'll definitely understand what music is," Hu Tao chuckled.
She's up to no good.
Ganyu and Shenhe both turned to look at Qin Yu.
Qin Yu shook her head in a panic. "No, I don't want to! I can't sing, and even if I could, I wouldn't."
"But your voice is so lovely!" Hu Tao insisted, refusing to let up.
"Really?" Qin Yu was skeptical. The way her own voice sounded to herself was different from how others heard it, making it unreliable for judgment.
Ganyu replied with a touch of shyness, "Mm, I... I really like your voice."
Especially when she's being affectionate, Ganyu thought to herself.
Evaluation: B (Ganyu)
"It's very pleasing to the ear," Shenhe agreed.
"I-is that so...?" Qin Yu twirled a strand of hair, secretly delighted.
But having a nice voice didn't mean she could sing well.
And she hadn't learned any songs. Qin Yu said helplessly, "But I don't know how to sing or what to sing. Why don't you sing, Sister Ganyu?"
"Eh? I can't!" Ganyu protested hastily.
"But..."
Hu Tao put her hands on her hips and sighed dramatically. "Aiya, Fishy Treasure, why are you being so hesitant? Do you really think we'd say anything bad about your singing?"
They wouldn't, but I might.
"If all else fails, just hum a tune," Hu Tao suggested.
Qin Yu considered it. It was a compromise, but she still felt like she'd taken the bait again.
Whatever.
Giving up on overthinking, Qin Yu hummed a simple melody.
"How was it?" she asked anxiously.
"Fishy Treasure, I'm your fan from now on!"
"So, is that okay?" Qin Yu asked, her eyes sparkling.
Hu Tao nodded with a smile. "Your voice is lovely, and your humming sounds so natural!"
The compliment left Qin Yu feeling strangely unmoved.
Ganyu smiled gently. "I think it's wonderful! The melody is quite novel—I've never heard anything like it before. Perhaps you have a natural talent for this, Qin Yu."
Because it's a game's theme song.
Qin Yu didn't take Ganyu's comment about talent to heart. Even if it were genuine and not just flattery, she wouldn't pursue it. After all, she already had everything she needed and wanted.
"Shenhe, what do you think?" Qin Yu asked earnestly.
"It was very beautiful," Shenhe replied. "It reminded me of so many things we've been through together. I suddenly realized how much time has passed, filling me with deep emotion."
"This power to stir the soul... is this what they call music?" Shenhe asked, visibly moved.
Evaluation: B (Shenhe)
Qin Yu's expression softened.
"I guess so, but it's just humming, really. I bet the Iridescence Tour performances will sound much better. Let's go together when they come, Sister Ganyu too!"
"Ah, I'd love to," Ganyu said, barely containing her excitement.
"What about me?" Hu Tao pointed at herself.
Qin Yu looked surprised. "Aren't you performing on stage? We'll be watching you then."
Assuming Hu Tao gets selected and makes it onto the stage.
But I doubt she'll have any trouble. After all, Hu Tao is someone who can turn decay into ashes.
"Right! Then you should all look forward to my performance! It'll be absolutely breathtaking, full of endless surprises and joy!"
Please don't bring "surprises" to such an occasion, Qin Yu thought with a sigh.
Together. Shenhe savored the word, a faint, gentle smile flickering across her face. "Mm," she replied.
Evaluation: A- (Shenhe)
Ganyu and Hu Tao were both stunned.
Hu Tao's eyes widened. "Wow?! Shenhe, who's always expressionless, actually smiled?!"
"Because I'm happy. When you're happy, you smile... Isn't that how it works?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
Qin Yu, relieved and amused, couldn't help but smile. "That's right."
Ganyu, standing nearby, thought to herself, It's not just Shenhe who can smile. Qin Yu often wears such a natural smile too. Overwhelmed with emotion, she returned the smile.
"Mhm, that's how it is."
Hu Tao chatted for a few more moments before rushing off, saying her rehearsal time was approaching.
"Remember to come watch us rehearse sometime!" she called out as she hurried away.
I'm quite curious about Hu Tao's team's rehearsals... Qin Yu decided to check them out later.
Definitely not because I'm jealous.
"Alright, we've wasted a bit of time. We should get going now. This time, we'll rely on you, Qin Yu. You can fly us to Mt. Aocang much faster," Ganyu said.
"That's what I was planning too. But let's get out of the city first."
Ganyu and Shenhe nodded in unison, then naturally took Qin Yu's hands on either side.
Throughout the journey, Shenhe kept replaying Qin Yu's earlier humming in her mind, eventually starting to hum along herself. The sound made Qin Yu's ears burn.
Don't copy me!