"???"
Ganyu gasped.
"Human babies can talk this early?!"
"Master."
Xu Zheng, through sheer willpower, finally managed to speak clearly.
Ganyu's expression froze. She pointed to herself as if to ask, "Me?"
Xu Zheng nodded firmly, though his words still slurred slightly. "Y-yes..."
"Eh?!"
She turned to Cloud Retainer, eyes begging for help.
Cloud Retainer took a long look and then nodded solemnly. "It seems you two truly are bound by fate."
"Wait—me? Be his master?" Ganyu panicked. "But I've never raised a child! What if I mess up and he… he doesn't make it?!"
Xu Zheng's confidence wavered. Did he choose the wrong master?
Ganyu glanced back at him. His big eyes sparkled. He looked too precious.
If I say no, would he be heartbroken?
Her ahoge perked up again as she nodded, half to herself. "Fine. But I'm warning you—being my disciple won't be easy!"
Xu Zheng blinked slowly. Talking was too much effort. That blink would have to do.
Ganyu melted. "So cute... Just like me when I was little."
Cloud Retainer cleared her throat. "Since both parties agree, the contract is sealed. Let any who break it suffer the punishment of Geo."
[Mission Complete. Newbie Ten Draw has been sent to your inbox. Please check your system panel.]
Not bad, Xu Zheng thought. Mission complete with one word.
Since Ganyu had a mountain of duties waiting back in Liyue, she didn't linger. Cradling Xu Zheng close to her chest, she bid farewell to Cloud Retainer and took to the skies.
Once Ganyu was gone, a white-haired girl appeared beside Cloud Retainer. "Master, why didn't you let me take the baby?"
"Shenhe, you still think too simply."
On the journey back, Ganyu held Xu Zheng tightly, her soft curves pressing against his baby face.
Xu Zheng tried to focus on the system interface, but—
This is not the kind of stimulation a gentleman can endure!
By the time they reached Liyue Harbor, Xu Zheng had barely survived.
No more… I can't handle this kind of treatment…
As they entered the city, they were greeted by a young woman known as the "Queen of Driving"—Yinger.
"Oh my, Ganyu. Is this your… child husband?"
Ganyu froze, her brain short-circuiting before replying with a blush, "He's my disciple! Not anything weird like that!"
"I see, I see. Raise him small, keep him loyal when he's big, huh?"
"Y-Yes! Wait, no! That's not what I meant!"
Lying in Ganyu's arms, Xu Zheng groaned. This driver's got no brakes. She's going to run me over at this rate.
I understand innuendo, you know!
Poor Ganyu, unaware that Yinger's jokes had already gone too far.
"Ganyu! Ganyu!"
A voice called out anxiously.
It was Baiwen, secretary to Ningguang.
"Baiwen? What is it?"
"There's a Qixing meeting scheduled today. They need you to record the minutes."
Ganyu's eyes widened in panic. How could I forget something so important?!
The truth was, she was always busy. Every day was packed.
"I'll head there right away. Baiwen, can I ask you to watch over this child for a bit?"
"Eh?!"
Baiwen looked down at the baby placed in her arms.
Is this… Ganyu's secret child?!
"Nope! It's her child husband. A long-term grooming project," Yinger chimed from the doorway, unfiltered as ever.
"Is that so...?" Baiwen studied Xu Zheng's face. "He doesn't look like her. So he really isn't her child…"
This is Ganyu's secret? I'll keep it safe.
Yinger, satisfied at the chaos, gave a thumbs up to no one in particular.
Xu Zheng, now resting against Baiwen, immediately frowned. Too flat. Not enough softness.
Ganyu's chest was way more comfortable.
He pushed his mind toward the system, and a semi-transparent screen flickered into view.
"Whoa."
The interface was simple: three functions—Summon, Mailbox, and Quests.
Xu Zheng opened his mailbox and retrieved the newbie ten-draw reward.
[Would you like to begin your Newbie Summon now?]
With all the experience of a veteran gacha addict, Xu Zheng knew better than to wait.
"Do it."
Everyone dreams of being lucky when pulling.
[Summoning... please do not exit. We are not responsible for any consequences caused by force quitting.]
"???"
Ten beams of light streaked across the panel. Two purple flashes stood out.
"No gold? Double purple isn't bad though…"
Still, he was a little disappointed.
[Item: Coconut Milk – Rarity: Purple]
[Item: Growth Hormone – Rarity: Purple]
[White Items: Constitution +1, Painting +1…]
Xu Zheng clicked to view the Coconut Milk description.
[Name: Coconut Milk]
[Rarity: Purple]
[Note: Just normal coconut milk. Due to special rarity, will be delivered by alternative method.]
Alternative delivery? What does that mean?
Then came the second item.
[Name: Growth Hormone]
[Rarity: Purple]
[Note: Want to grow up fast, little man? A must-have for future heroes! Side effects: Slight.]
He stared at the "slight" label.
That's not reassuring at all! What does 'slight' even mean? Mutation? Extra limbs?!
For safety, Xu Zheng decided to wait until Ganyu came back. If something went wrong, he could at least cling to her thigh.
He moved on to the white-tier items, opening the next descriptions.