With a fairly close distance, standing in front of her, you extended your hand to her. Your hand trembled slightly.
At this moment, your palm was open, offering help to stand up.
It was an offer to step forward together!
Ganyu turned to your extended hand. Her beautiful eyes, a mysterious blend of purple and gold, stared at your palm as if it were a foreign object she had never seen. Then she looked back at you.
Her eyes widened slightly, her pupils dilating to capture your reflection in them. Her mouth opened a little, her lips moving to form unspoken words.
You saw her gaze waver for a moment, clearly there was hesitation there, the hesitation of an immortal being accustomed to keeping distance.
Not long after, that hesitation melted away. She accepted your offer. Her small, smooth hand met yours.
When your skins touched, you felt a gentle static electricity shock. You felt her slender fingers, her hand soft yet cold, cool like jade freshly taken from a mountain river. Her grip wasn't tight, but enough to tell you that she was there, real.
You guided her to stand.
She stood gracefully, her bell chiming softly. Kling.
You released her hand slowly, though part of you wanted to hold it longer.
Not long after, you smiled, a sincere and slightly nervous smile.
"You know that I'm a traveler from another country, right?" you asked, starting a conversation to cover your noisy heartbeat.
You paused, looking into her purple eyes, and nodded. "Actually, I'm still not used to it and don't know Liyue well. Would you like to take me around? Be my personal tour guide tonight?"
Ganyu looked at you, then a sweet smile bloomed on her lips. "Of course. With pleasure."
After that, you walked side by side. Leaving the small hill, descending the footpath toward the heart of the city that was still pulsing.
At first, you just stayed silent. The silence between you didn't feel empty, but rather full of words that hadn't dared to be spoken.
You observed Ganyu's behavior from the corner of your eye. She seemed still uncomfortable and shy. She walked with small steps, her hands wringing together in front of her stomach, her eyes occasionally glancing at you then quickly looking away toward the street lanterns.
Of course, you were quite aware of that behavior. You could feel the tension in the air. Therefore, you tried to calm yourself so as not to panic. You took a deep breath, inhaling the night scent mixed with the faint fragrance of Glaze Lily from her body.
At this moment, what crossed your mind was her earlier words about ice arrows and Vision. And you muttered to yourself.
Well, actually, I lied about seeing a flash of light when the Vision or whatever was activated. In reality, I didn't see anything because at that time my eyes were tightly closed out of fear of death... only darkness was what I saw.
I hope she doesn't realize it.
At this moment, you turned, looking at Ganyu's profile face illuminated by the lantern light. Her skin seemed to glow.
Even if she realizes it, it shouldn't affect anything, right? I hope so...
Ganyu, who was looking ahead, felt your intense gaze. She turned to you. Her clear eyes looked straight into yours.
She tilted her head slightly, a movement that made you want to hold your breath because it was so cute. "Is there something bothering you?"
You shook your head quickly, then smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine. Just... thinking a bit about the future."
"Oh yes, regarding the future," she said, her tone changing to slightly more serious but gentle. "What are your plans next?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" you tilted your head, confused.
"Um... I mean, you're a traveler... so I think you must miss your hometown, your family... will you go home after your business here is done?"
That question hit you.
Go home?
You, who were looking at her, turned your face and looked ahead, toward the dark harbor.
At this moment, vague shadows of the past suddenly flashed in your mind. Memories of your original world, though they felt blurry.
Not long after, your eyes caught a shadow on the Liyue streets. A small child being held by his father and mother appeared. They smiled happily, walking together and chatting about new toys or delicious food.
You stared at that shadow and your gaze trembled. There was a dull pain in your chest. A longing for something you never had, or perhaps, something you had forgotten.
Then you turned back to her and smiled, the corners of your lips twitching slightly.
"I don't know...."
You paused and muttered to yourself. After all, I don't know if I can go back to Earth or not.... Do I still have a home there?
"I don't remember many important things from my hometown," you said honestly. "So honestly, I'm confused.... My memories are like a book with torn pages."
You paused again, swallowing saliva that tasted bitter. "I'll think about it later when the opportunity comes. For now, I just want to live today."
You observed her face. Ganyu's expression changed. Her eyes, which were previously full of curiosity, now dimmed. She seemed surprised to hear your confession about lost memories, then her face looked sad. Deep empathy radiated from her eyes.
"Why are you sad..." you asked softly. "This isn't your fault, you know?" You looked at the sky, trying to divert the conversation from this heavy topic. "This isn't your fault...."
Ganyu shook her head slowly. "I just... don't know how to explain this feeling. I feel that you seem lonely." She paused and continued, "I hope you are always happy."
Those words pierced your defenses.
You were surprised, then turned to her, still with your surprised face. She could see it. She could see the hole in your soul.
Then you smiled softly. "A good prayer, may it come to you too."
You then put on a thinking face, trying to change the atmosphere. "By the way, what about you?"
She tilted her head, confused by the change in topic.
"I mean... are you a native of Liyue?" you asked, turning your face away because you suddenly felt embarrassed asking something that might be obvious to everyone in this world except you.
Somehow asking this makes me embarrassed.
However, after that, you calmed down again and looked at her, waiting for an answer.
Ganyu nodded slowly.
After that, she was silent for a moment, her eyes gazing far away, looking at the twinkling harbor lights.
"Even though I was born and have lived in this place all my life, I still feel alienated...."
Her voice was soft, like a whisper of wind among the ruins.
Ganyu paused and looked at you. She smiled. But you felt that smile was painful and sad. A smile that held thousands of years of solitude.
"I'm half-Qilin, half-human. I walk between two worlds, but don't fully belong to either."
At the same time, you felt your heart ache.
You understood. You understood that she was half-god, her age very long, far exceeding the lifespan of ordinary humans many times over. That meant she had met various people, loved them, befriended them, and then... lost them one by one. She watched them age, get sick, and die, while she remained young and immortal.
One day, you too would disappear from her life. You would become dust, and she would remain, perhaps remembering you as one of the many humans who had briefly stopped by.
That must feel painful. Being an eternal witness to mortality.
At this moment, you remembered her earlier words about you.
Lonely.... you muttered.
Not long after, Ganyu smiled again, this time brighter, as if trying to chase away the fog of sadness.
"In the past, I felt I would never get close to humans. I felt my duty was only to watch from afar, sign contracts, and ensure this city runs smoothly. But now the situation is a bit different... lately, I've tried to see from a different perspective, and I've found many surprising things that I hadn't realized before. That humans... have a unique warmth."
"Indeed... I'm still not used to it. I still often misunderstand or feel awkward," she laughed softly, a melodious sound.
She paused, looking at you intently.
"This is all thanks to you."
You were silent. You blinked several times, in disbelief. Your brain went blank for a moment.
Because of me? you muttered in your heart. What did I do? I'm just a stranger who asks a lot and often gets into trouble!
"I mean," Ganyu continued hurriedly, her cheeks blushing again. "Your courage... the way you talk to me... it made me realize that maybe I can try to be more open."
After that, the atmosphere became lighter.
And the melancholic burden felt a bit lifted.
You and Ganyu then started your night tour in Liyue.
First, Ganyu took you to Feiyun Slope. There, you saw another side of this city. Not the hustle and bustle of trade, but the elegance of culture. Ganyu invited you into the Wanwen Bookhouse bookstore. You saw stacks of ancient books smelling of old paper and ink.
"Here, much of Liyue's history is stored," Ganyu said while gently touching the cover of a thick book. Her eyes sparkled as she explained about Rex Lapis and the history of the Adepti.
You listened attentively, not because of the topic, but because of the way you saw her speak. You saw her graceful hand movements as she opened the book pages. You smelled the scent of ink mixed with the Glaze Lily fragrance from her body.
Then you walked toward the red wooden bridge near the harbor. There, many young couples were tying luck knots on the bridge railing.
You and Ganyu stopped for a moment, watching those couples. Ganyu seemed flushed, her cheeks blushing red under the lantern light. You also felt awkward, your hands itching to hold hers, but you held back.
After all, I'm not her boyfriend, right?
Please tell me that I'm not her boyfriend, damn it!
At this moment, the sea breeze blew, fluttering her blue hair. You saw strands of that hair dancing in the air, shimmering like silk threads. You felt the urge to tidy it, tuck it behind her ear, but you just smiled awkwardly, the corners of your lips twitching slightly.
"They look happy," you said softly.
"Yes," Ganyu answered softly. "Humans always have ways to find hope, even in small things like string knots."
You continued the journey to the fish market. The smell was indeed fishy, but at night, this market turned into a festival of lights. Colorful lanterns hung at every stall.
You saw Ganyu interacting with the fish merchant. She, a majestic Adeptus, bargained the fish price politely but firmly.
"Uncle Sun, this fish's eyes are no longer clear. How about reducing the price?" she said with a sweet, deadly smile.
Uncle Sun, the usually fierce fish merchant, immediately melted. "Ah, Miss Ganyu! Of course, of course! For Miss, even free is fine!"
You laughed seeing that. Ganyu turned to you, winking one eye mischievously.
Does she really have this other side? I never imagined this before....
You walked through narrow alleys, climbing stone stairs toward Yujing Terrace at night. There, the view was stunning. The entire Liyue Harbor spread out at your feet, shining like a sea of jewels.
"So beautiful," you whispered, in awe.
"Yes," Ganyu answered. "I've seen this view thousands of times, but never get bored. Every light down there represents one life, one story."
She looked at you. "And now, you become part of that story."
Huh? Your heart pounded hard hearing her words.
Did she just declare her feelings for me?!
Seriously?
No way, right?
Yes. This must just be a misunderstanding.
No way that's true!
You immediately let out a long sigh. Calming yourself. Indeed, at this moment, you felt warm, even though the night wind was getting colder. You felt accepted. And you felt like you had... come home.
However, reality never goes according to expectations. You understood that more than anyone.
At this moment, what crossed your mind were the moments you had spent with her.
All places in Liyue Harbor, you visited. As if this night would never end.
You smiled. A smile that never left your lips.
She also smiled as she explained one place after another. Her hand pointed toward the architecture of buildings, explaining their history in detail that only someone who lived through the ages could know.
You couldn't hold back a smile seeing her explain enthusiastically. Especially about how places changed over time.
"In the past, here was the sea," she said pointing to the square. "But humans reclaimed it. Their determination is extraordinary."
As if her long life was a blessing, and she was very grateful for it because she could witness those changes with her own eyes. Not a curse, but an opportunity to be a witness to history.
If it were me... could I be like her?
After walking around for quite a while, your legs started to tire, but your hearts were full. Finally, you invited her to eat together. Not at a fancy restaurant, but at a roadside snack stall selling Grilled Tiger Fish.
You sat on simple wooden benches, enjoying warm food under the lanterns. You saw her eat heartily but still gracefully. She looked happy.
You enjoyed this date and were satisfied.
Very satisfied.
If you could vote, you would rate this date: perfect date/10
You felt that dying now wouldn't matter.
If the system took your life tomorrow, at least you had this night!
After finishing eating, you walked again with Ganyu, escorting her back toward Yujing Terrace.
Ganyu's both hands behind her back, her steps light like dancing. She hummed softly.
However, you realized that this beautiful moment would eventually end. And you let out a sigh.
At this moment, a woman in formal attire, hair neatly buned, and thick glasses, suddenly came hurriedly toward Ganyu. She appeared from the street corner, her breath panting.
She looked exhausted, perhaps from overtime or from searching for Ganyu everywhere.
"Miss Ganyu!" she called.
She let out a long sigh, adjusting her glasses. "Finally, I found you. Lady Ningguang is looking for..."
But then she noticed your presence. She saw you standing beside Ganyu, smiling foolishly.
And her expression changed drastically. She immediately narrowed her eyes. The suspicious gaze like yesterday returned, this time sharper and full of accusation.
She fiddled with her glasses, pushing them up her nose, and stepped closer to Ganyu, as if wanting to protect her from a dangerous virus threat.
"Miss Ganyu," she said with a cold warning tone. "You should stay away from this man."
Ganyu was surprised. "Eh?" She paused. "Why?"
The woman looked at you sharply, then back at Ganyu.
She paused, taking a breath, then dropped her bomb. "This man often comes to Yuehai Pavilion with impure intentions! We suspect him as a stalker or a spy trying to exploit your kindness!
"He always lurks. And look, he managed to drag you out at night. Who knows what he's planning?"
Hearing this, Ganyu slowly turned to you. Her eyes that were sparkling with happiness earlier, now trembled. There was confusion, disbelief, and a bit of fear there.
Her mouth opened, wanting to defend, or perhaps to ask, but then closed tightly again.
...
A/N: Normally, I would write 3000 words, but right now I'm busy handling IRL. Besides, I'm out of ideas... if I add more words, it would just be repetition. It would definitely be very boring. For the next chapter, I'll use Mochen's POV again... well, soon the second objective will be completed. This is exhausting T-T
Anyway, if you guys are too tired of waiting for the next chapter… please check my Patreon, where I update much faster than on this platform! (Now there are already 15 chapters I've updated!)
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