"Ningguang, why did you give that child such a promise?"
Walking beside her, Keqing asked in confusion.
Ningguang replied calmly,
"You also noticed that the child is no ordinary person, right?"
"So what?"
Keqing did not understand. In Liyue, there were plenty of people who were not ordinary.
Ningguang continued,
"As far as I know, regarding the incident at the Nantianmen near the ancient tree, aside from the so-called Mo Ying Adeptus, there was also a white-haired woman involved."
When Junze and Shenhe filled in the tunnel there, they had already been noticed.
Such things were not unusual.
Liyue had a large population, and many people sought the adepti.
A disturbance of that scale would naturally attract attention.
"You mean that woman just now was her?"
Keqing seemed to realize something. She had indeed suspected Shenhe earlier.
Ningguang nodded slightly.
"According to my investigation, that woman is Shenhe, Ganyu's junior sister."
"She also has connections with the Mo Ying Adeptus. Combined with how protective she was of that child…"
"I simply chose to offer a favor in return for their previous assistance."
Keqing frowned.
"And what if you guessed wrong?"
Ningguang smiled.
"And if I did, what of it? That child showed great courage. Forming a good connection costs me nothing."
"In the end, whether his wish is fulfilled and how much effort I put in… is entirely up to me."
Her expression was calm and calculating, as if she had already ensured she would not lose anything.
In truth, she did not believe she would.
A child who drew the attention of two adeptus disciples, and even seemed to take the lead among them, could not possibly be ordinary.
Even if she were completely mistaken, it would simply count as building goodwill with Cloud Retainer.
Keqing clicked her tongue.
"You really have a twisted sense of humor. Tricking a child like that… aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"
"Miss Keqing, you should go inspect the situation over there."
"I know."
Keqing turned and left. Though she disliked Ningguang's methods, she still carried out her duties.
After she left, Ningguang stood alone at a high point, gazing over Liyue Harbor as it gradually entered a state of alert.
She let out a soft sigh.
"These are troubled times…"
Her instincts told her that before long, Liyue might face another great conflict.
"Rex Lapis… what exactly are you planning?"
Yuehai Pavilion
Because of the earlier incident, Huixin had been taken away by Tianshu Xing for examination.
After being entangled by so many remnants of a fallen god, her ordinary body needed careful checking.
As a result, Ganyu buried herself in work.
Between coordinating responses, handling Huixin's duties, and her own responsibilities, her workload had suddenly increased.
"Is this the price of integrating into the human world?"
Shenhe watched her and spoke softly.
Junze shook his head helplessly.
"No. This is just Master overworking herself."
"Is that so?"
Shenhe thought for a moment and decided he was probably right.
After all, Junze also seemed like someone tied to the adepti, yet he blended into the human world without any sense of discord.
Junze was about to leave and do his own things when Shenhe suddenly spoke.
"I… am willing."
"Huh?"
Her sudden words caught him off guard.
Willing to what?
Willing to serve him?
Willing to marry him?
"I am willing to be your first diner," Shenhe said calmly. "You asked me earlier."
"Really?"
A bright smile appeared on Junze's face.
"Mm."
Shenhe nodded.
She did not quite understand why he looked so happy.
Clearly, he would be the one putting in the effort to cook.
"Let's go!"
Junze grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the back kitchen of Yuehai Pavilion.
Shenhe's gaze fell on the small hand holding hers.
So this was how Ganyu had once been led into the human world.
That night at the market, she had been watching the entire time.
Meanwhile, Ganyu was still immersed in her work, completely unaware that her good disciple had already dragged her junior sister away.
Kitchen
The kitchen was not used often, but it was clean.
Basic ingredients were still available.
Junze pulled over a small stool and placed it beside the stove, then stepped on it.
After all, his height was not enough yet.
Once everything was ready, he immediately used all the recipe cards he had obtained earlier.
In an instant, methods for making various dishes flooded into his mind.
Junze rolled up his sleeves, full of confidence.
Today, he would make dragon beard noodles.
The next moment, flames flickered throughout the kitchen.
"Pa!"
The sound of firewood crackling came continuously from the stove.
"Pa-da!"
That was the sound of dough being kneaded and slapped.
"Sizzle—"
Oil hissed as it heated.
Standing on the small stool, Junze's movements were still clumsy, but the smile on his face could not be hidden.
In his previous life, he had never tried cooking.
Yet now, he unexpectedly found it enjoyable.
Meanwhile, Shenhe sat at the table, quietly watching him.
"How long has it been since this happened?"
There was a trace of longing in her eyes.
Sitting at a table, waiting for a meal.
The last time she experienced this seemed to be before she began her cultivation.
When her mother was still alive.
Before she had been offered by her father as a sacrifice to an evil spirit.
"It really has been a long time."
Shenhe pressed her lips together slightly.
Even after so many years, recalling that past still made her heart uneasy.
But what could she do?
They were all gone.
Only she remained.
After the brief recollection, Shenhe's gaze returned to the boy in front of her, who was busy and flustered.
Whether intentionally or not, a faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
"This is also a part of integrating into the human world."
In her eyes, Junze's figure was reflected, illuminated by the firelight.
After a long while,
"The noodles are ready… ah, not chicken soup, noodles are ready!"
Junze carried a steaming bowl over and placed it in front of Shenhe.
"Auntie Master, try it."
His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Putting everything else aside, just the fact that this was his first time cooking was enough to make him excited.
After all, anyone making their first dish would feel this kind of anticipation.
Hoping the food they made would turn out incredibly delicious.
Shenhe looked at the bowl in front of her.
Hmm…
It was very different from the noodles she remembered.
Dragon beard noodles were supposed to be as fine as silk.
But this bowl…
It made one wonder if they were actually belt noodles.
The broth was not very rich.
The toppings seemed excessive.
From appearance alone, this dish was a failure.
Shenhe picked up her chopsticks.
Then brought the noodles to her lips.
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