"Ugh, so creepy..."
Qin Yu shivered as she entered the abandoned mine shaft, instinctively ducking her head.
It was midday, and she was now inside a derelict mine outside the city.
Her reason for being here wasn't some whimsical impulse but rather a quest from the Adventurer's Guild to gather high-quality crystal ore.
Adventurers take on all sorts of odd jobs.
It was already a blessing they hadn't asked her to search for a cat in the mines. Besides, Qin Yu had accepted the quest precisely because she wanted to see the terrain and environment where the minerals were actually found.
Could there still be minerals in an abandoned mine? Definitely. There must be undiscovered veins, just difficult to find.
But, hmm...
Qin Yu unbuckled her belt pouch and retrieved her Machine Companion, currently in shutdown mode.
"Activate. Then scan this area for crystal ore."
"Executing..."
The Machine Companion powered on, levitated into the air, scanned its surroundings, and then hovered before a stone wall, emitting a "beep-beep" sound.
"Designated target detected behind the wall."
Qin Yu's face lit up with a triumphant grin. It really works!
Although she had brought mining tools just in case, she could actually do this:
Activate the "Maid's Path" Skill to upgrade Mechanical Companion 1 into Mechanical Companion 2! This would grant the Machine Companion the new function: "Laser Mining."
"Cut through the wall and mine the crystal ore inside."
"Scanning wall strength... Weak. Executing..."
Under the Machine Companion's laser mining function, a hole was cut through the wall, and the Machine Companion flew into the newly connected cavern. Qin Yu followed closely behind, scrambling through the opening.
Upon entering the new cavern, the Machine Companion immediately began harvesting the crystal ore.
Qin Yu picked up the cut crystal pieces, examining them against the knowledge in her mind.
"Brilliant color, minimal impurities..."
This was undoubtedly high-quality crystal ore. Today's luck wasn't bad at all.
Satisfied, Qin Yu stowed the crystal pieces in her bag and climbed back into the mine tunnel.
She had already obtained the crystals required for the quest, but this abandoned mine might contain other minerals...
After some hesitation, Qin Yu resolved to venture deeper inside.
The further she went, the darker it became.
Forced to activate her Vampire Magic Eye, Qin Yu cautiously advanced, relying on its night vision.
Instead of ore, she found a person.
Someone's actually here? Qin Yu thought, startled at the sight of a faint red humanoid figure ahead.
Probably just an adventurer. They love to dive into dangerous places... As she was thinking this, she noticed the figure was lying on the ground.
Lying down in a place like this? Could they be... unconscious?!
Honestly, these adventurers are really... Qin Yu thought, grumbling inwardly but knowing she couldn't just ignore them. She ran forward.
"Are you alright—"
Her words trailed off as astonishment froze her mid-sentence.
Curled up on the ground with her eyes closed was someone Qin Yu recognized well: Ganyu.
Qin Yu's chest tightened as she urgently shook Ganyu's shoulder.
"Miss Ganyu, are you alright?"
"Mmm..." Ganyu groaned faintly in response.
She's awake! Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Huff..." Ganyu exhaled heavily, her eyes remaining shut.
She's not awake! Qin Yu's face paled in alarm.
So she really is unconscious...
Qin Yu tugged at Ganyu's cheek again, but there was still no sign of her waking up.
Her skin feels so smooth... Wait, this isn't the time for such thoughts!
If even this doesn't rouse her, could it be some kind of illness? Could even half-adepti fall sick?
Qin Yu didn't know. Panicked, she realized she couldn't leave Ganyu here any longer and carefully lifted her into her arms.
I need to get her out of here, fast.
Just then, Qin Yu heard movement. Turning around, she saw several Hilichurls charging out.
Of all times to show up! They have to show up at a critical moment like this! Qin Yu's temper flared. She gently set Ganyu down, drew her Combat Pistol, and unleashed a volley of shots.
After clearing the monsters, Ganyu still hadn't woken up.
She's still not awake? Even after all the gunshots? It must be some kind of illness. I need to find a doctor right away.
Qin Yu scooped up Ganyu and immediately fled the abandoned mine.
There were no clinics nearby, so they would have to take a carriage back to Liyue Port for medical attention.
Come to think of it...
"She's a bit heavier than I imagined..." Qin Yu murmured to herself, feeling the soft, warm weight in her arms.
As if triggered by those words, Ganyu's eyes snapped open.
"I... I've gained weight? ...Huh? Qin Yu?"
Ganyu blurted out the question instinctively, then noticed Qin Yu, blinked, and looked utterly confused.
Ha? Why did she suddenly wake up?
Ganyu was bewildered, but Qin Yu was even more perplexed.
Could she have just been asleep this whole time? But she was sleeping so deeply! I'm envious—no, this is absurd. Who could sleep through gunfire that sounded like firecrackers going off right beside them?!
I need to say something first.
Qin Yu offered an awkward but polite smile. "G-good afternoon, Miss Ganyu..."
"Why are you calling me that again?"
Tch, can't you just let me get away with it? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly before correcting herself quietly, "Sister Ganyu."
"Ah... mm. Good afternoon," Ganyu replied with a smile.
Evaluation: D-
Ganyu noticed the situation and blushed slightly, her words catching in her throat.
"H-How did I end up in your arms?" she finally couldn't help but ask.
Qin Yu felt even more embarrassed, realizing it had all been a misunderstanding.
"It's because..."
Qin Yu quickly explained the situation. Ganyu's eyes widened in realization.
"Oh, I see! I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I'm fine... I just fell asleep."
In a place like that?
Qin Yu struggled to comprehend. "Do you have hypersomnia?" she asked.
"Hypersomnia? No, I don't have hypersomnia. I just tend to get sleepy around lunchtime... It happens every day at the same time. It's not a medical condition."
Such an intense afternoon nap!
Ganyu's gaze darted away, feeling uncomfortably close. "I'm perfectly fine now," she stammered. "You can put me down."
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu snapped out of her daze, realizing she was still holding Ganyu. She hastily set her down.
"Thank you for your trouble," Ganyu said, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"No, no! It's just that I wanted to... and it was a misunderstanding anyway. I thought Sister Ganyu had fainted, and I was so worried! But as long as you're okay, that's all that matters!"
Ganyu let out a sigh of relief and gently patted Qin Yu's head.
Don't touch my hair! You'll mess it up! Qin Yu's ears flushed slightly.
Evaluation: C
But she couldn't just bluntly say no.
Qin Yu said tactfully, "Please don't mess up my hair..."
"Eh? Oh, no, no, I wasn't messing it up! I was just helping you comb it," Ganyu explained, gently smoothing Qin Yu's hair with her hand.
That's fine then. Barely acceptable.
Still, Qin Yu felt a slight unease at Ganyu's nurturing gesture. This time, however, she couldn't say anything, forcing herself to suppress the strange feeling.
Fortunately, it was over quickly.
Ganyu smiled gently. "All done. It looks perfect now."
"Thank you," Qin Yu replied inwardly, unwillingly.
Ganyu suddenly remembered the words she had overheard earlier and hesitated before asking, her eyes flickering with unease, "Um, about what you said earlier... Am I really that heavy?"
Just as Qin Yu was about to answer, the Machine Companion floating beside her interjected:
"Initiate body scan?"
Absolutely not!
Some data are better left unknown. That's where true happiness lies.
Ganyu startled, only now noticing the black cube hovering beside Qin Yu.
"What is that?"
"I-I recently acquired a new tool that can speak," Qin Yu said, trying to sound casual.
Ganyu nodded gently, understanding.
Though some doubts lingered, she knew everyone had their secrets, herself included. So instead of probing further, she simply watched with curiosity.
"Body data... can it really see that?" Ganyu steered the conversation back.
"Yes, it can."
Ganyu hesitated, torn.
She wanted to know her current weight to see if she had indeed gained a little, but she also didn't want to know—the precise number might be painful...
Better not.
Ganyu shook her head, choosing to back down. Yet Qin Yu's words still bothered her. She stole a furtive glance at Qin Yu.
"I... I wanted to ask... am I very heavy?"
Your question feels very heavy to me, Qin Yu thought, smiling. "Not at all! I just assumed half-adepti would be different in some way. I never imagined you'd weigh the same as humans."
"Oh. So that's it. Good..."
Ganyu had worried she'd gained weight from overeating. But that was impossible—she had been rigorously controlling her diet, suppressing her cravings. There was no way she could have gained weight.
With this, Ganyu finally felt completely reassured.
"Actually, Sister Ganyu, your figure is better than most people's," Qin Yu said frankly.
"I-Is that so? I think yours is great too..." Ganyu said with a surprised smile.
Evaluation: C
Qin Yu glanced down at her own feet.
She could see them clearly.
What's so great about that? But if I had to carry around Shenhe's chest burden, that would be quite troublesome too. Qin Yu thought, then compared Ganyu's figure to her own.
Hers seems a bit bigger.
Never mind, I shouldn't dwell on such pointless things.
"Sister Ganyu, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to retrieve some important documents. When the miners evacuated, some documents were apparently left behind. Their absence was only recently discovered, so we're collecting them as a precaution. What about you?"
"Handling a quest! Has Sister Ganyu finished retrieving them yet?"
"Not yet. I accidentally took a nap," Ganyu said, looking slightly embarrassed.
No matter how many times I hear it, it still sounds absurd. Napping in a place like this... Is she secretly a bit airheaded? No, more than a bit, considering how skilled she was at "fishing" earlier.
This is the perfect opportunity!
Qin Yu suddenly leaned closer to Ganyu.
"Can I join you, Sister Ganyu? I want to help!" Qin Yu said, grabbing Ganyu's hand.
Ganyu seemed unaccustomed to physical contact. The moment Qin Yu took her hand, the blush on her face deepened, but she still managed to say:
"What if we encounter danger..."
We just did.
Qin Yu declared with renewed vigor, "Don't worry! I won't hold you back anymore. Besides, if we're looking for something, I'm sure I can help."
"Hmm... alright then. But promise you'll tell me immediately if you feel unwell, okay?" Ganyu said earnestly.
"Mm-hmm!"
Worried about me? There's no need, and I don't want it.
It's Ganyu who needs someone to worry about her.
Qin Yu couldn't help but say, "Sister Ganyu, you should really nap in a safe place from now on. It makes people so worried."
Ganyu remembered that a previous Tianshu Star had given her the same warning. Hearing it again today evoked a wave of nostalgia, and she murmured, "But..."
"But what?"
Ganyu hesitated. "Isn't the entirety of Liyue considered safe? Where... would you say is unsafe?"
Nowhere is safe, is it?
If anywhere truly were safe, I wouldn't feel the need to grow stronger to protect myself. Qin Yu desperately wanted to argue, but seeing the horns on Ganyu's head, a symbol of her Adeptus Beast bloodline, she couldn't bring herself to speak.
As a half-adeptus, she probably doesn't need to worry, right?
Qin Yu sensed the fundamental difference between Ganyu and ordinary people.
But she still had to say something.
"Anywhere outside your own home is unsafe, okay? So if you need to nap, you should just stay in your room, okay?" Qin Yu said.
"Is that so? But if everywhere outside one's own home is unsafe... that's quite a broad area. Do you really believe that, Qin Yu?" Ganyu asked cautiously.
Qin Yu hadn't expected to be questioned in return.
"O-of course not!" Qin Yu squeezed out a smile. "At least, I feel very safe around Sister Ganyu."
Ganyu, showing no signs of doubt, smiled warmly. "Really? This is the first time anyone has said that to me... Hmm, thank you. I won't let you down."
Evaluation: C+
I wasn't expecting anything.
"Anyway, if Sister Ganyu could just be a little more careful..." Qin Yu said diplomatically.
"I-I'll try my best..."
Completely unreliable!
Still, if danger struck, Ganyu would probably react instinctively. Maybe Qin Yu was overthinking things.
As Qin Yu pondered this, Ganyu couldn't resist patting her head again.
Waaah?! Qin Yu startled violently.
"Stay close to me later. If anything happens, I'll save you. Just like last time."
"Just like last time?" Qin Yu asked, confused.
Had Ganyu ever saved me before?
Ganyu's eyes widened in panic. "N-never mind! Don't worry about it! Let's go."
"Eh? Ah, okay, let's go."
Though puzzled by Ganyu's behavior, Qin Yu decided to focus on helping her resolve her current matter.