The gentle breeze brushed against Ganyu's face as she closed her eyes, lost in its embrace, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
— Is this the joy of having friends by my side? It feels so good.
— If only I could have had someone like this accompany me for the past thousand years… that would have been wonderful.
— Human lifespans are ultimately too short. No matter how close the friends, they will all depart before me.
— I don't want to, I don't want to watch the friends around me pass away one by one.
— As a descendant of an adepti beast, do I truly have a place in Liyue?
— I wish… I wish I could always be like this today.
…
Ganyu's expression shifted from serene enjoyment to a profound sadness, then to a deep melancholy.
Ling Feng, standing beside her, felt a sharp jolt.
This… this change of expression is happening too fast.
Ganyu, what are you thinking about again?
Regardless, what needs to be done now is to quickly stop Ganyu from dwelling further.
"Ganyu, Ganyu."
Ling Feng reached out and gently nudged Ganyu, trying to wake her from her thoughts.
"W-what is it?"
Startled by Ling Feng's push, Ganyu quickly snapped back to attention. Seeing Ling Feng's worried expression, she asked in surprise.
Ling Feng gazed into Ganyu's eyes and asked seriously.
"I'm fine. It's you. What are you thinking about that's making your face so glum?"
"Is it? I… I'm fine… I just remembered something. You don't need to worry."
"How can I not worry? Do you know how quickly your expression changed just now?"
"I… I really… I'm fine."
When Ling Feng asked, Ganyu chose to evade the topic.
Seeing Ganyu's timid demeanor, it seemed she wasn't going to voice her inner turmoil, preferring to bear it alone.
Ling Feng felt it wasn't right to force her.
If Ganyu didn't want to answer, pressing her would only make her feel worse.
Ganyu's current predicament was a self-imposed emotional barrier.
It would be difficult for Ganyu alone to break free from this inner struggle.
The struggle of loneliness and solitude.
Ling Feng wanted to help, but if Ganyu didn't open up to him, there was nothing he could do.
It was similar to Shenhe's situation.
To treat a patient, one must first understand the cause of their illness, otherwise, it's hard to know where to start.
Ling Feng sighed, looked up at the moon, and said softly.
"Ganyu, I don't know what is causing you such sorrow."
"But… if one day you want to find someone to confide in, you can always come to me. I will be a good listener."
Upon hearing Ling Feng's words, Ganyu's heart trembled, and she slowly lowered her head.
Seeing Ganyu's expression, Ling Feng couldn't guess what she was thinking at that moment.
"It's getting late. You should go back and rest early. It's windy at night."
"If you want to come out and play together next time, just let me know."
With that, Ling Feng prepared to get up.
"Wait."
A hand suddenly grasped Ling Feng's sleeve.
Why did this scene feel so familiar?
Ganyu had already lifted her head, but there was still a hint of timidity and a touch of hesitation in her eyes.
Seeing this, Ling Feng smiled slightly, sat back down, and remained silent, waiting for Ganyu to speak.
She had already taken a step towards opening up.
After a moment, Ganyu seemed to have made up her mind and slowly began to speak.
"With my adepti beast bloodline, I actually have no place in Liyue Harbor."
"Times change, and people and things are no longer the same. Familiar faces depart one by one, leaving me alone in solitude."
"The loneliness in Liyue Harbor is more profound than that in Jueyun Karst. In Jueyun Karst, watching the clouds was a solitary act of watching the clouds alone; entering the human populace of Liyue makes me feel like an anomaly, a being apart from the world, experiencing a deep solitude."
"Whenever I see others walking in pairs, chatting together, I desperately wish I could have someone to chat with me always."
"Do you know?"
"As a descendant of mixed blood of an adepti beast, I also possess human blood. For so many years, I haven't known if I truly belong in the human life of Liyue Harbor…"
"I've always been afraid to tell anyone that the horns on my head are real, not hair ornaments. If everyone knew the truth, I would become even more distant from them…"
"All those who pursued me in the past, I rejected them. I was afraid they would be frightened if they found out. Thus, it seems I will walk this life alone, in solitude."
Finally having the opportunity to express what had been buried in her heart for so long, Ganyu spoke a great deal at once.
But Ling Feng could hear from her words that Ganyu was still deeply troubled, her knot of emotion yet to be untangled. It needed an external force to break it. So, he spoke.
"No one is destined to be alone forever."
"But I…"
Before Ganyu could continue, Ling Feng interjected.
"You know, Shenhe used to think the same way you do. She believed she was destined for a solitary life, fated to be alone. But she didn't realize that she already had people by her side."
"This… but this is the human world. If people discover my identity, they will surely keep their distance and be afraid. After all, who would want their wife or friend to be something not quite human?"
"Who said that? Don't the Seven Stars of Liyue all know your true identity, Ganyu?"
"This… yes, they do."
"And have they distanced themselves from you? Have I, Xiangling, and everyone else distanced ourselves from you?"
"This… no."
"Then isn't that proof? No one is truly alone. Even if you are half-human, half-adepti beast, there will always be someone who accepts you, considers you a friend, and won't ostracize or distance themselves from you because of your identity. This is true at all times."
Listening to Ling Feng's words, Ganyu's expression trembled. She suddenly understood, as if waking from a dream.
Yes, if everyone were truly afraid of my identity, why haven't they ostracized me? Why are they still as warm and welcoming as before?
It turns out I've been trapping myself, out of fear.
At this moment, a layer of Ganyu's inner burden was shattered by Ling Feng's words, and many long-standing emotional knots were loosened.
"Actually, I've always hoped to marry someone like you, Ganyu, someone with adepti beast blood."
As the happily relieved Ganyu heard this, her face instantly flushed red.
"Hey, Ling Feng, stop teasing me."
Seeing Ganyu's reaction, Ling Feng knew it was okay to joke around for now.
"Why would I tease you? Not only me, but in my hometown, if someone marries a wife like you, the neighbors would absolutely be green with envy."
Ling Feng's lips curved into a slight smile, and he said with a mischievous grin.
"W-well… please… please don't continue this topic."
Ganyu whispered, her face red and her head bowed, utterly embarrassed.
"Hahahaha."
Ling Feng burst into laughter. This Ganyu was a rare sight, and she looked even more lovely and charming.
"Alright, it's very late. You have work tomorrow, so go back and rest early."
Ling Feng stood up from the ground and glanced at Liyue Harbor. The lights of many homes were no longer as bright as before; most people had already turned off their lights and gone to sleep.
Seeing this, Ganyu also stood up and looked at Liyue Harbor. She smiled sweetly at Ling Feng.
"Thank you, Ling Feng. Since meeting you, I feel like I've said more words than I have in over a decade."
"Thank you so much for inviting me shopping today. You've allowed me to experience this long-lost joy, and you've also… untangled my emotional knots."
Facing Ganyu's gratitude, Ling Feng rubbed the bridge of his nose and smiled gently.
"You're welcome. If you encounter any trouble in the future, come to me. I'll tell you my thoughts."
"Mm."
"Then… goodnight."
"Goodnight."
After bidding farewell to Ganyu, Ling Feng returned home alone.
Having resolved Ganyu's emotional burden, Ling Feng was in a very good mood. Humming a little tune, he took out his key and opened the door to his house.
Seeing the house was dark, he skillfully flipped the light switch.
*Sizzle sizzle.*
Instantly, the room was brightly lit.
He saw Keqing, wearing pajamas, sitting on the living room sofa with her legs crossed.
Just as Ling Feng was about to greet her, Keqing spoke first.
"You're back quite late, aren't you? From your expression, you seem quite happy."
"Of course."
Hearing Keqing say that, Ling Feng instinctively replied.
"Then… may I ask, what about the breakfast I asked you to buy for me during the day? Why is it that even though it's night, I haven't seen a trace of that breakfast?"
"Besides the breakfast, you bought everything else I asked for. Can you give me an explanation?"
Keqing asked Ling Feng with a smile as he stood at the doorway.
Hearing this, Ling Feng froze on the spot, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He couldn't help but swallow.
Breakfast…
He forgot about breakfast!
That bag of steamed buns he bought in the morning was still in his system space.
Because of Ganyu's matter, he had completely forgotten about it later.
If Keqing hadn't mentioned it, he probably wouldn't have remembered it now.
"Uh, let me explain, no! Wrong, let me explain."
"Explain yourself with my sword!"
"Roar!"
Please imagine the rest…
———— A Dividing Line ————
Time flowed by, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.
At the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ling Feng stood before Keqing's desk, reporting on the inspection of fire and lightning prevention facilities for the month.
After finishing his report, he handed the organized documents to Keqing for review and then returned to his own workspace to busy himself.
Since his last break, Ling Feng had been busy every day.
He had even been working overtime on his weekly day off.
Matters such as soil quality testing and the safety of old houses.
These days, Ling Feng and Keqing had traveled all over Liyue Harbor, personally inspecting and confirming things. They were incredibly busy.
After an unknown amount of time, Ling Feng finished organizing the documents for the drainage system inspection report of Liyue Harbor's residential areas.
He stretched his limbs, stifling a yawn as he stood up from his chair. His gaze fell upon the stacks of documents on the desk, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally done. My eyes are sore. It's getting late. I'll go eat after submitting these documents."
Ling Feng glanced at the clock on the wall. It was five-thirty in the afternoon.
It was almost time for dinner.
Ling Feng scooped up the documents from the desk and was about to leave, his mind already pondering what to eat to reward his diligent self.
"Ling Feng, wait a moment."
Seeing Ling Feng about to leave, Keqing, who was still busy with work, called out to him.
"What is it?"
Ling Feng turned around, a look of confusion on his face.
Keqing didn't speak immediately. She stood up, poured herself a glass of water to quench her thirst, moistened her throat, and then spoke.
"After work tonight, you don't need to come back. Go home and pack up. We'll be going out for an expedition tomorrow."
"The Millelith patrols said there was an earthquake near Lingju Pass. It's likely caused by ley line energy tides. We need to go and investigate. If there are any geological changes, we'll record them promptly."
"Okay, I understand."
Ling Feng nodded, feeling a surge of excitement.
Going out for an expedition meant a high chance of encountering monsters. He hadn't had a good sparring session in a long time, and now he finally had an opportunity.
…………
The next morning.
At the entrance of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ling Feng was handing over work matters to Xiao Yu.
They were going out for a land survey, so their current tasks needed to be delegated.
As for Keqing, she had gone inside the Ministry of Civil Affairs to requisition the Millelith.
"Xiao Zhao, the wooden planks at the No. 2 entrance of the dock are already a bit loose. You need to send someone to reinforce them."
"Someone is littering in the river, and this behavior is egregious. Make sure people pay close attention to this."
"Also, from the materials I just gave you, remember to have a craftsman create that design drawing mixed in with the environmental protection documents and install it in the streets and alleys."
"The trash cans within the city are a bit too rudimentary. Install new ones; this will make it easier for sanitation workers."
Ling Feng's current position was now well-deserved, and some minor matters were already under his purview.
Perhaps due to his talent, he was picking up management tasks quite quickly.
"Yes, Lord Ling Feng. I will arrange it properly."
"Mm, if there are any issues, tell me when I return, and I will handle them."
After Ling Feng finished assigning tasks, Keqing emerged from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, leading a small squad of Millelith soldiers.
"Only ten people?"
Ling Feng counted them and asked in surprise.
"Fewer people mean quicker action. The combat strength of these ten individuals is enough to deal with a small Hilichurl camp. With you and me combined, we can even handle a large Hilichurl camp."
"Moreover, their secondary occupation is geological surveying, and they often go out with me. They are experienced. We two alone are not enough, but with them, it should be just right."
Keqing explained slowly.
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng nodded. Indeed, it would be too much work for just two people to survey such a large area.
The ten individuals saw Ling Feng and eagerly swarmed towards him, leaving Ling Feng somewhat bewildered.
After a brief exchange, he learned the reason.
These ten men had all been rescued by him during the previous battle at Nantianmen. They were part of the Millelith who wanted to thank Ling Feng but couldn't find him after the battle.
"Alright, we've wasted too much time. If we don't hurry, we won't finish the work. Grab your tools, and let's head to Lingju Pass."
"There'll be plenty of time for chatting and catching up on the road."
Keqing urged.
Hearing this, Ling Feng and the others nodded.
Having been around for a while, they were all familiar with Keqing's decisive style. She approached everything with a sense of urgency, never wasting a single moment.
She personally handled every task, earning her the reputation of being the second-most hardworking person in Liyue Harbor.
After leaving Liyue Harbor, the group did not use a teleport waypoint. Instead, they followed the path directly towards Lingju Pass.
According to Keqing's intention, they would inspect the geological terrain of other areas along the way.