The news of Ganyu's pregnancy spread to the other adepti of Liyue the very next day.
With Cloud Retainer around—a person exceptionally gifted at chatting—it would have been difficult for the adepti not to find out.
And just like that, a year passed in the blink of an eye.
After that year, however, something happened that left Jiang Yan, Morax, and the others deeply puzzled.
Ganyu was definitely pregnant.
Whether judged from her pulse or through direct perception, there was no doubt about it.
But now, an entire year had passed.
And Ganyu's appearance hadn't changed in the slightest.
Staring at Ganyu's still-flat stomach, Jiang Yan fell into deep thought.
To ensure Ganyu's safety, he still called Cloud Retainer and Guizhong over.
After the two of them carefully examined Ganyu, they turned to Jiang Yan and said,
"Ganyu's condition is very good right now. The child in her womb is also growing healthily."
Guizhong smiled as she spoke.
"Huh? There's no problem?"
Jiang Yan asked doubtfully.
"Then why hasn't Ganyu changed at all even after a whole year?"
Hearing Jiang Yan's words, both Guizhong and Cloud Retainer burst into laughter.
"We thought something serious had happened."
"So it was just because of this."
Seeing how relaxed the two of them looked, Jiang Yan blinked blankly.
"Huh? Isn't that strange?"
"Of course not, dummy."
Guizhong chuckled as she explained,
"For long-lived races like qilin and elves, not only is reproduction difficult, but their pregnancies also last especially long."
"A qilin's pregnancy usually lasts around fifteen years. But Ganyu is a half-qilin, half-human hybrid, and on top of that, you're from the elf race."
"Conservatively speaking, Ganyu's pregnancy should probably last around ten years."
Ten years!
Jiang Yan was stunned. He truly hadn't expected Ganyu's pregnancy to last a full decade.
Perhaps only Jiang Yan found it shocking. To Ganyu, Cloud Retainer, Guizhong, and the others, this seemed perfectly normal.
Since long-lived races had obtained extraordinarily long lifespans, it was only natural that they would suffer shortcomings in reproduction.
That was also one of the reasons why long-lived races were so rare no matter the era.
Fortunately, as little Ningguang became increasingly skilled at handling government affairs, Jiang Yan and Ganyu no longer needed to worry much about administration.
After learning how long Ganyu's pregnancy would last, Jiang Yan worried that staying home every day might make her anxious.
So nearly every day, he would take Ganyu out for a stroll or sightseeing.
When they had nothing to do, they would check on the studies of Ningguang and the other two little ones, or visit the World Tree space.
Their days passed in pleasant comfort.
Of course, such peaceful days did not last very long.
One bright and sunny morning—
A massive ship bathed in a purple glow slowly sailed toward Liyue Harbor.
On the hull of the ship was the emblem of lightning, revealing the noble identity of those aboard.
If merchants from Inazuma saw this vessel, they would recognize it immediately.
It was the ship used by their god.
And the fact that it had arrived in Liyue meant only one thing.
Their god, the Raiden Shogun, had come to Liyue!
This was a major event!
On the ship's deck, a woman with a long purple braid quietly leaned against the railing, her gaze fixed on Liyue.
"Ei, what are you thinking about?"
At that moment, a gentle voice sounded behind Raiden Ei.
A woman with the same appearance but a different temperament appeared beside her and spoke softly.
"Makoto, do you think that guy will avoid us again this time?"
Ei asked.
It sounded like a question.
Yet also almost like she was talking to herself.
But Makoto immediately understood who "that guy" referred to.
A trace of dimness flashed through her eyes before vanishing instantly.
"It's alright. Even if he doesn't come, that's okay."
Although Makoto's tone sounded relaxed, anyone familiar with her could hear the disappointment hidden within it.
How could she not know what that man had been struggling with all these years?
That was why she had never forced him to directly face his feelings.
"Ei!! Makoto!! Come over here quickly!!"
At that moment, Kitsune Saiguu's voice rang out from another part of the deck.
Ei and Makoto were both startled.
The two exchanged a glance before quickly heading over to her.
"What is it, Kitsune Saiguu?"
Ei and Makoto asked in confusion after arriving at her side.
Kitsune Saiguu stared blankly toward Liyue Harbor before slowly pointing in a certain direction.
"Look over there."
What?
Makoto and Ei followed the direction she pointed toward.
And instantly, both of them froze.
On the shore stood a white-haired man and a blue-haired girl with qilin horns atop her head, quietly waiting at the harbor as though expecting someone's arrival.
That was... Jiang Yan and Ganyu?
Yes.
Makoto recognized at once the man she had missed for hundreds of years.
The man who had avoided her for centuries.
Why had he appeared here this time?
Had he finally made up his mind...?
Makoto's thoughts were in complete turmoil.
For the first time, she suddenly felt afraid.
Afraid that this man before her would reject her once again, just like he had hundreds of years ago.
As for Ei, she could no longer hold herself back.
She transformed into a streak of lightning and rushed off the ship.
"Ei!"
"Don't do anything reckless!!"
...
Jiang Yan and Ganyu had been waiting at the shore for quite some time.
"Ganyu, you really didn't have to come with me."
Jiang Yan looked helplessly at her.
"No. I had to come. Otherwise, you'd probably run away halfway again!"
Ganyu shook her head, her expression unusually serious.
"This time, you absolutely can't keep dragging things out. Don't break their hearts again, alright?"
"Got it..."
Jiang Yan sighed softly.
This silly girl.
Wasn't it said that pregnant women were emotionally sensitive?
Then why was she pushing her own man toward someone else?
Still...
She was right.
It really was time to give them an answer.
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