Yi Chen tilted his head slightly, a serious, thoughtful expression appearing on his face.
He carefully reviewed everything he owned.
He had only just bought a house—his funds were tight.
Aside from the system's strange rewards (most of which absolutely could not be shown in public), he really didn't have anything presentable.
Somewhat troubled, Yi Chen looked at Ningguang.
His gaze was so clean and sincere it was almost disarming.
"Lady Ningguang, I'm just an ordinary person.
I don't think I have anything particularly valuable that I could offer in exchange."
Ningguang froze for a moment—then covered her lips and laughed softly.
This man… was far too interesting.
"You defeated a Fatui Harbinger without breaking a sweat," she said with a smile,
"and yet you still insist you're just an ordinary person?"
"Mr. Yi Chen, you really are amusing."
But instead of basking in the praise, Yi Chen shook his head seriously.
He turned his gaze toward the countless lights of Liyue Harbor outside the window.
"The size of one's power doesn't decide whether a person is ordinary or not."
"My strength exists to protect what I care about—Mondstadt, my companions, and peaceful nights like this."
"I won't use it to hurt innocent people,
and I certainly won't use it as bargaining chip."
Ningguang listened quietly.
In the lantern light, the young man's profile looked especially clear and resolute.
She had seen countless people—greedy, cunning, hypocritical, arrogant.
People who chased power, used it to amass wealth, or flaunted it as status.
Someone like Yi Chen—
possessing terrifying strength yet remaining this pure, separating power from self-worth and viewing protection as natural—
She had never seen such a person in all of Liyue… perhaps even all of Teyvat.
A subtle but unmistakable admiration rose in her heart.
Her smile softened—less that of the Tianquan calculating every angle, and more that of Ningguang herself.
"Mr. Yi Chen, I respect your principles."
"Then let's change the approach."
"If you won't exchange power… surely exchanging labor is acceptable?"
She paused, watching him turn back with a puzzled look, then spoke her proposal.
"Become my temporary secretary. What do you say?"
Yi Chen's eyes lit up instantly.
He nodded so fast it looked like his head might fall off.
"Sure! Sure! I'm great at being a secretary!"
"Please make full use of me, Lady Ningguang!"
Ningguang laughed, amused by his enthusiasm.
"Very well. Then I'll be sure to put you to good use, my new assistant."
As soon as she said it, however, a question surfaced in her mind.
She had met many people obsessed with wealth—
for power, indulgence, ambition.
But Yi Chen's motivation felt… strangely simple, yet complex.
She asked gently,
"Assistant Yi Chen, may I ask—why are you so determined to earn money?"
"With your strength, if you truly wanted to, Mora would practically walk into your pockets."
Yi Chen immediately grew serious.
He began counting on his fingers.
"For living! Lady Ningguang, you don't know—I just bought a house in Mondstadt. Renovation costs, maintenance, furniture, savings for marriage—"
He sighed, then brightened again.
"And if I can help Mondstadt's economy improve along the way, so everyone can earn money more easily, that would be even better!"
"But I know Liyue and Mondstadt are very different."
"Mondstadt is free and relaxed. Liyue is built on contracts and rules.
Copy-pasting Liyue's model would never work—it'd be completely unsuited."
"So—"
He looked at Ningguang, eyes full of genuine eagerness.
"I really want to learn from you. Starting from the basics."
Ningguang listened silently.
From practical needs…
to concern for others…
to visions for his homeland…
ending with clear self-awareness and willingness to learn—
Her understanding of him deepened once more.
And then—perhaps due to the swirl of emotions, or perhaps because he was simply too…
endearing—
She reached out.
Very naturally.
And gently ruffled Yi Chen's soft black hair.
They both froze.
Ningguang reacted first—but instead of pulling her hand back, she smoothly gave it another light pat, seamlessly turning the moment into encouragement from a superior to a junior.
"Mm. Thoughtful, responsible, and earnest."
"Keep it up, my assistant, Yi Chen."
This seemingly warm scene, however, did not escape Kaeya's notice.
From a distance—wine glass in hand (and "casually" observing)—his eyes widened.
He slammed the glass down, instantly pulled out a small notebook and quill from some unknown pocket, and began scribbling furiously.
"Major diplomatic intelligence!
Tianquan Ningguang performs head-pat maneuver on Knights of Favonius Acting Grandmaster's Assistant—clear sign of favor and intimacy!"
"Extremely serious! Must report to Acting Grandmaster Jean immediately!"
Meanwhile—
Ganyu, who had been looking for Yi Chen, also witnessed the scene.
Her gaze lingered on Ningguang's hand resting atop Yi Chen's hair.
A faint flicker crossed her face—something like hesitation… or loss?
As if the cabbage she had been carefully watching over had just been…
patted by a powerful, elegant, wealthy woman.
She bit her lip lightly.
Then lowered her head.
And quietly chose not to step forward.
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