"Is that right!?"
"Lin Mo, is that what your name means!?" Keqing shook Lin Mo's arm excitedly, her tear-streaked eyes now sparkling with pure delight and anticipation.
"Uh... well..."
Lin Mo felt a pang of awkwardness.
Seeing Keqing's radiant smile after breaking into laughter, how could he bear to tell her the truth—that his name actually meant "no feelings allowed"? He was absolutely certain of it.
If he gave her the affirmative she'd hoped for, it would make her so happy.
Every time she called his name from then on, her heart would overflow with sweetness.
Yeah...
No point in ruining the moment.
"Um... Ah Qing..."
Lin Mo smiled softly, taking her hand in his. "Sorry about this, but I do need to clarify something. I've had this name since birth."
Keqing blinked, suddenly realizing her earlier outburst had been pure wishful thinking, swept away by joy.
Of course...
He'd already told her he was Mondstadt's diplomatic envoy, the knight from Mondstadt.
In the real world, Lin Mo had his own identity.
How could he just change his name on a whim because of longing for someone from a dream?
But just as her gaze dropped in quiet disappointment, Lin Mo's warm hand gently brushed her cheek.
Keqing lifted her head slightly, meeting his eyes, which brimmed with playful mischief.
"W-What's... wrong...?"
Her heart raced, tension coiling tight in her chest.
In that moment, Lin Mo gazed at her with deep affection and spoke slowly:
"Before I met you, I always thought my name was pretty ordinary. But after you uncovered its hidden meaning..."
"Ah Qing, you've breathed new life into it for me."
"I'm willing to live up to it—to give everything for Keqing, heart and soul."
As his heartfelt confession hung in the air, Lin Mo's face drew closer to hers, warm and tender.
The slender hand he'd been holding slipped free, only to wrap her in a gentle embrace.
The kiss they'd both missed for thirteen long years in that parallel dream world...
Finally, in this reality, it was complete.
A while later, Keqing gazed up at Lin Mo, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
The lingering resentment, grievance, and sorrow from the dream—gone in an instant.
Her lips parted softly as she murmured, "Gan Qing~ Come back to my side. Be my assistant again, okay?"
"Uh... that might not work..."
Lin Mo's expression turned troubled.
"You... you just said you'd give everything for Keqing!"
"How can you kiss me and then go back on your word like that, you jerk!?" Keqing stomped her foot in frustration.
Lin Mo looked utterly helpless.
Be her assistant again?
Absolutely not!
He had to follow the story's flow, traveling across the seven nations.
No way could he stick around Liyue, pouring his energy into local duties.
"Ahem... Ah Qing."
Lin Mo cleared his throat, patiently trying to reason with her. "Haven't we always approached things rationally and objectively?"
"Look, I've got my role as Mondstadt's diplomatic envoy on my shoulders now."
"How could I possibly take on the position of Liyue's land security officer's assistant at the same time?"
"Hmph!"
"And besides, I've already passed all my knowledge on to you."
"Even without me, you can handle it just fine! Liyue will thrive under your leadership and become the world's second-richest harbor city! Trust me."
"But... I want you by my side!" Keqing's eyes burned with determination.
Because in the dream, right after Lin Mo had left on his trip, she'd already made up her mind.
"Mm, I'll be staying in Liyue for a while." Lin Mo nodded.
"And after that?"
Keqing pressed, urgency creeping into her voice.
"After that..."
Lin Mo thought for a moment, then grinned. "Off to Inazuma for a business trip, then Sumeru... You could come with me, Ah Qing~"
"But what about my role as land security officer?"
"We'll keep it. Why not?"
Lin Mo chuckled. "Traveling the world, studying different nations' architecture and styles— isn't that part of the job?"
"Hm... yeah, I suppose it is."
Keqing relented, convinced.
If it was in the name of work, she could accept it.
She was greedy like that.
She wanted it all—work without compromise.
And Lin Mo firmly in her grasp.
"So, when are you heading to Inazuma?"
Keqing asked again.
"Me? Not sure yet."
"A few days? A few months?"
Lin Mo replied uncertainly.
Because he had to wait until he'd seen Lumine through Liyue's storyline.
Only then could he follow the plot to Inazuma.
That was why, back at the Rite of Descension, he'd let Lumine escape.
Getting arrested wouldn't have been the end of the world—they could explain it away.
But letting her flee would lead her to Childe's aid, then to Zhongli through him, weaving her into the heart of the Immortal's Farewell Symphony.
"Why are you asking when I'm going to Inazuma?"
Lin Mo asked curiously.
"Of course, to inform Lady Ningguang in advance about my trip~"
"I need to hand off my land security duties properly too~"
Keqing stated matter-of-factly.
"Fair enough..."
Lin Mo nodded.
Thinking, planning, acting—that was her decisive, thunderbolt style through and through.
"But before that, I need you to help me explain the 'death of the Geo Archon' to Ningguang," Lin Mo said seriously.
"Mm, I'll do it."
Keqing nodded. "Let's go find her now."
"Alright."
With agreement reached, the two set off side by side under Liyue's evening glow, heading toward the harbor.
They'd walked this return path countless times in dreams.
But in reality, it was their first.
Though as Keqing savored the simple joy of strolling with Lin Mo, his mind wandered elsewhere.
"Lumine and Paimon are probably getting roped in by Childe right about now, huh?"
"Should be smooth sailing, no issues."
"But..."
"My wife Eula, and Klee, and Amber."
"Where should I even start looking for them?"
"Oh right, they can go to Yanfei. That should sort things out—Yanfei can explain everything to the Adventurers' Guild."
With that settled in his thoughts, Lin Mo relaxed a bit.
He even considered swinging by the Northland Bank.
Because during Durin's revival, he'd siphoned off two shares of pure Geo energy from the swirling leylines.
Two portions of untainted power—enough to upgrade Rosalyne's mechanical heart, restoring her vitality and granting her a new lease on life.
Lost in these musings, they arrived at the foot of Mt. Tianheng.
The closest spot to the Jade Chamber.
"Ah, I almost forgot," Keqing said suddenly, smacking her forehead.
"You don't have Lady Ningguang's token."
"You can't activate the wind current mechanism on Mt. Tianheng."
"Which means no Jade Chamber for you."
Keqing frowned in mild frustration.
But she quickly came up with a fix.
She reached into her collar and pulled out a small key, offering it to Lin Mo.
"Here's what we'll do: I'll go explain everything to Lady Ningguang myself."
"Gan... Qing, why don't you head to my office and have some tea while you wait?"
Saying "Gan Qing" again brought a fresh blush to her cheeks.
Clearly, she adored the new name for him.
"Sure, I'll wait in your office." Lin Mo nodded, accepting the key.
...
Once they parted, Lin Mo wandered alone down Liyue's bustling streets.
Not far off was the place where he'd clocked in for thirteen years—the Liyue Ministry of Civil Affairs.
He glanced at the key in his hand.
"Just waiting around sounds boring."
"Besides, the Northland Bank's right nearby."
"I did promise Rosalyne I'd meet her in Liyue—can't break that vow~"
Muttering to himself, he breezed past the ministry.
And stepped into the opulent building housing the Northland Bank.
Hearing his grumble, the little pink fox at his collar finally poked its head out.
Its wide, adorable eyes stared at him in utter disbelief.
"Rosalyne!?"
"Another woman?"
"Is this name from some affair or something?"
"Sakuya-sama!"
"You weren't like this before! You just confessed to Keqing."
"You just promised to wait in her office."
"And now you're off to find another woman!? Even if you're a playboy, you're still my Sakuya."
"But I can't watch this!"
"No way! We need a serious talk tonight!"
The little fox's indignant yips.
To Lin Mo's ears, they were just high-pitched squeaks of hunger.
"Yaoyao, did you catch a whiff of the scents drifting from Wanmin next door?" Lin Mo smiled, giving her fluffy head a gentle rub.
In his experience, that's what those frantic chirps meant—empty belly.
"Don't worry, once I'm done here, I'll grab us some of Liyue's finest treats."
With a quick pat, he continued up the grand staircase.
The Northland Bank occupied the third floor.
As soon as he reached it, Lin Mo spotted the guard Vlad stationed at the door.
"Sir, you look unfamiliar. How may I assist you today?"
Vlad asked politely. "Savings? Or perhaps a loan?"
"Uh... neither, actually."
Lin Mo shook his head. "I'm looking for the lady. She told me to come to the Northland Bank once I reached Liyue."
"Y-You're... Lord Mondstadt Gan Qing?"
"Hm? What's that about?" Lin Mo asked, puzzled.
"Nothing at all. Please, come right in."
Vlad ushered him inside with utmost respect.
But a quick scan showed no sign of the lady in the bank.
"Where is she?" Lin Mo wondered aloud.
"Well, Lord Gan Qing, it's like this," Vlad explained with an awkward smile. "Yesterday, the Harbinger had an urgent mission and headed to Mt. Aozang."
"But she left strict instructions: if you arrived, treat you like royalty."
"Mt. Aozang... oh, right." Lin Mo slapped his forehead in realization.
He'd completely forgotten—
Today was the day of the Geo Archon's "demise."
Barring surprises, Rosalyne and Zhongli were likely deep in talks somewhere in Liyue, plotting the release of Orobashi to test the nation's resolve.
Looks like...
This trip was a bust.
"Oh! Right!"
Vlad piped up then. "The Harbinger left something for you. Let me take you to fetch it."
"Something for me?"
Lin Mo followed, intrigued.
They climbed to the second floor of the bank.
"Here it is," Vlad said, gesturing to a large chest.
"The Harbinger said there's 200,000 Mora inside."
"If that's not enough for Lord Gan Qing, just come back—we'll provide more."
"Got it."
Lin Mo nodded with a smile.
Without a second thought, he pocketed the entire 200,000 Mora.
He was flat broke, after all.
The funds Jean had given him were long gone on daily essentials, and he hadn't had much to start with.
In prosperous Liyue, everything cost a pretty penny.
This haul would keep him comfortable for a good while.
Being bankrolled by a sugar mama? Pure bliss!
But then—
Lin Mo: ???
This scene felt way too familiar.
It hit him all at once.
In Genshin Impact, the second floor of the Northland Bank hid a chest with exactly 200,000 Mora!
Well played.
Turns out, this was his money all along!
Good thing he'd beaten Lumine and Paimon here.
If those two stumbled in during the plot, who knows if it'd still be waiting?
Pockets full, Lin Mo left the bank in high spirits.
"Hm... with cash to burn, how about a proper feast?" he mused.
He rubbed the little fox's head again, chuckling. "Hey, little one, how's this: I'll hit Wanmin for some takeout, then we can feast in Keqing's office?"
"Hmph!"
(Using another woman's money to buy treats, then eating in yet another's office. Classic you!)
The pink fox's squeaks?
To him, just eager demands from a starving fluffball.
"Alright, Wanmin it is."
Lin Mo strolled along, muttering, "No booze this time—just some fine tea leaves."
He'd barely finished his whisper when a girl's mumble drifted into his ears:
"The Hall Master here can't even afford tea leaves anymore~"
"Lin Mo, my guest elder, take a look at this—it's all low-grade stuff I'm stuck with."
"If only you were here~"
"You'd never let me settle for such trashy brew~!"
Lin Mo: ???
The voice froze him in his tracks.
There, passing right by him, was a girl with deep brown twin tails.
Dressed in a black short robe, topped with a black top hat adorned with a few blooming plum flowers.
Muttering "Lin Mo, guest elder" under her breath.
Her tone carried a touch of pitiful grievance.
Noticing his stare, the girl slowly turned her head.
Those unique plum-blossom pupils in her striking eyes...
Who else but Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
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T/N:
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