After that, Qin Yu and Ningguang reverted to their usual dynamic.
But calling it a "dynamic" was really just returning to their original state of physical contact.
Whether she was in a good mood or a bad one, Ningguang always wanted to touch Qin Yu's face and hair.
After her initial nervousness, Qin Yu noticed that Ningguang was keeping her promise and refraining from overstepping boundaries. This gradually put her at ease.
Looks like my "warning" worked.
Hmm, as expected of me. Perfect.
Of course, whenever Qin Yu recalled her own bold actions, she felt embarrassed and bashful. Fortunately, Ningguang never brought it up, and with time, she would presumably be able to let it go.
However, though their dynamic had returned to normal, Qin Yu couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.
She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. Ningguang seemed no different than before.
Perhaps it's just my misconception. But even if it is, that's fine.
"Qin Yu, are you listening?"
"Eh?"
The voice snapped Qin Yu out of her reverie, pulling her consciousness back to reality. Baishi, seated beside her, was watching her intently. Baiwen and Baixiao were doing the same.
Ugh, why are they all staring at me?
Slightly flustered and confused, Qin Yu asked, "Is something the matter?"
"You're asking what's wrong? Were you even listening? It's break time now, so daydreaming is fine, but don't let your mind wander during work hours," Baishi said, taking a sip of her wine.
It was evening, and the four of them were gathered at Wanmin Restaurant, sharing a meal and drinks. Baiwen and the others had previously promised to treat, and since none of them had work tonight, they'd dragged Qin Yu along to Wanmin Restaurant.
It seemed they'd been discussing something... but Qin Yu couldn't recall a single detail. She felt even more awkward.
Fortunately, they didn't seem to mind her lapse in attention.
Baiwen said, "We were talking about our future plans. We wanted to hear your thoughts on it too, Qin Yu."
"By 'future plans,' do you mean work-related?" Qin Yu asked, surprised.
She'd assumed they were discussing romantic topics.
Thank goodness it's not about romance. That would have been truly impossible to discuss, especially when they asked her about her own romantic prospects.
"I suppose you could say that? But it's only a small part of it. How should I put it? The general situation, circumstances, future...?" Baishi mumbled, her words slurring slightly from the alcohol.
She's already drunk.
Baixiao summarized concisely, "Future plans, ideas... things like that. For example, marriage. Qin Yu, will you get married?"
"No," Qin Yu replied immediately.
Baiwen exclaimed in surprise, "Why not?"
Why not? I have no interest in men, and none in women either. That's all there is to it.
But such a blunt answer wouldn't do. Qin Yu smiled faintly and replied, "Because I don't have any plans for that right now."
Baishi sighed. "But you'll still be pressured to get married later, right? They'll say things like, 'If you're over thirty, no man will want you anymore!' I bet you'll hear that all the time."
"Actually, according to the data, women in Liyue typically marry between the ages of 20 and 26. Thirty is considered late," Baixiao pointed out.
This topic is even more boring than the romance one, Qin Yu thought with an inward sigh.
Baishi sighed again. "And after you get married, you'll have to have kids, right?"
Baiwen crossed her arms and said nonchalantly, "You even need to take time off to have a baby."
Baixiao averted her gaze. "And then you have to raise them. When they're old enough, you have to send them to private school, which means even more living expenses."
"And when they grow up, they might rebel and say things like, 'Old hag, stay out of my business!'" Baishi sighed.
"Or they might turn into ingrates, racking up debts and running away," Baiwen added, twisting the knife.
Why are we even talking about such painfully realistic topics?!
Qin Yu's lips twitched slightly. She couldn't take it anymore. While these were indeed concerns for women their age, there was no need to dwell on them constantly.
Even the food had lost its flavor.
Forced to salvage the situation, Qin Yu mustered a smile and clapped her hands. "By the way, are you three Seniors planning to continue serving Lady Ningguang indefinitely?"
"Of course," Baixiao replied matter-of-factly. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work directly under one of the Liyue Qixing, especially in a position of trust. We'll do everything we can to keep it."
"Hehe, Lady Ningguang..." Baishi gushed dreamily.
Ugh, how nauseating.
Baiwen nodded in agreement. "I feel the same way. It's truly fortunate to work for the Qixing. What about you, Qin Yu? Lady Ningguang is very fond of you, but I heard you were planning to leave earlier?"
I knew this question would come up eventually, but it's not something I need to hide.
Qin Yu nodded.
"So you changed your mind after all. Why?" Baiwen asked curiously.
Baishi and Baixiao also leaned in, their curiosity piqued.
Because Lady Ningguang said, "I need you."
But Qin Yu was too embarrassed to admit that directly, so she vaguely summarized:
"Lady Ningguang persuaded me."
"I thought so too," Baiwen said. "Do you plan to keep working here indefinitely, like us?"
Indefinitely? Until Ningguang retires and Tianquan undergoes a generational shift? That seemed like an eternity. Spending decades at Ningguang's side?
Qin Yu pondered the question, realizing how distant and unreal such a prospect felt.
"I don't know yet."
I'll just keep working here for a few more months. That's all I'm thinking about right now.
Baixiao nodded gently, speaking like a mentor guiding a junior: "Take your time to consider it. Don't rush into decisions about the future. Taking things one step at a time is also a valid approach."
"Ahaha, thank you, Senior."
"What about other things? Beyond work?" Baishi nudged Qin Yu's shoulder.
This too...
"I don't know either," Qin Yu admitted, shaking her head.
Her top priority was to become stronger, capable of protecting herself, and then use her various Skills and Abilities to secure a happy life.
It sounded thorough enough, but what about the specifics?
Grind for Points—that was it. Suddenly, it sounded hollow and monotonous.
After Baiwen and the others' questions, Qin Yu realized she hadn't given much thought to her future.
Grind for Points, level up, be a "good friend" to make up for things with Shenhe and the others, and one day graduate, becoming so powerful that no one can harm them, so I can protect Shenhe and the others... But what else?
Oh, right, buying a house too.
What else? What else? I can't think of anything... Qin Yu took a sip of her wine, exhaled softly, and felt a flicker of bewilderment and confusion.
"I see," Baiwen replied calmly.
"Spending more time with family?" Baishi blurted out unintentionally.
Baixiao raised an eyebrow and lightly tapped Baishi's head with her fan.
"Ah—sorry, I didn't mean it like that..." Baishi stammered, belatedly realizing her faux pas.
"It's fine, I didn't take offense," Qin Yu smiled reassuringly.
There was nothing to be offended by. In fact, if Baishi and the others kept tiptoeing around the topic, Qin Yu would find it rather annoying, as if they pitied her for being miserable.
Still feeling a little guilty, Baishi ordered another bottle of fruit wine and poured it into Qin Yu's glass.
"By the way, Qin Yu, is there anyone you care about?"
Why did they have to bring up romance all of a sudden?!
"Yes, that would be you three, my seniors!"
Alright, end of discussion. Let's not talk about this pointless topic anymore.
"Qin Yu, you..."
"Eh? Is that so..."
"Now I understand why Lady Ningguang took such a liking to you before."
Why are they all wearing such strange expressions?
Family... Qin Yu thought, unconsciously touching the bracelet on her wrist.
Currently, she and Keqing were bound to each other once more, just as they had been for much of their childhood.
But for their present selves, could their current relationship truly be called family?
What does Keqing think?
If she were to ask, "Keqing, am I your family?" and Keqing replied, "No..." or even "Yes..." And then there was Shenhe's dream where they were family...
Better not dwell on such pointless thoughts.
After finishing their meal and drinks, Baiwen and the others decided to return to the Jade Chamber to rest. Qin Yu, wanting to take a short stroll nearby, declined to join them.
Just a few steps away, Qin Yu settled onto a bench, stretching her legs.
"Phew... It's been a while since I last saw Shenhe..."
"Mm, it has been quite some time."
"Ahaha, sorry—eh?"
Qin Yu turned her head to find Shenhe standing right in front of her.