"Your turn now, little Mona~"
Astrologists were a rare breed in Teyvat— a profession able to glimpse fate itself.
Even gods didn't necessarily possess that kind of power.
That was exactly why Su Ran found her intriguing.
"I'm a bit interested in your astrology," he said, folding his arms.
"If you want your eyes restored, work for me for three years."
"Three years?"
Mona's eyes lit up, though she hesitated for a moment.
Not because three years was long— but because it sounded too short.
He was basically hiring her for free.
Still, three years of labor in exchange for her sight was a deal she could accept.
After all, she was barely in her teens.
She had plenty of time to waste.
But… could this be a trap?
"What, do you think it's too long?" Su Ran asked casually.
"N-no, no, not at all! That's already very short!"
Three years to earn her forgiveness—of course that was a bargain.
"Oh? Since you think it's short, let's make it five years, then."
Mona: "…"
My stupid mouth!!!
And just like that, she'd signed herself up for two extra years.
"All right," Su Ran said. "As soon as you agree, I'll fix your eyes."
This time Mona didn't even blink—she nodded furiously.
If she waited another second, he'd probably say ten years.
Five years serving a Fatui Harbinger… that was going to be hell.
But she only had herself to blame.
Curiosity had cost her dearly, and he had her weakness in his grasp.
"Ningguang," Su Ran said, waving a hand, "I'll leave this girl to you for the next five years.
Manage her however you like. Oh—and make sure she gets paid."
Ningguang accepted without hesitation.
Money wasn't the issue.
Having a skilled astrologist under her wing was priceless.
Moments later, Mona's vision returned.
She blinked rapidly as the room came into focus, taking in the luxurious surroundings— the gilded furniture, the marble floors, the ornate walls.
She swallowed hard.
This place screams money.
That meant her new boss could definitely afford a good salary.
And maybe, in her spare time, she could still tinker with her research.
Now that she could finally see, Mona stole a glance at the man who'd just terrified her half to death.
And she froze.
He's… so young?
No matter how she looked at him, he didn't resemble some ancient, unfathomable monster.
The only thing about him that felt inhuman—was his power.
Her eyes drifted toward Ningguang next.
She could tell at a glance that the lady was pushing thirty.
Thankfully, Ningguang couldn't read minds, or Mona would've been vaporized on the spot.
As a mortal woman—wealthy, influential, and ambitious— Ningguang naturally had a touch of appearance anxiety.
She spent small fortunes on skincare every month.
"From today onward," Ningguang said with a refined smile, "I'll be your superior."
"Then… please take care of me!" Mona replied quickly.
Ningguang's calm, elegant demeanor was comforting.
Mona, still shaken, believed she was a good person.
Well… on the surface, at least.After what she'd just suffered, Mona wouldn't dare use astrology
to pry into anyone's fate ever again— especially not someone connected to that man.
"But wait…" she muttered to herself, blinking.
"Tianquan Ningguang is also one of the Harbinger's subordinates?"
Ningguang only chuckled.
"Of course. And that one as well."
She gestured toward Raiden Ei, who was calmly enjoying a plate of desserts at the table.
Mona blinked again.
Right—when even the Electro Archon worked under Su Ran, what was one mortal woman like Ningguang in comparison?
There really was nothing left to fear.
With nothing urgent to do, Mona decided to take a walk around.
But when she stepped outside, she suddenly realized—
She wasn't on the ground.
"Wait… this is the Jade Chamber?"
The cold wind at that altitude bit into her cheeks.
She shivered, awestruck.
No wonder they called Ningguang the richest woman in Liyue.
Who else could literally live in the sky?
If she had this kind of money, she'd never have to worry about equipment or rare astrology tomes again.
It took her nearly an hour just to circle the outer deck— that's how enormous the Jade Chamber was.
And remembering what she'd overheard earlier— that Su Ran was planning to build a space station half the size of Liyue Harbor— she could barely comprehend it.
Just the cost alone… was beyond her imagination.
Eventually, while wandering near a koi pond, she spotted a very small girl sitting by the water's edge, fishing with a serious expression.
The child was tiny—barely the size of Paimon.
Curious, Mona approached.
"Hmm?"
The moment she came near, the little girl stiffened, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Another mortal woman, she noted.
Probably harmless.
"Hey, little one," Mona said kindly.
"Where's your father?"
The girl—Little Duck—stared at her silently.
"No answer, huh? Then where's your mother?"
Still no reply.
Mona frowned.
Was this child… all alone up here?
"Don't tell me you've been living by yourself?"
How pitiful!
A lonely little girl, stranded in the sky…
"Hmph~ I'm afraid if I told you," the girl said proudly, "you'd die of shock!"
Mona blinked.
The girl crossed her arms, chin up like a tiny dragon queen.
Her dad, after all, was none other than the Genius of the Intelligentsia, a man who could one-shot gods and flatten all of Teyvat— the definition of invincible!
And her mom, while a little less impressive, was still the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya— one of the Seven Archons herself!
A little lower-tier compared to Father, sure, but still respectable.
"Die of shock? Impossible," Mona said with a sigh.
"I've already been scared enough for one day.
There's nothing left in this world that can frighten me."
Because really— after seeing the Raiden Shogun serving as someone's subordinate, what could possibly top that?
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