Ryou brought Huixin back to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and reassigned one of the staff members to Yujing Terrace.
"This is Huixin. From today on, she'll be working with us."
He led her to the front and looked over the room. "Zhongli hasn't shown up yet?"
A middle-aged man stood. "Director Ryou, Zhongli-san got drunk yesterday. He went home and hasn't come back since. Do you want us to go get him?"
"…He got drunk yesterday?"
Ryou waved it off. "Forget it. You all handle your work and report back when you're done. Huixin, you'll record everything."
"Yes." Huixin nodded quickly.
Before long, the staff brought the paperwork over to Ryou. He only needed a quick skim to see what needed to be done, sorting the files into piles in front of him.
And the more he looked, the worse it got. Out of ten folders, seven had issues. The proposed fixes weren't terrible, but by Ryou's standards, they were still not good enough.
He set the paperwork down, scanned the room, then pointed at a female staff member. "Go. Bring me five kettles of tea."
"Yes, Director Ryou!" She sprang up and hurried out.
A few minutes later, she returned carrying several kettles.
Ryou grabbed them and infused them all into spiritual tea in one go. A rich fragrance instantly flooded the entire office area.
"One bowl each. Drink first. Then go back and redo the paperwork."
The staff nodded and filed out one by one, each taking a bowl.
The tea was thick with aroma and unbelievably smooth. They had no idea how ordinary leaves could taste like this, but the moment they drank it, they felt awake, steady, and sharp—like someone had scrubbed the fog out of their heads.
They also noticed people outside in the corridor—Yujing Terrace staff craning their necks to look in, faces full of envy.
Ryou set the kettles where everyone could see them and spoke plainly. "This tea will calm you down and clear your mind. Now take that clarity and do your jobs properly."
He tapped the paperwork stack. "I don't know what Zhongli-san's standards are, but by mine, this is unacceptable."
He pointed at the tea. "Drink as much as you need. But the work has to improve. Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
The answers came fast and loud.
Ryou dragged over a chair and sat down. After a while, the change was obvious—efficiency jumped, and the quality rose with it. Out of ten folders, six were now at least barely up to standard.
Outside the office area, Ningguang arrived with Baiwen.
The moment she stepped close, she caught that strong tea fragrance and immediately questioned a few Yujing Terrace staff who'd been lingering nearby.
"Ningguang-sama, w-we…" They panicked on the spot.
"Back to work." Ningguang's voice cut like a blade.
She strode straight into the Ministry office area and fixed her gaze on Ryou. "Come with me. We need to talk."
Ryou followed her into an office. The moment he stepped inside, he caught a faint, heavier scent in the air—something perfumed, lingering.
He sat behind the desk, poured himself tea, and took a slow sip.
Then he slid the cup toward Ningguang. "Weren't you heading back to the Jade Chamber? Why are you back already?"
Ningguang snorted. "You really have the nerve to ask."
"I just handed a pile of documents to Ganyu and was about to leave, when I saw her walking out of Yujing Terrace. Explain that."
Her eyes narrowed. "What, was she supposed to dump everything on you?"
Ryou placed the paperwork in front of her.
As he did, his eyes flicked to her outfit—her cheongsam fit perfectly, and he couldn't help noticing how much it emphasized her figure. It drew his attention in a way that made his throat go dry.
He forced himself to look away.
Ningguang's voice came out amused. "Like what you see?"
Ryou paused, then looked at her, confused.
"Don't play dumb." She rolled her eyes. "I saw you staring."
Her tone sharpened, then softened again with a hint of heat. "Last time you were at your place, you didn't dare. Now you're bold—too late."
The memory of what she'd said back then made her ears burn. If things had gone differently that day, maybe she wouldn't be drowning in work now. Having Ryou help would make life a lot easier.
But his self-control was absurd. He'd given her zero openings.
Now, seeing that flicker in his gaze, she felt pleased… and strangely disappointed at the same time.
"Let's not dig up old things," Ryou said, coughing lightly. "Look at the documents. You'll understand."
He had to admit it—Ningguang had a presence Keqing and Ganyu didn't. Still, he believed Keqing and Ganyu would catch up with time, especially with him around.
Besides, every time he "bullied" Keqing, she got a random boost. The last one had bumped her up noticeably—enough that she was already ahead of Ganyu and even Yanfei in that department.
Ningguang shot him a look and finally turned to the paperwork.
The first glance told her something was off.
Extra pages were clipped inside—layers of revision notes. The first pass had problems, sure, but the second and third were already much cleaner. The file didn't stop there, though. It went all the way to a fifth revision, stamped "Approved," and the final solution was sharp—distinct, practical, and honestly impressive.
She flipped through several more folders. Same pattern. Multiple revisions, steadily improving, strong final approvals.
Ningguang remembered the staff's excitement outside—and the fact that Ryou himself hadn't been buried in paperwork.
She looked up. "You had them do all of this?"
"Mm." Ryou nodded.
"They're weaker than Yujing Terrace staff," Ningguang said, "but if you keep correcting them, they'll improve."
She looked back down. "Five revisions to reach standard? That's already not bad."
Ryou sipped his tea—then looked up again.
Ningguang had leaned forward slightly with the documents in hand, and the way she rested against the desk made her figure impossible to ignore.
She caught his gaze and rolled her eyes.
Really? That excited?
Then again… Keqing isn't built like this. Maybe it makes sense.
Ningguang's smile turned playful. "Want me to come closer so you can get a better look?"
She was beautiful, tall, and composed. Keqing had a different kind of beauty—like a first love, bright and heart-stopping.
Ningguang was something else entirely: a mature, confident allure that felt fully ripened. Every glance and smile made you want to look again. And the way she carried herself—like she knew exactly what she was doing—was the kind of temptation most men couldn't refuse.
Some girls blink at you, clueless.
A woman like Ningguang? One look, and she already understands. She could probably teach you with her hands if she felt like it.
So tell me—who doesn't like a woman like that?
Ningguang flipped a few more pages, then set the stack down. "These documents matter. If any of them are Fatui plants, the consequences would be catastrophic."
Ryou drummed his fingers lightly. "I'm guessing you already ran background checks."
He leaned back. "They're all from Liyue. And even if something went wrong, you'd have eyes on them. The work was hard, but the results speak for themselves. They've improved, and I don't need to babysit them anymore."
He smiled. "Isn't that a win-win?"
"…Fair," Ningguang admitted. After a beat, she asked, "What if I use this same method at Yujing Terrace?"
"You can," Ryou said. "But the cost won't be small. Think it through."
A weekly bonus was manageable for the Ministry because the staff count was limited.
Yujing Terrace was a different beast. The Mora burn would be massive.
Ningguang considered it, then sighed. "You're right. I didn't think that part through."
She gathered the paperwork, stood, and looked down at him. "Come to the Jade Chamber for dinner this afternoon."
"I have something I want to discuss with you," she added, then smirked. "But I'm not daring enough to invite you alone. Your wife would get jealous."
Ryou stroked his chin. "That should be fine."
"Good." Ningguang glanced at him like she'd noticed something. "You know, sometimes you don't have to force yourself to endure things."
Her smile turned sharper. "Want me to stay a bit longer?"
Ryou felt uncomfortable under that look. Ever since Ganyu had set him on fire, his tolerance was worse than before.
He cleared his throat. "Actually, there's something I want to ask you."
"What is it?" Ningguang stepped closer and looked down at him.
That only made it more obvious.
Even she felt her face heat up.
Keqing really isn't doing her job, is she?
Always "resting at home," and still she hasn't satisfied her husband?
Maybe… I really do have a chance.
Ningguang had already tried to kill the idea once—Keqing's temperament wasn't something to play with. But seeing Ryou like this, and remembering how Keqing barely even showed up to work now…
She could taste opportunity.
"I've never heard that you're married," Ryou said, genuinely curious, "but… did you get married in private?"
Ningguang's reputation in Liyue was always a little… complicated. A grown woman like her—one smile could make men lose their minds. It wasn't strange for Ryou to wonder.
This wasn't a game. This was real life.
Ningguang leaned down, voice slow and deliberate. "What? Think your onee-san already has a man?"
She met his eyes. "Honestly, I do wish I had someone to help me."
Then she smiled, softer now. "You know who I envy? Keqing."
"We used to be equally busy," she continued. "Buried in paperwork, handling everything. We argued, sure, but in my heart, I treated her like a little sister—because we're similar."
Her voice lowered. "But now…"
She let out a small breath, half-laugh, half-sigh. "Now it feels like she's my enemy."
She looked straight at him. "If I could have a man, I want that man to be you."
…
Ningguang kissed him—light, quick, and utterly shameless—then smiled and walked out.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Ryou stayed seated, still catching that lingering fragrance in the air. And the moment replayed on repeat in his mind—the pressure of her figure when she leaned in, the teasing heat in her voice.
The kiss had been brief, but the temptation hit like a wave.
"Ningguang is dangerous," he muttered.
He sucked in a breath. "No. Stop thinking."
He grabbed the tea and drained it in one go before he finally felt steadier.
Setting the cup down, he touched his lips and sighed. "That woman is lethal."
"My resistance is getting worse," he admitted. "This can't keep happening."
He frowned. "Ganyu is one thing. Ningguang is not. If something happens with her, Keqing will lose it."
Ryou went back out, helped the staff finish up, and wrapped the work quickly.
Right as he was about done, Zhongli finally arrived.
"Sorry," Zhongli said as he stepped in. "I'm late."
"It's fine." Ryou studied him. "So… last night, did you go home alone?"
He asked because he didn't smell any perfume on Zhongli at all, which was strange.
Ryou hadn't seen anyone helping Zhongli leave, but [Ears] had caught some things—Zhongli had definitely been surrounded by women. Then someone showed up, call Zhongli "old man" and took him away.
Was that Venti?
Venti always called Zhongli "old man."
"…Y-yes," Zhongli said. Just thinking about last night made his head throb. He'd nearly been eaten alive by those "tigresses."
Ryou nodded slowly. "So your alcohol tolerance is really that bad. You should train it."
He patted Zhongli's shoulder. "Work's done. Stay here and keep an eye on things—and sober up while you're at it."
With that, Ryou walked away.
As he left, he noticed the women already swarming Zhongli again. So much for sobering up.
Ryou chuckled under his breath. "That's life."
"Work, money, and making friends with girls," he said lightly. "Zhongli, you should enjoy it while you can."
[End of chapter]
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