Ren's life in the Harbor settled into a harmonious rhythm, a perfect balance between the stillness of his Cryo training and the vibrant, bustling life of the city. While his afternoons were dedicated to Ganyu and the art of gentle frost, his evenings often held a different kind of magic.
Xianyun, true to her word, had established a regular communication schedule. At a set time every few evenings, the adeptal sigil she had given Ganyu would begin to glow with a soft, ethereal blue light. Ganyu would place it on the low table in the living room, and as she channeled a whisper of her own energy into it, Xianyun's clear, resonant voice would emanate from the wood, as if she were in the room with them.
"Report," she would begin, her tone always starting with a clinical efficiency that was her default setting.
These conversations became a cherished ritual. Ren would report on his training, explaining how he could now form a multi-layered shield or instantly freeze a moving target. Ganyu would add her own proud observations, detailing his flawless control and intuitive grasp of the element.
In return, Xianyun would update them on her own projects. "The refrigeration prototype is nearing completion," she announced one evening, her voice tinged with the familiar excitement of an inventor on the cusp of a breakthrough. "The ceramic composite for insulation has proven effective at mitigating condensation. The primary challenge now is calibrating the Cryo energy flow to maintain a consistent internal temperature without causing frost buildup on the internal conduits. It is a delicate, but solvable, problem of thermal dynamics."
Ren would listen, his mind easily grasping the technical challenges, sometimes offering a simple, insightful question that would make Xianyun pause thoughtfully. These talks were a vital link to his other home, a reminder of the scientific partnership that was the other half of his new life.
But the most exciting news came not from the distant mountain peak, but from the city right outside their door.
"You won't believe the buzz at the Yuehai Pavilion," Ganyu said one afternoon, returning home with a look of barely contained excitement. She was carrying a stack of official-looking documents, but for once, they seemed to be a source of joy, not stress.
She spread one of the documents on the table. It was a formal proclamation from the Tianquan's office. "Lady Ningguang made the official announcement yesterday," she explained, her finger tracing the elegant, official script. "She held a press conference for the heads of the major merchant guilds."
According to Ganyu, Ningguang had presented the heater not merely as a new product, but as a joint venture between the Liyue Qixing and the adepti, a symbol of a new era of cooperation for the betterment of all Liyue. She had unveiled the working prototype—one Ningguang had the production factory create first for teating purpose—and given a live demonstration of its safety, efficiency, and ease of use.
"She was brilliant," Ganyu recounted, her eyes shining with admiration. "She framed it as a matter of public welfare, a way to ensure the comfort and health of every citizen, especially those in the colder, more remote regions. She announced the Qixing's subsidy, guaranteeing an affordable price for every household."
The response, she said, had been immediate and overwhelming.
Ren also learned of the incredible speed with which Ningguang had moved. The factory was not just a location on a map anymore; it was a reality. Situated on the outskirts of the harbor, on the main road that led towards the mining outpost of the Chasm—a location strategically chosen for its proximity to both raw materials and a key market of cold, hardworking miners—it was already a hive of activity. Ningguang had, as promised, mobilized the best blacksmiths and craftsmen, establishing a production line with an efficiency that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
"The first production run is scheduled to be completed in a month," Ganyu said, still looking at the proclamation in disbelief. "And they already have pre-orders. Hundreds of them. Merchants and Families here in the Harbor who are tired of dealing with charcoal and open flames. The demand is… staggering."
The news filled Ren with a quiet, profound sense of joy. His idea, born from a simple observation on a chilly night, was becoming a tangible reality. It was no longer a secret project confined to a workshop or a blueprint discussed in a floating palace. It was a promise. A promise of warmth that was about to be delivered to the people he had come to care for.
He would sometimes walk with Ganyu in the evenings, and they would see people gathered around the bulletin boards in Chihu Rock, reading the official announcement, their faces full of excitement and hopeful chatter. He would overhear snippets of conversation:
"…no more smoke in the house! My grandmother's cough will finally get better."
"…said the price will be less than a month's worth of firewood. Rex Lapis bless the Tianquan!"
"…an electro crystal a month, they say. Much safer than leaving the hearth on overnight."
Each whispered comment was a confirmation, a small testament to the real, human impact of his invention. He wasn't just an engineer who had designed a clever machine. He was the quiet, unknown architect of a city's comfort, the secret source of a nation's future warmth. And as he stood there, an anonymous face in the bustling Liyue crowd, holding his big sister's hand, he felt a sense of belonging that was deeper and more real than anything he had ever known.