Dawn broke faintly over Liyue Harbor, the sky still wrapped in a pale, misty glow. The streets were quiet, untouched by the bustle that would soon awaken.
A slender girl with long blue hair walked gracefully through the empty morning streets.
Up ahead, a familiar figure stood waiting.
She quickened her steps and bowed respectfully.
"Lord of Geo, you're here so early… Do you have instructions for me?"
Zhongli lifted a hand gently.
"Ganyu, no need for such formality. I do have a task for you, yes—please deliver this to Tianquan."
He produced a folded sheet of paper from his sleeve.
Ganyu accepted it with both hands, storing it carefully before nodding with determination.
"Rest assured, Lord of Geo. I will see this done."
Zhongli nodded slightly, then hesitated.
"Ganyu… how much do you know about your junior, Adrian?"
Ganyu froze for a moment, clearly surprised.
"I've always been working in the harbor. All I know is that the Master took in a disciple with… unusually poor aptitude. Nothing more.
He did come to see me once, but I was far too busy to meet him at the time."
Zhongli thought for a moment.
"Your junior is far more capable than he appears. If you have the time, persuade him to join the Qixing."
"…Alright." Ganyu agreed without hesitation.
After parting ways with Zhongli, she stopped at a breakfast stall by the docks, enjoying a simple yet warm meal.
When the sun rose fully over the harbor, she ascended to the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang was still asleep.
Ganyu stood quietly at the edge of the floating palace, looking down at the bustling city below. Her thoughts drifted.
I've never once taken care of my junior… not even once.
Being busy was no excuse.
He works in funerals… perhaps I should introduce some clients to him?
The Tianxu Star's hair has gone white—he doesn't have many years left. Perfect for my junior.
And the mother of the Qixing's Kaiyang Star… and Keqing's grandparents…
Her list grew darker by the moment.
Before she realized it, the sun had climbed high. Ningguang finally awakened, and upon learning Ganyu was waiting outside, hurriedly invited her into the study.
"I'm so sorry—my attendants should not have kept you waiting." Ningguang apologized.
Ganyu shook her head quickly. "I asked them not to wake you. It wasn't work hours yet—you need your rest."
Ningguang smiled warmly.
"As long as you need me, you can come at any time. Now then—did the Lord of Geo send a message?"
Ganyu nodded, pulling out the paper and handing it to her.
"This is what he asked me to deliver."
Ningguang unfolded it at once.
The document began by recounting the tragedy of Lily—the death, the injustice, the cruelty—then shifted to the decade of exploitation by Northland Bank.
It demanded that the Qixing reform Liyue's predatory loan industry and force Northland Bank to hand over the culprit.
Ningguang fell silent, sinking into deep thought.
The instructions sounded simple… but carrying them out would be difficult.
The greatest opposition wouldn't be the Bank.
It would be her fellow merchants—including the Qixing themselves.
Every major clan had some involvement in high-interest lending. The only difference was the rates—and the methods.
After a long moment, Ningguang made her decision.
"Ganyu, summon the entire Qixing to Yujing Terrace."
"Understood." Ganyu turned and left.
Meanwhile, inside the dim, silent hall of Grant's estate, only Adrian moved.
His expression was calm and collected as he dressed Lily's body in a bright ceremonial shroud, adjusting her appearance with practiced, gentle motions.
The scene was gruesome enough that even Shenhe—whose mind was tempered like frost—turned away with a faint frown.
When he finished, Adrian let out a quiet sigh.
He lifted a thin veil and laid it gently over Lily's face, shielding her from the world that had failed her.
Then he began preparing the mourning hall.
He had originally wanted to give her a more dignified funeral.
But after discovering the "ginseng" was fake, he could only afford a simple ceremony.
While he worked, Shenhe's clear, icy voice sounded beside him—like water trickling through a cold mountain spring.
"Junior Brother, how can you remain so calm in front of such a sight?"
Adrian paused and looked back at her, his eyes filled with a weary sort of understanding.
"Maybe because I've seen too much of it.
To me… they're all just people who suffered."
"…Mm." Shenhe replied softly and said nothing more, standing silently at his side.
After a moment, she spoke again.
"My mother ended up the same way.
But back then… I didn't even dare look at her."
Her voice was as expressionless as ever, but the pain beneath it was unmistakable.
Adrian put down his tools and stepped closer, meeting her cold, blue gaze.
His voice softened.
"Senior Sister… your mother wouldn't have wanted you to see her like that."
A faint ripple passed through Shenhe's eyes—relief, perhaps, or release.
"Thank you, Junior Brother.
If you die someday, I'll make sure to cremate you early."
Adrian: "..."
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