With the "Lover's Choice" unresolved, Ningguang asked Qin Yu to leave the Jade Chamber first.
They didn't specify how long they needed to think, but it was clear they wouldn't reach a conclusion anytime soon.
"Um, thank you, Sister Ganyu..." Qin Yu said softly.
Ganyu shook her head. "There's no need to thank me. This way, you won't have to face that situation... but you don't seem very happy?"
Qin Yu murmured softly, "Mm-hmm."
The expressions on Ningguang and Keqing's faces lingered in her mind, refusing to fade.
All she felt now was exhaustion and a complicated mix of emotions.
"All that's left is to wait," she said.
Ganyu nodded. "Yes, all we can do is wait. Tomorrow, you're scheduled to work with me. That's perfect. Let's meet at Yuehai Pavilion tomorrow? I'll give you plenty of work to keep your mind off things."
"Mhm, I understand."
By now, the night was deep. Ganyu bid them farewell, intending to take her leave.
"Good night, Qin Yu and Shenhe," Ganyu said with a wave and a smile.
"Good night," Shenhe replied.
"Good night."
Qin Yu paused, then squeezed out a hesitant, "Sister."
A blush crept across Ganyu's delicate face. She murmured softly, "Mm... sweet dreams. If you happen to dream of me—no, never mind... See you tomorrow."
Don't say such strange things.
But perhaps she really would dream of Ganyu. Without Ganyu by her side, Qin Yu couldn't imagine what she would do or what she would become.
Sister Ganyu. The name felt more natural on her tongue now.
Suppressing her embarrassment, Qin Yu and Shenhe bid Ganyu farewell.
Then Qin Yu turned to Shenhe beside her.
"Shall we go home?"
"Mm."
Returning to their familiar, cozy home, Qin Yu felt a deep sense of relaxation and peace. Her fatigue quickly turned into drowsiness.
As she replayed the day's events in her mind, she couldn't help but sigh.
So much really happened... This day felt like a week, full of ups and downs...
But the story wasn't over yet.
"Ningguang, Keqing..." Qin Yu murmured, leaning back against the sofa, her thoughts a tangled mess.
Shenhe approached and handed her a glass of water. "Drink this."
Grateful, Qin Yu accepted the glass and took a sip.
Hmm? This water tastes... odd.
"Shenhe, what's in this?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled. "It tastes a little strange."
"I added some powdered medicinal herbs I ground myself. They have a sleep-inducing effect. You've been through so much today—I thought you could use a good rest."
Why didn't you say so sooner? I thought you'd added something weird!
"Oh, I see. I thought you'd put something strange in it."
"Strange things? Like what?" Shenhe asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Qin Yu's face flushed inexplicably. "Nothing! Never mind, never mind," she said hastily.
Better to just drop it.
Shenhe tilted her head slightly in confusion, but since Qin Yu had dismissed the topic, she dropped it and sat beside Qin Yu, resting her head on her shoulder.
Qin Yu leaned closer to Shenhe.
"Hey, Shenhe?"
Shenhe closed her eyes and murmured, "Hmm?"
"Are you really okay with... with me accepting your confessions?" Qin Yu couldn't help but ask.
Maybe Shenhe said and did those things earlier just to help me, Qin Yu thought.
She was, of course, deeply grateful for Shenhe's actions, but she also wanted to delve deeper, to understand Shenhe's true feelings, to hear her innermost thoughts and know exactly what Shenhe was thinking.
"I don't mind," Shenhe said.
She really doesn't mind?
"As long as I can spend my life with you, Qin Yu, I'll be content. I have no other desires. But precisely because of this, I hope you'll always stay by my side."
"Never to be separated," Shenhe added.
Her overwhelming devotion washed over Qin Yu.
But this was exactly what Qin Yu had wanted.
"Me too..." Qin Yu replied, twisting a strand of her hair.
"However..."
Eh?
Shenhe opened her eyes, her brow furrowing slightly. "When you get close to others, my chest still feels heavy, my heart tightens, and I experience what people call jealousy."
"That's perfectly normal. When you went to visit your relatives, I felt the same..."
"You felt jealous too, Qin Yu?"
Qin Yu played with Shenhe's bangs as she spoke. "Of course. Everyone does."
That's why Keqing and Ningguang wanted me to make a choice.
Shenhe pondered quietly for a moment before speaking again. "I think I understand now why Keqing and Ningguang asked you to make a choice. They wanted to spare themselves from these feelings."
Qin Yu lowered her gaze.
"Mm, but I can't bring myself to give them an answer."
"...This is really difficult," Shenhe murmured softly.
"But I still want to be with you, Shenhe—always. Whether as family, friends, or lovers, that's all I truly desire."
Qin Yu gently embraced Shenhe.
I crave this warmth. Qin Yu didn't deny her greed, but this was all she wanted.
"I understand," Shenhe replied, returning the embrace.
The next day, Qin Yu stayed by Ganyu's side, continuing to learn the knowledge and experience required to serve as a Qixing Secretary while also assisting Ganyu with her workload.
Neither Ningguang nor Keqing came to see her, nor did they summon her.
Ganyu explained, "Perhaps they need more time to think. Tomorrow, you'll return to work for Ningguang. Let's see how things go then."
Qin Yu knew they would indeed need plenty of time.
Would they reject me?
If both Ningguang and Keqing can't accept it and choose to reject me, what will I do then? These worries haunted Qin Yu during her moments of leisure.
Then the next day arrived.
Qin Yu returned to the Jade Chamber, gazing up at the towering structure with mounting nervousness.
It was time to meet Ningguang.
Whew... Alright! Qin Yu took a deep breath, patted her cheeks, and calmed her nerves. She stepped into the pavilion and made her way to Ningguang's office.
"She's not here... Ah!"
Qin Yu hurriedly checked the time.
At this hour, Ningguang would typically still be asleep, requiring Qin Yu to wake her later.
I thought Ningguang didn't want to see me. Great, she's just not awake yet.
Relieved, Qin Yu hurried to the kitchen.
Though she had already prepared breakfast at home for herself and Shenhe, she needed to make a fresh batch for Ningguang.
Qin Yu surveyed the breakfast she had prepared, nodding in satisfaction.
Perfect.
"Time to wake Lady Ningguang."
Standing before Ningguang's bedroom door, Qin Yu hesitated briefly before knocking.
"Lady Ningguang, are you awake?"
No response.
Qin Yu's heart tightened. "Lady Ningguang?" she called again.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... After what felt like an eternity, just as Qin Yu's expression began to falter, a composed voice finally answered from within.
"Come in."
Qin Yu's head snapped up, her eyes regaining their spark.
There was a response! A complex mix of relief, joy, anxiety, and other emotions swirled within Qin Yu as she gripped the handle and turned.
Then she opened the door.