With a heart full of shock and anticipation, Jean and her companions bid farewell to Ningguang and returned to the accommodation arranged by the General Affairs Department.
Ningguang hadn't told them whether they could speak of these things, but Jean and the others knew what to do.
Once the contract was signed, Mondstadt and Liyue were bound together. Protecting Liyue's secrets was protecting Mondstadt's secrets.
After Ningguang saw off Keqing and Hu Tao, she returned to her bedroom, planning to handle some official business before resting.
However, for some reason, she thought of Jiang Xuan's slightly overbearing instructions again.
With a light laugh, Ningguang's eyes filled with deep affection.
"What an overbearing man…"
"But if I stay up working tonight, I'll be lethargic tomorrow, right? Jiang Xuan will probably be angry if he sees that…"
Softly murmuring, Ningguang put down the documents in her hand and got up, walking towards her bed.
Ningguang's bed was large, and she was used to sleeping alone in such a big bed.
But recently, every day she saw Ganyu full of energy, like a flower nourished by dew.
Ningguang began to feel that the bed was uncomfortable.
Too big, lacking a male master.
If…
If Jiang Xuan were hers, now, he should be waiting for her to rest together.
He would hold her, tell her stories, and coax her to sleep.
She could nestle in his arms, listening to his heartbeat, and have a solid good dream.
Thinking about it, Ningguang found herself a little sleepless again.
She stared at the ceiling with complex emotions. After a long while, she tossed and turned, got up, and put on her clothes, walking to the edge of the Jade Chamber.
She looked at the small courtyard at the foot of Mt. Tianheng.
A faint yellow light was still on.
She understood that Ganyu might be snuggled in Jiang Xuan's arms, listening to his sweet words.
Ningguang really wanted to switch places with Ganyu.
The wind was strong in the sky, the night was deep, and the moon was solitary.
She had been alone for the first half of her life; there was no reason to spend the latter half also watching over Liyue alone.
The cicadas' chirping in her ears seemed to become Ganyu and Jiang Xuan's playful sounds.
Ningguang couldn't help but clutch the railing tightly. After a while, she looked up at the moon in the sky.
Surrounded by stars, shining brightly, casting a layer of silvery light like snow.
"There are many stars around the moon…"
Ningguang whispered softly, her gaze distant.
"You are the closest to the moon among the stars, and the brightest, but… it doesn't mean other stars won't shine."
"How long can you monopolize him? The moonlight is destined to shine upon all stars…"
After staring blankly for a long while, Ningguang resolutely returned to her bedroom.
"Ganyu, I've never failed to get what I want."
"The man I set my sights on will be no different…"
"What's wrong with giving you a little more time?"
"I am Tianquan Ningguang…"
The lights of the Jade Chamber extinguished, and it quietly floated above the small house at the foot of Mt. Tianheng.
Blocking all the moonlight.
…
In the small house, Jiang Xuan hadn't done anything with Ganyu.
To be precise, he hadn't had the chance yet.
Nahida was very energetic when she got home, clinging to Jiang Xuan, asking him to tell her stories.
Jiang Xuan, helpless, could only tell Ganyu to go back and wait for him first.
Nahida didn't know why she didn't want to sleep, even though she could barely keep her eyes open from listening to stories.
She still clung tightly to Jiang Xuan's sleeve.
Fortunately, Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales still worked for Nahida.
Glancing at the sweetly sleeping Nahida, Jiang Xuan chuckled inwardly.
What if she had lived for five hundred years?
She was still just a little loli, wasn't she?
She had no resistance to Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, falling asleep as soon as they were told.
He hadn't even brought out his trump card yet: One Thousand and One Nights.
Gently turning off the light, he stepped out and closed the door.
Jiang Xuan turned and returned to Ganyu's room.
Now, this couldn't be called Ganyu's room; it should be called the master bedroom.
Because now Jiang Xuan couldn't sleep without holding Ganyu at any time.
Ganyu was quietly leaning on the pillow, flipping through Jiang Xuan's notebook.
Above it was his plan for the future Minecraft World.
Ganyu wanted to think carefully about how to help Jiang Xuan.
But as soon as Jiang Xuan returned, Ganyu immediately put down the notebook and looked at Jiang Xuan tenderly.
"Nahida asleep yet?"
Jiang Xuan smiled wryly.
"Yeah, just fell asleep. She was so energetic as soon as she got home… truly a child's personality."
Hearing this, Ganyu blushed, thinking of something, and playfully chided:
"Jiang Xuan is also childish."
Jiang Xuan chuckled, pinching Ganyu's nose lightly, and softly said:
"That's special behavior, it can't be compared with Nahida's childishness. It's a kind of marital fun."
"Hus… marital?!"
Ganyu turned her head, a little delighted, but still obediently snuggled into Jiang Xuan's embrace.
"Will Jiang Xuan marry me?"
"Of course, what silly talk."
Jiang Xuan chuckled, tapped Ganyu's head, and casually turned off the light.
Ganyu's heart might have fluttered at these words, and she restlessly turned over, quietly unbuttoning her clothes.
"Jiang Xuan…"
In the darkness, her expressive eyes were full of suggestion.
Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow, not being coy, and softly said:
"Again? But we just did it this afternoon… can Ganyu really handle it?"
"Ugh…"
Ganyu pouted in dissatisfaction, not answering Jiang Xuan directly, but showing him with action.
She, Ganyu, a half-Adeptus Beast!
Her physique was inhuman!
With his girlfriend being so proactive, Jiang Xuan certainly wouldn't waste Ganyu's good intentions.
It was still early, and staying up all night wouldn't even matter.
…
Xinyue Kiosk, third floor.
This was where Jean and her companions were staying.
In the dead of night, silence reigned.
Jean and the others hadn't rested, gathered in their meeting place, all silent.
There was confusion about the earth-shattering changes that happened tonight.
And also nervousness about formally discussing cooperation with Ningguang tomorrow.
Even Lumine sat upright with a serious face, while Paimon, with her big heart, was sound asleep floating in the air, probably due to food coma.
After all, the little one had eaten a lot at the Jade Chamber, and after returning, had Xinyue Kiosk make a bunch of desserts.
In her words,
Since it was free, of course she should eat more.
Lumine fully supported this; it was better for emergency food to be a bit plump.
After an unknown period of silence, Jean took a deep breath and softly said:
"Lisa, you said earlier at the Jade Chamber that… that Mr. Jiang Xuan is the true mastermind behind everything."
"Jiang Xuan?"
Lumine looked at Lisa, confused and a little bewildered.
Lisa chuckled and shook her head.
"It seems, little one, you didn't notice."
"That Mr. Jiang Xuan is a… traveler, just like you."
Lumine's eyes widened, looking at Lisa in shock.
Lisa seemed to enjoy Lumine's surprised expression and playfully added:
"Also, the little girl he was holding is the Dendro Archon of Sumeru, Lesser Lord Kusanali, the God of Wisdom."
At this, Lumine completely sat up.
She stood tall, looking at Lisa with disbelief.
"Sister Lisa, are you saying… I met two gods tonight? One is the oldest Geo Archon, and the other is the God of Wisdom, Lesser Lord Kusanali?"
"And I… didn't even get to ask about my brother?!"
Lisa smiled softly and nodded.
Immediately, Lumine cried out in indignation.
"How could this happen!"
"Is it too late for me to go find him now?"
Lisa twirled a strand of hair, saying nonchalantly:
"I wouldn't recommend it. He's already gone home. If you go find him now, you might be suppressed by an Adeptus."
Diluc, hearing this, his eyes flickered, and he said softly:
"So, he is the one guarded by the Mt. Tianheng Millelith and the Adepti…"
Lisa nodded slightly.
At this, Jean sighed again.
"It seems our focus tonight was completely off… it will probably be difficult to meet him again."
"Not necessarily."
A flash of electricity passed through Lisa's eyes.
Immediately, Jean and the others all looked at Lisa.
The latter said no more, stood up, and yawned.
"A lady's sleeping time has arrived. I'm off to rest."
"As for Mr. Jiang Xuan's matter… perhaps the other party will bring it up themselves during tomorrow's discussion with Ningguang."
Jean didn't understand Lisa's meaning.
Since Jiang Xuan was the true pillar behind Liyue, why would Ningguang proactively reveal him?
But Lisa didn't give her a chance to ask, and quickly left.
Jean could only temporarily put aside these doubts and sighed:
"That's enough… let's go back and rest. We have a tough battle to fight tomorrow."
The others also nodded, heavy-hearted, and left to their respective rooms.
In Lisa's room.
She didn't sleep as she had said she would.
Ningguang's various probes tonight, including the contract, now seemed like an examination.
If Lisa's guess was correct, in some time, the other party might bring out another contract.
And that contract might be Ningguang's true goal.
And the signatories then would also be Rex Lapis and Barbatos.
Perhaps even…
It might be Jiang Xuan.
The backlash of the curse made Lisa frown slightly, but she was no longer anxious.
By tomorrow at the latest, she would have the item to remove the curse.
And now, Ningguang's plans, or even Jiang Xuan's thoughts, were indeed more important.
"Hehe…"
Lisa let out an enigmatic laugh.
"A mysterious man is a killer for women, isn't he…"
"Jiang Xuan? Jiang Xuan…"
As the last light in Xinyue Kiosk went out.
The entire Liyue Harbor fell into silence.
The only sound might be the suppressed cheers from the private residence at the foot of Mt. Tianheng.
…
The next morning.
As the morning sun just rose, Liyue Harbor quickly returned to its hustle and bustle.
Vendors flowed through the streets and alleys again, and the Millelith also increased their patrol efforts.
Xinyue Kiosk was located on Liyue's most prosperous street, so Jean and the others were the most direct observers of Liyue's customs.
brocade robes and gorgeous clothes Merchants could be seen everywhere on the streets, discussing trade matters, and shops on both sides were full of luxury consumption venues.
People came and went, speaking loudly.
This nation, over three thousand seven hundred years old, constantly displayed a vitality that belied its age, yet without losing its inherent sense of profound history.
"What a rich and developed nation…"
Lumine murmured softly. Jean smiled slightly and whispered:
"As Teyvat's most developed port and commercial capital, coupled with Liyue's adherence to contracts, and Rex Lapis personally upholding the fairness of contracts."
"Therefore, all merchants on the continent especially love doing business in Liyue, and Liyue Harbor's economy is the most developed in all of Teyvat."
She paused, Jean a little wistfully.
"Our strength, perhaps it is also the strongest now… above are Rex Lapis and the Adepti, in the middle are Archons and Adeptus disciples, and below are the greatly enhanced Millelith."
Jean's tone was calm, but Lisa and the others could hear her envy for Liyue.
Mondstadt City, though also a unique pearl of the north, was truly far too weak compared to Liyue Harbor's development.
Lisa gently patted Jean's shoulder, about to say something.
Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from the street downstairs.
"Quick! The General Affairs Department released materials to the market today!"
At this cry, the entire street became agitated.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).