The girl standing at the doorway was tall and graceful, her appearance seemingly a gift from the heavens.
Her long, elegant hair was styled into twin spiral buns, from which two ponytails fell straight down on either side. The ends curled slightly, giving the buns a cat-ear-like charm that made her look unexpectedly cute.
Yet this cuteness did nothing to diminish the faint sense of authority she carried. It was an instinctive aura possessed by those in positions of power, tempered by the earnestness ingrained in her character.
Her bangs partially veiled her face, framing translucent peach-colored eyes that held a hint of pride and confidence.
She wore a light purple sleeveless dress adorned with peacock-feather accents. The thin fabric was embroidered with cloud motifs, and the waist was cinched by a black-and-gold outer garment that blended perfectly with her violet hair.
In contrast to the ornate upper half, her lower attire was simple—semi-transparent black tights embroidered with fine golden patterns.
Her slender legs were supported by delicate black-and-gold heeled shoes, perfectly accentuating the graceful lines of her figure.
Recognizing who she was, Xingxi hurried forward and explained apologetically.
"I'm very sorry, Lady Yuheng. You arrived a bit late—the latest batch of Glazed New Moon has already been purchased in full by this guest."
Although the payment had not yet been finalized, a verbal agreement had already been reached. Xingxi naturally would not go back on it.
To break the shop's rules simply because one of the Qixing wanted the item would severely damage Mingxing Zhai's reputation.
In business, reputation was everything. No matter how prestigious a shop was, once its credibility collapsed, decline would follow.
Hearing this, the girl in elegant attire showed a trace of disappointment and turned her gaze toward Luo Li, who had been observing her.
"I see… how unfortunate," she said calmly.
She had no intention of abusing her authority to force Xingxi to sell to her. That simply wasn't the kind of person she was.
Xingxi suggested carefully,
"Would Lady Yuheng like to take a look at something else? Aside from Glazed New Moon, we have many other rare treasures."
"There's no need to be so formal," the girl replied. "On this outing, I'm merely an ordinary citizen—not one of the Qixing. You may call me Keqing."
The girl named Keqing was clearly someone who distinguished public duty from personal life, unwilling to accept preferential treatment.
Xingxi understood at once. This wasn't a performance—she simply nodded in acknowledgment.
"Then, Miss Keqing, would you like to hear my recommendations?"
Keqing shook her head.
"Since they're sold out, forget it."
Though disappointed, she quickly adjusted her mood.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, the customer who had bought everything spoke up.
"So you're the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. May I ask what you intended to use the Glazed New Moon for?"
Keqing paused and turned back to meet Luo Li's gaze.
After a moment of hesitation, she replied,
"It was simply to satisfy a bit of shopping indulgence."
Although Keqing was born into a wealthy family, she lived frugally. Even her elegant attire was the bare minimum of luxury required by her status.
Still, on rare occasions when she set aside her work, she would stroll through Feiyun Slope or Chihu Rock to shop and enjoy local delicacies.
After all, the Liyue Qixing were the most powerful merchants in the nation—their wealth and resources rivaled entire countries.
Xingxi couldn't help but glance between them. The two guests today were both astonishingly extravagant—one more so than the other.
Surrounded by people who placed little value on money, Luo Li found Keqing's reason perfectly reasonable.
"In that case, I can give one to you."
He had purchased ten purely out of habit. Giving away one or two made no difference.
After all, there weren't that many people around him to whom he needed to give gifts.
"Thank you very much. I don't believe I've asked for your name yet," Keqing said, visibly brightened by the sudden turn of events.
"Luo Li."
"Mr. Luo Li," Keqing said solemnly, placing a hand over her chest.
"I'll remember this kindness. If you ever encounter trouble in the future, you may seek me out. Within legal bounds, I will offer my assistance."
She offered him a direct promise.
Luo Li merely smiled, not responding to the goodwill, and instead turned to pay Xingxi as the items were packaged.
Ten Glazed New Moon rings amounted to an enormous sum—far beyond what ordinary people could afford.
But Mingxing Zhai was not a business that relied on thin margins. Bankruptcy was never a concern.
Still, with the Chasm recently sealed, Liyue's mining and jewelry industries were bound to struggle for a time.
After paying the Mora, Luo Li finally examined the item so coveted by Liyue's youth.
The Glazed New Moon was shaped like a ring—smooth and luminous, transparent and radiant, clearly crafted from the finest jade and rare minerals.
Picking one up, he gently took Raiden Makoto's hand and slipped it onto her slender, delicate finger.
"I haven't agreed yet," she said softly.
Despite her words, she made no attempt to pull her hand away.
Luo Li pretended not to hear. Once the ring was in place, it fit perfectly, the gemstone resting at the base of her ring finger and shimmering faintly.
"It barely suits you."
Compared to her identity as a god, it was indeed modest—but as a spontaneous gesture, and given her indifference toward worldly possessions, it was just right.
"What about me?"
Eula looked on eagerly, unable to stop herself from asking.
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how inappropriate it sounded—speaking up in front of the 'official wife.'
Raiden Makoto pressed her lips together, glancing at the ice-blue-haired girl who had suddenly grown awkward.
With a helpless sigh, Luo Li handed two rings to Eula and Noelle.
After all, the entire reason he had brought them here was to choose accessories. Of course he wouldn't forget them.
Seeing the joy bloom on their faces, Keqing—now holding her ring as well—felt equally satisfied. She stepped forward once more to express her thanks.
"Then I'll take my leave, Mr. Luo Li—and everyone."
Keqing always limited her leisure time. Once her brief indulgence ended, she would quickly return to work.
With the Rite of Descension approaching, even though she wasn't the presiding Qixing, she needed to remain vigilant over Liyue's affairs.
Moreover, according to Ningguang, the Fatui had recently grown more active in Liyue.
Intelligence suggested they had orchestrated multiple schemes in Mondstadt. Their current movements were suspicious—it was entirely possible they intended harm toward Liyue.
After all, Snezhnaya had always been ambitious, constantly interfering in other nations. Such incidents were hardly unprecedented.
As one of the Qixing, assisting the Geo Archon in governing Liyue, Keqing bore responsibility for both the people and the nation.
Better safe than sorry. If an incident occurred due to her negligence, she would never forgive herself.
Before that could happen, every potential threat had to be eliminated at the source.
Coincidentally, her next destination was the Crux Fleet—she intended to question Beidou regarding territorial matters of nearby islands and recent pirate activity.