After leaving Jueyun Karst, Ganyu quietly bade Idris farewell.
After all, they were not a real couple.
Staying together for too long would only invite suspicion sooner or later.
She left in a hurry.
Idris did not try to stop her.
If anything, he was hoping she would quickly report to Ningguang and help secure the design blueprints for the Guizhong Ballista.
Meanwhile, Shenhe followed along like a silent shadow.
She had no official duties in Liyue.
Most of her time was spent assisting Cloud Retainer with mechanisms—or resting.
So accompanying Idris cost her nothing.
As for Nahida… her mood today was far from pleasant.
Idris had to coax her for quite a while before she finally came out of the Serenitea Pot.
After all, he had accidentally left her alone the entire night.
Without Ganyu around, the atmosphere instantly felt quieter.
Earlier, to keep up appearances, Ganyu had held onto his arm more than once while descending the mountain, whispering close to his ear.
It had left Shenhe blushing furiously—if not for the matter of the red-rope curse, she would have been far too embarrassed to follow at all.
When they arrived at Liyue Harbor, the bustle hit them all at once.
Vendors shouted.
Crowds flowed endlessly.
Idris lowered his head and spoke to Nahida.
"Want to try stone gambling? I'll take you."
Nahida crossed her arms and turned away.
"I'm not going. You can go with your new favorite. Hmph."
She was still sulking.
It wasn't jealousy—
It was annoying.
She didn't mind Idris meeting other girls.
She minded being left out without warning.
One night alone in the Serenitea Pot, eating and sleeping by herself, had reminded her far too much of her long years of isolation.
Idris smiled and pressed on gently.
"Stone gambling. Old granny's kites. Riverside flower stalls. Fruit shops.
Are you really not interested?"
Nahida's eyes slowly began to shine.
"…Really?"
"You're not lying this time?"
"I want to gamble stones!"
Seeing her reaction, Idris sighed theatrically.
"But someone just said they weren't going. Now I'm heartbroken…"
It was painfully fake.
Nahida immediately hugged his sleeve and began soothing him in a small, earnest voice.
Behind them, Shenhe watched in stunned silence.
This… works?
Just moments ago, she had thought the Grand Sage was admirable—brilliant, gentle, approachable.
Now he looked suspiciously like someone tricking a child.
She didn't comment.
This was Sumeru's business, after all.
Still… she felt a little sorry for Ganyu.
At the stone-gambling stall, the vendor eagerly presented several rough stones.
Nahida picked one without hesitation.
"I want this one!"
Idris paid without complaint—he wasn't here to make money anyway.
The vendor froze the moment he heard the words Grand Sage.
"…You're Idris? The Sumeru Grand Sage?!"
When Idris confirmed it, the man nearly shook with excitement.
"My idol! The man who rivals gods as a mortal!"
"Take it! Free! I'll give you two more!"
The enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Nahida stared in shock.
"You're that famous already?! People won't even take your money!"
She looked… a little envious.
Idris smiled.
"Your time will come."
After thanking the vendor, Idris quickly pulled Nahida away before a crowd could form.
Not long after leaving the docks, Idris was preparing to gather materials for Shenhe's fate-alteration ritual—
when Ganyu suddenly returned.
"Idris—Grand Sage," she corrected herself quickly,
"Lady Ningguang has invited you to discuss a cooperation matter.
Do you have time right now?"
Idris paused, surprised.
"Now?"
"With the festival approaching?" he asked.
Ganyu nodded.
"If you're free… shall we go?"
Her tone was noticeably distant.
The act of pretending was over.
Any closeness now would have to be real.
And that—
she wasn't sure she was ready to ask for it.
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