Once she had helped the staff finish setting up the newspaper's layout for tomorrow, Charlotte took a sample edition and made her way to Yujing Terrace.
Lady Ningguang took the school matters very seriously, so today's paper needed her approval before it could be printed.
Charlotte smoothly walked through the hallway and arrived at the office deep within, where she knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Yes."
Charlotte entered the office and shut the door behind her.
Ningguang was sitting at her desk. It seemed she had just returned from the Jade Chamber and hadn't even had time to change out of her elaborate dress.
"Lady Ningguang, the content of the paper has been tentatively finalized. Could you take a look and let me know if any changes are needed?"
"Alright."
Charlotte handed her the sample edition.
Ningguang lowered her head, carefully reading through it.
After a moment, Ningguang looked up, a satisfied smile on her face. "Very good. Let's go ahead and print it just like this."
"Understood."
Charlotte nodded.
Her expression hesitated for a moment.
Ningguang noticed and asked, "Is there something else?"
"Yes... Lady Ningguang, actually, I didn't participate in writing today's edition of the paper. I only provided the photographs."
"Oh?"
"So, this edition was actually edited by the new reporters at Liyue Newspaper, who have been learning these past few days. Since you're satisfied with it, that means my work here is complete."
Ningguang looked at Charlotte, deep in thought.
"So, you're planning to resign?"
"Yes..."
Charlotte nodded again.
Ningguang furrowed her brows slightly.
"You should know your situation in Fontaine. While I've already sent people there to assist you through diplomatic channels, there hasn't been a reply yet."
"It's fine, that's no longer an issue."
"How do you know that?"
"I ran into Editor Euphrasie at school today. She told me."
"Euphrasie... the Editor from The Steambird?"
"Yes, I didn't expect you knew about her too."
"After all, she's quite a famous figure in the industry. Naturally, I've heard of her. She's here in Liyue as well…"
Ningguang's fingers lightly tapped on the desk.
"Editor Euphrasie isn't on a business trip; she's here on personal matters."
"Ah, I see. What did she say to you?"
Charlotte hesitated for a moment but eventually recounted what Euphrasie had told her.
Ningguang pondered quietly for a moment.
"If she says you're safe in Fontaine, then I have no reason to stop you from going back."
"Thank you, Lady Ningguang."
"It's I who should thank you. I had promised you something but couldn't deliver. Yet, you've done what you promised me excellently."
Charlotte waved her hand shyly. "It's nothing. Actually, I've learned a lot at The Steambird and used quite a bit of public funds as well."
Ningguang smiled and shook her head. "Those are just small amounts of money... By the way, Charlotte, what do you plan to do after returning to Fontaine?"
Charlotte paused. "Plan?"
Ningguang spoke gently, "Yes, plan. Don't feel nervous. I'm just talking to you as a friend."
"Oh, I guess I'll return to The Steambird and continue investigating the truth behind various things as usual..."
"But you've already been an Chief Editor. Won't it feel awkward to go back to being a reporter?"
"It's alright. My dream has always been to present real news to everyone. Being an editor or a reporter, it's the same!"
"That's a great dream. However, the truth is often cruel, dark, and you should have learned this after everything you've been through."
"I... I've naturally learned that already and come to terms with it!"
Charlotte's expression was determined.
This person really is unyielding.
Ningguang continued without missing a beat, "Fontaine is a land of justice, but even in such an environment, there are many injustices that need brave reporters like you to expose them."
"Indeed!"
"You may face darker and more powerful opponents than you did this time. You left Fontaine safely and waited for the storm to pass here in Liyue, but next time, you might not be so lucky. It might even involve your parents. Being in a high position as Tianquan Star, I am more aware of the sins of certain people than you are, and I understand their methods better too."
Charlotte fell silent.
She wasn't afraid, but her parents...
"As one of the Seven Stars, I admire your dream. But as a friend, I'm also concerned about your future. Charlotte, you can't keep going like this, full of passion, without thinking it through."
"Lady Ningguang..."
"Of course, I'm not saying you should give up on your dream. I just want to discuss whether there's a way to achieve both: keeping you and your family safe while still exposing the darkness and injustice."
"A way to have it both ways?"
"Mm, yes, a way that ensures your safety as well as your continued pursuit of truth."
"Is there such a way?"
"Of course there is."
"Please, Lady Ningguang, teach me!"
"The solution is simple. Just like how The Steambird protected you this time."
"Eh?"
"Send you on a business trip."
Charlotte lowered her head, as if realizing something.
Ningguang continued, speaking calmly, "Why did you come to Liyue? To put it bluntly, it's to seek refuge. No matter how powerful the higher-ups in Fontaine are, they can only act within Fontaine. Even if their influence is vast, it won't reach Liyue."
In other words, as long as you're in Liyue, you can say whatever you want, curse however you want, and no one can do anything about it. Even if they use diplomatic means, as long as I'm here to protect you, you needn't worry."
"Lady Ningguang means…"
"Exactly. If you want to achieve your dreams, the best stage isn't at The Steambird in Fontaine but in other nations. It could be Mondstadt, Sumeru, Inazuma, or even here in Liyue."
"But I…"
"You're not familiar with other countries, but you're familiar with me. As long as you're willing, the doors of Liyue are still open to you. The Chief Editor position is still yours. Keep the membership cards for Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion. You're free to go wherever you want in Liyue, and all expenses will be reimbursed."
"But…"
"If you're worried about being in Liyue and unable to get the news from Fontaine, don't worry. I can share all Fontaine's information with you. This should be easier than collecting it yourself."
"If that's the case…"
"I can even send someone to bring your parents from Fontaine to live here. We're planning to build houses at Yujing Terrace, and I'll reserve the best one for you. They're getting older, and living by the sea for their retirement would be quite nice."
"That does sound…"
"You also don't have to worry that the truth you report from a foreign country will be meaningless. I plan to open another branch in Fontaine next year. By then, the news you uncover will be available to the people of Fontaine, just as if you were reporting for The Steambird there."
"…"
Charlotte was stunned, feeling as though her future in Liyue was indeed brighter.
"So, what do you think? Have you considered it?"
"I… I'll think about it some more."
"I truly admire your abilities. If you still want to return to Fontaine, I won't force you to stay."
"Thank you, Lady Ningguang."
"Oh, by the way."
"Lady Ningguang?"
"The Windblume Festival in Mondstadt is coming up. You know about it, right?"
"I do!"
"Have you been?"
"No."
"Would you like to go?"
"I would like to!"
"If you hadn't mentioned resigning, I was actually planning to send you to Mondstadt to do a special interview. Mr. Xia and the others are planning to travel to Mondstadt as well, and I was thinking of talking to him to see if he would be willing to take you along. The food along the way would be better, too."
What? There's that as well?!
Well, this doesn't seem like something worth considering!
The food doesn't matter; the key thing is that I want to follow my original dream better.
Charlotte said seriously, "Lady Ningguang, I've thought it over. It's an honor to work for you."
Ningguang looked at her, and a smile once again appeared on her face. "Then, I look forward to working with you in the future."