The next day, at nine in the morning.
At a construction site for residential buildings in the western suburbs of Liyue, Keqing was holding a design drawing, pointing and explaining something.
Several foremen nearby listened to Keqing's arrangements regarding task distribution, construction methods, quality standards, and completion deadlines.
Ling Feng, having just finished his cultivation, arrived at the site, holding a pile of documents and looking around.
Liyue had cranes, operated by turning a handle, but there were also other unfamiliar contraptions whose names Ling Feng couldn't recall.
"Has everyone understood? Are there any points that are unclear or not heard properly?" Keqing asked.
"No," the group replied, shaking their heads.
"Good, then begin construction according to the plan, and ensure it's completed within the specified time."
"Yes."
Soon, everyone dispersed, each attending to their assigned tasks.
Keqing turned to Ling Feng, handing him a yellow hard hat. "Let's go, it's time for work."
"Mhm," Ling Feng took the hat, put it on, and began his task – moving lumber!
Yes, it was moving lumber, just like moving bricks.
Not only him, but Keqing was also moving lumber to designated spots, and tamping soil.
It was all hard labor, and Ling Feng hadn't expected his first job to be "moving bricks."
However, he didn't mind much, especially since Keqing, the Yuheng Star, was also doing it.
Carrying lumber was much easier than carrying stones, so Ling Feng displayed his extraordinary talent.
He could effortlessly carry ten logs at once, even running with them, which stunned the laborers.
Who the heck is this?!
Where did this person come from to steal our jobs?
Seeing Ling Feng's performance, all the laborers were spurred on, working with renewed vigor and extreme speed.
At noon, all work on the site stopped, and everyone gathered in a makeshift rest area for lunch. A wind spirit continuously blew cool air for the workers, who ate and chatted happily.
Ling Feng and Keqing did not join the workers in the rest area. They sat atop the crane, each holding a lunchbox.
Their meals were not elaborate or special; they were the same as the other workers'.
From their elevated position, they overlooked the entire construction site.
The site looked different from the morning; the foundations for one-third of the houses had already been laid.
Keqing nodded with satisfaction, observing the morning's labor.
Not only was the morning's task completed on time and to quantity, but it also exceeded her expectations.
Normally, it was rare for her plans to be met, let alone exceeded.
This put Keqing in a very good mood, and she felt even more convinced that making Ling Feng her assistant was the right decision.
Ling Feng alone had completed one-tenth of the morning's work, a pleasant surprise that delighted her.
Keqing looked at Ling Feng, who was engrossed in his meal, and said, "Ling Feng, I suddenly feel that making you my assistant is one of the best decisions I've ever made. You're the only one who can keep up with my pace."
"I dare not accept such praise. It's just that my first job turned out to be material transport, which was quite unexpected."
Ling Feng smiled wryly. He wanted to cry but couldn't. He had thought it would be a good job, but it turned out he still had to move bricks.
A moment later, they finished their lunch.
As soon as they finished eating, Keqing picked up her hard hat and put it on, calling out energetically, "It's time for work!"
"Wait, Keqing, won't that be too rushed? We just finished eating, can't we rest a bit? Didn't we exceed our work quota this morning? We can take a longer break, right?" Ling Feng called out to Keqing.
"Completing the task ahead of schedule was indeed beyond my expectations, but our work is not truly finished until the houses are built.
Therefore, we cannot slack off because of this. We should maintain this momentum and race against time to complete the work. Only then can we relax and do more things.
The workers can also get paid earlier and go home to their families and children. And I said 'we' – as long as the work is up to standard and the workers show up on time."
With that, Keqing jumped off the crane and resumed working.
"Sigh."
Ling Feng sighed and also jumped off the crane to help.
As Keqing's assistant, with the boss working so hard, how could he rest and be lazy? Moreover, what Keqing said made sense.
He still had things to do; he needed to find a time to sell those useless items on him to exchange for Mora.
As the hour approached *wei* (mid-afternoon).
The workers gradually emerged from the rest area, ready to resume work. When they saw Ling Feng and Keqing busy on the construction site, they were stunned for a moment.
Then, as if remembering something, their expressions changed.
Damn it, playing dirty, are we?!
Trying to deduct our wages, are we!
Let us tell you, you're not getting your way!
Fearing wage deductions, each worker sprang back to their posts as if injected with adrenaline and immediately started working.
Suddenly, the construction site was abuzz with activity.
And so, time slowly ticked by.
For several days, the two of them worked on the construction site from nine in the morning until six in the evening.
Only at six in the evening did they return to Yuehai Pavilion to sort out work reports.
After returning to Yuehai Pavilion, Keqing sometimes had to review documents and other tasks, while Ling Feng would read Liyue laws or seek guidance from Ganyu.
...
A week later.
At the construction site in the western suburbs of Liyue Harbor, the houses were now completed.
Ling Feng and Keqing were carrying out the final finishing touches, such as paying the workers and transporting construction equipment.
They worked from morning until noon to complete these final tasks.
Yuehai Pavilion.
Ling Feng sat at the assistant's desk, diligently writing, while Keqing stood by, instructing and pointing out any mistakes.
As an assistant, this finishing work was technically his sole responsibility, but because it was his first time, Keqing was guiding him.
After writing the last word, Ling Feng casually tossed his pen aside and leaned back in his chair, feeling utterly comfortable.
Keqing carefully reviewed the work report and then, with a nod of satisfaction, handed it to Ling Feng.
"Well done. For your first attempt at this task, you've done exceptionally well. Later, you'll submit this report to the General Affairs Department's Information Management Division, and this matter will be concluded."
"Okay." With that, Ling Feng took the work report and stood up, preparing to go to the General Affairs Department to deliver the documents.
"Ah, right. This afternoon and tomorrow are your rest days. You've worked hard during this period, so take a good rest."
"I'm fine, Lady Keqing. You should say that to yourself. Judging by your dark circles, it's clear you haven't rested well these past few days... I'll go deliver the documents now."
With that, Ling Feng, unconcerned by Keqing's displeased expression, dashed out of Yuehai Pavilion to "turn in the mission" at the General Affairs Department.