When Jiang Yan returned from the World Tree, night had already fully fallen.
"It's gotten this late already?"
He walked to the window and looked outside.
The streets were brightly lit, bustling with crowds. On Yujing Terrace's plaza, elderly couples strolled leisurely beneath the lantern glow.
This was Liyue at night.
"Time to head home."
Stepping onto the windowsill, Jiang Yan leapt into the air and flew toward his house.
When he pushed open the door, he found Ganyu sitting in a chair, quietly reading a book.
"You're back?"
She smiled when she saw him enter.
"Mm. Have Ningguang and the others gone to bed?"
Not seeing the three little ones around, Jiang Yan asked.
"They trained immortal arts with Mountain Shaper today. They were exhausted."
"After dinner, they all went straight to sleep."
Ganyu stood up.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? I'll go warm the food for you."
"No need. I can heat it up later."
Jiang Yan stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms. With a surprised cry from Ganyu, he sat down on the sofa and buried his face in her hair.
Warm breath brushed against her neck, making Ganyu's cheeks flush.
"What are you doing? You're terrible."
Jiang Yan chuckled.
Whenever he had nothing to do, he loved teasing Ganyu like this.
"What were you busy with today? I didn't see you at all."
Ganyu turned to look at him.
"Didn't I already tell you? You'll know in a few days."
Jiang Yan answered mysteriously.
"So secretive… probably planning something bad…"
Ganyu muttered quietly.
But Jiang Yan still heard it.
"Oh? If you say that, then maybe I really should do something bad to you~"
He turned her around to face him, grinning mischievously.
"Don't… you haven't eaten yet…"
Ganyu's face reddened like a ripe apple, irresistibly sweet.
"It doesn't matter. Food can wait."
Seeing her like this, Jiang Yan could no longer hold back. He lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs.
(One ten-thousand-word section omitted…)
Inside the room, the two rested together, slightly exhausted.
"Ah Yan…"
Ganyu suddenly spoke.
"What is it?"
Jiang Yan lowered his head to look at her.
She fell silent for a moment.
After a long pause, she finally asked:
"What do you think about those people from Inazuma?"
Jiang Yan froze.
His expression immediately turned serious.
"Did someone say something to you?"
Ganyu had always known how Raiden Makoto, Raiden Ei, and Kitsune Saiguu felt about Jiang Yan.
Although it made her uncomfortable, she had never made a fuss about it.
Because she had always seen Jiang Yan's efforts.
To avoid hurting her, he even deliberately hid whenever Makoto and the others came.
That touched her deeply.
But she also knew this couldn't continue forever.
Jiang Yan couldn't keep avoiding it forever.
"No. Nobody said anything, Ah Yan."
Ganyu lifted her head. Her face was faintly flushed, but her expression was serious.
"I think you should face this properly."
"If you keep running away because of me… then for you, for me, and for them…"
"It's irresponsible."
"It's time for you to confront this directly, Ah Yan."
Jiang Yan fell silent.
He looked at her, emotions shifting in his eyes.
After a long while, he sighed softly.
"What do you think?"
Ganyu closed her eyes and spoke gently.
"If you like them… then respond to them."
Jiang Yan looked at her in surprise.
"You wouldn't be angry?"
"I don't want to hurt you."
Never underestimate Jiang Yan's feelings for Ganyu.
Whether in his past life through the game or in this world's reality, Ganyu had always been the one he loved most.
Especially now.
They had grown up together.
Her place in his heart outweighed anyone else.
He cared about her thoughts more than anything.
"Hurt? Of course I would feel hurt."
"No one wants to share the person they love."
Ganyu spoke softly, her expression calm.
"Then why…"
Before Jiang Yan could finish, Ganyu leaned up and kissed him.
After a long moment, she finally pulled away.
She looked at him seriously.
"Just like how you're afraid of hurting me, and care about my feelings enough to avoid Raiden Makoto and the others…"
"I care about your feelings too."
"I don't want you to be trapped in an impossible situation because of me."
"As long as…"
Her eyes shimmered softly.
"As long as you still have me in your heart… that's enough."
"Ganyu…"
Jiang Yan looked at her with deep emotion and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
"You'll always be first in my heart."
"No matter when."
He spoke softly.
"Mm…"
"Then maybe I should work a little harder to reassure you…"
Jiang Yan whispered into her ear.
"Huh?"
"Wait… let me rest a little…"
Amid Ganyu's flustered cries, the farming resumed.
The next morning.
The three little ones came downstairs as usual.
"Master? When did you come back last night?"
Ningguang, Shenhe, and Beidou saw Jiang Yan preparing breakfast in the kitchen and immediately ran over, throwing themselves into his arms.
"When I got back, you were all asleep."
Jiang Yan smiled as he ruffled Ningguang's hair.
"Go wash up. Breakfast's almost ready."
"Hm? Where's Shimu?"
Little Beidou looked around but couldn't find Ganyu.
"Your Shimu is sleeping in today."
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
"She got tired last night, so I'm letting her rest."
"Huh? Did Master make Shimu train last night too?"
Little Ningguang tilted her head, puzzled.
The three children were still young.
Naturally, they misunderstood Jiang Yan's definition of "tired."
"Mm… you could say I gave your Shimu a good workout."
Jiang Yan smiled but didn't explain further.
Some things were better left unknown to children.
Thinking back to last night's passion with Ganyu, he still felt nostalgic.
It was the first time he had seen her so proactive.
And it made him very happy.
"Master, are you thinking about something naughty again?"
Ningguang's sharp observation instantly caught his expression.
"Ahaha, nothing at all. Hurry and wash up."
He waved them away.
"You still have to study at Cloud Retainer's place today."
"If you're late, your Martial Aunt will be very scary."
Immediately, the three little ones shuddered.
Cloud Retainer's teaching style was famously strict.
If they made her unhappy by arriving late, they could already imagine her stern face during lessons.
Truthfully, Cloud Retainer had adored the three children from the moment she began teaching them.
Jiang Yan's eye for talent had never failed.
Ningguang, Shenhe, and Beidou all possessed exceptional aptitude.
Perhaps because she liked them so much, she taught them with extra seriousness.
Jiang Yan understood Cloud Retainer's temperament well, so he never interfered.
Strictness wasn't a bad thing.
After all, he himself could never bring himself to be too harsh on these adorable little ones.
The moment Cloud Retainer's name was mentioned, the three children abandoned further curiosity and hurried off to wash up.
Watching them scramble away, Jiang Yan smiled.
As expected, someone strict naturally carried authority.
After breakfast, Jiang Yan brought them to the summit of Mt. Aocang.
This was Cloud Retainer's abode.
The children would spend the entire day training here.
"You've arrived?"
A calm voice echoed from inside the cave as they approached.
The stone doors slowly opened, revealing Cloud Retainer standing there with composed dignity.
"Ah, Sister Cloud Retainer! It's only been a few days, and you've become even prettier!"
As always, Jiang Yan greeted her with praise.
"Hmph. You say that every time you see me."
Though she snorted, faint satisfaction flickered in her eyes.
Even if Jiang Yan always said it, Cloud Retainer happened to enjoy hearing it.
After all, flattery never failed.
"Where's Ganyu? Why didn't she come with you?"
Cloud Retainer glanced around, not seeing her beloved disciple.
"Ganyu's a little tired today, so I let her sleep in."
"Oh?"
Cloud Retainer looked him up and down knowingly.
She knew her disciple's habits well.
Ganyu's routine was extremely disciplined—she always woke early.
For her to sleep in meant only one thing.
You've got some stamina, kid.
Seeing the scrutinizing look in her eyes, Jiang Yan coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem. Right, I should head back and check if Ganyu's awake."
"I'll leave these little ones to you."
"Mm. Leave them to me."
"Make sure to prepare something nourishing for her. Ideally, you two should give me an adorable little grand-disciple within the next few years…"
Cloud Retainer began rambling.
Clearly, she had long been obsessed with the idea of Jiang Yan and Ganyu having a child.
Though Ningguang and the others were lovely, they were still disciples.
Cloud Retainer truly wanted a little grand-disciple to inherit all her teachings.
Perhaps this was what people meant by generational affection.
After all, Jiang Yan and Ganyu hadn't even reached that stage yet, and she was already imagining the future.
"Alright, alright. Then I'll be off, Sister Cloud Retainer."
Turning toward the three children lined up behind him, Jiang Yan smiled.
"Study hard with your Martial Aunt. She's an expert in mechanisms."
"Got it, Master!"
The three replied loudly.
Seeing how obedient they were, Jiang Yan nodded before opening a portal and stepping through.
After he left, the children hurried toward Cloud Retainer.
"Martial Aunt~"
"Mm. Come inside first."
Though her tone remained stern, the corners of Cloud Retainer's lips lifted slightly.
A classic tsundere.
"Okay, Martial Aunt!"
Holding onto the hem of her robe, the three children followed her into the cave abode.
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