After getting drunk, one forgets the sky is in the water; a boatful of pure dreams presses down the Milky Way.
In the beautiful scenery of Windrise, a giant tree stands quietly in the breeze. The dense green leaves rustle, and one leaf after another spins down, landing on the little black-canopied boat bobbing on the lake.
Gurgle, gurgle…
Pine pollen brewed to wine, spring water boiled for tea.
On the boat, tea soup gurgles, its aroma drifting far in the early-summer breeze.
Ken slowly opens his eyes, gazing at the clear blue sky as his drink-addled thoughts gradually gather back in.
After that preview event ended that night, he and Venti came to Windrise in Mondstadt to drink. "We must drain three hundred cups at a sitting"—the two of them rode the lake and drank to their hearts' content, then fell soundly asleep among the lotus.
Ken slowly sits up and sees Venti still hugging a wine jar, snoring on the small boat beside him.
Lotus blooms nearby are dewy and vivid, and plump seedpods block out most of the sunlight.
"Didn't expect to be out cold for three days…"
Listening quietly to the wind, his thoughts drift back. He hadn't expected three days to have passed.
Truly, this carefree, immersive drinking can empty out so many thoughts you unknowingly sleep for three whole days.
"Time to check on Liyue Harbor."
By his estimate, Lumine's progress should be about there; while he's been drunk these few days, who knows what's happened on that side.
As for Blue Star… the preview event ended perfectly; there shouldn't be any issues.
Tearing a slit in Venti's wind barrier, Ken slips out.
The wind shield seals back together.
To ordinary eyes, the lake is still just a lake—no boatmen, no drunkards.
Ken summons a Vortex Gate, anchors it to the back of the Liyue Specialty Store, and steps through.
…
Liyue Harbor bustles in the morning.
As the sun lifts from the sea's horizon, workers heading for the docks have breakfast at Chihu Rock, then begin a busy and fulfilling day.
Amid the lively main street, the graceful immortal beauty Ganyu is holding the hand of a little green-clad loli, walking through the crowd.
"Sister Ganyu, Senior Sister's been really busy lately. Seems like she's off looking for some weird ingredients again."
The little green loli bounces along, her clear eyes shining. It's Xiangling's junior, Yaoyao.
Few in bustling Liyue know that Xiangling's master is Streetward Rambler—Madame Ping in everyone's eyes.
And the little green loli is Madame Ping's youngest disciple, Yaoyao.
Though from an ordinary family, Yaoyao is innately fated with the adepti; Madame Ping took her in as a disciple when she was very young.
The sensible, well-behaved little loli is much loved by the adepti of Jueyun Karst.
That adorable mechanism bunny Yaoyao carries, named Yuegui, is a gift from Cloud Retainer.
Recently, Madame Ping's been busy, so Yaoyao has been staying with Ganyu for a while.
They often go to Wanmin Restaurant to eat, but Xiangling hasn't been around—she's reportedly off inventing new recipes. That leaves Yaoyao a bit disappointed; she was craving her Senior Sister's delicious dishes.
"Xiangling's cooking is excellent—her own effort's a big part of it."
Thinking of Xiangling's fiery passion for cuisine, Ganyu can't help but smile. Her gentle voice is like a breeze across the cheek, soothing the mind.
"Yeah. I just wonder if Senior Sister can take care of herself." Yaoyao worries.
Ganyu smiles helplessly. "Don't worry, Xiangling will be fine."
Though Yaoyao is Madame Ping's youngest disciple, she looks after all her seniors very well. Even Xiangling sighs sometimes that Yaoyao is more like the senior sister.
"Mhm! Senior Sister is amazing; she'll be fine." Yaoyao blinks. "Sister Ganyu, I heard a special shop opened on Feiyun Slope selling specialties brought from Blue Star. Can we go check it out? Even if we're busy with work, we still have to take breaks!"
Compared to Ganyu's quiet restraint, Yaoyao is lively like a sprite.
She loves seeing anything new.
Be it Granny Shan's Toy Shop, Tea Master Liu Su, a storyteller for the Heyu Tea House, or the billowing sails of the Crux Fleet putting out to sea—Yaoyao loves to see it all.
"All right… I was thinking of going too. The owner's a friend of mine."
Thinking of what happened on Blue Star that day, Ganyu feels a touch shy.
Fortunately, after returning to Liyue Harbor, her breast swelling pain gradually disappeared—or she truly wouldn't know what to do.
Holding Yaoyao's little hand, Ganyu soon arrives at the door of the Liyue Specialty Store.
Grrr—
Standing at the entrance, Ganyu's stomach growls.
She can't help recalling the food she ate on Blue Star.
Dishes made with Qingxin and Glaze Lily left her wanting more.
She swallows, a little embarrassed.
"Let's go in."
Though she's heard of this place before, she's rarely been.
Busy as she is, Ganyu doesn't have much free time; today she's relaxing a bit only because Yaoyao asked.
"Miss Ganyu? Here to shop or to see Mr. Ken?"
Meng, minding the shop, greets Ganyu and Yaoyao warmly.
Others may not recognize Ganyu, but as someone from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Meng knows the Qixing's secretary—thanks to their elusive Director Hu.
Plus, Ken instructed that certain friends in Liyue Harbor should be warmly received if they drop by—and Ganyu is among them.
"Is Mr. Ken here?"
Ganyu sounds hopeful.
Yaoyao is even more excited, her big eyes roving around, nearly captivated by the rows of unfamiliar foods.
These foods—she's never seen them before.
"The gentleman isn't in right now. If you don't mind waiting inside, Miss Ganyu, he may return."
Meng hasn't seen Ken for a couple days; but he should drop by today.
"Then we'll trouble you. And could we get one of each of these foods?"
Seeing Yaoyao's curiosity, Ganyu asks politely. Having lived for millennia, she has plenty of Mora.
"Of course. Please wait in the inner courtyard; I'll have Ferrylady bring them."
Ganyu nods slightly, eyes curious.
It's her first time in the inner courtyard. The elegant, tasteful garden makes her think of a refined, upright figure—like a gentlemanly pine—well matched to the setting.
"Sister Ganyu, is this shop's owner handsome?"
Yaoyao looks around as well, her big eyes sparkling—but she's even more curious about this.
She's known Ganyu a long time and has never seen her with a male friend—colleagues aside.
Ganyu's cheeks flush.
"Very handsome."
Ken's face is the most handsome she's seen in thousands of years.
Soon, Ferrylady arrives with three featured foods.
Whether it's instant noodles or self-heating hotpot, they're already bubbling and ready to eat.
After a brief introduction, the clever Yaoyao gets it. It's not exactly delicious, but the texture is novel, so she eats with gusto.
Ganyu, however, is unmoved.
These have meat; she doesn't like that.
Just then, a cool breeze wafts from the back garden, carrying a familiar fragrance that makes Ganyu perk up at once.
"Is… is that Qingxin and Glaze Lily?"
She sniffs, sensitively catching the scent in the air.
How could there be Qingxin and Glaze Lily here?
These two plants have rather strict growing conditions.
Especially Glaze Lily—within all of Liyue Harbor, only a few grow near Yujing Terrace. How does Ken's courtyard have their scent?
Ganyu is tempted; her mouth waters, and she feels hungrier.
"Miss Ganyu is free to walk around here."
Seeing Ganyu's change in expression, Ferrylady smiles.
Mr. Ken instructed that his friends may move freely within the courtyard.
Mainly because there aren't many secrets here.
The only secret is the Weasel Thief, but Ken set a barrier himself; others won't notice.
"Okay…"
Ganyu moistens her lips and rises, unable to help herself.
Following the familiar scent, she passes the colorful pavilions and comes to the relatively quiet rear garden.
"He actually planted so many Glaze Lilies and Qingxin?"
Her eyes widen in disbelief.
Seeing the just-sprouted Qingxin and Glaze Lily, her saliva flows even more.
Though still tender, they're clearly thriving.
It won't be long before they're lush.
Thinking of the fresh, tender mouthfeel, she can hardly resist—but seeing how small they still are, she feels guilty.
"They're still so tiny, and they're Mr. Ken's… I can't be so rude…"
Bent over, gazing at the delicate shoots, Ganyu battles herself, distressed by her uncooperative body.
If only she could restrain her appetite; she wouldn't have been as round as a ball back then.
"Ganyu?"
A clear voice sounds behind her.
Ganyu's body goes rigid.
She stands up in a hurry, face flushed. "M-Mr. Ken…"
Too embarrassing. Too awkward.
Her toes curl in her black stockings. What could be more mortifying than being caught like that?
Bent over, drooling over tender sprouts—by the owner himself.
Her jade-like cheeks are instantly suffused with rosy clouds.
"Oh… looking good."
Seeing the new sprouts poking out, Ken understands why Ganyu is here.
He just returned from Mondstadt and landed in the back garden.
He'd meant to check the Glaze Lilies and Qingxin, but upon landing he saw a blue-clad immortal beauty, butt raised, bending over to look at something.
Now, seeing how the Glaze Lily and Qingxin are growing, he understands.
Bait with Qingxin to catch the "Cocogoat," and Ganyu bites.
Still, seeing the healthy sprouts, he's surprised. With the right method, these aren't hard to cultivate—especially Glaze Lily.
Perhaps thanks to the phone's looped festive music and Liyue's peaceful vibe, the Glaze Lilies are growing even better than the Qingxin.
"Sorry, Mr. Ken. I brought Yaoyao to visit today. I smelled a familiar scent in the air and followed it here."
Ganyu explains in a fluster, afraid he'll misunderstand.
"It's fine. If it caught your attention, they must be doing well."
"Anything you plant would be good… I just didn't expect you to be skilled at growing things too." Ganyu blushes deeper.
"I know a little, not much." He doesn't tease her further. "Your timing is perfect. I happen to have two Glaze Lily dishes—want to try?"
In truth, seeing slim Ganyu now, Ken's curious what the "round-as-a-ball" Ganyu looked like back then.
"I'd be honored."
Hand to her chest, she's obviously eager.
Glaze Lilies are rare in Liyue. Even if someone finds some, they can't bear to use them in cooking—usually they're processed with special craft and sold at sky-high prices.
Only here with Ken can Ganyu taste Glaze Lily dishes.
They follow the quiet pebble path to the front courtyard. Ken sees a little green-clad loli under a flowering tree. Her light-brown hair is adorned with two cute bells, and she's sipping the broth of instant noodles from a bowl.
"Mr. Ken, this is Yaoyao."
Seeing Yaoyao's eating manner, Ganyu fights the urge to cover her face.
"Are you Mr. Ken? Sister Ganyu told me about you!"
Yaoyao sets down her bowl and beams up at him. Standing among blossoms, her green dress dances with the flowers—cute as a little sprite.
No wonder in a past life so many players adored Yaoyao.
The little loli truly is lively and adorable.
"Hello, Yaoyao. How's the taste?" Ken smiles.
Hugging her little bunny, Yaoyao nods. "Mhm! It's great! Thank you, Mr. Ken."
"Good." He sits at a stone table, sleeves flowing like ripples, and takes out two exquisite dishes from his system space. "Have a taste?"
On jade-white plates lie vibrant Glaze Lilies.
A faint sugary note, mixed with the lily's unique aroma, wafts out.
Ganyu swallows, instinctively picks up her chopsticks, tastes, and her eyes light up. "The… the flower's center is made from Qingxin? The honey glaze outside is sweet but not cloying—rich and lovely. Delicious."
The Glaze Lily's pale-yellow core has been replaced with candied Qingxin.
She'd focused entirely on the Glaze Lily and missed the well-disguised Qingxin. Now tasting it—an unexpected delight.
"If it's won your approval, it must be good."
He flicks his folding fan, satisfied.
Every time he draws in the lottery he gets Glaze Lilies, Qingxin, and Sweet Flowers; rather than waste them, he might as well use them to gently win Ganyu over.
After all, he did drink her "milk"… ahem—some reciprocation is only right.
"Mmm…"
Ganyu soon finishes both dishes, exhaling in contentment.
But then, that familiar yet foreign swelling pain suddenly returns, making her whole body tense up.
This…
Why is that feeling back?
Trying to stay composed, she instinctively glances down.
Her breast beneath seems to have a will of its own, wanting to push something out.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Ganyu's expression, Yaoyao asks.
"I-I'm fine," Ganyu says, though the sensation grows stronger. She quietly channels adeptal arts to suppress it, keeping her appearance normal.
Still, she's curious.
Recently, after eating Glaze Lily and Qingxin here with Ken, she always gets this feeling.
Over-nourished?
Annoyed at herself, and to avoid making a scene in front of Ken, she's just about to take her leave when a bright, impish voice rings out. "Ahem? What a coincidence for the Director to drop by… What are you all up to? Can I join?"
…