Inside the room, Zhongli bowed his head slightly, deep in thought for a moment.
"I think I understand your intention."
"This would be the best of both worlds—if it works, not only would he be free of erosion, but he could also continue guarding Liyue in a new form."
"I can agree to let you try. If Azhdaha truly regains clarity, then you can discuss the arrangement with him directly."
"Mm. But are you sure your seal is still holding? It's been years—nothing's gone wrong?"
"Rest assured. While time does weaken seals somewhat, it wouldn't lead to a complete failure. Osial's case was… exceptional. Besides, Mountain Shaper has been living atop Mt. Hulao all these years. He's kept an eye on Azhdaha's seal the entire time."
Xia Zhi thought for a moment. "But hasn't Mountain Shaper been away for nearly six months now?"
Zhongli paused—then gave a slight nod. "True, but rationally speaking, a mere six months is not a long time. The Dragon-Queller Tree should still be stable."
Xia Ci rubbed her forehead. "Don't jinx it like that."
"'Jinx it'? What do you mean?"
"It's that uncanny cosmic law where, the moment someone says, 'don't worry,' something goes spectacularly wrong."
"A self-fulfilling prophecy? You worry too much. I don't have that kind of power."
"Let's hope not."
"But just as you said, there's always the chance the seal could weaken. Mr. Xia, if Azhdaha doesn't recover, I'll have to trouble you with reinforcing the seal."
"Sure."
From the loudspeakers outside came the announcement: "Liyue's Morning Broadcast Calisthenics Routine—starting now!"
Xia Zhi turned toward the window. Somehow, it was oddly nostalgic.
---
Yuehai Pavilion
Ganyu returned to her office, still visibly distracted.
It was hard not to be—everything Shenhe had told her earlier was just… too much.
Mr. Xia…
Ganyu absentmindedly played with the little qilin plush in her hand, squeezing and toying with it.
Her gaze drifted to the cup on her desk, thoughts running wild.
Until a soft knock at the door brought her back.
She blinked and looked toward the entrance. "Come in."
She quickly placed the qilin doll off to the side of her desk.
The door opened.
A woman in uniform entered, holding several folders in her arms.
"Miss Ganyu!"
"Oh—Huixin."
"These are some urgent documents that require your personal review."
"I see. Thank you."
Huixin bowed slightly and placed the documents neatly on her desk.
In that moment, a graceful curve came into Ganyu's line of sight.
She couldn't help but glance again, her mind drifting once more.
Huixin's really grown up now…
Ganyu still remembered when Huixin first joined Yuehai Pavilion.
A shy young girl, bowing politely and calling her "Miss Ganyu" with soft reverence.
And she remembered Huixin's father—Uncle Tian.
The current Tianshu Star.
Ganyu could even recall when he had just taken up that position—a youthful, earnest boy, smiling bashfully as he greeted her: "Miss Ganyu…"
Those moments all felt like they'd happened just yesterday.
And yet, now Uncle Tian was preparing to retire, and Huixin already had a daughter of her own.
Time truly flew.
Just as Huixin was about to leave, Ganyu hesitated—then called out to her.
"Huixin, wait."
"Mm? Yes, Miss Ganyu?"
"Sit for a bit. I want to talk to you."
"Oh, alright."
Huixin sat down in the nearby chair.
Ganyu got up and brewed some tea.
"Here—have some."
"You didn't have to go to the trouble, Miss!"
Huixin took a sip and her eyes lit up.
"This is delicious!"
"It's a new tea I brought back from the school. Supposedly, it makes you smarter."
"Really?!"
Huixin laughed and casually twirled a strand of hair around her finger, exuding a graceful femininity.
"Speaking of which—I just enrolled my daughter at the school, too."
"Is that so?"
"Mm. It's a relief, honestly…"
They chatted for a while longer before Ganyu carefully broached the subject.
"So, Huixin… there's something I wanted to ask you about."
Huixin blinked. "Huh? Me? If even you're troubled, Miss, there's no way I'd have the answer…"
Ganyu looked at her seriously. "No. You've been through it. You'd know more about this than I do."
Huixin cradled the teacup in her hands and said softly, "Then… what's the matter?"
Ganyu took a moment to organize her thoughts.
"I have a friend. Recently, she's been going through some things."
Huixin raised an eyebrow, her expression turning mildly curious. "Some things?"
Ganyu continued, "Not long ago, she got close to someone—an 'opposite-gender friend.' He's been incredibly kind to her. He gives her gifts—sometimes really expensive ones. He treats her to meals, helps her with so many things. They get along very well…"
Huixin glanced sideways at Ganyu. She remembered how Miss Ganyu had started acting strangely recently—leaving work early every Friday, looking as if she were rushing off to meet someone. A few coworkers had even whispered about whether Ganyu was in love. Huixin herself had overheard it more than once.
"So… they hit it off. Then what? Did your friend confess?"
"No…"
Ganyu shook her head instinctively—then hastily added,
"Not me! My friend did not confess."
"Sorry, Miss. Slip of the tongue."
Huixin smiled politely.
"But if they both like each other, why doesn't she confess?"
"Well… actually, it's because she accidentally found out her younger sister had confessed to him first."
"…Oh."
"So, she decided to bury her feelings."
"Does she regret that now?"
"No… well, maybe a little. I'm not entirely sure. She told me she keeps thinking about him lately. She wants him to stay by her side, wants to hear his voice every day. And whenever she sees him with another girl—even if it's her own sister—she can't help but feel… upset."
Huixin pondered that. "Sounds like you are very possessive, Miss."
Ganyu immediately corrected her: "Not me! It's my friend!"
"Sorry, sorry—your friend. That kind of feeling is totally normal."
"Normal?"
"Mhm. When it comes to love, every girl gets possessive."
"Every girl? You too, Huixin?"
"Of course. That's why my husband never dares to talk to strange women outside."
She said it with a gentle, almost teasing smile.
Ganyu fell silent for a moment, then quietly asked,
"…But what if a girl is willing to give up on love?"
"Give up?"
Huixin blinked.
Ganyu went on, "It's like this—her sister recently discovered her secret, and went to her privately, saying that she hoped the two of them could stay together forever… Huixin, do you think the sister did the right thing?"
Huixin looked at her strangely. "I'm not sure what's right or wrong—but her sister must really love her, to say something like that."
"…I see."
Ganyu murmured under her breath.
Huixin asked, "So what does your friend want?"
"She… she's confused. That's why she came to me. I don't have any experience either, so I thought I'd ask you."
"I understand."
Huixin thought for a bit.
"Is she feeling guilty? Or maybe unwilling to let go?"
"Maybe… a bit of both."
"That won't do. The worst thing in a relationship is not knowing what you truly want."
"But she really doesn't know."
"Miss, how would you know what she really thinks?"
"I… I asked her! She said she had lots of concerns—work, family…"
Huixin thought for a second, then said, "Alright. I have an idea."
"What is it?"
"Ask her to imagine this: What if, from today onward, she never saw that man again—and never saw her sister again either? What would she feel?"
Ganyu lowered her head.
If that were to happen…
She'd just go back to how she used to live.
Wake up, work overtime, come home.
No more soft voices waking her in the morning. No more delicious instant noodles for late-night snacks. No more Friday night soaks or massages. Just lying in bed alone, doing those things while looking at a photo…
Day after day, year after year…
Even imagining that lonely, suffocating future made Ganyu feel like she couldn't breathe.
She jolted upright.
So she… really didn't need to keep hesitating, did she?
"Miss? Miss?"
Huixin called out softly.
"What's wrong?"
Ganyu looked up—and suddenly smiled, bright and radiant.
"I'm fine."
Huixin was briefly stunned.
"What's wrong, Huixin?"
"Miss Ganyu, your smile is so beautiful!"
"Really?"
"Mhm! If you confessed like this, it would definitely work!"
"…Confess?"
Ganyu shook her head.
"What confession? I told you, it's not me—it's my friend. That suggestion of yours, I'll be sure to pass it on."
"…"
Miss sure is stubborn.
Huixin took another sip of tea.
Ganyu looked at her and said suddenly, "Huixin, how's your work in the Secretariat going?"
"It's great! Everyone's so friendly and talented—I've learned a lot!"
"Mm."
Ganyu nodded, then casually picked up the documents Huixin had brought earlier. She looked at the top one.
"Come take a look at this."
"Huh?"
"What do you think? Don't be shy—just say it."
"Well, I'll try…"
Huixin shared her thoughts.
After listening, Ganyu immediately approved the file based on her suggestions.
Huixin panicked. "Wait! Miss—this…"
"It's fine. Everything you said was correct. These files aren't hard to process—you just don't have the authority to approve them. That's all."
Ganyu picked up the next file.
"Take a look at this one too."
"Miss, are you…?"
Ganyu smiled. "I'm going on a trip in a few days."
"A trip?"
"I'm visiting my master—Cloud Retainer—in Jueyun Karst. So while I'm away from Yuehai Pavilion, I need someone reliable to handle these documents."
Huixin had a bad feeling. "That person… don't tell me…"
"That's right. It's you."
"M-Me?! I can't! There are others in the Secretariat far more qualified—"
"It's not about qualifications. I need someone dependable. And your father is the Tianshu Star. That's good enough for me."
"But… last time you went to Jueyun Karst, didn't you—"
"You mean Ningguang's three secretaries? Forget it. She's swamped enough. Let's not trouble her. Or… are you saying you don't want to help me?"
"N-No! Of course I want to!"
"Good. Start with these. I'll check everything myself. Get used to the workflow over the next few days…"
Huixin looked like she was about to cry.
"Oh right. That 'friend' I told you about—don't tell anyone else."
"Miss, I won't."
Ganyu nodded.
She trusted Huixin. She'd been by her side for years.
And if push came to shove… she could always use that classic line from Mr. Xia's novel:
"Huixin, you wouldn't want your daughter to get bullied at school, would you?"