After a while, Qin Yu, her composure restored, grew terribly embarrassed. "I'm alright now," she said.
"Ah, is that so... That's good."
Ganyu wanted to hold her a little longer, but since Qin Yu had said so, she couldn't continue indulging her own desires.
More than that, she was far more concerned about what Qin Yu had experienced.
Ganyu reluctantly released her grip, pulled up a chair, and sat beside Qin Yu, asking with a mix of curiosity and worry, "Can you tell me what happened?"
"Well..."
Should I really tell Ganyu?
What if she's disgusted? That would be understandable, but if I don't tell her now... Qin Yu hesitated, unable to bring herself to speak.
Ganyu placed her hand gently on the back of Qin Yu's hand.
"It's okay, Qin Yu," she murmured softly.
Evaluation: B
Qin Yu's hesitation vanished at those words.
If it's Ganyu, it should be alright.
With half her heart anxious and the other half tense, Qin Yu nodded and recounted the entire story to Ganyu, step by step.
At first, Ganyu was utterly astonished—Qin Yu had actually received confessions from both Keqing and Ningguang, and accepted them both!
So this is what's been troubling Qin Yu lately... Then, do I still have a chance...? The thought had barely surfaced when Qin Yu's subsequent words completely captured her attention.
As she listened to Qin Yu's stammered explanation of her thoughts and decisions, and then heard about how everything had been exposed and the fallout that followed, Ganyu's expression gradually shifted.
Finally, under Qin Yu's frequent, anxious glances, she let out a soft sigh.
"Such harsh words... but considering the ways of the world, it's not surprising such doubts would arise..."
Ganyu herself was puzzled.
From her perspective, Qin Yu had only agreed to date them because she had been confessed to and didn't want to create any awkwardness by rejecting any of them.
Did Qin Yu truly harbor romantic feelings for them?
Yet there was no denying her affection.
Perhaps that's why she was so devastated by the doubts cast upon her.
Being accused of wrongdoing was one thing, but having her feelings questioned was far more painful for Qin Yu.
If Qin Yu asked me that same question, I'd feel awful too... Ganyu thought, putting herself in Qin Yu's shoes. Her heart clenched sharply, and she quickly shook her head to dispel the image.
"So that's what happened. I understand now."
Seeing that Ganyu still held her hand lightly, Qin Yu murmured, "Sister Ganyu, don't you think...?"
"Hmm?"
"That what I did was hateful, disgusting, or something like that?"
Ganyu shook her head. "Not at all."
"Really?"
"I could never hate you, Qin Yu. Besides... if we're talking about punishment, you've already suffered enough," Ganyu said.
Punishment.
Qin Yu recalled Ningguang's doubts. The wounds that had just begun to heal seemed to reopen.
This was indeed a punishment, but far more painful than any physical or verbal reprimand. This questioning of her very emotions felt like a denial of her entire being.
"I thought you would, Sister Ganyu..." Qin Yu trailed off, hesitating.
"Perhaps it's because... I'm different from ordinary people," Ganyu offered gently.
Ganyu turned Qin Yu's hand over, palm to palm, and clasped it once more.
"Throughout the millennia I've spent in Liyue, I've witnessed the births, lives, and deaths of countless people I've known. To me, there's no need for people to desperately prove their existence or assert their value above others. The mere act of existing is already beautiful."
"Yet people still strive relentlessly, running a race where they cough up blood. I struggle to understand that."
"And for someone like me, a half-adeptus, and for The Adepti, human lifespans are fleeting—a century passing like a hundred days when looked back upon."
"Moreover, you know as well as I do that even The Adepti won't remain in this world forever."
Ganyu gazed at Qin Yu with tenderness.
"For me, all that matters is spending blissful moments with those I love. I want to cherish these moments. So, if it were me, I... wouldn't mind you doing this at all."
Of course, occasional jealousy still arose, what Liyueans would call "human nature." Ganyu lowered her head, a blush creeping across her face as she silently added in her mind, though only sometimes!
Evaluation: A-
"It's just hypothetical!" Ganyu quickly added.
"Eh? Ah, okay, I understand..."
Just hypothetical, a way to put herself in Qin Yu's shoes.
If Ganyu were to genuinely express romantic feelings, Qin Yu would only feel uneasy.
At this moment, "Sister Ganyu" brought Qin Yu far more comfort than a "lover Ganyu."
But that's how Ganyu saw it.
A hundred years was a fleeting moment for Ganyu, whose lifespan stretched across millennia. Over these countless years, she had witnessed the entire lives of many dear acquaintances.
"Is it because time is so short, leaving no room for anything else, that you think this way?" Qin Yu asked softly.
Ganyu was surprised by Qin Yu's understanding. In essence, that was exactly it.
"Yes, exactly. I... I guess my way of thinking really is different from most people's, isn't it?"
"It is different, but thank you for sharing this with me, Sister Ganyu."
Qin Yu hesitated before asking, "Has it ever been painful, Sister Ganyu? Watching all your close friends leave you behind..."
Qin Yu regretted asking the question as soon as the words left her mouth. She hadn't meant to pry, but she was genuinely curious about Ganyu's feelings. She gazed at her, silently awaiting her response.
Ganyu nodded slightly. "Yes, it is. But... there's nothing I can do about it. It's the natural order of things. All I can do is remember them and cherish the present moment."
Qin Yu instinctively placed her other hand over Ganyu's. Having never experienced such profound loss herself, she struggled to find the right words to comfort her. Instead, she chose to express her sympathy through action.
Feeling Qin Yu's concern, the faint wisp of sorrow in Ganyu's heart began to subside.
"Thank you," Ganyu whispered softly.
After all, you said you were my sister.
Qin Yu's ears flushed slightly, unable to voice those words. She simply nodded in response.
"Qin Yu, you said you wanted to maintain strong bonds and never lose connection with any of us. I... think I finally understand what you meant."
"Really?" Qin Yu leaned forward, her eyes wide with surprise.
Ganyu nodded gently and stroked Qin Yu's hair with her free hand.
Qin Yu closed her eyes, obediently accepting the gesture as she heard Ganyu murmur, "I want to stay with you forever..."
Clinging together like this, sharing their inner thoughts and warmth, made the clichés of romance seem insignificant.
If they could truly feel each other's souls and hear each other's hearts, whether they were friends, lovers, or family didn't matter. What mattered most was "me" and "you."
Ganyu gently stroked Qin Yu's face.
Evaluation: S
Startled, Qin Yu opened her eyes, thinking Ganyu might have developed romantic feelings for her. But seeing Ganyu's smile, she realized that wasn't the case.
"Qin Yu, you don't know what to do, do you?"
Qin Yu looked away and slowly nodded.
No matter how many times Keqing and Ningguang asked her, she remained determined to answer, "I want them all."
But could that truly resolve the issue?
Ningguang and Keqing would only demand she choose one, offering no other options.
Even if she wanted to work harder, she wouldn't know how. Ningguang and Keqing could easily dismiss any effort she made, and relentless persistence would only irritate and disappoint them.
Over time, Ningguang and Keqing might lose all hope in her.
And just like that, their connection severed.
Of course, this was only one possibility. But even with a mere 1% chance, Ganyu refused to let such a future come to pass.
Ganyu lowered her head, lost in thought. "I see..."
"Then—"
She lifted her head again.
"Let me join too."
".....Eh?"
Meanwhile...
Ningguang recalled Shenhe's earlier intention to confess her feelings to Qin Yu. If she had succeeded, Shenhe would become their rival in love.
To confirm, she sought out Shenhe.
"Shenhe, though it's presumptuous of me to ask, did your confession go well?" Ningguang inquired.
Shenhe met Ningguang's gaze for a moment before nodding. "It did."
As expected, Ningguang sighed inwardly.
Since that was the case, Shenhe would have to be included in the equation, forcing Qin Yu to make a choice. Anything less would be unfair.
Ningguang knew this would diminish her own chances of success, but she still said:
"Then please come to the Jade Chamber at eight o'clock tonight."
Without asking why, Shenhe simply replied, "Very well, I understand."