Ningguang's competition to gather materials for the Jade Chamber's reconstruction was in full swing, with discussions about it buzzing everywhere.
Those with no hope of qualifying had turned their attention to predicting who would claim the top three spots.
Those with leads were busy searching.
So far, no one had managed to gather even a single required item.
I wonder how Shenhe's doing right now, Qin Yu mused absentmindedly.
Shenhe had indeed entered the competition, heading straight for Plaustrite. If Qin Yu hadn't been busy with work, she would have loved to join her.
"Alright, morning duties are temporarily concluded," Ganyu sighed, exhaling in relief.
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Ganyu."
Ganyu gently shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm used to it. Besides, you're becoming more proficient by the day, Qin Yu. Perhaps... you no longer need me to teach you how to be a Qixing Secretary."
As she spoke, Ganyu unconsciously revealed a hint of disappointment.
Qin Yu's growth was indeed heartening, given their senior-junior relationship and their close friendship.
"But... if you've reached this level, there's no need for you to come to me anymore," Ganyu murmured.
Qin Yu smiled. "That's not true at all, Sister Ganyu! You've been the Qixing Secretary for millennia. I still have so much to learn from you!"
Ganyu's eyes lit up. "So... you'll still be working with me?"
If you could just leave out the word "working," I'd be even happier.
Qin Yu sighed inwardly, still unable to fathom Ganyu's fervent love for work.
"Of course. Being with Sister Ganyu is so relaxing."
Evaluation: D
Ganyu's face flushed crimson as she stammered shyly, "T-This is the first time anyone's said that to me... But... I'm also very happy to continue being with you."
Don't make it sound so strange! We're just going to keep working together.
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu was absently twirling a strand of hair between her fingers, lost in thought, when Ganyu abruptly changed the subject.
"Lady Ningguang told me about Beisht... I never imagined something like this would happen again after Osial. She said that the Adepti shouldn't intervene unless there's a true crisis."
Ganyu sighed. "I know I'm not entirely human—half-human, half-adeptus. The Qixing's approach is perfectly reasonable, but I still feel... troubled."
Qin Yu understood Ganyu's feelings. Her dual nature as half-human, half-adeptus likely made her particularly sensitive to such matters.
Ningguang had argued that in this age of human governance, humans should shoulder the burden and rely on their own efforts first.
But to Ganyu, it felt as if her human side was being pushed aside, leaving only her Adeptus aspect.
In short, she felt excluded.
"I'm sorry for bringing this up so abruptly. It probably sounds confusing and might trouble you. After all, it's not something I should dwell on so much." A hint of melancholy lingered on Ganyu's face.
Not something I should dwell on so much?
Qin Yu couldn't help but take Ganyu's hand. "That's not true, Sister Ganyu," she said. "I understand your conflict and why you're conflicted."
Evaluation: C+
A warmth spread through Ganyu's chest. "Qin Yu..."
"Sister Ganyu feels like she's being excluded, doesn't she?"
"Mmm..."
Qin Yu's words pierced Ganyu's defenses with surgical precision. Ganyu lowered her head, realizing Qin Yu was right—she did feel that way.
I never imagined she could see through something I couldn't even grasp myself... Embarrassment and shame intertwined as she stammered, "Yes... I think so... But let's pretend I didn't say anything. I always get hung up on meaningless things. It might just annoy you."
"Don't assume that. I'm not annoyed at all."
Ganyu was taken aback by Qin Yu's tone. Then, Qin Yu smiled at her.
"It's perfectly normal for Sister Ganyu to worry about things like this. And they're definitely not pointless. You want to fight alongside us, right?"
"Ah..."
With Qin Yu's straightforward acknowledgment of her true feelings, Ganyu's heart cleared.
"Yes," she said firmly.
But then she added softly, "The Qixing have already made their stance clear."
"That's easy. Just wait here."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Qin Yu swiftly left the office.
What could she be going to do?
Ganyu was deeply puzzled, but since Qin Yu had asked her to wait, she decided to comply. With mixed emotions, she remained seated.
Before long, Qin Yu returned.
"Lady Ningguang says Sister Ganyu is invited to join us in battle," Qin Yu said with a gentle smile.
"Eh?"
Ganyu was a beat slow to realize Qin Yu had deliberately gone to ask Ningguang about it.
While a surge of joy filled her heart, Ganyu also felt incredibly embarrassed. She stood up and asked, "You went to ask Miss Ningguang? There was no need for that... it was just something I was thinking about..."
Qin Yu felt as if she were seeing a reflection of her past self.
Though the specifics of their worries were different—and she and Ganyu were fundamentally different—the similarity struck her nonetheless.
Stepping closer to Ganyu, Qin Yu reached out and gently stroked Ganyu's cheek.
Evaluation: B
Ganyu let out a small "Ah!" and her face flushed crimson.
In Ganyu's clear eyes, Qin Yu saw her own reflection. With a mixture of self-compassion and empathy, she said,
"No, it wasn't unnecessary. Sister Ganyu's struggles weren't meaningless either. It was precisely because of those struggles that she came to understand what she truly wanted, wasn't it?"
"Besides, if Sister Ganyu hadn't wrestled with those doubts that day, I wouldn't have met you."
Qin Yu smiled. "Because Sister Ganyu kept grappling with her doubts, she has achieved everything she has today. From this perspective, that struggle was definitely not meaningless."
Ganyu's eyes and heart warmed at Qin Yu's gentle voice, words filled with understanding and care.
The hand gently caressing her cheek felt so warm that she couldn't resist pressing her own hand against it, wanting to feel it even more deeply.
Evaluation: A-
"Is that so?" Ganyu murmured.
"Yes."
Ganyu gazed at Qin Yu, her heart whispering that perhaps it was indeed true.
Without those struggles, there would be no present moment.
Though she disliked the anguish caused by such indecision, her reflections had undeniably led to personal growth, allowing her to now gaze into Qin Yu's eyes and share her deepest feelings.
It had clarified her desires.
With this realization, she felt a weight lift from her heart.
"I've been conflicted too," Qin Yu confessed. "But through that struggle, I finally clarified my thoughts. That's why I can say this now—I will always listen to you, support you, and help you, Sister Ganyu."
"Because you mean so much to me," Qin Yu confessed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Evaluation: A+
Ganyu felt a warmth rising within her. She lowered her head, her voice trembling with shyness. "I... I'm so happy. Please, do stay by my side, always."
Evaluation: S
Why do you two sisters always talk like this? Just standing here, you keep saying "always, always," as if it's some eternal pledge.
It's just what I intend to do.
Qin Yu blushed fiercely at the thought. Fortunately, she didn't need to voice it aloud. Otherwise, she felt she might immediately dive into the sea and challenge Beisht to a one-on-one duel.
"Miss Ningguang... doesn't she mind?" Ganyu asked.
"Lady Ningguang said, 'What matters most is what Ganyu herself thinks. If she chooses to fight alongside us as a human, we'd be more than happy to have her.'"
Ganyu's expression relaxed.
"I see... Thank you. You're so kind."
"Oh, it's nothing," Qin Yu replied, feeling light as a feather.
Ganyu took a deep breath and returned to her work-focused state.
"In that case, allow me to first confirm the combat preparations. Qin Yu, would you accompany me to Guyun Stone Forest to inspect the situation?"
So far away? But she had already agreed, so there was no turning back now.
Qin Yu nodded.
She suddenly realized her hand was still on Ganyu's cheek and quickly withdrew it.
A wave of reluctance washed over Ganyu, leaving a trace of disappointment on her face. Qin Yu, oblivious to this, was still savoring the unique sensation and murmured involuntarily,
"So soft and plump..."
It felt so good.
Ganyu's face paled in alarm. "Soft and plump?! Have I... have I gained weight?!"
Oh no!