News of evil spirits causing trouble in Jueyun Karst quietly spread throughout Liyue Harbor.
Ryan was unaware of this; he returned to Liyue Harbor with Ganyu the next morning.
For today's negotiations, Lumine's two acquaintances, Ningguang and Keqing, were present.
The location was Yuehai Pavilion.
This negotiation was not just about the departure and treatment of a senior employee; it also involved the contract with the Geo Archon, as Ganyu remained in Liyue Harbor as Secretary of the Liyue Qixing because of that contract.
However, what reassured Ningguang was that, according to Lumine's intelligence, Ganyu herself was more inclined to stay, so the main consideration was Ganyu's treatment.
"As Ganyu's junior, Sir Ryan is essentially Ganyu's family. We fully understand a family member's concern for her work treatment."
"However, we also hope you can understand that the affairs Ganyu handles cannot be taken on by ordinary people. Even if we wanted to add more staff, it would require a certain period of training."
Inside Yuehai Pavilion, in the living room temporarily used as a negotiation room, Ningguang, sitting opposite Ryan, explained this.
"So, for all these years, none of your successive Liyue Qixing ever thought of lightening Senior Sister Ganyu's workload?"
Ryan and Ganyu sat opposite Ningguang and Keqing. Upon hearing Ningguang's explanation, Ryan questioned her thus.
Nearby, Lumine and Paimon, who were not directly involved in the negotiations due to their status, ate pastries and watched with great interest.
"I think you've misunderstood. The position of Secretary of the Liyue Qixing is special, personally arranged by the Geo Archon. It inherently holds the right to supervise the Liyue Qixing, just like the Adepti. If we were to rashly reduce Ganyu's work, it might lead to suspicion that the Qixing intend to seize power."
Hearing Ryan's question, Ningguang's smile remained unchanged as she explained.
"Isn't more work a good thing?"
Next to Ningguang, Keqing, who had been silent with her arms crossed, couldn't help but interject.
Although there had been slight disagreements between her and Ganyu, ever since they took the Mind Soother Pill, both of them had not rested and worked frantically, so she felt that she and Ganyu got along quite well.
"..."
Keqing's words left Ryan speechless for a moment. Ryan, who had given her the Mind Soother Pill, knew that she truly loved her work.
"Oh, is that so? Then I heard that after the Geo Archon left, the Liyue Qixing quickly seized all power in Liyue, which means... it's true that you ostracized Senior Sister Ganyu?"
So Ryan ignored Keqing's words and continued to look at Ningguang.
"Ganyu's work is of great importance. During her absence, it is natural to arrange for people to help, otherwise Yuehai Pavilion would find it difficult to operate normally."
Ningguang was able to answer all of Ryan's questions one by one.
The negotiation did not last long. Ningguang promised to cultivate some people for Ganyu to command later, to help her complete the tasks she deemed less important.
As for which tasks, Ganyu herself would decide.
In addition, at Ryan's request, Ganyu could have two days of legal holiday per week, provided her work was completed or arranged.
Ganyu was already more inclined to return to Liyue Harbor under the persuasion of Lumine and her companions, so she agreed to Ningguang's proposal.
As for Ryan, his goal was simply to make Ganyu's work less tiring, not to hold the Liyue Qixing accountable. Feeling that this was acceptable, he also agreed... And so, Ganyu returned to Liyue Harbor.
Ryan had originally stayed in Jueyun Karst to hide and avoid Paimon finding Lumine to beat him up.
But since he had already been caught by them, Ryan had no intention of staying in Jueyun Karst and remained in Liyue Harbor with them.
Although the mortals of Liyue Harbor would not produce the kind of anger accumulated by Osial over thousands of years of imprisonment, the myriad flavors of the human world constantly produced wisps of emotions that Ryan could absorb.
"Get up, practice your spear."
That night, Xiao's figure appeared in Ryan's dream.
"...Huh?"
The ingredients in Ryan's hand, as he was having a sweet dream, disappeared.
Xiao generally does not enter Liyue Harbor, but the art of dream-sending is considered a basic skill for Adepti.
Subsequently, under Xiao's supervision, Ryan could only practice his spear with a bitter face in his dream.
Because it was to help Ryan improve his affinity with Adeptal arts, Xiao taught him the spear technique he most commonly used, called "Convoluted Dust."
However, for Ryan, the most convenient weapons he had used were the measuring heaven ruler and the golden jiao scissors, which could change in size.
But these weapons, apart from being held by hand, bore no resemblance to a spear.
"Be serious."
"Okay, Great Sage..."
After a night of such training, Ryan felt less physically tired when he woke up the next day, but his heart was very weary.
After Lumine and her companions got the Serenitea Pot, they had moved out of Wangshu Inn when their room expired. Ryan left Wangshu Inn by himself, intending to have breakfast.
However, as Ryan walked down the streets of Feiyun Slope, a familiar figure walked towards him.
"Every day I want people to bury me, my thoughts are a bit strange~"
"Eh?"
The girl sang a cheerful tune. Her eyes lit up when she saw Ryan walking towards her, and she immediately went up to him.
"Yo, isn't this Ryan? It's been a long time. This Master has been looking for you for days."
The girl named Hu Tao jogged up to Ryan and greeted him.
"Oh, it's Director Hu... Do you need me for something?"
The listless Ryan raised his head, glanced at her, and greeted Hu Tao.
"Of course! Last time you helped the Guest Elder prepare the Rite of Parting, This Master hasn't properly thanked you yet. Do you remember what This Master promised you?"
Noticing Ryan's listless appearance, Hu Tao put her hands behind her back and asked with a playful smile.
"What Director Hu promised..."
Ryan recalled doubtfully, seeming to have a slight impression... 'Ryan, if you handle the Rite of Parting well... This Master will give you a chance to pursue This Master.'
"?!!"
Recalling this sentence, Ryan instantly sobered up, almost bristling.
"D-Director Hu, you're joking, right...?"
Ryan instinctively put his hands in front of him in horror and leaned back.
"Pfft... This Master saw you were listless, so I just wanted to cheer you up."
"Why are you so listless so early in the morning? Did you not sleep well last night? This Master also knows some secret methods to help people sleep soundly."
Ryan's reaction was amusing in Hu Tao's eyes. She chuckled lightly and then asked Ryan.
"Yes, last night I was dragged to practice spear all night..."
Ryan nodded, explaining truthfully to Hu Tao.
Hearing Ryan's words, Hu Tao raised a hand to cover her mouth, looking shocked.
"Director Hu, have you had breakfast? If not, I'll treat you."
Ryan did not notice Hu Tao's reaction, because his sensitive nose had already caught the scent of steamed buns from the surrounding breakfast shops, and he immediately suggested to Hu Tao...