On the mountain path of Mount Tianheng—
A woman wreathed in immortal grace stood facing a handsome, dignified man from afar.
To outsiders, the scene might easily inspire romantic speculation.
But for the two involved, that was not the case at all.
Appearing in human form—no longer the Adeptus known as Cloud Retainer, but simply Liuyun—the woman looked at Zhongli with a complicated expression.
"I never expected you to use her story to guide little Ganyu…"
"And just as I never expected," she continued softly,
"that you would reveal a side of yourself I had almost forgotten—
the you from several thousand years ago."
Zhongli replied calmly,
"So… have you forgiven me?"
"There was never anything to forgive," Liuyun said with a bitter smile.
"I figured it out long ago. Otherwise, I would have left ages ago."
"The reason I never took human form," she added carefully,
"was simply because I feared it would stir painful memories for you."
She studied Zhongli with caution.
"But now it seems… you've already let go."
"Heh… let go?" Zhongli chuckled faintly, lowering his gaze.
"Guizhong, Azhdaha, and so many others—
someone must remember them, and carry their weight forward."
"I only feel somewhat ashamed," he continued,
"that as the most ancient of the Geo Archons,
I am still slower in understanding the truths of this world
than a younger generation…"
"Elemental power, ley lines, memory, erosion, Visions, constellations…"
As he recalled the message sent by the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya,
and the information contained within—
Even Zhongli himself did not realize
how terrifying his expression had become.
Liuyun noticed at once.
She had only ever seen that expression once before—
When Guizhong had turned to dust in Zhongli's arms.
"Rex Lapis… what's wrong?"
she asked carefully.
"No. It's nothing."
Zhongli looked up.
His expression had already returned to normal,
as though the moment before had never existed.
"Let's return to speaking of Ganyu," he said stiffly, changing the subject.
"That person… I will find time to meet him later."
The conversation faded away into the howling northern wind.
Meanwhile—
After venting her frustration at the Seven Stars' meeting,
Keqing's streak of lightning finally returned to the Yuheng Office.
Tap tap tap tap tap—
The sharp, rapid sound of high heels echoed through the corridor.
Then—
Bang!
The office door was shoved open violently.
Bai Ge jumped in surprise.
His hand twitched, and the light novel he had been reading slid off the desk, landing right in front of Keqing.
Keqing frowned and read the title aloud:
"About How I Strategized My Boss Just So I Could Get Off Work on Time."
"…What kind of nonsense is this?"
As if the book itself were the culprit behind her anger, Keqing kicked it without hesitation.
Fueled by rage, the poor light novel flew like a kite with a snapped string, smacking loudly into the windowsill.
Bai Ge clearly saw the cover split and tear apart on impact.
In the end—
"About How I Strategized My Boss Just So I Could Get Off Work on Time"
became—
"Get Off Work on Time, Then Strategize My Boss."
Just a few missing words, yet an entirely different story.
Even Bai Ge had to marvel at the magical power of light novel titles.
Yet despite having his book used as an outlet for anger,
Bai Ge didn't get upset.
He only looked at Keqing in confusion.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"That's a lot of anger. Who upset you?"
He really shouldn't have asked.
The moment he did, Keqing was dragged back into her memories.
Thinking of how she had exhausted herself worrying over Liyue's future,
only to find Bai Ge slacking off here reading novels—
A burst of ghostly rage flared up inside her.
But then—
She hesitated.
Was she truly thinking for the people of Liyue?
Or was it merely self-satisfaction dressed up as righteousness?
Keqing didn't know.
Now that she thought about it, perhaps the latter was the greater part.
That realization drained her.
The once sharp and resolute Keqing—swift as thunder and lightning—
now looked like a frost-bitten eggplant.
The energy she had upon entering vanished completely.
She walked silently to her desk and collapsed onto it, resting her head in her folded arms.
She looked utterly exhausted.
"Keqing? Keqing? What's wrong?"
Bai Ge could no longer sit still.
When someone says nothing at all, that's the most worrying state of all.
And no matter what, she was still his convenient boss.
Concern was only natural.
"Did something happen at the Seven Stars' meeting?"
"You can tell me. Maybe I can give you some advice!"
Bai Ge said earnestly.
Keqing lifted her head, her eyes full of confusion.
"Really?"
"Really. I promise."
Looking at this purple-haired cat who was just about to turn into a crying cat face,
Bai Ge answered seriously.
"…Fine," Keqing said at last.
"I'll tell you. You're a citizen of Liyue too, after all."
With the need to vent clear in her voice, Keqing began to ramble about the Seven Stars' meeting.
Bit by bit, the full picture unfolded before Bai Ge's eyes.