"Cloud Retainer," Keqing said through clenched teeth, "I respect you as an adeptus. But teaming up with Shenhe to steal my husband… you've gone too far!"
Her fists were balled tight, eyes locked on Cloud Retainer like she was ready to throw hands.
Keqing had always revered the adepti. They'd protected Liyue for thousands of years.
But now one of the mighty and illuminated adepti was standing here, casually talking about taking her man—with her own disciple, no less?
Absolutely not.
If she had to bite an adeptus to death today, then so be it. Keqing would fight to the end.
"Keqing!" Cloud Retainer snapped, then pointedly shot Shenhe a glare. "This one merely spoke in passing. When did this one ever lay hands on your husband to steal him?"
Her tone shifted, sharper and more exasperated. "Shenhe has not been in Liyue long. She does not understand many things. You should show some tolerance."
Cloud Retainer had only said it offhand. She was an adeptus—actually stealing a man would be laughable.
Ryou stepped in and pulled Keqing into his arms. "Keqing, don't get worked up."
He looked to Cloud Retainer, keeping his voice polite. "I don't think Cloud Retainer is that kind of person. But… shouldn't you be at Mt. Aocang? Why are you in Liyue Harbor?"
"This one is here on important business," Cloud Retainer said, waving a hand. "But this is not something this one will tell you. Now go. Shenhe and this one still have matters to handle."
"Alright." Ryou didn't push. He took Keqing by the hand and walked away.
He didn't want prolonged contact with Cloud Retainer. If she noticed anything off about him, it could get messy fast.
Better to leave now.
"Keqing," Ryou said softly as they walked, "I married you. I'm not going to abandon you. Don't let your mind run wild."
"Mmh. I believe you," Keqing muttered, still fuming as she held onto him. "It's just… Shenhe went way too far. Trying to steal you with Cloud Retainer like it's nothing—how could I not be angry?"
She squeezed his arm harder, voice turning even more annoyed. "I seriously don't understand how you're so popular. Even Tabibito can't stop thinking about you."
Ryou just smiled and didn't explain.
He knew exactly why: Face's "charm" effect. It increased how easily people developed a crush.
And it seemed random. Cloud Retainer and Yanfei weren't affected at all, but Shenhe, Ganyu, and Tabibito clearly were.
This time, when they got home, Ryou didn't bully Keqing. Instead, he brought her into his pocket realm.
Using his mental power, he reshaped a section of the land into neat fields. Then, with Hand, he converted the water into spirit spring water and carefully irrigated the plots. After that, he and Keqing planted seeds together.
"What are these?" Keqing asked, burying another handful and patting the soil down with her shovel.
"Bulle Fruit seeds," Ryou said. "I bought them from a merchant by chance. He said they're a Fontaine fruit, and the taste is really good."
He set the bucket down beside him and smiled. "If they grow in the pocket realm, they'll absorb spiritual energy. Once they're ripe, eating them will be great for your body."
His voice softened. "Good health. Longer life. Keqing… you've always worried your lifespan would be short, right? If we eat these regularly, I really think we can live for hundreds—maybe even a thousand years."
"…Live a thousand years?" Keqing froze, shovel slipping from her fingers.
It made her think of what Shenhe had said the second time they met.
He didn't touch her back much, though—his hands were covered in dirt, so he just let her hold him.
Keqing noticed anyway, and warmth flooded her chest.
Her husband was honestly too good. Thoughtful, gentle, always looking ahead for her.
But then another thought hit her.
Living longer was great… but it also meant she might be bullied by this man for the next several hundred years.
It had only been eight days and she was already barely holding on. Thinking about centuries made her scalp tingle.
And if Ryou could solve the lifespan problem…
Wouldn't that mean his chances with Ganyu were suddenly much higher?
Once lifespan wasn't an issue, a lot of things became easier to talk about.
Keqing still felt a bit bitter about being tricked home today. She'd wanted to test the waters with Ganyu—help Ryou win her over.
Ganyu had said she liked Keqing, but Keqing didn't really believe it. It felt like an excuse. Like she was hiding something.
And Ryou… her husband was so dense it hurt.
Why couldn't he just be a little more proactive?
If you'd just take one step, your wife wouldn't have to worry this much.
"Keqing, go rest for a bit," Ryou said, looking at her. "I'll finish setting up the spirit fields and then I'll sleep too."
"No." Keqing shook her head. "I want to do it with you. It feels good, working together like this. I want to be part of it."
Ryou smiled and got back to work.
He handled the fields steadily. Mental energy was useful, but burning it too long wasn't good. Some things still needed doing by hand.
When they finally finished, Ryou was dirty from head to toe. Keqing wasn't any cleaner.
Ryou took her hand. "Let's soak in the hot spring and get some real sleep."
"Mm!" Keqing nodded.
In the hot spring, Keqing quickly realised Ryou was being unusually well-behaved.
Suspiciously well-behaved.
When did he ever get this obedient?
She reached out and felt around, testing him.
He really was behaving.
"Keqing, what are you doing?" Ryou slapped her hand away, then pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. "I don't want to bully you today."
His voice dropped. "But if you keep that up, I won't be so polite."
"Today you're not allowed," Keqing said, looking up at him with watery eyes. "I...I'm not fully recovered yet."
Ryou pinched her cheek. "You…"
The heat of the spring seemed to climb higher, like a summer sun pressing down. Even staring too long made your face flush and your head swim.
Keqing had recovered a bit, but she clearly couldn't handle being bullied right now.
Ryou wouldn't do it.
In his mind, she was his wife. No matter how crazy he got, there were lines he wouldn't cross—especially when she was hurt.
Even if she could endure it, he wouldn't push it.
The problem was… Keqing kept teasing him anyway.
She'd even slipped half her clothes off.
It was torture.
Today, he could only look. No touching.
Keqing giggled at his expression, leaned in, and kissed him lightly. "Ryou… thank you for being patient with me."
"You know I'm being patient and you still do that?" Ryou growled, tightening his arms around her as he carried her toward the room inside the pocket realm.
"Ryou, if you really want to… I can…" Keqing hesitated, cheeks burning.
"Don't say nonsense," Ryou said sharply. "I'm a man, not an animal."
He glanced at her, eyes blazing. "I'll let you off today. But tomorrow, I'm collecting everything at once. Don't think you're getting away."
"Mmh… o-okay." Keqing shrank back under that look, suddenly afraid of tomorrow.
But she knew one thing for sure: today, he really wouldn't bully her.
The thought warmed her again, and she nuzzled against his chest.
The next morning…
Keqing woke up in Ryou's arms.
And of course, the bad man was already pressing against her first thing in the morning.
Still, remembering how gentle he'd been last night put her in a good mood.
She hadn't slept this peacefully in ages.
Keqing leaned in and kissed his lips—only to freeze when she felt him open his eyes.
"Mmh!" She didn't get a chance to pull away. Ryou caught her and kissed her hard.
She really couldn't fight him.
And after how patient he'd been last night, she didn't even have the heart to push him away.
"Not this morning," Keqing mumbled against him, arms wrapping around his neck. "I still have to go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
"Mm." Ryou kissed her again, then stroked her hair. "You teased me for hours yesterday. Even if I let you off last night, you still have to help me a little."
He leaned close. "Otherwise I'll be walking into Yujing Terrace like this. How am I supposed to face anyone?"
"Pfft." Keqing glared at him. "You're just using it as an excuse to bully me."
She met his burning gaze and nod. "…Fine."
Ryou sucked in a sharp breath. "Keqing, you're way too good at this…"
…
Bubu Pharmacy.
Xingqiu's parents arrived in a rush. Xiangling showed up too, and Hu Tao came not long after.
"Doctor Baizhu," Xingqiu's mother said, grabbing his arm with trembling hands, "how is my son?"
"He's improved somewhat," Baizhu said, "but we need him to wake up first."
His tone was calm but heavy. "Right now, all we can do is wait. Even I can't force it."
They'd been unconscious all night. Xingqiu was better off than Chongyun, but only by comparison.
Xingqiu's mother's eyes filled with tears.
Xingqiu's father kept a grim face and looked straight at Baizhu. "Doctor Baizhu, I trust you. You've already done something incredible—bringing them this far."
Baizhu nodded. "Mm."
"Doctor Baizhu," Shenhe said, stepping forward, "can I see Chongyun? I'm his aunt. I can treat him."
Baizhu blinked, surprised to see the group behind her. "Shenhe-san… Ganyu-san… and this lady is…?"
He couldn't help it. The first two were stunning, but the third woman was mature and voluptuous—impossible not to notice.
"I-I'm here to check on him," the woman said quickly. "Don't mind me."
Cloud Retainer took over smoothly. "This one will handle it."
"Oh—of course." Baizhu nodded. "Shenhe-san is an adeptus's disciple. If you treat them, that's for the best."
Shenhe nodded and walked inside.
"Shenhe-san, please wait," Xingqiu's father called, stopping her with a desperate voice. "Xingqiu and Chongyun are very close. Could you… could you also save my son?"
Shenhe paused. "If I can, I will."
"Thank you, Shenhe-san." Xingqiu's father let out a shaky breath, like he'd been holding it in for hours.
The three of them went in.
Xiangling spoke softly beside Xingqiu's father. "Uncle, don't worry. Xingqiu and Chongyun are lucky. They'll be fine."
Hu Tao nodded. "Yeah."
"Xiangling, Hu Tao… thank you for coming," Xingqiu's father said with a sigh. "But at this point, all we can do is hope Shenhe-san can treat them."
"Sit and rest a little," Xingqiu's mother urged. "Worrying won't change anything."
"How can I rest?" Xingqiu's father snapped, frustration spilling out. "I told that boy to stay in the city and help his brother with business. He insisted on running around outside. And now look what happened."
Xingqiu's mother opened her mouth, but no words came.
"When he gets better, I'm going to lecture him properly," Xingqiu's father went on. "Why can't he learn from his cousin? Ryou works at the Ministry, stays in the city, safe and sound. But my son always wants to wander off—"
Xiangling and Hu Tao exchanged looks.
Ministry work?
If only he knew Ryou hadn't shown his face there for a full day.
And even when he did go, he barely stayed longer than an hour before leaving.
"Safe and sound" was… generous.
Just then, someone walked in.
It was Ryou and Keqing.
Ryou carried a bag of fruit, while Keqing held a container of chicken soup.
Ryou had infused everything with spiritual energy beforehand, so it would help with recovery. That was why they'd arrived a little later.
"Uncle. Aunt," Ryou said as he came over.
"Ryou, you're here!" Xingqiu's father stepped up quickly. "I was just talking about you."
He looked furious and exhausted all at once. "If that kid learned from you, he wouldn't be lying in there. I'm so angry I could explode."
"Uncle, don't be angry," Ryou said quietly. "This isn't Xingqiu's fault. It's the Fatui."
He glanced toward the back rooms. "And this isn't the time. We can talk later."
Xingqiu's father forced himself to nod. "Mm."
Keqing went to Xingqiu's mother. "Aunt… how is Xingqiu?"
"Shenhe-san went in to treat them," she said softly. "Now we can only wait."
She noticed the soup in Keqing's hands and looked touched. "You even brought chicken soup… that's very thoughtful."
"It's family," Keqing said gently. "It's the least we can do. Aunt, don't just stand—sit down and rest a little."
"How can I rest at a time like this?" Xingqiu's mother sighed.
From where she sat, Xiangling caught the scent of the soup—and froze.
It was rich, fragrant, deeply layered. Whoever made it had real skill.
But Keqing didn't cook like that.
Xiangling knew Keqing's level. She'd cooked with her in the wild before during her culinary travels around Liyue.
So… who made this?
Her eyes drifted to Ryou.
And the instant she looked at him, her heart slammed so hard it startled her.
It felt like a little animal had woken up in her chest—pounding, stamping, trying to burst free.
The feeling only grew stronger.
"X-Xiangling?!" Hu Tao turned, then jumped when she saw her face. "What's wrong with you?!"
[End of chapter]
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