"This gentleman… do you know the reason why the Lord of Geo did not appear?"
Had it been Ningguang asking, she wouldn't have gone in circles, but she also wouldn't have been so blunt.
Despite living for over a thousand years, Ganyu still retained a trace of innocence.
And it was precisely that which made her seem so endearing.
"I do know. But surely Ningguang has already told you my identity?"
Ganyu nodded.
"Yes. She has informed me of who you are."
She knew well enough that the Fatui's name was not a good one.
Some people might covet their power and wealth, constantly trying to curry favor.
But across Teyvat, what most saw were their misdeeds.
"Then why do you think I would share this information with you?"
What—was he supposed to tell them outright, Your Archon has already been defeated by me
and is now locked in Inazuma's prison?
If he really said that, he could guarantee that Liyue's people would fight him to the death— this gentle-looking Ganyu included.
Don't be fooled by her soft, sticky-sweet demeanor.
She had lived through the Archon War.
She had slain a giant beast with her own hands.
"But… if the reward is sufficient, I might be willing to share a little."
He didn't shut the door completely, leaving a sliver of possibility.
Ganyu, who had looked so troubled, suddenly seemed less anxious.
After all, as the wealthiest in Liyue, Ningguang should be able to meet a Harbinger's price.
"Miss Ganyu, as secretary to the Qixing… do you usually eat poorly?"
Puzzled, Ganyu shook her head.
"Of course not. It's just that my tastes are… unusual. Why do you ask?"
She bore qilin blood— raised on dew and celestial herbs since childhood.
It might look plain, but even a mortal, eating such food without cultivating, would become hale and strong.
Her diet was fit for an adeptus.
It was only after moving to Liyue Harbor that her meals became ordinary.
"It's just… Miss Ganyu, you've lived for over a thousand years.
Why are you still so petite?"
He compared her figure to his own, then to Ei's— and the difference was striking.
"This…"
Ganyu stole a glance at Ei's build, then looked down at herself again.
"I think this is fine.
If I grew too much, it would hinder my work."
She truly felt no envy toward Ei's figure.
"But Ei here has quite the figure too.
She swings a sword with ease, and it doesn't hinder her at all.
Miss Ganyu—are you afraid of growing?"
What sounded like casual chatter landed squarely on her tender spot.
"M-maybe… a little…"
At her current size, she already fretted that overeating might alter her body.
She had even given up her beloved Sweet Flowers, switching instead to Qingxin blossoms.
The thought of gaining weight terrified her.
"In that case… what if I told you
I could brew a potion that lets you eat whatever you want—
without ever affecting your figure?
Would you be interested?"
Su Ran could feel Ganyu's breath quicken.
Even after adopting a spartan, bland diet, her love for food still lingered.
It was only the tyranny of self-control over appetite that had kept her in check.
If not for her adeptal blood, she might have starved long ago.
So the chance to indulge in a feast without consequence?
How could she resist?
Her eyes were practically sparkling as she looked at him.
"But… surely you wouldn't give such a potion for free, would you?"
Even so, she restrained her longing.
No way could such a boon come without cost.
The price must be steep.
"All I ask… is to touch the horns on your head."
Su Ran finally revealed his desire, his gaze fixed on the twin azure horns atop her long hair.
At once, Ganyu covered them, her eyes wary.
"Only… that?"
If that was all, it was far too easy!
She wouldn't need to pay anything, just overcome her own shyness.
"Yes."
"Then… I'll wait until after we've seen Lady Ningguang."
She didn't agree immediately, but the expectation in her tone was plain.
Her horns were the one place she never let others touch.
Yet for the chance at a guiltless feast, she might bend that rule.
The more tightly desire is suppressed, the fiercer it rebounds.
And since this posed no threat to Liyue, it did not cross her true bottom line.
"Then Miss Ganyu, you must come find me later~"
If there was a first time, there would surely be a second.
Pity, though—he didn't know anyone else with horns.
Or he could have practiced in advance.
"I'll make time for it!"
Already, she looked more spirited than before.
Ei tugged at Su Ran's sleeve.
"I didn't know you could make such things."
"Because I never told you."
Besides, it wasn't anything outrageous.
He could create even his own body constitution from nothing.
What was a potion to manage body shape?
It was nothing compared to his plasma spark tower.
A mere trinket.
Just a bit of bait to fish up Ganyu.
"And what else can you do that I don't know of?"
The more she spent time with him, the more Ei felt he was beyond comprehension.
If not for pinching herself and feeling the pain, she might have thought this entire journey was just a dream in her Plane of Euthymia.
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