"Ganyu… I didn't know you were into gossip too," Keqing said, honestly surprised.
Ganyu had always left a great impression on her—fast, capable, principled, diligent. And yet here she was, casually dropping someone else's bedroom complaints like it was tea time.
Keqing glanced at Ganyu.
Her whole face was red, and her eyes kept flicking away in a way that gave her away.
Keqing's thoughts spun.
So it's not impossible after all.
We're close. If she helps me take some pressure… that's normal, right?
From then on, we'd be real sisters.
"Keqing-san," Ganyu said in a rush, "I—I only heard it from other people. I wasn't paying attention on purpose. You know I'm not that kind of person."
"Ganyu, don't panic," Keqing said with a soft laugh. "We're close. Do you really think I'd change how I see you over something like that?"
Then she smiled and nudged the topic where she wanted it.
"You're older than me, right? From now on, I'll call you Ganyu-onee-san. And you can just call me Keqing. Okay?"
"Y-Yeah… okay," Ganyu said, flinching a little at the "older" part.
But Keqing wasn't the sort to jab at people for fun, so Ganyu didn't dwell on it. She steadied herself and got back on track.
"So… why did you call me over?" Ganyu asked. "If it's nothing urgent, I should get back to work."
She paused, then added, a little wistful, "If your husband could help out, that would be amazing. The ideas he comes up with are… sharp. I've processed so many matters, and I've never seen anyone pitch that many good solutions."
Ganyu shook her head like she still couldn't believe it.
"Some of them sound wild at first, but once you think them through, they're all workable—and the improvements would be huge. If it weren't for you… I might've even gone to Ningguang-san and asked to transfer him to help with other jobs."
"No way," Keqing said immediately, shooting her a look. "He's my husband. If he goes to your side, who's helping me?"
Her eyes shifted as she spoke, measuring Ganyu.
Then she asked, casually on purpose, "So… what do you think of him?"
"I think he's a good person," Ganyu said after a moment. "And he's extremely capable—someone you'd call a true talent."
She thought it through as she spoke.
"Your family has produced several capable people. His father is impressive, so it makes sense he wouldn't be lacking. The two of you working together… your future children would probably be remarkable."
Keqing nodded along. That matched what she'd seen too.
"Yeah," Keqing said. "That makes sense."
She hesitated, then tried to set it up gently.
"Ganyu-onee-san… we get along pretty well, right?"
"We do," Ganyu said, watching her. "You're trying to tell me something, aren't you?"
Her tone turned serious, but warm.
"Keqing, if you need my help, just say it. With our relationship, you don't have to circle around it. If it's something I can do, I'll do it."
That straightforwardness made Keqing's throat tighten.
Because how was she supposed to say it?
What—was she going to tell her: My husband is too strong, can you help me share the burden?
If she actually said it out loud, Ganyu would probably bolt out the door.
They might not even be able to stay friends after.
Maybe… I should make Ryou figure it out first.
I'm already compromising this much—he can do some work too.
And then—
The door opened.
Ryou stepped in.
"Ganyu?" he said, clearly surprised to see her in Keqing's room.
But since the two of them were close, he didn't think too much of it.
"Why are you back already?" Keqing asked, just as surprised. "Weren't you at the Ministry of Civil Affairs today?"
Ganyu looked up at him.
It wasn't even the first time she'd seen Ryou, but the moment she met his eyes—
Her heart went completely out of control.
The speed, the heat, the sudden rush in her chest… even she couldn't explain it.
If it were any other time, she'd stop and think it through.
But this was the worst possible situation.
He's married.
Why am I reacting to him like this?
Keqing… I'm sorry.
[End of chapter]
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