It's starting, huh...
After hearing Ningguang's question, Childe knew she was about to bring up this morning's events, which made him subconsciously glance over at Kiana. However, Kiana was still eating silently, as if she hadn't heard what Ningguang had just said.
Could it be that she didn't hear?
No...
She must be pretending not to hear...
After all, Kaito is here...
Thinking this, Childe glanced at Kaito again.
"A sound? What sound?"
In response to Ningguang's question, Kaito looked somewhat puzzled.
"The loud noise from this morning. It was heard quite clearly here in Liyue."
Seeing that Kaito didn't understand what she was talking about, Ningguang elaborated a bit. She didn't know if Kaito genuinely didn't understand or was just pretending, but she would continue her explanation regardless. In any case, Miss Kiana definitely understood.
"I heard it, but I don't know what it was about."
At this, Paimon answered as if she were in a quiz show. Having listened from the side for a long time, she finally had a chance to speak, so she had to seize the opportunity. Although she didn't know what it was about, they hadn't asked.
The sound from this morning?
Come to think of it, I really don't know what happened...
Recalling this morning, Lumine had indeed heard a loud noise from afar, but she didn't know the circumstances.
Wait...
Could it have something to do with Kiana?
Or...
Wendy?
At this moment, Lumine seemed to understand something. If her guess was correct, the loud noise from this morning must have been caused by Kiana or Wendy, and now Ningguang and Keqing, as the Liyue Qixing, were here to inquire about what had happened.
Yes...
That must be it...
"Oh, that. I did hear it, but I don't know what happened."
With a look of sudden realization on his face, Kaito seemed to understand what Ningguang was talking about.
You have two girlfriends this strong...
I have a feeling there are a lot more things you don't know about coming up...
After hearing Kaito's reply, Lumine silently grumbled this to herself.
"Sister Kiana, did you hear anything?"
Just then, Wendy suddenly asked Kiana this question.
"No, I didn't hear a thing." Shaking her head, Kiana stated very directly that she hadn't heard anything.
Didn't hear anything?
What is she up to?
Keqing was originally ready to hear what Kiana would say, but she was stunned to hear Kiana claim she heard nothing. She glanced over at Ningguang.
Because Ningguang had told her to leave everything to her before they came, Keqing didn't say anything immediately, just waited to see what Ningguang would do.
Didn't hear anything...
Is it because Kaito is here?
Listening silently to Kiana's reply, Ningguang's expression didn't change at all. She had anticipated this answer.
After all, with Kaito here, Kiana probably wouldn't talk. And even if Kaito wasn't here, Kiana wouldn't necessarily tell her either. After all, she had seen Kiana at the scene this morning, and Kiana had completely ignored her. Of course, even so, she still had to come here to check on the situation.
It's obvious that Miss Wendy knows about that incident as well. Miss Wendy's question just now was actually her way of conveying Kiana's attitude, telling her not to ask any further.
"I see. I wonder if that loud noise could be a sign of some impending danger."
As if asking a question, yet also as if muttering to herself, Ningguang said these words.
Do these people always have to speak so indirectly...
Listening to their conversation, Childe couldn't help but complain internally. Although the last few lines of dialogue seemed normal on the surface, Childe, who knew what had happened this morning, could hear the subtext. For example, what Ningguang just said was undoubtedly asking whether Miss Kiana would do anything to Liyue.
I wonder how Miss Kiana will answer...
Thinking this, Childe looked over at Kiana again. He knew it was Miss Kiana's turn to answer. Of course, she might not answer; it all depended on whether she wanted to. But in any case, as long as she didn't bring up the fact that he'd been following her this morning, he'd be fine. That was what he was still worried about.
Oh, right...
Should I find some time to ask Miss Wendy for help?
After all...
I lent her Mora...
We should be able to talk, right?
Suddenly thinking of this, Childe felt a renewed sense of hope. He thought he could use the Mora he'd lent her—telling her she didn't have to pay it back—to ask Miss Wendy to put in a good word for him with Miss Kiana, asking her not to hold the tracking incident against him. In any case, they were sisters; it should be easy for them to talk things out.
This is a good idea...
Childe's mood at this moment was excellent. He even felt like calling Zhongli over to celebrate.
However, he knew the current situation was obviously not suitable for calling Zhongli over. More importantly, his plan was still just an idea. He hadn't started to execute it, and it wasn't guaranteed to succeed. After all, if Miss Wendy were to just say it was a voluntary gift, then his hopes would obviously be dashed.
"Of course not. If it were really dangerous, that danger would have arrived long ago. It wouldn't wait until now."
Kiana replied while eating.
"Then I'm relieved."
Nodding, Ningguang seemed to be in a good mood. She had gotten the answer she wanted. Although it was just a verbal answer, getting such a response was already quite good. If Kiana had completely ignored her, there would have been nothing she could do.
"I just remembered I have something else to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. Next time, it's my treat."
After receiving Kiana's answer, Ningguang also stood up to leave, with Keqing following close behind. Since she had gotten the answer she wanted, she could now leave.
"No problem."
Kaito didn't say much about Ningguang and Keqing's departure. After all, he knew why they were leaving and why they had come in the first place.
Outside.
"Are we leaving just like that?"
Walking down the road, Keqing seemed like she wanted to continue.
"What else? Hold a knife to her throat and make her write a letter of guarantee?"
Ningguang just smiled at Keqing's words. What they had managed to get was already enough. Pressing further would have been impolite.
"I suppose we can't do that."
Understanding Ningguang's meaning, Keqing didn't say anything more after that. It was just that, regarding tomorrow's Rite of Descension, she had a feeling something was going to happen.
____
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