Her delicate, pale hand glistened in the sunlight, smooth as jade. Keqing's smile was radiant beneath its warmth.
"Hello, I'm Ken."
He lightly clasped the soft hand for a moment before releasing it, gentlemanly. A man could appreciate beauty, but never without boundaries—courtesy was essential.
"Could you introduce the goods in this shop?"
Keqing's violet eyes wandered across the displays before settling on the self-heating hotpot, curiosity flickering in her gaze.
"Of course." Ken nodded.
Following her eyes, he took down a self-heating hotpot. Under Keqing's astonished gaze, he unwrapped it step by step, poured in water, and sealed the lid.
Not long after, bubbling sounds rose from within.
"Oh? That's all it takes?"
Keqing was fascinated. Just by opening the packaging and adding water, you could eat it?
"Just a few minutes more." Ken smiled. "The Yuheng takes an interest in these goods?"
Her identity being seen through did not surprise her.
First, Ken possessed the Great Prophecy—it was natural he knew. Second, with the mischievous Hu Tao aware of her true identity, it wasn't odd that she had told him.
"That's right. When you opened shop in Mondstadt, you often worked with our Liyue caravans, and your goods sold very well here. So, I've come with a proposal.
If your production can keep up, you could partner with Liyue's fleets for long-term trade—exporting to other nations, such as Inazuma."
Though not as fanatical about commerce as Ningguang, Keqing would never ignore anything that could benefit Liyue.
"Inazuma?"
Ken raised a brow. He had expected such words from Ningguang, not Keqing. Then again, with the Rite of Descension tomorrow, Ningguang surely had no time to spare.
"Though Inazuma is under lockdown," Keqing explained, "some of our ships can still enter. If we bring these goods there, they'll surely sell in great numbers. It would be a win-win for both you and Liyue."
Her tone was frank and serious, her violet eyes shining like stars.
Now that Inazuma was cut off from the world, such foreign novelties would surely be adored by its people.
"If exporting to Inazuma… that would require the Crux Fleet, wouldn't it?" Ken mused, recalling how in the game the Traveler reached Inazuma via Beidou's ship.
"As expected of the great prophet—yes, the Crux Fleet," Keqing sighed, almost helpless. "Though its captain's ways are… troublesome, there's no denying their fleet is the best for such ventures."
"I see… If cooperation is possible, it would be good. But it depends whether Beidou herself is interested."
Keqing smirked. "Even without me arranging it, I expect she'll seek you out soon enough. When she does, I hope you'll be willing to meet her."
Though stern and upright in her ways, Keqing did not appreciate Beidou's disregard for rules. Such behavior, she feared, might easily offend a guest from another world.
Hence, she raised the matter deliberately.
"The hotpot's ready. Would you like to try, Miss Keqing?"
Ken slid the steaming box before her, not pursuing the topic further.
Inside, the fiery broth held vegetables and slices of meat.
"This kind of meal is new to me."
Her lashes quivered as she gracefully tasted a piece of beef.
Tender meat wrapped in spicy, numbing broth blossomed across her tongue. Not a top delicacy, but far from bad—and more importantly, convenient to eat and store.
Perfect for adventurers and for trade.
"Shhha—shhha…"
The only downside—the spiciness made her lips swell slightly, forcing her to hiss between breaths. Hardly elegant for the Qixing Yuheng.
Realizing this, Keqing blushed faintly.
"There are many flavors," Ken explained with a smile, watching her struggle with composure.
The version he had chosen wasn't the cheap kind from Blue Star, but a high-quality spicy-style one—naturally, it packed quite a punch.
"A little spicy, but the taste is good. Could you pack a few boxes of each kind for me? I'd like to take them back."
Keqing gave her measured verdict.
Despite her burning lips and flushed cheeks, she resisted the urge to hiss again and finished the meal elegantly.
"Have some water."
Ken passed her a bottle, then ordered staff to prepare several sets of each item for her purchase.
After receiving them, Keqing did not leave immediately. Instead, she asked, "Since you could foresee Mondstadt's disaster… can you foresee Liyue's future?"
"Liyue has the Geo Archon's protection. Whatever happens, I believe it will endure under his care," Ken said calmly.
"Hmph… but does Morax truly understand everything? Even gods may not be able to solve every problem." Keqing muttered under her breath.
History had proven that following the Archon was the right path. Yet while the Qixing managed Liyue's affairs daily, the Archon only descended once a year.
Keqing believed that as humans, their pride and judgment should matter too—not just sheltering under a god.
"And if danger came, could the Qixing face it alone?" Ken asked slowly.
Her eyes shone with resolve. "Even without the Archon, I believe Liyue will still have a bright future. Its people have been coddled too long. That is not a good sign. He has guarded us for a thousand years… but what of the next thousand, ten thousand?"
Though borderline blasphemy, she considered it a real danger. No people should forever rely on gods.
"You're right, Miss Keqing. In that case, why worry about foretelling Liyue's future? Whatever it is, you will press forward resolutely."
Her determination reminded him of Jean—though their philosophies differed greatly. No wonder Mondstadt's citizens had grown dependent, while Keqing pushed Liyue toward self-reliance.
"…Perhaps you're right. No matter what the future brings, the Qixing will walk with Liyue. Thank you for hosting me. Rarely do I meet someone so easy to talk to—let's speak again another time."
With her purchases stored in her bag, Keqing smiled warmly.
"Farewell." Ken nodded lightly.
As he watched her leave, he shook his head.
Keqing's ideals were forward-thinking, but her words were far too blunt. Liyue's people had revered Morax for millennia—it was natural. Such radical views would not win her much resonance among them.
Still, Ken knew her heart. She respected the Archon deeply. Her harsh words came from frustration at Liyue's complacency, and from her frank, unpolished nature.
…
In the courtyard—
Zhongli and Venti were already tipsy.
Seeing Ken return, Zhongli asked instinctively, "What did she say to you?"
"You can guess," Ken replied with a smile.
Zhongli paused, then raised his brows with a faint smile. "She is the least reverent of the current Qixing—but I admire her. To believe oneself right, to speak it aloud, and act upon it—that is a fine quality. It is partly why I consider retirement."
"Didn't think there was anyone in Liyue who disrespects old man Morax," Venti teased.
Paimon muttered, "There are plenty in Mondstadt who don't respect the Anemo Archon either…"
Venti: "..."
At his sour expression, everyone chuckled.
Lumine then asked curiously, "Mr. Ken, will you stay in Liyue from now on?"
"Not necessarily. If you need me, you can find me on Blue Star." He sighed. "But I do need someone reliable to watch the shop."
There was Mona in Mondstadt—but no one yet in Liyue.
Just as he was fretting, Zhongli said quietly, "No need to worry. The Director has ordered me to watch it for you."
Ken: "..."
Venti: "..."
Even Lumine and Paimon twitched at the mouth.
Seriously… If Zhongli's identity were still secret, maybe. But now that it was half-public? And Hu Tao still dared to assign the Geo Archon errands?
Noticing their shock, Ken chuckled. "That's precisely why Zhongli stays at the Funeral Parlor. Were he treated with reverence after his identity was revealed, it would defeat his intent."
"…Even so, Director Hu sure has guts," Paimon murmured.
As Ken chatted with the two gods, time slipped by. The Liyue specialty shop's grand opening wrapped up smoothly.
…
That night, Ken even brought Venti and Zhongli to Blue Star—to acquaint them with the environment, and to help film videos.
The lively Feiyun Slope quieted as night deepened.
But beyond Liyue Harbor, near Guyun Stone Forest, a grand ship gleamed with lantern light. Laughter and music carried far across the sea breeze.
It was none other than the Alcor, the famed flagship of the Crux Fleet.
And its captain—the renowned Beidou.
On deck, they celebrated their latest voyage.
Inside the cabin thick with wine, Beidou lounged in a fur-lined chair. Black hair cascaded freely, one eye hidden beneath her fringe and black eyepatch, the other a sharp crimson, fierce yet carefree.
She swigged from a wine jug, clad in red-and-black Liyue garb. Her black over-the-knee boots added a wild edge to her look.
"Boss, a letter and some goods—from the Millelith!"
Her first mate, Juza, hurried in, handing over the package.
"The Millelith? From Ningguang? She wants another wager?"
Beidou grinned, swigging again. Though fined countless times by the Qixing, her private dealings with Ningguang were cordial—often involving wagers that relieved Ningguang of excess Mora.
This time, though, she hadn't even gone ashore at Liyue. Yet the Millelith had already brought word.
"Not Lady Ningguang—it's from Lady Keqing!"
"Who?" Beidou sat bolt upright, digging at her ear as if mishearing. "You mean… Qixing Yuheng Keqing?"
Among the Qixing, none disapproved of the Crux Fleet more than the stern, by-the-book Keqing. Ningguang might cooperate—but Keqing? Never.
Yet the letter bore her name.
"Let's see what our Qixing Yuheng has to say."
Beidou set aside her jug, tore open the letter, and read the neat, forceful script.
As her eyes scanned the page, her playful grin gave way to a grave expression.
Then she turned to her first mate. "And the package she sent—bring it here, now."