Ganyu—also known as world renown overwork secretary, her symbol being the Black Slime was responsible for assisting the Liyue Qixing.
She could essentially be seen as the secretary of all seven stars combined.
Since the very first generation of the Qixing, she had fulfilled this duty, and within Liyue she held considerable status and influence.
It was no exaggeration to say that every Qixing after the first had "grown up" under Ganyu's watchful eye.
With her gentle temperament, the qilin secretary should have been able to get along harmoniously with every member of the Qixing.
But for one particular reason, her relationship with the current Yuheng Star was… delicate.
That "particular reason" was none other than the innocent-looking blonde girl in front of her. And now, something wholly unexpected had happened.
"G–Ganyu, what are you doing here?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Lumine's face.
She hesitated for just a moment—but didn't let go of Nagami's hand.
Nagami, able to read the completely unguarded stream of her thoughts, was taken aback for a second. Then he let out a soft chuckle.
And she says I'm the narcissist… her own level of narcissism isn't that far off!
A love triangle? Impossible.
Absolutely impossible in this lifetime.
With Lumine's skills, she could effortlessly keep all these girls' feelings for her balanced in that perfect, ambiguous stage.
Never enough to spark real conflict, yet always within reach if she wanted to bask in that sweet tension.
Truly… the queen of subtle seduction.
"I was just nearby buying a few things," Ganyu explained, her violet eyes cool as they flicked briefly to Nagami. "Then I noticed a commotion in the crowd and came to take a look…"
Her gaze lingered on the unfamiliar black-haired boy.
She furrowed her brows ever so slightly. She was certain she had never seen him before—yet there was something strangely familiar about his presence.
How odd…
"I see."
Wearing that same soft smile, Lumine neatly shifted the topic to exactly where Ganyu's attention already was. "The commotion was because Cloud Retainer suddenly appeared just now."
"Mhm. To think she'd just descend right onto the street like that… so decisive."
Paimon crossed her arms and nodded along, her tone half complaining, half impressed once she recalled the adeptus' identity.
"So this is the Ganyu Miss Adeptus was talking about earlier?"
Nagami put on a gentle smile, feigning innocence.
"She really is adorable."
He tugged Lumine closer and walked up to Ganyu, his enhanced senses picking up the faint fragrance drifting from her.
His gaze lingered with quiet appreciation on her delicate features, though her frown only deepened.
What's with this?
That feeling of familiarity from him again… but now he's walking right up to me while holding Lumine's hand? Is this… some sort of provocation?
She was just about to question him when he went and handed her the perfect opening.
In Liyue, calling children "cute" was harmless. But said by an unfamiliar man to a young woman? That bordered on flirting.
Finally, a chance to let some of her displeasure show.
But before Ganyu could even get a word out—
"Oops, my bad. That was careless of me," Nagami said, narrowing his eyes as if belatedly realizing his slip.
Then, with a smile that was far too mild, he added, "Actually, I was only repeating what the Adeptus herself said."
What… what did he just say?
"The Adeptus' words… cute…?"
Her violet eyes widened in alarm, her panic so complete she forgot all about Nagami holding Lumine's hand.
"Um, excuse me, but… what exactly did Cloud Retainer say about me?"
Her long lashes trembled. The qilin secretary's voice faltered, her composure unraveling.
Nagami leaned in slightly, his smile unshakable, while Lumine swiftly clamped a hand over Paimon's mouth before she could interrupt.
Venti, meanwhile, simply watched on with keen amusement. He didn't know what was happening, but one thing was certain—it was going to be entertaining.
After all, seeking out joy was a natural instinct, even for gods.
"She mentioned your childhood, Miss Ganyu," Nagami replied smoothly, still smiling.
"Ch–childhood!?" Ganyu stammered, horror etched across her face. "W–what did she say!?"
Her panic hit its peak. She leaned all the way forward, pressing her soft hands onto Nagami's shoulders.
The pressure was surprisingly firm, but he remained unfazed, speaking in the gentlest tone.
"Nothing serious. She just said that when you were little, you were very cute. Just… perhaps a little chubby—" He coughed delicately. "I mean, you had an adorable baby face."
The pause was deliberate. The way the light drained from her eyes told him the message had landed perfectly.
Both he and Lumine struggled to keep their lips from curling upward.
"And that once… you tumbled all the way down a mountain like a little dumpling…"
Pfft!
It was as if an arrow had pierced straight through her heart.
Ganyu's slender, graceful body trembled uncontrollably, and those deep, soul-piercing black slimes drew Nagami's gaze as if they were about to launch an attack.
Lumine shot Nagami a look of pure disdain before quickly shifting her eyes as well—ready, just in case the slimes decided to strike.
"Rumor has it," Nagami continued with a calm smile, "that Miss Ganyu once used her… physical advantage to nearly choke—ah, no, I mean defeat—a demon god. Truly impressive."
Stab!
Another arrow landed.
Her trembling hadn't stopped.
Nagami could clearly feel the air growing colder around them—far colder than the initial chill Lumine had sensed earlier.
Ganyu lowered her head, long azure hair cascading down her back, bangs hiding her eyes, making it impossible to tell what kind of expression she wore.
Inside, Nagami let out a long breath of relief. Her attention had been completely diverted. She probably wouldn't be prying into his relationship with Lumine anymore.
'Thank you, Cloud Retainer! The organization will never forget your contribution!'
"I see…"
Ganyu's lips curved into a radiant smile, bright as a blooming glaze lily—so radiant it was almost unsettling.
She turned her gaze toward the golden-haired girl still holding Nagami's hand, and in a voice soft as water said:
"Lumine, if there's nothing else, I won't bother you any longer. You two go ahead and enjoy yourselves. I just remembered I have something important to take care of, so I'll be leaving now."
Nagami caught the narrow glint in her eyes, cold frost brewing deep within. But thankfully—this time, that frost wasn't aimed at him.
"Alright. Make sure you take breaks while working, okay?"
Still wearing the sweet, innocent smile of a playful girl, Lumine clutched the struggling Paimon under her arm, covering her mouth.
She raised her free hand as if to wave goodbye, but before it even reached halfway up, Ganyu's figure had already vanished.
Her phantom-blue form blurred away like a ghost, flashing in the direction Cloud Retainer had flown, leaving only a dazzling trail of icy light in her wake.
'Whoa… she even used her skills for this!'
Releasing the nearly suffocated Paimon, Lumine pressed her palms together, offering a sincere prayer:
'Please, let Cloud Retainer not become tomorrow's braised poultry.'
'But… if she really must, at least give me advance notice—I've never tasted adeptus meat before.'
"Lumine, Nagami, you two—"
Paimon stomped her tiny foot in midair, pointing furiously at them, clearly about to scold.
But the very next second, both of them turned their heads in perfect sync, eyes locking onto her with identical radiant smiles.
Paimon swallowed hard. A wave of raw danger crashed over her like a tidal flood, sending chills down her spine.
"Y-y-you two did great!"
Throwing nervous glances at Venti—who was signaling wildly with his eyes—Paimon raised a trembling thumb like a frightened rabbit, shouting her praise against her will.
Only when the shameless duo smiled in satisfaction, as if to say Good, you know your place, did she finally turn away. She patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief.
But her face quickly twisted into a bitter grimace.
'Great… now I'll never escape this endless persecution…'