Jiang Yan couldn't help laughing when he saw Keqing's expression that clearly said:
"I know I was wrong… but I'll probably do it again."
"What a cute little girl."
He vigorously ruffled Keqing's hair and said with a smile:
"Come on, I'll take you back to clean up."
"Have you eaten yet? I'll take you to grab something first."
Keqing shook her head.
"Brother Jiang Yan, I'm not hungry!"
But the moment she said that, her stomach betrayed her.
Grrr…
Her little face immediately turned red with embarrassment.
"Hahaha, alright, stop pretending."
"If kids don't eat on time, they won't grow tall."
Jiang Yan picked her up and lightly brushed her clothes.
A gentle breeze passed by.
Under Jiang Yan's vector manipulation, the mud on Keqing's clothes instantly shattered into dust and dispersed into the air.
"Let's go."
Jiang Yan lightly tapped the ground with his foot.
The next moment, he lifted into the air while holding Keqing.
"Hmm… but before we leave, we should teach that annoying Mitachurl a lesson."
Jiang Yan glanced calmly at the nearby hilichurl camp.
Then he said to Keqing:
"Brother Jiang Yan will avenge you. Watch carefully."
He lightly pointed toward the camp.
BOOM!
A straight seven-colored pillar of light descended from the sky.
In an instant, the hilichurls in the camp didn't even have time to scream before they were turned into ashes.
Keqing's eyes widened.
So… so powerful!
Was this the strength of an immortal?
At that moment, Keqing gained a much clearer understanding of Jiang Yan's power.
After wiping out the hilichurl camp, Jiang Yan brought her back to Liyue Harbor.
When they arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, he gently set her down in front of the door.
Ganyu looked at them in surprise.
"Isn't that… the Yuheng's granddaughter? What happened?"
She looked at Jiang Yan in confusion.
Why did you go out for a moment and come back carrying Keqing?
After sitting down, Jiang Yan explained the entire situation.
Only then did Ganyu understand.
"I see."
She then looked at Keqing seriously.
"Keqing, you must never run off on your own again."
"You're still a child. Even weak monsters can be very dangerous to you."
"Mhm, I understand. I'm sorry, Sister Ganyu."
Little Keqing nodded repeatedly.
"Alright, let's eat first. Little Keqing must be starving."
Jiang Yan quickly stepped in as a peacemaker.
"And you!"
Ganyu suddenly glared at him.
"Me?"
Jiang Yan pointed at himself in shock.
"What did I do?"
"You clearly saw Keqing earlier. Why did you still let her run off by herself?"
"What if something had happened? How would you explain it to her grandfather?"
At that moment, Ganyu looked exactly like a strict teacher.
"I was wrong."
Jiang Yan immediately lowered his head and admitted his mistake.
"Hmph. Now eat."
Seeing both Keqing and Jiang Yan sincerely admitting fault, Ganyu didn't pursue the matter further.
After dinner, Ganyu brought Ningguang, Beidou, Shenhe, and Ayaka back home first.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan personally escorted Keqing back.
On the Way Home
Jiang Yan held Keqing's small hand as they walked along a quiet road.
Suddenly, Keqing spoke.
"Big brother… can humans really not surpass the adepti?"
The scene of Jiang Yan wiping out the hilichurl camp with a single gesture kept replaying in her mind.
For the first time, her belief that humans could overcome heaven began to waver.
"Hm? Why would you ask that?"
Jiang Yan looked at her in surprise.
It wasn't that the question itself was strange.
But hearing such a profound thought from a child only a few years old…
Man… kids these days are way too mature.
"Well… because your power, big brother…"
"It feels like humans could never reach that level…"
Keqing lowered her head, looking dejected.
Jiang Yan chuckled softly and rubbed her head.
"Don't think like that."
"Adepti aren't called adepti simply because they possess great strength."
"Even if someone had no combat ability at all, as long as they contributed greatly to this nation, people would still call them an adeptus."
"Little Keqing, human potential is limitless."
"As long as you follow your beliefs and move forward bravely, that's enough."
Keqing nodded, half understanding.
Soon they arrived at her home.
"Go on."
"Remember to apologize properly to your grandfather."
"You ran off without saying anything. He was extremely worried."
"I understand, Brother Jiang Yan."
Keqing nodded and walked toward the door.
Just before entering, she turned around.
"Brother Jiang Yan… can I learn from you in the future?"
Jiang Yan froze for a moment.
But when he saw the seriousness in her eyes, he smiled and nodded.
"Of course you can."
The moment he agreed, Keqing's eyes lit up.
"Alright, hurry inside."
Jiang Yan waved.
"If you're ever bored, you can come find me."
Keqing nodded and ran inside.
After watching her enter, Jiang Yan turned and headed home.
Back Home
When Jiang Yan returned, he saw the four little girls sitting obediently beside Ganyu.
All of them looked excited as they listened to something.
Ganyu held a storybook, reading aloud gently.
Storytime?
Jiang Yan walked over.
Both Ganyu and the children looked up.
"Did you send little Keqing home?"
Ganyu asked.
"Yep."
"What are you reading?"
Jiang Yan sat down beside her curiously.
"Those storybooks you left at home."
"Since we had nothing to do, I thought I'd read some to Ningguang and the others."
Ganyu waved the book in her hand.
"Hey, I want to listen too!"
Jiang Yan leaned happily against Ganyu.
"You really are just like a child."
Ganyu lightly pushed him, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Then, accompanied by Ganyu's gentle voice, a new story slowly filled the living room. 📖✨
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