Fortunately, no matter what one does, time always moves forward at its own pace.
Keqing didn't have to wait long.
In her intense anticipation—
Noon arrived, and it came before Ganyu did.
"Keqing, going to eat?" Bai Ge asked as the bell signaling the lunch break rang.
"I'll treat you. Whether it's Wanmin Restaurant or Xinyue Pavilion—your choice."
Since she was his direct superior, it felt appropriate to invite her to a meal.
Besides, given Keqing's condition today, taking her to eat something nourishing wouldn't hurt.
However, Keqing declined.
"No need. I'm heading home for a bit," she said. "You go ahead and eat."
"Next time. Next time for sure!"
Having inexplicably mastered the sacred art of 'next time for sure', Keqing flicked her wrist—
a Lightning Stiletto flashed, and she vanished.
Watching her hurried departure, Bai Ge couldn't help but misunderstand.
"Home?"
"To… change clothes?"
"…Masaka!"
He rubbed his chin.
It seemed that although Teyvat was highly developed in many areas, certain products—like Sophie—hadn't been invented yet.
Maybe this was a business opportunity?
…Nah.
Bai Ge chuckled and shook his head. He wasn't a businessman.
Still, watching Keqing's hurried figure, he couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
Being one of the Liyue Qixing clearly wasn't easy.
No matter the season, no matter her condition, she could never retreat—
just like today.
Well, since he was already her secretary, he might as well help where he could.
Bai Ge made up his mind.
Without Keqing realizing it, he was actually moving closer to the direction she had hoped for.
Perhaps this was what people meant by two negatives making a positive?
—
After going home for lunch, Bai Ge returned to the office.
Keqing was back as well—clearly having taken a bath, her hair still carrying faint traces of moisture, confirming his guess.
"Keqing, just assign me the work that's meant to be mine," Bai Ge said.
Keqing's eyes lit up in surprise.
This wasn't a betrayal of principles—it was simply gentlemanly behavior.
"Alright!"
Seeing that her efforts were finally paying off, Keqing felt genuinely happy.
But before she could start assigning tasks, Bai Ge handed her a lunch box.
"I could tell at a glance that you didn't eat lunch. Hurry and eat," he said gently.
"Work never ends, but if you skip meals, your body won't be able to take it."
"Don't push yourself so hard either," Bai Ge continued.
"I know you want humans to take over from the gods—but the Geo Archon is still here, and you're still young. We still have time."
"Take better care of yourself."
"Bai Ge…"
Keqing froze.
A wave of emotion surged within her rigid heart.
Her ideals were known throughout Liyue.
Some supported her, waving banners and cheering her on.
Others opposed her, criticizing her sharply.
But whether they opposed her or supported her—
They all treated Keqing as a symbol.
No one had ever said words like these to her.
No one had ever told her that it was okay to rest sometimes.
Not caring about her identity as one of the Qixing.
Not caring about her as a standard-bearer.
But caring about her as a person.
That made Keqing feel profoundly moved.
She felt something she had never experienced before climbing up from the depths of her heart—
Something soft.
As if her throat had been gently blocked.
For a moment, Keqing didn't know what to say, and could only stand there stiffly.
Her heart began to race.
Thankfully, at that moment, Ganyu pushed the door open and saved her.
"Are you the one Keqing mentioned?" Ganyu asked calmly.
"Come with me."
The ever-efficient Cocogoat whisked Bai Ge away.
Only Keqing remained, staring silently at the small, delicate wooden lunch box in front of her.
After a moment, she opened it.
Four neatly arranged dishes and a bowl of rice appeared before her.
She hesitantly scooped a bite into her mouth.
Bai Ge had guessed right.
With the short time she'd spent bathing at noon, Keqing truly hadn't eaten.
And so—under the combined effects of hunger and Bai Ge's excellent cooking—
An unprecedented burst of flavor exploded on her tongue!
Like a cat encountering catnip, Keqing's beautiful face filled with bliss.
They were just four simple home-style dishes, yet to her right now, they tasted unbelievably good.
"Hmph… that Bai Ge guy," Keqing muttered while eating rapidly,
"He's unexpectedly not bad at all."
Before long, alone in the office, Keqing finished her meal and sighed contentedly.
"Well then, for today's lunch alone, I'll forgive you."
"Next… I should wash the dishes, right?"
She looked at the exquisite wooden lunch box.
"Wash them… and then return it to Bai Ge?"
She tilted her head in confusion.
After all, this was the first time she'd ever eaten a homemade lunch prepared for her.
But just as the thought of returning the lunch box crossed her mind, an intense reluctance surged up inside her.
She didn't want to give it back.
She wanted to keep it.
"I'll just keep it as a souvenir—yes, just a souvenir!"
With that thought, Keqing—who never skipped work—walked out of her office.
She was going to buy a new lunch box, before Bai Ge came back.