So it's come to this after all.
Even before they approached, Cloud Retainer noticed them.
"Come over here," Cloud Retainer signaled with her eyes.
Qin Yu, Ganyu, and Shenhe had no choice but to approach.
"Madame Ping, hello!" Qin Yu smoothly shifted gears, flashing a radiant smile.
"Oh my, you're all here too? What a lively crowd—so many have come to visit this old woman," Madame Ping said, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
Ganyu whispered, "Retainer, haven't you told her yet?"
"What's there to tell? Why should this Adeptus be the one to say it? Qin Yu, you go ahead."
Ha?!
The corner of Qin Yu's mouth twitched imperceptibly before she forced a smile. "Sister Ganyu, why don't you tell her?"
"Eh? Me? Ah... Shenhe, you tell her."
"Alright."
Shenhe agreed without hesitation and dutifully recounted the whole story to Madame Ping, from beginning to end.
"Back then, was it you who played the music that saved that person's ancestor?" Shenhe asked.
Madame Ping fell into thought.
"Oh, I remember now. Yes, there was such an incident... It was just a casual act at the time; I never imagined it would lead to this today. It's truly remarkable that you still remember something so long ago, Cloud Retainer."
With Shenhe having delivered the most difficult part of the explanation, and seeing Madame Ping's expression remaining gentle, Cloud Retainer finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Rambler... no, let's call you Ping, as you prefer. Ping, the Adeptus still remember clearly what happened between you and Guizhong. We won't forget."
Madame Ping chuckled. "She got it all right, didn't she?"
"Hmph, Guizhong had a silver tongue. She adored festive occasions, especially the music that only graced these special days..."
Qin Yu asked curiously, "Speaking of which, there's a grand musical celebration planned for the Lantern Rite tonight. Would you be interested in attending, Madame Ping?"
"This old woman doesn't want to spoil your fun. Besides, my fingers have grown stiff from disuse."
Really? Qin Yu doubted it. If music meant so much to Guizhong and Madame Ping, she couldn't possibly have neglected her playing.
But knowing better than to press the matter, Qin Yu simply smiled. "Then there's no helping it."
"...Whenever I play this melody, I can't help but think of her. I wonder what she would think of my performance now."
"Can't let go?" Cloud Retainer asked.
"Letting go is impossible. Of course I still grieve. But even amidst sorrow, I've found good things. We can't dwell on grief forever, not while we live in this world."
Madame Ping smiled. "Look at this bonsai tree—isn't it exquisite?"
Cloud Retainer finally relaxed, sighing in admiration. "Indeed, it's truly beautiful."
The atmosphere was pleasant, perhaps even too warm. The camaraderie between these old friends felt impenetrable, leaving no space for outsiders to intrude.
Qin Yu whispered, "Let's go?"
There was no need to stay any longer.
Ganyu and Shenhe nodded gently.
"Grandma—!"
A voice called out, and Yanfei approached.
"Wow!? What's with all these people?" Yanfei exclaimed, surprised to see Qin Yu and the others.
"They just came to see me," Madame Ping replied with a gentle smile.
Perfect timing! Qin Yu clapped her hands and grinned. "Hey, Yanfei, we were just about to go play around in town. Want to join us?"
"Eh? Sure! Anything but work is fine by me. Any more work, and I'd be dead tired," Yanfei said, rubbing her temples.
Qin Yu grabbed Yanfei by the shoulders and turned her around.
"Then let's go!" She gently pushed Yanfei forward.
Yanfei looked puzzled—why the push? But it felt rather nice, so she smiled. "I get it."
Ganyu smiled faintly. "We'll be going now."
"Alright. If you'd like to hear that melody again, I'll prepare it and play it for you another time," Madame Ping said with a smile.
Ganyu's smile deepened. "I look forward to it."
"Farewell, Master."
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Go on, go on. Ping and I have plenty more to catch up on."
The word "catch up" triggered a reaction from Ganyu and Shenhe, who exchanged intense, silent glances with Cloud Retainer, leaving her utterly bewildered.
"Why are you two staring at this Adeptus?"
Shenhe said bluntly, "Please don't talk about us."
Ganyu nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Hmm? What's wrong with talking about you? Ping cares deeply about you both, doesn't she? Fine, if you don't want to, we won't. This Adeptus's conversational skills are unparalleled, after all."
Where does she get this confidence from? Ganyu sighed inwardly.
Once Ganyu and Shenhe had left, Cloud Retainer abruptly changed the subject.
"Those two children, Ganyu and Shenhe... they always get so uncomfortable when we mention them. Speaking of which, what have Shenhe and Ganyu been up to lately...?"
Madame Ping said helplessly, "You haven't changed a bit, have you?"
Meanwhile, as Qin Yu strolled through the streets with Yanfei and the others, she explained what had just happened.
"So that's it! You went to Grandma Ping to discuss this? Good thing you got me out of there, Qin Yu—I might have ruined the atmosphere. Phew!"
Yanfei patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
Yanfei is just like me, half-human, half-adeptus... Thinking of this, Ganyu couldn't help but ask:
"Yanfei, what are your thoughts on all this?"
"Hmm? You want my thoughts? Well, I wouldn't say I can truly empathize, but I do feel a bit sad. Grandma has always been so kind and gentle; I never imagined she had such a past. Even Adepti experience life, death, and separation—it's the way of the world, and there's nothing we can do about it. If I were in her place, I imagine I'd feel the same: unable to let go, yet still compelled to move forward."
Yanfei adjusted her hat.
"But honestly, I don't think we should dwell on it too much. Focusing on the present is what matters!" she said with a bright smile.
"Focusing on the present..." Ganyu murmured, then nodded.
"Yes, that's probably the best approach."
Yanfei's smile faded as she found Ganyu acting strangely. She tapped her chin, lost in thought for a moment.
A flash of inspiration struck her, and she seized it.
Could it be...? Yanfei glanced at Qin Yu with a dawning realization, her expression turning slightly complex.
"Um..." Qin Yu started, then trailed off.
Why do Ganyu and Yanfei both seem so odd?
But then, Yanfei, her cheeks flushed, wrapped her arm around Qin Yu's.
Evaluation: D (Yanfei)
"Let's not dwell on unhappy things! Let's go do something fun together!" Yanfei suggested.
Evaluation: C- (Yanfei)
F-fun things!?
Qin Yu's mind immediately raced with possibilities, a whirlwind of images flashing through her mind. The realization that Ganyu, Shenhe, and Yanfei were all beside her only added to her confusion.
All four of us together...?
No, no, absolutely not!
But before Qin Yu could voice her protest, Ganyu, her cheeks also flushed, wrapped her other arm around Qin Yu's.
"Mm... let's not think about it for now."
Evaluation: A- (Ganyu)
Shenhe then hugged Qin Yu from behind.
Evaluation: A+ (Shenhe)
"Wait, what are you all doing—"
"Alright, let's go! The Lantern Rite is meant for having fun!" Yanfei declared, raising her hand enthusiastically.
Shenhe raised her hand expressionlessly. "Let's go."
"Let's go, Qin Yu," Ganyu said with a gentle smile.
Sensing the warmth and presence surrounding her from three sides, Qin Yu's mind was in utter chaos.
Are we really going to do this together? What am I supposed to do? Is the Lantern Rite a festival for... this kind of thing?
No, no, no! Of course not!
Besides, Qin Yu didn't want to look back on one of her most cherished Lantern Rite memories only to remember this.
"Aren't you coming, Qin Yu?"
Shenhe's voice and breath brushed past Qin Yu's ear, making her heart race.
Qin Yu, her face flushed crimson, protested, "How am I supposed to move like this?!"
After that, the four of them strolled through the streets for a while, eventually revealing the truth to Dvorak.
"So the melody my ancestors heard was an Adeptus reminiscing about an old friend... No wonder it was so profoundly moving."
"Alright! After the concert, I'll thank him in person. I'll dedicate all my passion and energy to this performance. Time to rehearse!"
Dvorak dashed off, brimming with enthusiasm.
"Wow, what an energetic old man! But considering he's the organizer of the Iridescence Tour, I guess that kind of personality makes sense. Alright, let's continue having fun!" Yanfei said with a smile.
"Hmm..."
Eh, that's it?
Just shopping?
Qin Yu felt a pang of disappointment for some reason.