Ningguang pondered.
Aside from Keqing, Qin Yu had several close friends: Yanfei, Hu Tao, Ganyu, and Shenhe...
The true prospective family member must be among them.
Keqing, ever decisive, immediately strode out of the office, grabbed Qin Yu who was waiting by the door, and pulled her back inside.
Just as Qin Yu was wondering what was happening, Keqing seized her hand, her voice trembling, and demanded:
"W-when did you decide to get married? Why didn't you tell me?! Who's the lucky guy? How long have you been seeing him? Have you thought this through carefully?"
Qin Yu stammered in confusion, "I'm getting married?"
Even I didn't know about this myself.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
Seeing her strange reaction, Keqing cautiously probed, "Really?"
"Of course not!"
Keqing exclaimed excitedly, "Great!"
Ha? Why is she so thrilled?
"Ahem... I just meant it's good there's no such thing. Seems like it was just a misunderstanding. Wait, who were you referring to as your 'prospective family' then?" Keqing's newly settled heart began to race again.
Could it be... me? Is Qin Yu planning a surprise? Keqing's mind raced with wild guesses.
How did Keqing even find out about this?
After a brief moment of surprise, Qin Yu caught Ningguang watching them from the corner of her eye, and realization dawned. Ah, so Baiwen and the others must have told Lady Ningguang.
Qin Yu forced a dry laugh. "Actually, they're just very close friends—"
"Is it Shenhe?" Ningguang asked.
She considered Shenhe the most likely candidate.
Qin Yu fell silent.
Not me?! Keqing was utterly shocked.
Seeing Qin Yu's reaction, Ningguang knew her guess had hit the mark. She began to ponder.
She knew Shenhe and Qin Yu were close, and she had even asked Shenhe to take care of Qin Yu before. But how had "taking care of her" evolved into being considered "prospective family"?
Logically, I should be Qin Yu's family... Or is that just my perspective? Does Qin Yu not feel the same way? We've even reforged our bond with these shackles!
The more Keqing thought about it, the more dejected and lost she felt.
She desperately wanted to ask Qin Yu what she thought, but with Ningguang present, such a conversation was inappropriate.
Keqing crossed her arms and fell silent.
I have no choice but to tell them the truth now, Qin Yu thought, nodding. "Yes, I'm sorry for not explaining sooner. I was worried it might seem a little... odd."
"There's nothing odd about it," Ningguang said with a gentle smile.
"...Yes, not odd at all," Keqing added tonelessly.
Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you!"
"But I'm curious," Ningguang probed, "how did your relationship evolve this way?"
"It just... happened naturally, I suppose. Shenhe is very pure-hearted. Perhaps in her eyes, the closest relationship is family."
Plus, after enduring such trauma as a child, losing her entire family so young...
Ningguang chuckled. "I see. Shenhe's pure nature is truly remarkable. It's clear she cares deeply for you."
"Ah ha ha, yes..." Qin Yu replied awkwardly, embarrassed by the comment.
Ningguang, on the other hand, felt relieved. She found it much easier to accept Shenhe as Qin Yu's chosen family rather than Keqing.
The main reason was Shenhe's unwavering purity. If she said she wanted to be family, it meant only that—a familial bond, like sisters.
Keqing, however, couldn't let it go. "What about you?" she demanded. "Shenhe wanted to become your family, and you just agreed?"
I was here first!
Don't make it sound like I'd just agree to anything if someone asked! I'm not that casual, Qin Yu wanted to retort, but sensing Keqing's troubled mood, she held back.
Did I say something wrong? Qin Yu wondered anxiously.
"I... I have similar thoughts, but I'm not ready to be one yet. I still have some personal matters to handle. I plan to prepare for a while first and then start with my roommate."
"I see."
Hearing that Qin Yu wasn't ready to be a roommate yet made Keqing feel much better.
Ningguang, however, was deep in thought.
If Qin Yu moves in with Shenhe before the Jade Chamber is rebuilt, won't that mean she won't live there afterward? After all, she'd never abandon Shenhe.
But Ningguang refused to accept such a future.
She wanted Qin Yu to continue living in the rebuilt Jade Chamber, waking her up every morning, helping her comb her hair, massaging her at night, and letting her touch Qin Yu whenever she pleased, all while trying to please her...
The moment she considered that these exclusive privileges she considered hers might be shared with Shenhe, her roommate, Ningguang felt a surge of resistance and irritation.
Still, even with these feelings, figuring out what to do remained a daunting challenge.
Just as the tense atmosphere began to solidify, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over Qin Yu. She barely managed to steady herself, but her swaying stance startled both women.
"Qin Yu? Are you alright?" Keqing asked anxiously, steadying her.
"Ahaha, I'm fine, probably just a little tired."
Ningguang sighed. "It seems I've been pushing you too hard lately. My apologies. There are no further appointments scheduled today. Why don't you go back and rest for a while?"
"Yes, you should get some rest," Keqing added worriedly.
Feeling their concern, Qin Yu fidgeted with a strand of her hair.
"Mm... Thank you."
Evaluation: B- (Ningguang)
Evaluation: B- (Keqing)
Ningguang decided to return home. Qin Yu waved goodbye to Keqing and left the office.
Left alone in the office, Keqing let out a deep sigh.
She longed to know if Qin Yu considered her family.
Stroking her bracelet, she murmured to herself, "Should I ask her later? If she says no... No, I have to know for sure."
If Qin Yu said "no," then Keqing would thoroughly investigate why "no," why Shenhe could do it but she couldn't, and then figure out how to turn the "no" into a "yes."
Instead of overthinking, take action!—This was Keqing's guiding principle, whether in her work or in her relationship with Qin Yu.
With renewed resolve, Keqing straightened her posture and declared, "Alright."
She had already made one mistake; she couldn't afford to make another.
Yet a question flashed through Keqing's mind, and she unconsciously touched her lips.
Family members... don't kiss each other, do they? Keqing murmured, her cheeks flushing red.
Back in Ningguang's office, after receiving the agreed-upon compensation, Qin Yu settled down to rest as Ningguang had suggested.
"Have some tea to ease your fatigue," Ningguang said, personally brewing and pouring the tea.
"Thank you, Lady Ningguang."
Qin Yu picked up the teacup, blew on it a few times, and took a small sip.
Ugh, still too hot.
Ningguang gazed at Qin Yu, her endearing features naturally prompting her to reach out and caress Qin Yu's cheek.
Didn't you tell me to rest? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, but she didn't resist. After all, Ningguang had always done this, as long as she didn't mess up her hair.
Ningguang stroked Qin Yu's cheek thoughtfully.
If Qin Yu moved in with Shenhe instead of staying at the rebuilt Jade Chamber, she would inevitably spend more time with her roommate—a scenario Ningguang was unwilling to accept.
Yet if there was no other choice, she could begrudgingly accept it.
There was only one thing she absolutely could not tolerate:
The transfer of Qin Yu's "privileges." No, to be more precise, they would cease to be "privileges" altogether. If Shenhe could also touch Qin Yu like this, would it still be considered a "privilege"?
But what can I do?
Ningguang pondered quietly, kneading Qin Yu's cheek.
"The texture is quite pleasing," she murmured casually.
Then stop squeezing it randomly!