Keqing and Ganyu followed Collei and arrived at the House of Daena.
Just as they entered, they were caught off guard by Ye Xi's greeting.
"E-Electric Arc Star?"
"What is that?"
Keqing's pretty face was filled with astonishment, and she subsequently declared solemnly, "I am the Yuheng Star of the Liyue Qixing, Keqing!"
"I..."
"My name isn't Wang Xiaomei... I am Ganyu..."
Ganyu, standing to the side, also slowly defended herself.
"Alright, Electric Arc Star and Wang Xiaomei."
Seeing the speechless expressions of the two girls, Ye Xi laughed and said, "It doesn't matter. You've come at just the right time."
"Some time ago, Rex Lapis came to find me, asking me to go to Liyue Harbor to help you with infrastructure..."
"Rex Lapis—?!"
Keqing let out a cry of surprise, her beautiful purple eyes filled with disbelief. "Mr. Ye Xi, how long ago was 'some time ago'?!"
"Eh—! I-It must have been a long time ago, right!"
Ganyu hurriedly interrupted, then looked at Ye Xi and winked frantically. "Mr. Ye Xi, the Lord of Geo passed away a long time ago...!"
"Oh~! Right, right, right."
Ye Xi, of course, knew about Zhongli's retirement; he just wanted to see Keqing and Ganyu's reactions.
It was truly interesting.
Keqing, standing to the side, had a face full of suspicion.
She felt that Ganyu had been acting a bit strange during this trip.
Moreover, thinking about it carefully, wasn't this 'Infrastructure Consultant' found by Cloud Retainer?
Why was it now being said that Rex Lapis had visited?
Although she had a belly full of questions, she held them back.
While Ye Xi was talking with Keqing and Ganyu, the Sages of the Review Board were whispering in surprise.
"This... When did Master Ye Xi become friendly with Liyue?!"
"I was just thinking that the Akademiya and Liyue Harbor have cut off diplomatic relations for hundreds of years, so how could we restore the relationship? I didn't expect Master Ye Xi to have already settled it for us!"
"Did I hear that correctly? That young lady just said she is the Yuheng Star of the Liyue Qixing?!"
"The Yuheng Star? One of the seven stars who govern the land of Liyue?!"
"It is said that Liyue has entered the era of 'Rule by Humanity', so the Liyue Qixing are the highest administrators of Liyue!"
"..."
After noticing Keqing's identity, all the Sages were extremely shocked, and even Alhaitham was quite surprised.
Because he had planned to apply to Lesser Lord Kusanali today to go to Liyue Harbor, representing the Great Sage of Sumeru, to restore diplomacy through negotiation.
Unexpectedly, the other party had already come!
This really saved a lot of trouble!
"Keqing, Ganyu, you came just in time."
Ye Xi asked, "I need to procure a batch of ore materials from Liyue."
"Is that possible?"
"Eh?!"
Hearing Ye Xi's question, Keqing was caught a bit unprepared.
She subconsciously replied, "Y-Yes, it's possible."
Keqing became increasingly curious about Ye Xi's identity.
Previously, her understanding of Ye Xi was that he was a disciple of Cloud Retainer and an expert very skilled in making mechanisms.
But after arriving in Sumeru, she discovered that this was not the case.
Would a normal expert skilled in mechanisms intervene in Sumeru's urban construction and material procurement?
Obviously impossible!
She felt that Ye Xi was more like the leader of Sumeru.
Moreover, this was the House of Daena.
Could those holding a meeting in the House of Daena be ordinary people?
"Good, then it's settled."
"We will negotiate the specifics later."
After speaking, Ye Xi looked at the Sages of the Review Board. "Everyone, the planning for the Economic Development Zone is basically complete."
"Next, I'll leave the specific detailed regulations to you. Is there any problem?"
The Sages nodded one after another.
"Master Ye Xi, leave it to us."
"Thank you for your hard work. The Akademiya will be responsible for formulating the rules from here."
"The Akademiya is quite good at these things."
"..."
Actually, there were still many things that needed planning next, but they touched upon Ye Xi's blind spots in knowledge.
For example, rules like train ticket prices, taxes, and import-export trade regulations.
Sumeru's main export was fruit, so details like dispatching special trains for preservation and increasing train speed were necessary.
He couldn't possibly attend to all these details alone; it was better to instruct the Akademiya to design them.
"Alright, then the meeting is adjourned."
After speaking, Ye Xi took Keqing and Ganyu and left the conference room.
Leaving the rest to Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata would be fine.
The two Gods of Wisdom could certainly provide suggestions in these aspects.
.....
After leaving the Akademiya, they walked on the streets of Sumeru.
The people of Sumeru they met along the way bowed and greeted Ye Xi one after another.
Witnessing Ye Xi's status and prestige in Sumeru, Keqing and Ganyu were both surprised.
Seeing that Ye Xi finally had time, Keqing spoke up: "Mr. Ye Xi, we have come to welcome you to Liyue."
"May I ask, when can we set off?"
She couldn't wait a moment longer.
She wanted to bring Ye Xi back to Liyue immediately and tell Ningguang about what she had seen and heard today.
Ye Xi heard this and said unhurriedly, "Just call me Ye Xi. As for going to Liyue, there is no rush."
"You came all the way from Liyue; as the host, I cannot slight you."
"Why not stay in Sumeru for two more days and relax properly?"
Speaking of this, Ye Xi's eyes lit up, and he proposed, "Why not go to my residence? There is a very nice hot spring there that can relieve the fatigue caused by your journey."
Host?
Keqing really wanted to say, isn't a Khaenri'ahn in Sumeru also a guest?
How did he become the host?
However, Ye Xi's proposal was indeed very tempting.
Sumeru's environment was very good, possessing the breath of nature.
If she could rest here for a while, it would definitely be very comfortable.
And there was a hot spring...
One had to know, Liyue didn't have hot springs!
Honestly, she almost nodded in agreement.
However, thinking that this kind of lazy behavior would delay many matters, she restrained herself.
"Mr. Ye Xi... er, Master Ye Xi, we can depart immediately."
"If we delay too much time, the work won't be finished."
Seeing Keqing's serious appearance, Ye Xi smiled and nodded. "Focusing on work is indeed a good thing."
"I understand, Miss Keqing."
"I will finish dealing with my private matters as soon as possible, and then set off."
He knew that this was Keqing's nature.
She was vigorous and resolute in everything she did, without the slightest procrastination.
To tell the truth, he really admired Keqing's ability for self-discipline.
If it were him, he would have gone slacking off long ago.
"Eh?! I-I'm sorry!"
Keqing's eyes were filled with consternation, and she hurriedly waved her hand. "If you still have matters to attend to, please handle the matters at hand first. We are not in a hurry!"
"I was a bit carried away, please don't mind it!"
She wasn't an unreasonable character; if someone had things to do, of course, she should wait until they were free!
Urging others like this was very impolite.
"Then, since it's like this, you two just listen to my arrangements."
Ye Xi smiled and said, "I will give instructions to prepare guest rooms for tonight."
"Master Ye Xi... regarding the accommodation, you don't need to go to too much trouble..."
"We can just find a random hotel!"
Ganyu felt somewhat embarrassed.
Clearly, they were the ones asking a favor of Ye Xi, to bring him back to Liyue Harbor to help with Liyue's construction.
Unexpectedly, they were being entertained by Ye Xi instead.
How could they accept this?
"Not trouble! How can you say it's trouble?"
Ye Xi said earnestly, "Forget it, I'll just speak frankly."
"Actually, it's currently the harvest season. The matter I need to be busy with is investigating the quality of these fruits and the screening of spices."
"There are quite a few fresh fruits and spices at home right now waiting for me to inspect."
"You also know that if Sumeru trades with Liyue and Mondstadt in the future, it will inevitably involve exporting fruit."
"Inviting you two is also to let you taste them, wanting to use the fruit to hook your appetites."
"This is my little scheme. If you think they are delicious, it will be beneficial for our future cooperation."
"I am really sorry, you two."
"F-Fruits!"
Ganyu swallowed her saliva and hurriedly nodded. "Then I will disturb Master Ye Xi!"
Next to her, Keqing helplessly held her forehead.
She knew at a glance that Ganyu was craving food!
However, this arrangement seemed not bad.
Thinking of this, Keqing hurriedly said, "You don't need to feel apologetic!"
"To sell good products, letting the buyer taste the goods is a very generous thing!"
Keqing's eyes were full of gratitude. "Then many thanks for Master Ye Xi's hospitality."
Since it was for future business dealings, then going to inspect was also within the scope of work!
If it was work, she had to complete it seriously.
She would taste these fruits diligently.
Seeing that Ganyu and Keqing both agreed to stay, Ye Xi nodded. "Please follow me."
On the way, Collei still had work, so she went back to the forest first.
Ye Xi took Keqing and Ganyu back to the Ye Family Compound.
Just as he pushed open the door, the fresh fragrance of fruit rushed toward them.
Ganyu was about to drool.
Five hundred years!
She hadn't tasted fresh fruit from Sumeru for five hundred years!
Watermelons, Hami melons, Zaytun Peaches, Ajilenakh Nuts...
Just thinking about these, Ganyu couldn't control her appetite.
"Yee?! Keqing? And Ganyu?!"
"Why are you here—!"
In the courtyard, Paimon was showing off a watermelon with Lumine.
Seeing the figures of Keqing and Ganyu, they thought they were hallucinating.
This was Sumeru; how could Keqing, the Yuheng Star, and Ganyu, the secretary, come here?
"Eh—!? Traveler?!"
"Why is the Traveler in Master Ye Xi's home?!"
Keqing and Ganyu were also extremely surprised.
"It's really you guys!"
Lumine threw aside the watermelon and pounced over instantly.
"Wives, did you come to see me? I missed you so much!"
Saying that, Lumine embraced them left and right, with a mischievous smile on her face.
Keqing sighed helplessly. "Traveler, long time no see. You really haven't changed a bit."
Previously, when Lumine was in Liyue, she pestered her every day, making it so she couldn't work properly.
She didn't expect to meet her here.
"Hehehe, Ah-Qing, you say one thing but mean another!"
"Did you hear that I was injured in Sumeru, so you came?"
"I did not."
Keqing slapped away Lumine's hand wrapped around her waist and said solemnly, "I came because of work."
"We came to invite Master Ye Xi to Liyue Harbor to help."
"By the way, were you injured?"
Ganyu was also a bit worried; after all, Lumine had helped a lot in Liyue and was a best friend and partner.
Lumine spread her hands and pointed to Ye Xi at the side. "It's already healed. This guy saved me."
"So that's how it is!"
Keqing heard this and said respectfully, "Master Ye Xi, thank you for saving the Traveler. She is my good friend; this fellow always makes people worry."
"It was just a lifting of a hand."
After getting along for a few days, Ye Xi had long been getting along very 'harmoniously' with Lumine.
Actually, it was mostly bickering.
This brat actually deluded herself into wanting to occupy his wives, and even wanted to snatch away his position as the lord of the harem.
How could that be allowed?
Beside the sleeping couch, how could one allow others to snore?
Not even a woman!
Thus, every night Lumine would fight with him for a while.
The house became much more cheerful because of this.
Lumine leaned close to Ye Xi's ear and teased with a playful look, "Bringing Keqing and Ganyu back... did you see that they are beautiful and get some ideas?"
"How could that be?"
Ye Xi said with a straight face, "For the export of Sumeru fruits, naturally, I have to let the sugar daddies taste the flavor."
"I am doing this for the development of Sumeru City."
"Is that really so?"
Lumine's eyes were full of skepticism. "They are mine; you are not allowed to snatch them from me!"
"Childish."
"You're the childish one! Clearly, I came first! When I knew Ah-Qing and Ganyu, who knows where you were!"
Hearing Lumine's words, Ye Xi sighed. "Every day you claim this one as your wife and that one as your wife. You don't have the equipment for the crime, so what's the use?"
"I..."
Lumine was instantly rendered speechless.
Although she really wanted to refute, Ye Xi was indeed not wrong.
At most, she could only use the girls as body pillows.
Yuri is infinite, but sadly it can't reproduce.
Seeing the brat fall into deep thought, Ye Xi couldn't help but smile, and walked to Keqing and Ganyu's side.
"Alright, you two, come taste Sumeru's fruits."
Saying so, he pushed open the small room to the side; inside, it was impressively piled high with heaps of fruit.
"Ooh wah—!"
The two girls couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.
They saw that inside the small room, fresh fruits were placed everywhere.
Watermelons, grapes, Sunsettias, Zaytun Peaches, plums, Hami melons...
It simply had everything, a feast for the eyes.
Ganyu was about to cry from craving!
Even Keqing was attracted by this enticing fruity fragrance.
There were Mist Flowers in the room, so even if the weather was hot, the optimal temperature was guaranteed.
So there was no need to worry about spoilage at all.
"Take whatever you want to eat."
"Then we won't be polite."
Hearing Ye Xi say this, the two beauties cupped their favorite fruits in their hands and began to taste them.
"Mmn~"
"So juicy! So sweet and refreshing!"
"As expected of a nation abundant in fruit, even the Sunsettias are different from Liyue's!"
"Keqing, taste this grape; every single one is so sweet."
Girls could not withstand the temptation of delicious food.
Even the workaholic Keqing was thoroughly defeated by the deliciousness before her eyes, immersing herself in the sweet and fragrant fruits.
Paimon took the opportunity to eat a plum, nodding her little feet in excitement.
Just as Ye Xi was admiring the beauties tasting the delicious food, Lumine's voice suddenly came from beside his ear.
"Ye Xi, do you want to make a deal?"
"A deal?"
Ye Xi looked at that bad smile full of cunning on Lumine's face and knew it was nothing good.
This brat, maybe she wanted to scam someone again.
"Let's hear it."
Lumine leaned over and secretly said, "I'll help you secure Ah-Qing and Ganyu, how about it?"
Ye Xi: ? ? ?
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