Just as Ningguang pointed at Keqing, so angry she couldn't even get words out, a gust swept in from behind.
She turned—and saw a pretty young woman walking inside.
Ningguang recognized her at once. Huixin. Uncle Tian's daughter.
She carried herself well—composed, proper, the kind of person who left a good impression.
Ningguang glanced at Keqing. "That's Huixin. Uncle Tian's daughter."
Keqing watched Huixin for a moment, then looked away.
Huixin was pretty, sure—but Ryou hadn't married her. That alone said enough. Keqing wasn't worried Ryou would do anything reckless. He wasn't that kind of man.
And besides—
Keqing's eyes flicked elsewhere, the thought passing quickly.
With Ryou's… stamina, Huixin wouldn't last even half an hour. Marrying him? No chance.
Her mind drifted to Ganyu instead.
An adeptus. Stronger than humans in every way. And if she ever needed an ally, having just Ganyu was enough.
Keqing got along with Ganyu—that was why she could accept her.
Anyone else? No.
Especially not Ningguang.
Keqing shot Ningguang a sharp look. "Ningguang, you've really changed. Since when do you stare at someone else's husband? Fix your eyes. That's my husband."
"Fine, fine." Ningguang waved it off. "But later, come to the Jade Chamber for some tea. I've got something serious to ask him. And there are other things I want to discuss with you two."
She couldn't stop thinking about that medical proposal from last time. She'd already approved the funding, and Ryou's suggestion mattered to her. Recently, she'd had Yelan investigate the Fatui—so she finally had the time to handle this properly.
"Alright." Keqing held Ningguang's gaze for a beat, then agreed.
While they were talking, Huixin hurried to Uncle Tian's side, breath a little unsteady.
"Father—someone told me you were brought to Bubu Pharmacy. Are you okay? Baizhu-sensei—!"
"Huixin-san," Baizhu said, calm as ever, "Tian-san has been poisoned. Luckily, it was discovered early. I can treat him and help him recover. You don't need to worry too much."
"Poisoned?" Huixin's hands tightened. "H-How did that happen?"
Uncle Tian usually dealt with a mountain of work, but he'd always been strong these past few years. Lately, though, she'd noticed something off. The moment a coworker said he'd gone to Bubu Pharmacy, she'd rushed over without thinking.
"Huixin." Uncle Tian patted her shoulder lightly. "Don't panic. Baizhu-sensei says it can be treated. And this is thanks to Ryou—he warned me. Otherwise I wouldn't have even known I'd been poisoned." His voice lowered. "The outcome… would've been unthinkable. Ryou is our family's lifesaver."
Huixin turned to Ryou.
The instant she met his eyes, her heart kicked hard, fast enough to throw off her breathing. Even her body trembled a little before she could steady herself.
That feeling was strange—too strange.
Her gaze grew complicated. "Ryou… thank you for saving my father."
"It's nothing," Ryou said, shaking his head. "Just something I could do. Our families have always been close."
Looking at Huixin, a quiet heaviness rose in him.
He'd met her before. His father had wanted him to marry her too—given the relationship between their families, it would've been easy.
But in the end, he'd turned Huixin down and married Keqing.
Huixin was a good woman—gentle, pretty, with that warm "girl next door" kind of charm. The kind of personality that would make a home feel peaceful.
But with Keqing in his life, it was never going to be them.
"Then… can I invite you to dinner tonight?" Huixin blurted out, then stopped short. "N-No, sorry. I forgot you're already married. I… I'll invite both of you. You and Keqing. Together."
There was bitterness in her voice.
She'd had the chance to become Ryou's wife once.
And she'd heard about what he'd done at Yujing Terrace—again and again. Every time, it left the same taste in her throat: sour, helpless.
But he'd married Keqing.
"It's fine. This…" Ryou saw it in her eyes. He glanced at Keqing without thinking.
Keqing gave him a small nod.
"Alright," Ryou said. "Pick a place and tell me when you've decided."
"Thank you." Huixin exhaled, tension finally easing from her shoulders.
Behind her, Uncle Tian watched the scene unfold and let out a long sigh.
If he'd been shameless enough back then—if he'd pressed Ryou's father harder—maybe things would've turned out differently.
Now, seeing his daughter like this…
As her father, it hurt.
[End of chapter]
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