A few minutes later, Yi Chen returned to the inn where the Mondstadt delegation was staying, his steps light.
However, the moment he stepped inside, he realized something was off.
Instead of the usual relaxed atmosphere, Kaeya and several Knights of Favonius were busy packing luggage.
Yi Chen froze and walked over in confusion.
"What are you guys doing? Where are you going?"
Kaeya was directing two knights as they boxed up Liyue specialties. Hearing Yi Chen, he turned around and gave an exaggerated bow.
"Oh—! If it isn't Secretary Yi Chen, deeply valued by Lady Ningguang of the Tianquan, and soon to make great waves at Yuehai Pavilion! What brings you to this humble place that's about to shut down?"
Yi Chen frowned, more concerned about the situation than Kaeya's sarcasm.
"Cut it out. Where are you going?"
Kaeya straightened up and shrugged.
"Us? We're heading back to Mondstadt. The diplomatic mission's basically done, and staying longer just wastes Mora. Time to pack up."
"Back to Mondstadt?!"
Yi Chen panicked and pointed at himself.
"Then what about me? I'm going back with you!"
The grin in Kaeya's one visible eye deepened. He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"You? You've already been temporarily mortgaged to Lady Ningguang by me—
in exchange for a long-term cooperation project worth 300 million Mora."
He enjoyed Yi Chen's blank expression far too much.
"More precisely, I sold two months of your 'usage rights.'"
"So relax and stay in Liyue. Work hard for your new boss. When Acting Grand Master Jean or Captain Eula visits personally, you can come back with the delegation then."
He smirked.
"Besides—looking at how much fun you're having, you probably wouldn't want to leave so soon anyway."
Surprisingly, Yi Chen accepted this revelation very quickly.
After all, there were still things he had to do in Liyue.
He nodded calmly, already thinking about how to best use the next two months.
Then he turned, took out the densely written thesis from his pack, along with two neatly wrapped gift boxes, and handed them to Kaeya.
"Here. Take this thesis back and give it to Lisa. Ask her to help me review it."
He pointed at Kaeya.
"As for you—don't touch it. You wouldn't understand it anyway."
Kaeya: "..."
Yi Chen continued, pointing at the boxes.
"The flatter one is for Grand Master Jean. It's a Liyue porcelain tea set—I noticed she's been using the same cup forever."
"The square one's for Eula. It's a new Liyue hair accessory set and skincare products. She'll probably like them… I think?"
Kaeya looked at the gifts, then at Yi Chen—who clearly didn't feel the slightest injustice about being "sold," and was instead worried about bringing souvenirs home.
In the end, Kaeya just sighed and shook his head, carefully storing the items.
"Alright. I'll make sure they get delivered."
He patted Yi Chen's shoulder.
"Take care of yourself. Don't cause too much trouble."
"Don't worry!"
Yi Chen replied confidently.
Soon after, Yi Chen stood at the inn entrance, watching Kaeya and the others disappear down the streets of Liyue Harbor.
Only then did he head back to his room.
He had barely sat down before someone knocked.
An inn attendant informed him politely:
"Mr. Yi Chen, per the agreement, the Knights of Favonius' reservation ends today. Please vacate by tomorrow."
"Oh, sure, no problem!"
Yi Chen accepted it immediately.
With everyone gone, there was no reason to stay anyway.
He packed his few belongings, slung on his bag, and set out to find a new place to live.
That was when things started going wrong.
Every decent inn was either full or "under sudden renovation."
Short-term rentals were either evasive or outrageously expensive.
Even modest homes had landlords apologetically claiming they'd just been rented out.
Standing under the lanterns of Liyue Harbor, Yi Chen scratched his head.
"…Is housing always this tight in Liyue? Or do I just look broke?"
What he didn't know was that an invisible net had already been cast.
High above, in the Jade Chamber, Lady Ningguang calmly sipped tea, listening to reports about "the target repeatedly failing to find accommodation," her smile serene and confident.
Unknowingly, Yi Chen wandered back near Yuehai Pavilion.
He sighed and plopped down on the cold stone steps.
"Sighhhh…"
At that moment, the Pavilion doors opened again.
Ganyu—who had returned to finish some extra work—stepped out, looking tired.
She immediately spotted Yi Chen sitting there like an abandoned puppy.
Her steps halted.
She hurried over.
"Why are you still here? Did you… forget something?"
Her eyes drifted to his bag. She already had a guess.
Yi Chen looked up, eyes lighting up like he'd found family.
"No… Kaeya and the others went back to Mondstadt. I can't stay at the inn anymore."
"I tried to find a place, but for some reason, everything's unavailable… Liyue housing prices are terrifying!"
Watching his messy hair and dejected expression, Ganyu's heart tightened.
Before she could think—
"If… if you can't find a place…"
Her cheeks reddened as she tried to sound natural.
"…Would you like to stay at my place for now?"
She hurried to justify it.
"We're the same clan, after all. Looking out for each other makes sense. And I live close to Yuehai Pavilion—it'd be convenient for work… and save Mora…"
Yi Chen's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?! That's okay? I won't be a bother?"
"Not at all!"
Ganyu shook her head quickly.
"I live alone… there's spare space."
"That's amazing! Ganyu, you're my lifesaver!"
He jumped up enthusiastically.
"I'll pay rent and food! And help with chores!"
Seeing his energy return filled Ganyu's heart with warmth.
She smiled softly.
"Then… let's go home."
The word made her heartbeat quicken.
She took one of his lighter bags and led him toward her home—
a place about to change forever.
"If you like the chapter please vote using power stones and
For Early Access 60+Advanced chapters please visit Patreon.com/UchihaAce"