Keqing and Ganyu were close.
Ever since Keqing started her job, she'd been in frequent contact with Ganyu. Their personalities clicked, too, so it didn't take long for them to become friends. Compared to her relationship with Ningguang, Keqing and Ganyu were the kind of confidantes who shared everything behind closed doors.
On ordinary days, Keqing would go shopping with Ganyu, or sit down for tea. In Keqing's eyes, Ganyu was like an older sister.
Thinking of her now, Keqing's mind began to drift.
Ganyu was the general secretary of the Liyue Qixing, and she had another identity on top of that—an adeptus. In every way that mattered, she had Keqing beat. If Ganyu could help her a little, a lot of that pressure might ease. She might even be able to breathe again.
The problem was, persuading Ganyu wouldn't be easy. It would take time.
Still… thinking of her husband's looks and ability, Keqing figured winning Ganyu over shouldn't be impossible.
Keqing wasn't fantasizing for fun. She'd simply backed into a corner.
As a wife, she believed she should keep her husband satisfied. But if she split that into "heart" and "desire," she could only manage one of them. And Ryou was too outstanding—so outstanding it pressed down on her in ways she couldn't ignore.
Add Ningguang's words as the catalyst, and Keqing's thinking had slowly started to shift.
Most of all, she couldn't match Ryou. He was like some kind of final boss—intimidating enough to make her nervous, and strong enough to make her genuinely afraid.
Right as Keqing's thoughts ran wild, she noticed Ryou open his eyes.
"Keqing, what're you thinking about?" Ryou pulled her closer.
Keqing tucked into the warmth of his embrace, but the soreness in her body refused to let up. She sighed, half helpless.
"Hey—easy. You really put me through it yesterday. Look at the window… it's already noon. I haven't gone to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for half the day, and there's no way I'm going at all today."
She shot him a look.
"But you're going. You're handling the Ministry's paperwork for me."
"Alright, alright." Ryou chuckled at her tone.
His gaze slid over her—her clothes barely hanging on, fabric tossed aside nearby—and his thoughts started to wander.
"Hey—!" Keqing glared.
She knew exactly what state he was in. She hurried him up, pushing him to get out of bed and go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. If he got any ideas now, she'd be the one suffering again.
Just imagining it made her scalp prickle. What was she supposed to do when he was so far above her?
Ryou looked at the tightly closed door and let out a breath.
"Let Keqing rest properly. I got a little carried away yesterday."
He rubbed his forehead.
"But that qipao on her… who could resist that? And I'm a grown man, full of blood and fire, with a wife—cough. Enough. Not thinking about that."
Ryou shook his head, ate something quickly, tidied up, and headed out for the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
On the way, he casually bought a rabbit. After he got it back, he placed it directly into his inner world.
The rabbit stayed alive.
That meant the inner world inside him could hold living things.
With that in mind, Ryou started thinking about buying more supplies. Later, he could build and furnish a proper residence inside that inner world. When he was out in the wild—or stuck in some special environment—stepping into it would make things a lot easier.
[Ding! Eyes entering Darkened Mode!]
[Ding! Eyes: Darkened Mode active. Sight range increased—within 500 meters, you will have full perception!]
Ryou blinked, genuinely surprised.
Eyes… upgrading into perception?
That was ridiculous.
But then again, if his kidney could somehow give him an inner world inside his body, this wasn't exactly out of line anymore.
Ryou: Kidney, aren't you going to show something too?
Heart: Bootlicker, it's your turn to perform.
Leg: Who're you calling a bootlicker?!
Heart: Did I say you? I meant the kidney!
Liver: Kidney probably worked too hard yesterday. Might be resting!
Eyes: This one's on me!
Mouth: I brought Master a 30% boost to all attributes. Can you do that?
Eyes: My bad. You're the boss.
Spleen: Mouth, you're amazing!
…
Ryou listened to the bickering, but the kidney still didn't speak up. He couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
The kidney had given him a lot—his stamina and mental boosts were especially strong. The reason he'd been able to go on a complete rampage yesterday was because his stamina, focus, and overall physical condition had all been strengthened.
Otherwise… he wasn't sure he could've held Keqing down at all.
With that thought, Ryou put it aside.
He didn't know what the odds were for an organ entering Darkened Mode. All he could do was let things happen when they happened.
[End of chapter]
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