In the lounge, Qin Yu leaned against the sofa armrest, flipping through a magazine with genuine interest.
Noticing this, Baishi circled around to see what she was reading.
"The Liyue Real Estate Guide? Qin Yu, are you thinking of buying a house?" Baishi asked curiously.
"Mm, I'm considering it, but nothing's decided yet. Just checking out the options for now," Qin Yu replied with a smile.
Baiwen, perched on the back of the sofa, exclaimed in surprise, "I never thought you'd want to buy a house! What made you decide that?"
I don't really want to say.
But then she thought, They might know about some good properties.
Although the Liyue Real Estate Guide was the latest edition, Qin Yu wasn't entirely satisfied with the floor plans. She always felt that one place lacked something, while another fell short in some other way.
Regardless of whether she would continue living with Shenhe long-term, she wanted to buy a place that was as close to perfect as possible for her own sake.
With her current savings, she was almost there. If she just worked a bit harder and got Lady Ningguang to issue another bonus, she'd barely be able to afford it! With that thought, Qin Yu put down the book.
"I wanted to ask you three Seniors, if two people were living together... I mean, if! If two people were living together, which neighborhood would be best?" Qin Yu tentatively inquired.
The three Seniors immediately tensed up.
Two people living together? Qin Yu and who? As her Seniors and friends, we need to vet this properly!
Baiwen: "Boyfriend?"
Baishi: "Girlfriend?"
Baixiao: "Which one is it?"
Ha? I'm the one asking you, why are you interrogating me instead?
And on such a pointless romantic topic!
"Neither! Actually, it's... family..."
The three Seniors broke into a cold sweat, their faces pale with terror.
Family?! But Qin Yu's family has all passed away...
Living with deceased family members?
That's terrifying! Could it be that Qin Yu has gone insane from overwork lately? Her workload has been particularly heavy lately.
Baiwen hurriedly interjected, "No, Qin Yu, you mustn't!"
"Exactly! No matter how much pressure you're under, you need to face reality!" Baishi chimed in.
"Should we consult a diviner?" Baixiao suggested.
Qin Yu felt dizzy from the cacophony of voices. What's with all this? she thought. They're talking at cross purposes, like we're on completely different wavelengths.
Crap, I should have said 'friends.' But buying a house to live with a friend sounds weird too, doesn't it?
Forced to improvise, Qin Yu reluctantly explained, "Is that really so strange? We're not quite family yet... 'pre-family'? Something like that."
Though Shenhe already considered Qin Yu family, and Qin Yu harbored similar feelings for her, it was still too early. They were testing the waters as roommates first, hence "pre-family."
Pre-family...
The three women's minds raced with speculation: fiancé, fiancée, con artist. Their expressions shifted dramatically as they exchanged bewildered glances.
Baiwen: "Uh... should we offer congratulations in advance?"
Baishi: "Please enlighten me!"
Baixiao: "We need to inform the Millelith..."
Ugh, what is going on here?!
Maybe talking to them about this was a mistake, Qin Yu thought regretfully. But letting them misunderstand further would be worse, especially Baixiao, whose misinterpretations are the wildest.
"No, no, Seniors, you've all misunderstood! She's just a very close friend who wants to live with me," Qin Yu stammered, trying to explain.
Baiwen looked puzzled. "But you called her a 'prospective family member'..."
Baishi exclaimed in surprise, "A friend... who would buy a whole new house just for that?"
Baixiao cautioned, "You can't be too careful when it comes to people."
Ah, I really don't know how to explain this properly, Qin Yu thought. Even if I try to explain my relationship with Shenhe, they'll probably still misunderstand.
"You've really misunderstood! Um... anyway, do any of you Seniors have any recommendations?"
The three women pondered seriously before offering their advice. Qin Yu instructed her Machine Companion to record their suggestions, then smiled warmly.
"Thank you all so much, Seniors! Ah, I have some pastries here. Please, help yourselves if you'd like."
-
"Where's Qin Yu?" Ningguang asked.
Baishi, who had just swallowed a pastry, quickly replied, "Qin Yu is still resting. Should I go wake her?"
"No, I was just asking. It's rare for her to rest for so long."
Baiwen placed the documents on Ningguang's desk with a smile. "That's probably because she's still thinking, right?"
"Thinking? Thinking about what?" Ningguang asked, puzzled.
"Buying a house."
Buying a house? Ningguang was surprised, yet not entirely shocked. Since Qin Yu had started working for her, she must have saved a considerable amount. It was only natural to want a better place to live with her savings.
Then Baishi sighed wistfully, "She's looking for one big enough for two people. As a senior, I can't help but feel a little moved."
Ningguang frowned.
For two people? With whom?
"For two people? Did she say who she'd be living with?" Ningguang asked.
Baixiao figured that since Qin Yu had already shared the information with them, there was no harm in telling Ningguang as well. "She said it's for a 'future family member.' We don't know exactly who."
"A... future family member?"
The ordinary words formed an extraordinary phrase that stirred subtle waves in Ningguang's heart.
Logically speaking, "future family member" would likely refer to someone she was engaged to.
But Ningguang had no idea when Qin Yu had formed such a relationship.
Ningguang's brow furrowed even deeper.
She felt deeply uncomfortable. Qin Yu had entered into an engagement with someone else—naturally, she wouldn't object to Qin Yu pursuing her future partner, but she had expected Qin Yu to tell her first.
Beyond their employer-employee relationship, they were also friends.
To not even mention such a significant life event was utterly inconsiderate.
Moreover, marriage meant that Qin Yu would likely devote more time to her family in the future. Ningguang had long resolved to keep Qin Yu by her side indefinitely.
In other words, Qin Yu's time should belong to her, not to some random newcomer.
Should I confront Qin Yu directly? But she doubted Qin Yu would give her a straight answer.
"Lady Ningguang? You look quite serious. Is something the matter?"
Ningguang snapped out of her thoughts, relaxed her brow, and said casually, "Nothing much. I'm just curious about Qin Yu's prospective family. I wonder who they are."
"Exactly. Qin Yu may seem approachable, but I've always found her rather difficult to get close to," Baiwen remarked, drawing on her extensive experience reading people.
"Speaking of yesterday, didn't she—"
Baishi was about to mention the incident Qin Yu had encountered the previous day when Qin Yu herself hurried back.
"My apologies, Lady Ningguang! I was delayed on the way back!"
As soon as the words left her lips, Qin Yu noticed the four pairs of eyes fixed intently on her. She froze, momentarily taken aback.
Why are they all staring at me?
Qin Yu, puzzled, forced a smile. "Is something the matter?"
"Nothing," Ningguang replied casually.
Really?
Qin Yu nervously touched her bracelet. Ningguang, noticing this subtle gesture, grew thoughtful, a hint of suspicion flickering in her eyes.
No, that doesn't make sense. Logically, the peculiar term "prospective family member" would naturally evoke thoughts of a fiancé. However, Qin Yu's situation wasn't so straightforward.
She also had a close childhood friend.
Could it be Keqing?
If it were Keqing, that would certainly explain things.
As far as Ningguang knew, the two had been inseparable as children, practically like family. As they grew older, their bond seemed to be reverting to that childhood intimacy.
The thought of Keqing eased Ningguang's mind slightly.
Compared to some hypothetical fiancé, a childhood friend of the same gender felt far more palatable.
"Everyone's here. Let's not waste any time. Let's begin the first snowfall of this new era," Ningguang announced, her mood brightening.
"Understood!"
Of course, if they actually went through with it, the snow would have to be swept away later anyway.
After all, what falls from the sky is snow, but what lands on the ground is just garbage—so Qin Yu hoped Ningguang was speaking metaphorically.
With her work temporarily paused, Qin Yu took a sip of her iced fruit juice.
Ah, this feels so good...
Just as she was about to melt into a puddle from exhaustion, Ningguang rose from her chair.
"Qin Yu, I'm going to pay Keqing a visit now. Come with me."
"Eh? Ah, okay."
This wasn't on the schedule.
But oh well, she probably just suddenly remembered something she needed to discuss with Keqing, the Yuheng, Qin Yu thought.
Qin Yu pinched her cheek to wake herself up a bit and followed.
As they walked together, Ningguang suddenly said, "I heard about what happened yesterday."
"What happened yesterday?"
"You ran into your relatives, didn't you?"
Ah, that... Qin Yu's mood plummeted as she recalled those wretched relatives.
There were quite a few people present at the time. As gossip spread like wildfire—one person telling ten, ten telling a hundred—it inevitably caught the attention of Ningguang's omnipresent network of informants.
Qin Yu didn't want Ningguang to know about this.
Not because she disliked or wanted to avoid hearing about it, but simply because she didn't want Ningguang bothered by such trivial matters. It was utterly pointless gossip, and hearing it would only raise her blood pressure.
"Yes, but it's all sorted out now!" Qin Yu replied with a smile.
Ningguang studied her for a moment before placing her hand on Qin Yu's head and stroking her hair a few times.
"That's good. I don't want my adorable maid to be disturbed by such things," Ningguang said with a gentle smile.
I'd almost forgotten about it until you brought it up! Honestly.
And stop messing up my hair! Can't you pat somewhere else? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, though her heart fluttered with a touch of elation.
She didn't dislike being cherished, of course, but she would never express or show it outwardly.
Evaluation: D
"I'm going to catch up to Lady Ningguang herself! Something like this won't affect me!"
Ningguang's mood brightened even further, and she smiled gently. "That's the spirit. You should focus all your attention on me. Follow me, and when you occasionally look back, you'll find that the people and troubles that once vexed you have become as insignificant as dust."
Something about those words feels off, Qin Yu thought.
Still, needing the Points, Qin Yu grasped Ningguang's hand and nodded earnestly. "Mm! I'll do that."
Evaluation: C-
Ningguang's affection for Qin Yu deepened. If they weren't in public, she would have reached out to touch her already.
Slightly disappointed, Ningguang withdrew her hand and continued, "When I heard about this, I was truly displeased. You may not know this, but when you were a child in the orphanage, before you were adopted, these were the first relatives they contacted."
"Is that so?" Qin Yu asked, surprised.
"Yes. I don't know the specifics of their conversation, but from what I've gathered, their refusal to adopt you stemmed from their belief that you had cursed your parents to death."
Qin Yu fell silent for a moment.
"Fortunately, your foster mother adopted you shortly afterward."
"Yes, I was very lucky. But also a bit unlucky, I suppose, to have those relatives track me down..."
Ningguang smiled gently. "They've already paid the price. Rest assured, it was just a matter of making them compensate you financially. The entire process was handled impeccably, and I'll transfer the funds to you later."
"I-is that so..."
So Lady Ningguang was helping me behind the scenes... Qin Yu's chest warmed with gratitude.
"Thank you, Lady Ningguang! I'm so fortunate to be by your side!"
A perfect response. As expected of me.
Evaluation: C+
Simple and straightforward.
Seeing Qin Yu's radiant smile, Ningguang's mood brightened further.
With a hint of amusement in her voice, Ningguang added, "Though someone else is even angrier than I am—terrifyingly so."
"Who?"
"The person we're about to meet."
As they spoke, they had already arrived at the door of Keqing's office. Qin Yu understood immediately.
The moment they stepped inside, Keqing noticed her and rushed over, gripping Qin Yu's shoulders.
Looking this way, looking that way.
"Good, your complexion looks much better." Keqing finally let out a deep breath.
"I'm fine, really."
Keqing frowned. "Are you sure? You're not just putting on a brave face, are you? Thinking about what those two said still makes my blood boil!"
"I even considered confronting them directly," Ningguang remarked.
Keqing flicked her ponytail, her voice tinged with annoyance. "If you hadn't stopped me, I would have taken care of this ages ago!"
"Confronting them directly would have been unseemly."
"They hurled insults at Qin Yu—how could I possibly maintain my composure? Speaking up for someone I care about deeply and punishing them for their actions is perfectly justified! But... well, fine. If you've handled it, so be it. The most important thing is that Qin Yu is safe and sound."
Keqing took a deep breath, regaining her composure.
If she's this angry now, she must have been absolutely furious when she first heard the news.
And someone she cares about deeply... Qin Yu felt a strange flutter in her chest, overwhelmed by Keqing's undisguised concern and care.
Evaluation: D (Keqing)
Qin Yu took Keqing's hand and chuckled softly. "Thank you for getting angry on my behalf. I'm really happy."
"It's only natural. There's no need to thank me," Keqing said, averting her gaze shyly.
Still being tsundere even now? Qin Yu thought to herself, pouting inwardly, dissatisfied with Keqing's response.
Couldn't you respond more enthusiastically?
"But it's only natural for me to thank you too, you know? Don't worry, I'm really fine now. Especially knowing that you and Lady Ningguang care about me, I feel even happier."
Keqing smiled reassuringly. "Exactly! That's the right attitude. You have me, after all."
I didn't ask you to say weird things.
Evaluation: C (Keqing)
Ningguang's brow furrowed slightly, her vexed mood prompting her to interrupt. "It's time to get down to business."
"Alright, let's hear it. What did you need me for?"
Ningguang's visit wasn't just about asking Keqing whether she knew about Qin Yu's "prospective family." She also wanted to discuss work-related matters.
With the Geo Archon's passing, cooperation among the Liyue Qixing needed to be tighter than ever.
So Ningguang and Keqing discussed work-related matters for a while.
"Hmm, I see, I understand... Is there anything else? If not, I'd like to get back to my work," Keqing asked.
"Qin Yu, please step aside for a moment. It won't take long."
"Alright," Qin Yu replied.
Was there something she didn't want others to know? Qin Yu wondered, her curiosity piqued. But since Ningguang had requested it, she had no choice but to comply.
After Qin Yu left the office, Keqing raised an eyebrow.
"You specifically asked Qin Yu to leave? What did you want to say?" she asked bluntly.
"Qin Yu wants to buy a two-person residence for her 'prospective family member.' I doubt she'd tell me who that person is directly, so I came to ask if you happen to be the 'prospective family member' in question."
Keqing's eyes widened in surprise.
"Prospective... family? She's getting married?!"
So it's not her, Ningguang thought.