"I do have a spare outfit," Ganyu said, not answering the real question at all. "Wait here."
She went to the cabinet, pulled out a set of clothes, and handed them to Keqing.
"Thanks…" Keqing said, cheeks burning.
She changed quickly with a soft rustle of fabric, then packed her old clothes away in her Vision's storage space. The instant relief made her feel human again—but the look in Ganyu's eyes made it painfully clear.
Ganyu had definitely misunderstood.
"Ganyu, I didn't do anything bad at the Ministry," Keqing said, dropping onto the seat beside her. "Stop looking at me like that!"
"Alright, alright. I won't look," Ganyu said, nodding.
"You're so fake about it," Keqing grumbled, rolling her eyes. Then her gaze shifted, sly. "Oh, right—didn't you tell me last time you'd fallen for someone?"
Ganyu's face heated up. She coughed lightly. "Keqing, didn't I already tell you? I fell for you. So… asking again means you finally understand how I feel?"
Keqing's entire head went hot.
It was the first time she'd ever been confessed to like this, and she could barely keep her composure.
"No way," she forced out, trying to sound firm. "Ganyu, don't lie to me. I know you're hiding something. Come on—tell me. We're best friends!"
Inside, her thoughts were spiraling.
Wait… is my guess actually right?
Or does she really like me?
That's not good!
I was trying to get you to like my husband so we could all be close—and now you're saying you like me?
How does that even happen?
Since when was I that charming?
Ganyu panicked. She could tell Keqing wasn't going to let this go today, and there was no way she could keep dodging forever.
Keqing's face was already red enough to give her away.
Ganyu made a snap decision. She lifted a hand and gently brushed Keqing's cheek.
"Keqing… I already told you. I like you. You…"
Keqing froze, completely blank.
No. No way.
She actually means it?
Bang.
At the worst possible moment, there was movement at the door.
Keqing whipped her head around—and saw Ningguang standing there, staring at the two of them.
Keqing's eyes went wide, her mind going perfectly empty.
"Ahem." Ningguang cleared her throat. "I'm not against it, but… at least close the door when you're—well. Doing that."
Then she shut the door with one swift motion.
"Ah—Ningguang, you've got it all wrong!" Keqing yelped and bolted out after her.
Ganyu watched them disappear, then finally exhaled and wiped at her forehead like she'd just survived a disaster.
Thank goodness. That was close.
If Keqing had kept pressing, I wouldn't have been able to bluff my way through… and my face was already on fire.
Ganyu picked up her tea and took a sip, trying to steady herself.
Being misunderstood wasn't the end of the world. Lady Ningguang was smart—she wouldn't jump to conclusions.
Still… Keqing's reaction just now was strange.
Don't tell me…
No. No way.
Ganyu set her cup down slowly, her thoughts turning grim.
Did I just… mess this up?
What if I didn't win over Keqing's husband at all, and instead somehow made Keqing fall for me?
That would be a disaster.
…
Ryou was in his office, sipping tea and thinking about giving [Hand] and [Eyes] the night off.
He planned to send [Hand] out again to study medicine—try to push his medical skill to level five, maybe even higher.
Then he noticed someone walk in.
He looked up. "Ningguang? What are you doing here?"
"I went to speak with Ganyu about something," Ningguang said calmly. "And I walked in on Ganyu confessing to Keqing."
She glanced at him. "Looks like you may have a new rival."
Ryou's face darkened. He didn't believe it for a second. He lifted his cup and took another slow sip.
"Keqing isn't that kind of person," he said flatly. "You probably misunderstood."
"I saw it with my own eyes," Ningguang shot back. "Do you think I imagined it?"
"I don't buy it," Ryou said.
"You—" Ningguang looked like she was about to explode.
The door flew open.
"Ningguang, you misunderstood!" Keqing stormed in, glaring at her. "Ganyu and I didn't do anything!"
Ryou immediately pulled Keqing into his arms. "I know exactly who you are. I believe you."
Keqing's anger deflated a little. "…Mm."
Ningguang let out a long, tired sigh. "You two… forget it. If I keep talking, I'll be the villain."
She got back to business. "I'm here because of the Ministry. You let the staff off early?"
"Yeah," Ryou said.
"That's already stirring up gossip," Ningguang said, expression sharpening. "I suspect the Fatui are involved."
She leaned in slightly. "Childe returned to Liyue today. And at Northland Bank… word is they've already been informed."
"After their staff got arrested, reopening the bank right now is basically asking to be attacked in public," she continued. "I don't know what the Fatui are thinking."
Ryou's eyes narrowed. "If Northland Bank stays open, that's a direct provocation against the Ministry."
He drained his tea in one go. "I'll handle it. I'll go in anonymously and arrest them one by one."
"You're still going to arrest people?" Ningguang frowned.
"We have to," Ryou said, voice hard. "We already issued an official notice about Northland Bank."
"And now they're opening their doors like nothing happened?" He stared at her. "That's a challenge."
"…Fine," Ningguang said after a beat. "Just be careful."
Her tone turned more serious. "Childe runs Northland Bank, and he's one of the Harbingers. Him marching back into Liyue like this… something's off."
"Don't worry," Ryou said. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Keqing asked.
"No. You stay here and hold the fort." Ryou paused, then looked at her. "By the way—those two 'senior and junior brothers' you arrested last time. Did we ever deal with them?"
Keqing blinked. "Uh… I arrested them and then I haven't seen them since."
Ningguang coughed. "Keqing, you know that counts as abusing your authority."
Keqing shrugged at her. "If you're so worried about that, maybe worry about your own mess."
"The Rite of Descension is your responsibility. Something happened, right? You figured out what you're doing?"
"That's not your concern," Ningguang said coolly. "Delaying it doesn't mean we're canceling it."
Ryou nodded. "Alright."
He stood, left the office, and called over a group of Millelith to move out.
As he walked out of Yujing Terrace, he suddenly spotted Tabibito and Paimon waving at him from a short distance away.
Ryou walked over with his men. "What's up? Need my help with something?"
"N-No," Tabibito said quickly. "You scared me. I thought you were coming to arrest me and Paimon."
She glanced at the Millelith behind him. "But… you look pretty serious. Are you going to arrest someone?"
"Yeah," Ryou said. "We're going to Northland Bank."
He smiled. "Want to come watch?"
"Really?" Tabibito's eyes lit up.
Northland Bank was Snezhnayan, sure, but it was still a bank. In her mind, that meant it probably wasn't too dangerous.
"Of course," Ryou said. "If you want to come, walk with us."
"Alright, let's go see the show," Tabibito said, setting her earlier thoughts aside as she fell in beside him.
…
Ryou glanced at Tabibito, then looked away.
He'd invited her along on purpose.
The Rite of Descension had been delayed, and the arrest that should've happened hadn't happened either. He was worried the "plot" would correct itself anyway—so he wanted Tabibito nearby in case something went wrong.
Ryou led the group straight to Northland Bank.
Guards were already posted at the entrance. The moment they saw Ryou approaching with the Millelith, they visibly tensed.
Bang.
Ryou kicked the doors open in a single brutal strike. The doors slammed back and smashed against the wall.
He strode inside, face cold.
"Ministry investigation. Nobody move!"
Everyone inside went rigid, stunned for a moment—then they recognized him.
One by one, they stepped aside and cleared a path. In Liyue, Ryou was a name you didn't pick a fight with.
Tabibito and Paimon were completely dumbfounded.
In their experience, Ministry staff were polite. Even when they made arrests, they explained everything properly.
How did it turn into this—kicking doors down and grabbing people?
"Ryou," a voice said from within. "I've been waiting for you."
Childe walked out, smiling like he was enjoying himself. "Maybe we can talk."
Ryou frowned.
Childe was a maniac—and he had Foul Legacy. Ryou had confidence, but dealing with a battle-crazed lunatic was still trouble.
"What, you think I'm here to attack you?" Childe asked, amused. "Relax. I just want a chance to talk."
Ryou stared at him. "Fine. Let's hear it."
"Please." Childe gestured, leading him into an inner room.
The door closed.
Childe's smile faded into something sharper. "Ryou-san, tell me what it costs to release my people."
"As long as it's not outrageous, I can agree."
"I can't help you," Ryou said without hesitation. "If I let them go, the Ministry's reputation is finished. Mine too."
Then his gaze hardened. "In fact, I need you to come with me to the Ministry."
Childe's expression darkened. He stared at Ryou, voice turning icy.
"Ryou… the Fatui haven't done anything to you, have we? Last time, you came to my doorstep to arrest people."
"And now you want to drag me into the Ministry too?"
"You know exactly what you've done," Ryou said, unflinching. "If this escalates, Northland Bank won't be able to keep operating here."
Childe's eyes flashed with killing intent.
"Ryou," he said slowly, "you're forcing my hand."
He leaned forward, each word deliberate. "I have Sigils of Permission on me. If I detonate them…"
His smile turned thin. "You know what happens next."
"Threatening me?" Ryou's voice went colder than the room.
He didn't look away. "Guards."
"Arrest every single employee in Northland Bank."
Then he added, sharp as a blade, "I want to see if you're really willing to use Sigils of Permission in front of everyone."
"You—!" Childe looked like he wanted to kill him on the spot.
But he also knew he couldn't act recklessly right now.
Ryou was impossible—soft didn't work, hard didn't work. There was no angle to break him.
And if Childe went with them, getting out again wouldn't be easy.
Fury twisted his face, but he had no choice.
He bared his teeth. "Ryou… you'll regret what you did today."
[End of chapter]
[200 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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