Inside Yuehai Pavilion, on the high terraces of Yujing Terrace, documents lay stacked across the desk—not messy, but arranged with meticulous care.
A cup of steaming tea was set gently upon the table.
Ganyu pushed it slightly toward Ji Ming and lifted her chin in a soft gesture.
"Junior Ji Ming, this is Chenyu Tea Dew, a specialty from the Chenyu Vale region. If you like it, I can arrange more for you anytime."
Ji Ming sat in an elegant agarwood chair, heart pounding.
He held the porcelain cup as though it might shatter, occasionally glancing up to read Ganyu's expression.
Who leaked the news?
Why did Ganyu know he had been jailed?
Did Yuehai Pavilion even handle public security?
Ganyu's expression was still serious. She picked up a document and asked, voice calm but firm:
"Junior Ji Ming, do you know what you did wrong?"
"Ganyu, I…"
"No acting spoiled."
Ji Ming swallowed a sip of tea.
He couldn't even taste it.
Tea was wasted on him—something fruity would've been more his style.
But now was definitely not the time to mention preferences.
"…I tricked someone," he admitted.
Seeing he had at least chosen honesty, Ganyu's tone softened.
"That's not the issue. That man held malicious intentions, and you went and conversed with him anyway. If something truly belonging to Lady Yanfei ended up on the black market—what then?"
"If it were me, I could guarantee every 'Yanfei keepsake' sold there would be forgery."
Ji Ming blinked slowly.
So she's worried about Yanfei. Not the scam itself.
Ganyu puffed her cheeks very slightly.
"Junior Ji Ming. Sit properly."
He straightened his back, hands on his knees, expression solemn—the picture of obedient regret.
Ganyu let out a tiny breath.
"I don't know what your life was like before. But now, we share a very close bond. I won't bring up your past mistakes again. I only want you to know that you can rely on me."
Her face reddened just faintly.
All her life in Liyue Harbor, Ganyu had been alone.
Few approached her sincerely.
No one shared warmth with her without hesitation.
Now she had a nominal junior.
Of course she wanted to take care of him.
And Ji Ming didn't treat her like something other—like monster or immortal.
He simply… accepted her.
For Ganyu, that was precious.
Ji Ming raised a brow.
Strictly speaking, they hadn't met many times.
And after Shenhe returned to Jueyun Karst with Cloud Retainer, Ji Ming had been living alone again.
He hadn't wanted to impose on Ganyu, so he'd kept his distance.
He hadn't known she had already considered them close.
Even sworn brotherhood among the Old Nine Gates was forged under cold hardship.
He wouldn't call that intimate.
But Ganyu—
When someone stepped into her heart, she handed them everything.
Ji Ming felt a wave of softness and answered without hesitation:
"Alright. I'll listen to Senior Ganyu."
Her smile bloomed—warm as the Lantern Rite lights over the harbor.
"Whether it's Shenhe or Master, they are all people you can rely on. If you don't mind, we can consider ourselves family."
Then she sat down beside him, took his hand gently, and said—
"Why don't you come live at my place?"
Ji Ming: "?!"
Divine blessing descended from the heavens.
Today was officially his lucky day.
But—
"This wouldn't be appropriate. Not because I don't want to rely on you, Senior Ganyu—just… what would others think?"
His willpower was strong.
He refused the invitation—but did not pull his hand away.
Her hand was soft.
Warm.
Fragrant.
This was reasonable senior-sibling contact, he told himself.
Ganyu lowered her lashes.
"I don't mind what others think…"
"Senior Ganyu, you care about the people of Liyue the most. Don't worry—if anyone dares speak poorly of you, your junior will personally toss them into the Sea of Clouds in a burlap sack."
Ganyu blinked—then laughed softly.
"No doing that. Then… I'll give you some mora. Rent a place in Liyue Harbor."
This time, he couldn't refuse.
Refusing again would genuinely hurt her.
And so, even though he already had plenty of mora from scamming Wangsheng Parlor—
"…Alright. I'll rent a place."
"Mm. Junior Ji Ming is very good. I'm glad."
Something about her tone felt—
"Kind of like… a mother."
Ganyu: "Eh?!"
The always-gentle half-qilin flustered instantly.
Her fingers twisted a lock of hair—eyes darting away in panic.
"P-please don't joke like that…"
"Sorry! That slipped out."
Ji Ming apologized frantically.
No need to drop his affection rating to zero in one sentence.
He would keep his madness internal from now on.
Just then—the doors to Yuehai Pavilion burst open.
A sharp, confident voice spoke:
"Ganyu, I need the geological reports for Dihua Marsh—hm? Who is this?"
A purple-haired woman strode in.
Cat-like eyes.
Lightning-bright presence.
Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.
Ganyu immediately composed herself, returning to her poised secretary demeanor.
She handed over the documents.
"This is my junior."
Ji Ming stood, polite and crisp.
"Lord Yuheng, my name is Ji Ming. A pleasure."
This was a heavy hitter.
If Ji Ming hadn't run fast during that one time she was inspecting stalls, he would've been caught on the spot.
Sweating internally.
Keqing offered her hand.
"If you're Ganyu's junior, then no need for formalities."
Another cultivator, then?
After all, Liyue needed people who acted—not those waiting for gods to descend.
Ji Ming shook her hand lightly and released.
"Just in name. I'm still just an ordinary Liyue citizen. I don't even have a Vision."
"That means nothing," Keqing replied smoothly.
"Even without a Vision, everyone has their strengths. Don't diminish yourself."
Neither cared to continue the conversation much.
So Ji Ming bowed slightly.
"Senior Ganyu, I won't disturb your work further. I'll be going."
"Mm. And don't forget to visit Yanfei. She spoke up for you during your hearing."
Ji Ming froze—then understood.
Yes.
He only got three days because Yanfei had interceded.
He nodded, deeply.
Then left.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/lucarioTL