At eighteen, Ji Ming stood obediently like a lackey.
Right in front of him, his Senior Sister Ganyu was chatting idly with Liyue's renowned legal expert, Yanfei. As two half-adepti who both lived in Liyue Harbor, they quickly found common ground and talked away—so engrossed that they nearly forgot Ji Ming was even there.
As a seasoned drifter of the underworld, Ji Ming felt about Yanfei the way a mouse feels about a house cat. To say he wasn't nervous would be a lie. Who knew whether she'd casually finish chatting and then casually escort him straight to prison?
Prison wasn't exactly terrifying—but freedom outside it was still preferable.
"Senior Sister Ganyu, I've left the invitation and the letter on the desk. I'll be taking my leave—goodbye!"
Just as Ji Ming tried to slip away—
"Nope. Come back here and stand properly."
His shoulders drooped. With a defeated sigh, Ji Ming obediently returned to Ganyu's side and stood at attention, prompting Yanfei to cover her mouth and giggle.
Like Ganyu, Yanfei had a red legal insignia above her head. But on either side were pale yellow-white antler-like horns, marking her half-adeptus heritage. From a distance, they looked a bit like scallions.
Yanfei tilted her head and studied Ji Ming. Her eyes were bright and clear, the kind that made a good first impression instantly.
"So you're the Mr. Ji Ming Ganyu mentioned," she said cheerfully. "Allow me to nag just a little—try not to violate the law too often, okay?"
"That'd be me. Just trying to make a living…"
Ganyu gently tapped Ji Ming on the forehead, her voice soft.
"Answer properly. Otherwise, Miss Yanfei might start to dislike you."
"Pfft—"
Yanfei stepped closer, smiling brightly.
"This feels oddly like watching a mother and son interact. Don't worry—I don't dislike Mr. Ji Ming. After all, he didn't steal my personal belongings."
She produced her law tome and waved it lightly. Her antlers swayed with the motion, and Ji Ming's gaze drifted—instinctively—to Ganyu's qilin horns.
The look was… far too inquisitive.
In an instant, Ganyu covered her horns, a faint trace of irritation flashing through her eyes.
Junior Brother Ji Ming… you're being rather improper.
Sensing danger, Ji Ming quickly looked away and patted his chest in reassurance.
"Rest assured! I would never do anything to harm Miss Yanfei."
"Mm, I believe you!" Yanfei nodded earnestly. "Of course, you shouldn't harm anyone else either. If someone hired me, I wouldn't go easy on you~"
Perfectly satisfied, Yanfei waved goodbye.
"Alright, I've got a commission this afternoon. You two carry on. See you next time!"
"Mm. Until next time," Ganyu replied, watching her go.
Once Yanfei left, the polite distance in Ganyu's eyes vanished. She took Ji Ming's hand and led him into the Moon Sea Pavilion.
The same familiar office. The same towering stacks of documents. Yet Ganyu looked no less energetic—in fact, Ji Ming's arrival seemed to brighten her even more.
His gaze flicked to the corner of the room, where a small bed had been set up.
"Senior Sister… have you been resting here lately?"
"Oh—don't worry about me," Ganyu said gently. "The Rite of Descension is only a year away, and there's a great deal of coordination work. I've just been staying here temporarily."
Seeing the concern in his eyes, she rose on her toes and lightly patted his head, motioning for him to sit. Then she opened the letter from Cloud Retainer.
To Ganyu,
I have taught Ji Ming the breathing and circulation technique. Unfortunately, he has yet to master it—likely due to an impure state of mind. You must urge him to cultivate diligently. If Ji Ming may enjoy a longer life, then at least you will have companionship in Liyue.
The ink faded there.
Ganyu folded the letter, confirming there were no further instructions, and turned to look at Ji Ming.
His breathing was indeed steadier than before—but only barely. He clearly hadn't been practicing seriously.
Recalling Cloud Retainer's words, Ganyu's cheeks warmed slightly. If Ji Ming truly could extend his lifespan… perhaps she wouldn't have to endure her loneliness anymore.
After all, Ji Ming was family to her. He wouldn't abandon her to solitude, would he?
Sensing her gaze, Ji Ming turned and smiled softly.
"Senior Sister Ganyu—did you need something from me?"
"Yes," she replied quietly. "Would you… stay and work with me tonight?"
It was a small test.
If Ji Ming showed reluctance or impatience, Ganyu would never ask again. She would still take care of him—but he would no longer hold the same place in her heart.
"No problem," Ji Ming answered without hesitation. "Working with you is an honor."
As expected—Junior Brother Ji Ming was always so well-behaved.
Still, a flicker of concern crossed his mind. Moon Sea Pavilion handled sensitive governmental matters. If he accidentally saw classified documents, would Ganyu get into trouble?
As if reading his thoughts, Ganyu tightened her grip on his hand—firm, unwavering, as though she would never let go.
"It's fine," she said gently. "Just help me sort and categorize. Even if you see something… it's alright. For my sake, you'll keep it confidential, won't you?"
This is bad.
Her eyes were far too warm.
Ji Ming raised three fingers to the sky.
"By the Geo Archon above, I swear to take all secrets to the grave. Should I break this oath, may I suffer the punishment of stone and earth."
Ganyu smiled softly.
"No need to be so formal. If you're ready, shall we begin?"
A pile of unsorted documents sat by the desk. Ji Ming crouched near the table legs and chair, sorting them, while Ganyu sat at the desk, processing each file in order of urgency.
In short—Ji Ming's speed determined Ganyu's efficiency.
Is this a test?
Ji Ming suddenly realized it: if he focused completely, his hands moved faster. This was cultivation—breathing and circulation in practice.
As expected of Senior Sister Ganyu. Every action carried meaning. Even Fourth Brother Broken-Finger Chen couldn't compare.
To speed things up, Ji Ming skimmed the first line of each document before categorizing it.
After a while, a pattern emerged.
On the surface, Liyue was peaceful. Beneath it, instability simmered. In a word: the rich were too rich, and the poor too poor.
People from all walks of life gathered in Liyue Harbor. The rich and poor lived side by side, and contradictions grew sharper—like the Jade Chamber itself, forever towering above those who could only look up.
Many abandoned honest work, turning to banditry outside the city. Though most didn't kill, they still harmed livelihoods.
Compared to that, underworld figures like Ji Ming were practically model citizens—operating within Liyue's laws, far less dangerous than Treasure Hoarders or highwaymen.
So one might ask: If Liyue is the Harbor of a Thousand Ships, why are there so many poor?
Because Liyue has an invisible hand.
No—don't misunderstand.
That invisible hand is Morax himself.
Each year, when the Geo Archon descended, he adjusted the market. Wealthy merchants followed his guidance. The common folk tried to share in the gains—only to be harvested by merchants who had planned ahead. Those merchants were harvested by noble houses. And those houses, in turn, were harvested by Ningguang.
Wealth flowed upward, forming a pyramid—its apex occupied by the Tianquan.
Morax's intentions were good.
But the execution… was flawed.
"Junior Brother Ji Ming," Ganyu said warmly, "thanks to you, we finished more than expected today."
She looked genuinely happy. Work made her forget her loneliness—and today, working together made that happiness double.
Ji Ming set the last file on the desk and smiled.
"Senior Sister, let me treat you to dinner."
Forget the invisible hand.
Right here was Ganyu's soft, warm hand—and that was all that mattered.
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