In the story, the Traveler journeys to Jueyun Karst and arrives at Mt. Aocang, where Cloud Retainer resides.
As expected, Ganyu is there, standing at the mountaintop, gazing blankly at the clouds.
[Paimon greets her: "Miss Ganyu! So you're here after all!"]
[Ganyu notices the two and replies: "You two… I truly didn't expect to meet you here. Is this official business or personal?"]
["...Ah, no. I've already withdrawn from mortal affairs. If this is regarding trade port matters, please direct your inquiries to Yuehai Pavilion."]
Dun-dun-dun— The moment these words were spoken, Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi—the three secretaries serving alongside Ningguang, often likened to the Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity—felt their hearts shatter on the spot.
Though they hadn't yet taken over Ganyu's duties, the book's portrayal made it clear that her workload was inhuman. If Ganyu were to truly withdraw from worldly affairs, they'd have no choice but to shoulder it all.
With that thought, they couldn't bear to keep reading. The three immediately rushed off to find Ganyu, hoping to dissuade her from leaving mortal life behind.
And so, the perpetually busy Ganyu finally found time to read—a story about herself, no less.
"I would withdraw from the mortal world? Why?" Ganyu was deeply curious.
Over the millennia, if she had ever wanted to leave, she could have done so long ago. Why wait until now?
In the book, Paimon also wanted to know why Ganyu didn't wish to return.
[Paimon asks: "Did something happen?"]
[Ganyu sighs softly: "Clouds gather and scatter, tides ebb and flow… It is merely the choice of history."]
["Ever since the adepti returned the 'oversight' of Liyue Harbor to its people, I've known that my departure was only a matter of time…"]
["As one who bears the blood of the adepti, I truly have no place in Liyue Harbor."]
["After delivering the letters this time, I returned to the harbor and found that my duties had already been taken over by Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi…"]
["I suppose this letter delivery was merely an excuse to send me away? Since the 'Qixing' have given me a graceful exit, I ought to take the hint…"]
The truth was revealed—it was all a misunderstanding.
"..." The three secretaries were speechless. They never imagined this would be the reason!
"You've lived in Liyue Harbor for thousands of years! You watched my ancestors grow up! How could you possibly have 'no place' here?"
The three secretaries cast resentful looks at Ganyu, who could only offer an awkward, sheepish smile in return.
It was a case of "the onlooker sees the game best." The present Ganyu could instantly recognize the misunderstanding, but if she were to experience it firsthand, her nature would likely lead her to the same conclusion as in the book.
"Little Yangu, you're still the same as ever—overthinking things. How adorable."
Yae Miko was on the verge of tears from laughter, her fox tail already swaying freely behind her.
"Giggle… Could it be because of all that grass she eats? Maybe some fried tofu would help?"
Fortunately, no one else was around to witness the Guuji's unrestrained behavior.
Meanwhile, Cloud Retainer, reading this, thought to herself: "Once we finish this book, I must visit that child Ganyu."
"Why can't she be as open-minded as this immortal?"
Returning to the story, Cloud Retainer soon made her entrance.
First, she cracked a rather unfunny joke, then said:
["Well then, you've come specifically to catch up with Ganyu, haven't you? You seem to be getting along splendidly…"]
The group fell silent. No one could fathom where Cloud Retainer had gotten the idea that they were "getting along splendidly."
Noticing their silence, Cloud Retainer quickly realized her mistake.
["Ah… So the conversation hasn't been going well, then…"]
["No matter. Changing the subject is one of my specialties. After all, over the millennia, I've often had to talk to myself to pass the time."]
["Oh, right! Since you're Ganyu's friends, why don't I tell you some stories from her childhood?"]
[Ganyu, horrified: "W-Wait, Cloud Retainer!"]
"Nooo—!" In reality, Ganyu let out a soft wail and buried her face in the mountain of documents on her desk, leaving only her horns exposed.
The three secretaries were puzzled. "Why is Miss Ganyu so embarrassed about childhood stories?"
They couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Cloud Retainer. "To spend a thousand years talking to yourself… Miss Ganyu, you really should pay more attention to this lonely elder adeptus!"
In the book, Paimon and the Traveler eagerly expressed their interest, and Cloud Retainer, like a proud parent, happily began recounting Ganyu's adorable past.
["Hehe… When Ganyu was little, her favorite thing was having her horns stroked."]
["Back when I was caring for her, she wouldn't fall asleep unless I patted her horns…"]
"Huh?" The three secretaries stared at Ganyu's exposed horns, their imaginations running wild. Unfortunately, none of them dared to actually touch them.
Ganyu, her face still buried in paperwork, clung to the belief that "If I can't see it, it's not happening."
She was already contemplating who to blame for this humiliation.
"Should I blame Lucian for writing this story… or Cloud Retainer for telling it?"
She hadn't yet read the third act of the story—where Lucian would bestow upon her a globally infamous nickname.
Had she known, she would've undoubtedly added another charge to his already inexhaustible list of crimes!
It was worth noting that Yae Miko and the Traveler, who had never met, were now united in thought:
"Ganyu's (big sister's) horns… I really want to touch them…"
Yet Cloud Retainer's relentless storytelling continued.
["...Back then, Ganyu was quite plump. So plump, in fact, that whenever she climbed the mountain with me, if she took even a slight misstep, she'd go tumbling all the way down to the base…"]
"Uh…" The three secretaries broke out in a cold sweat, sensing that staying any longer might be hazardous to their health.
"Miss Ganyu's childhood image is nothing like her current self!"
But Cloud Retainer wasn't done yet.
["...One day, Ganyu bumped into a human who had come seeking the adepti. It was her first time seeing a living human."]
["She was so terrified that she hid in a crevice for two whole days. When I finally found her, she was crying and telling me she'd seen a monster…"]
[Paimon bursts into uproarious laughter: "BAHAHAHAHAHA!"]
[Ganyu, through gritted teeth: "Cloud… Retainer…!"]
"Pfft—!" Despite their fear of Ganyu's wrath, the three secretaries couldn't hold back their laughter.
Yae Miko, meanwhile, was laughing so hard she'd gone silent, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
The people of Liyue were equally amused. "Miss Ganyu is just too adorable!" They had once assumed she was an aloof, unapproachable adeptus—her status and serene demeanor made her seem untouchable.
But now, thanks to Lucian's revelations, everyone understood: Ganyu wasn't intimidating at all. In fact, she was downright endearing.
Only Cloud Retainer wiped her brow in relief. "Perhaps my visit to Ganyu should be postponed…"
Then, she turned her gaze toward Lucian. "You wrote about Ganyu's childhood—fine. But why did you have to use MY voice?!"
Lucian met her gaze, his expression conveying: "Shared blame means no one escapes."
Understanding his silent message, Cloud Retainer huffed and looked away.
"As for your reward… This immortal shall reconsider."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Cloud Retainer: About the Sinae Unicornis Chapter
"Hmph. Lucian's writing is quite good."
"That child Ganyu… Why didn't she come to me if she was troubled?"