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Xu Luo had anticipated that either Keqing or Ningguang would eventually come knocking on his door. As an outlander from another world, he was naturally the prime suspect in any mystery involving a multidimensional broadcast. However, he had a very simple and logical defense prepared to deflect any suspicion.
Master Keqing, please, think about what you're saying. If I truly possessed the god-like ability to manipulate space and time across all of Teyvat, would I really be living in this cramped rental house, scraping by as a lowly adventurer taking odd commissions just to pay for my next meal?
Xu Luo spread his hands in a gesture of complete helplessness, wearing an expression of pure, innocent sincerity. Keqing blinked, her violet eyes widening in realization. She looked around the modest, slightly cluttered room and then back at the young man standing before her. His reasoning was sound; there wasn't a single point she could use to refute it. If he were an all-powerful being, he certainly wasn't living like one.
I'm very sorry. I was being reckless and acted without thinking.
Keqing apologized immediately, her face flushing a deep shade of crimson from embarrassment. The lingering sting of being portrayed as a street vendor in that "Master Niuza" video had made her dizzy with indignation. As soon as she had even a shred of suspicion regarding Xu Luo's origin, she had charged over here without a second thought. Now, she realized she had likely committed a major social blunder by accusing an innocent man of cosmic-scale mischief.
It's quite alright. To realize one's mistake and correct it is the hallmark of a true leader. There's no harm done.
Xu Luo waved his hand graciously, though inwardly he felt incredibly shameless. He was, of course, the one responsible for the videos, yet here was one of the Liyue Qixing apologizing to him for "wrongfully" accusing him. It was a level of gaslighting that would make a Fatui Harbinger blush.
Well, as a proper apology for my intrusion, please allow me to treat you to dinner.
Keqing scratched her cheek somewhat naively. Xu Luo, seeing no reason to turn down a free meal from the Yuheng herself, agreed instantly. Even though he had finished a late lunch only a short while ago, he wasn't about to pass up the chance to spend more time with the girl whose reputation he was currently systematically dismantling.
Since the Yuheng was the host, the venue was naturally Xinyue Kiosk, one of Liyue Harbor's most upscale and exclusive dining establishments. Xu Luo wasn't particularly used to such high-end environments; he personally preferred the lively, smoky atmosphere of Wanmin Restaurant, where the common folk gathered to eat. Furthermore, Xinyue Kiosk usually required a reservation months in advance and a certain social status just to get through the door, making it quite a hassle for a regular citizen.
However, the staff at Xinyue Kiosk wouldn't dream of neglecting a request from Lady Keqing. They were ushered into a private room immediately, and soon, a table filled with exquisite dishes was served. Xinyue Kiosk specialized in Yue-style cuisine, focusing on the high-end market where every dish was a masterpiece of color, aroma, and flavor. It was a completely different culinary experience compared to the hearty, spicy comfort food served by Master Mao and Xiangling. It was said that the owners of Xinyue Kiosk had once tried to recruit Master Mao to lead their kitchen, but he had refused, preferring his independent life.
Among the various delicacies on the table sat a plate of Golden Shrimp BallsâKeqing's absolute favorite. It just so happened that Xu Luo was also a fan of seafood. He deliberately reached out and took a few of the shrimp balls for himself. Seeing her favorite snack disappear into his mouth, Keqing's face momentarily shifted into a comical "kitten" pout, her eyes following the chopsticks with tragic focus.
Hahahaha, alright, I won't tease you anymore. You can have the rest.
Xu Luo laughed, realizing he shouldn't be too cruel to his benefactor. He was satisfied with just a few bites. Keqing puffed out her cheeks slightly in a brief display of temper before she remembered her position. She quickly adjusted her posture, smoothing her hair and returning to the mode of a calm, dignified lady of the Qixing.
Despite her attempt to remain professional, she found that Xu Luo gave her a very unique feeling. Usually, Xiangling was the only person who would dare to joke with her so casually. Ningguang was her colleague, and their relationship was strictly professional and results-oriented. Ganyu, while lovely, was painfully shy and usually too busy with paperwork to engage in banter. As for the men who pursued her in Liyue, none of them were worth mentioning. Most were only interested in her status as Yuheng or the massive real estate holdings of her family. Beyond that, she was so absorbed in her work for the people of Liyue that she never had the time or inclination for something as tedious as a blind date.
As the meal drew to a close, Keqing finally broached the subject that had been lingering in the back of her mind. She set her chopsticks down and looked at Xu Luo with eyes full of genuine curiosity.
Xu Luo, I wanted to ask... what is your hometown like? What is the world you came from truly like compared to Teyvat?
She paused, leaning in slightly. Are there vast differences between your home and Liyue?
Xu Luo understood the intent behind her question immediately. Keqing wasn't just making small talk; she was looking for a blueprint. Although she was a loyal citizen and respected Rex Lapis, her core philosophy was that Liyue should transition into an era ruled by humans, no longer relying on the guidance of gods and illuminated beasts. However, the path to a godless society was unknown and fraught with danger. While she was confident that the people of Liyue were capable, she still harbored deep concerns about the transition. As an outlander, Xu Luo represented a perspective from a world that might have already solved the problems she was currently facing.
Alright, if you're curious, I'll tell you about it.
Xu Luo set down his own chopsticks and took a sip of tea, preparing to give her a heavily edited version of the truth. He looked at her with a serious expression.
In my world, the era of gods and demons ended thousands of years ago. The realm of the divine is completely isolated from the world of mortals. They cannot interfere with us, and we cannot reach them. In fact, so much time has passed that the vast majority of human beings believe that gods and demons are nothing more than mythsâfictional stories from ancient times.
Xu Luo leaned forward, his voice dropping to a confidential tone. Because of that, the world I come from has been ruled entirely by humanity for millennia. Every achievement, every law, and every victory was won by human hands alone.
Hearing those words, Keqing's eyes lit up with a brilliant, hopeful light. This was exactly the confirmation she had been seeking. A world without gods wasn't a world of chaos; it was a world where humans had reached their full potential. She hung on his every word, her mind already spinning with the implications for the future of Liyue. To her, Xu Luo wasn't just a traveler anymore; he was a living testament to the possibility of her dreams.
The two of them sat in the quiet, luxurious room of Xinyue Kiosk, the fading sunlight of Liyue Harbor casting long shadows across the table. For Keqing, the information was more valuable than all the Mora in the Northland Bank. For Xu Luo, it was another step in establishing his persona in this world, all while the system in his mind continued to count the emotional value points he was harvesting from the rest of the unsuspecting population. He knew that the next broadcast would likely shake her world even more, but for now, he enjoyed the quiet dinner and the company of the most hardworking woman in Liyue.
The dinner continued in a much more relaxed atmosphere, with Keqing asking detailed questions about how a world without gods handled everything from law to technology. Xu Luo answered as best he could, weaving a narrative of human resilience and ingenuity that perfectly aligned with Keqing's own ambitions. By the time they left the restaurant, the bond between them had strengthened significantly. Keqing felt she had found a kindred spirit, while Xu Luo knew he had secured a very powerful allyâor at least a very interesting victim for future videos.
As they walked through the moonlit streets of Liyue, the sound of the ocean waves provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Keqing seemed more energized than she had been in weeks, her usual fatigue replaced by a sharp, focused determination. She thanked Xu Luo once more for the conversation, promising that if he ever needed anything within Liyue, he only had to ask. Xu Luo watched her walk away, her violet pigtails swaying with each confident step. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air. The stage was set, and the people of Teyvat were about to see much more of his "second creations."
He returned to his rental house, the silence of the night a stark contrast to the busy day. He lay down on his bed, looking at the ceiling. The emotional value he had gathered today was substantial, and the information he had given Keqing would undoubtedly ripple through the Qixing in the days to come. He closed his eyes, ready to let the system prepare the next surprise for the world. The era of the Second Creation Live Studio was only just beginning, and he intended to make every moment count.